Sips & Nibbles: Holiday Edition

I am back again with a special holiday edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) This holiday season, ring in the Festival of Lights with a special Hanukkah Power Lunch Menu at Davio’s Boston. Executive Chef Eric Swartz has created a traditional three-course holiday menu, which will be available from Monday, December 26 to Friday, December 30, form 11:30am-3pm.

The Menu:
Antipasti
Crispy Potato Latke, Warm Apples, Sour Cream
or
Chicken, Noodles, Matzo Ball Soup
Caserecci
Poached Atlantic Salmon, Roasted Beets, Arugula, Horseradish, Crème Fraiche
or
Pastrami, Swiss, Grain Mustard, Thousand Island, Challah Roll, Coleslaw
or
Braised Brisket, Carrots, Roasted Potatoes, Onions, Green Beans
Dolce
Assorted Holiday Cookies

COST: $25 per guest (excluding tax & gratuity)
À la Carte lunch menu also available.
For reservations, please call 617-357-4810

2) This holiday season, Bar Boulud, located at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, is celebrating Christmas Day with a special three-course, prix-fixe feast. Served in lieu of the restaurant’s à la carte menu, Chef de Cuisine Michael Denk and his talented culinary team have crafted a selection of classic Christmas dishes served with French influences and New England ingredients including: Duck Pâté featuring foie gras, apricots and pistachios; Maine Peekytoe Crab Salad, a Chef Daniel Boulud classic, served with endive, grapefruit, crème fraîche, celery and blood orange; and Seared Halibut prepared with a parsley garlic crust, mussel velouté, saffron and fingerling potatoes.

To satisfy each guests’ sweet tooth, Pastry Chef Robert Differ has carefully handcrafted a trio of confections, which include: Peppermint Chocolate Coupe, comprised of white chocolate namelaka, cool and creamy peppermint ice cream, and a rich chocolate biscuit; Warm Gingerbread Pudding, capped with brandy anglaise, orange-ginger crumb and a dollop of vanilla ice cream; and Apple Crisp, topped with fresh almond cream, cinnamon streusel and ginger ice cream.

For guests looking to enhance their dining experience, Sommelier David Bérubé will be present to recommend a selection of hand-picked wine pairings.

WHEN: Sunday, December 25, from 12PM to 8PM
COST: $85 per person; Additional $59 for optional wine pairings
To make a reservation, please call 617-535-8800

3) Bar, Boulud Boston at Mandarin Oriental, Boston invites Bostonians to polish off 2016 with joyful memories and delicious cuisine. To ring in the New Year, Bar Boulud, Boston will host guests for two New Year’s Eve celebrations.

A New Year’s Eve Pre-Celebration will start the evening’s festivities at 5:30PM. Bar Boulud’s Chef de Cuisine, Michael Denk, and his culinary team invite guests to enjoy a three-course, prix-fixe menu, boasting signature ingredients synonymous with the winter season. Stand-out menu offerings include Spaghetti Nero, laced with sauce Américaine, a hint of tarragon, red pearl onions, and hardy fennel, along with Coq au Vin, savory red wine-braised chicken enhanced with bacon lardons, pearl onions, carrots, mushrooms and a classic gemelli pasta.

To continue the celebration, Bar Boulud’s New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner will begin at 9:00PM. Featuring a five-course, prix-fixe menu, guests will have the option to add sommelier-selected wine pairings to accompany each course. Executive Chef Denk and his culinary team will celebrate with five mouth-watering dishes including Oyster Canapé, topped with champagne gelée, and John Dory, boasting tender butter-poached langoustine, finished with a creamy bisque, saffron rice, fennel, and sweet and mild cipollini onion.

Cost: New Year’s Eve Pre-Celebration: $80 per person
New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner: $150 per person (optional sommelier-selected wine pairings for $95 per person)
To make a reservation, please call 617-535-8800

4) Executive Chef Josue Louis and the rest of the team at Bistro du Midi invite guests to indulge in two special menus showcasing the best of the restaurant’s award-winning Provencal cuisine this New Year’s Eve. The first seating (5:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 6:30 p.m) features a four-course prix fixe menu for only $95 per person, and the second seating (8:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 10:00 p.m.) features a six-course prix fixe for $150 per person. For each seating, guests have the option to add a White Truffle Course ($30) to make for a truly decadent meal.

Head Sommelier Todd Lipman has created a stunning lineup of paired wines to enhance the dining experience. Optional wine pairings for the first seating is $65 per person, and $95 per person for the second seating.

To make Reservations, please call 617-426-7878

5) At CHOPPS American Bar and Grill, inside the Boston Marriott Burlington Hotel, Executive Chef Steve Zimei has prepared a three-course New Year’s Eve menu worthy of celebration. Highlights from the menu include a choice of Appetizer like Pepper Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras on brioche toast points and sour cherry chutney and Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese, frisee, shaved fennel, dried strawberries, spiced Marcona almonds, and citrus vinaigrette, and entrée choices including Bone-In Filet Mignon Au Poivre with caramelized onion, smoked bacon whipped potatoes, honshimji mushrooms, roasted Cipollini onions, and béarnaise sauce, Maine Lobster Risotto with melted leeks and Maine Lobster, or Skillet Roasted Salmon with crispy fingerling potatoes, brussels sprouts, black trumpet mushrooms, and tomato butter. Guests have the option of ending the meal on a sweet note with the festive Adult Sundae with house made brownies, bourbon and baileys gelato, jalapeno hot fudge, and whipped cream served up in a Mason jar or the elegant Panna Cotta with blackberry coulis.

The menu is $75 per person or $95 per person with wine pairings. After indulging on this decadent meal, guests are invited to dance the night away to beats by DJ Chris Roxx from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For guests who prefer to plan in advance, CHOPPS and the Boston Marriott Burlington hotel are offering a special New Year’s Eve package from $369. The package includes: dinner for two at CHOPPS with entertainment from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m., a bottle of champagne welcome amenity and 2 PM late check out along with a buffet breakfast for two guests at CHOPPS on New Year’s Day. The booking code for New Year’s Eve CHOPPS package is EVE.

For reservations, please call 781-229-6565

6) Committee brings a taste of Greece to the Boston waterfront, and is the perfect spot to gather with friends and family for a special New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner Menu and New Year’s Day Brunch.

The New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner Menu features fresh and seasonal Greek fare with an abundance of Spreads, Salad, Meze, Main Courses and Desserts. DJ Ryan Brown is also in the house and will keep the festivities going into the early hours of 2017.

The celebrations continue with New Year’s Day Brunch on January 1st featuring favorites with a Greek twist such as: Baklava Oatmeal (rolled oats, toasted walnuts, cinnamon-allspice, cloves, Kalamata figs, honey, shredded phllyo), Breakfast Gyro (scrambled eggs, grilled halloumi, loukaniki, florina pepper, coulis, wrapped in pita, served with patates tiganites), Spanakopita Grilled Cheese (spinach, feta, kasseri on kalamata olive loaf, served with tomato soup). DJ Ryan Brown will return to play today’s hottest hits while guests sip, sit back and savor delicious food and drink.

The special New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner Menu is $75/person.
Please call 617-737-5051 to make a reservation.

2016: Favorite Wine-Related Items

What were some of my favorite wine related items of the past year?

Let me continue the lists of my best recommendations and favorites of 2016. I have already posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15, Top Ten Wines Over $15 and Top Wines Over $50 lists. This post will now concentrate on some of my Favorite Wine-Related Items, which are not specific wine recommendations. This is certainly not a complete list but it is more a sampling of compelling and memorable matters I have experienced and posted about over the past year.

This is also a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. But all of the items here have earned my strong recommendations and I hope you will enjoy them as well. For more wine related items, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

Analysis Of Top Ten Wines: In my three prior Top Ten Wine lists, I mentioned a total of 42 wines, which included wines from 10 different countries. At the top was Spain, with 10 wines (which was in second place last year). Portugal and Italy (which was in first place last year) are tied for second place, with 7 wines. Nearly 60% of my top wines came from just these three countries. Greece and France are tied for third place with with 4 wines. The U.S. has 3 wines, 2 from California and 1 from New York. Georgia and Cyprus each had 2 wines on the lists while Argentina and Slovenia each has 1 wine. As for wine types, the list is also broken down into 5 Sparkling, 12 Whites, 4 Rosé, 13 Reds, 7 Fortified and 1 Dessert Wine. Thirteen of the wines were first tasted at the Boston Wine Expo, where I often find a significant number of intriguing wines.

Favorite Discount Wine Stores: Consumers always want bargains, excellent value wines which won't stretch their wallets. You can buy the cheap, mass-produced commercial wines which can be found in almost any wine store or instead, you can seek out excellent, value wines which put to shame those cheap wines. Certain discount wine stores provide not only excellent prices but also an interesting selection and good service. I want to highlight three such stores which continue to do an especially good job, places where I go to seek bargains: Bin Ends in Braintree & Needham, Wine Connextion in North Andover, and Rapid Liquors in Stoneham (which recently completed a major expansion). Shop at any of those stores and you won't be disappointed.

Favorite Wine Stores: This is a small list of wine stores which consistently impress me with their selection and service. Each shop is worthy of your patronage and wine lovers should make the effort to visit these places if you have not done so yet.
Lower Falls Wine Company in Newton Lower Falls
Wine-Sense in Andover
Wine Bottega in Boston's North End
Central Bottle Wine & Provisions in Cambridge
Wine Press in Brookline
Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose (where I also work part-time)
Streetcar Wines in Jamaica Plain

Favorite Wine Lunch/Dinner: Champagne pairs well with food, but some Champagnes do it better than others. The Champagnes of Besserat de Bellefon are specifically produced to accompany food and lunch at L'Espalier helped to show its excellence with food pairings. The lunch tasting was educational and delicious, fun and informative. Two of the Champagnes also ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists. The secret of its versatility with food is its smaller bubbles, which makes the Champagne taste creamier, more unctuous, and lighter.

Runner-Up Favorite Wine Lunch/Dinners: This category was a tie, between an Italian wine dinner and a Cypriot wine dinner. The Piedmontese Wine Dinner at Osteria Nino presented several killer wines, three which ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists, accompanied by dishes from Gnocchi al Castelmagno e Noci to Bollito di Manzo. A Cypriot Wine Dinner at Committee offered several compelling wines, two which ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists, wines which you rarely see at other restaurants. The tasty cuisine was Cypriot as well, from Eliopites to Koupes. Both wine dinners helped to show how regional wines and cuisines pair well with each other.

Favorite High-End Wine Lunch/Dinner: Argentina would be hard pressed to find a better advocate for their wines than Laura Catena. At a special lunch at Bistro du Midi, Laura Catena shared with us some of the top wines from Bodega Catena Zapata, wines from the famed Adrianna Vineyard. From the White Bones and White Stones Chardonnays to three incredible Malbecs, we learned about this vineyard and its various expressions. The lunch was informative and inspirational, and the wines were stunning. And the food, from Lamb Carpaccio to Flat Iron Steak Frites, was delicious, pairing well with the two Malbecs at the table. One of the Chardonnays from this lunch also ended up on one of my Top Ten Wine lists.

Favorite Regional Wine Tasting: This category was also a tie, between Franciacorta, an Italian Sparkling Wine, and Georgian wines (the country, not the state). At the Wine Bottega, Jeremy Parzen was Spreading Love For Franciacorta, showcasing 11 wines and helping to give attention to this compelling bubbly. Jeremy is an excellent ambassador for these wines and it made sure the tasting was educational and fun. At Puritan & Co., there was a significant tasting of Georgian wines, which led to my post, Drink More Georgian Wine! Georgian wines can be delicious and intriguing, and it was fascinating to explore more of their wines. And both of these tastings had wines that ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists this year.

Favorite Large-Scale Tasting: This year, this award goes to the Boston Wine Expo, a huge consumer wine event. Thirteen wines from this event ended up on my Top Ten Wine lists. It has its issues, primarily due to the large crowds that attend, but there are ways to maximize your wine exploration and enjoyment, from attending the Seminars to focusing your tasting on certain regions and/or wine styles. Early next month, I'll be posting my suggestions and advice for attending the Expo, which should help to improve your experience. Check here for tickets for the 2017 Boston Wine Expo,

Favorite Private Wine Tasting: My good friend Adam, of Wine Zag, hosts a monthly blind tasting event which is always fun and interesting. There haven't been many tastings this past year due to a number of circumstances but it remains my favorite private event. A group of 15-18 people are assembled, and we taste through about twelve wines, usually with some type of theme. From Champagne to Southern Italian reds, the themes range wide and the wines themselves range in price and style. The attendees include wine newcomers and more knowledgeable tasters, but there is a lack of pretension and the casual atmosphere is one of fun and discovery. This is the fifth year in a row this tasting has garnered this honor. The house has changed, allowing a more intimate event.

Favorite Wine Travel Event: This past June, I attended TasteCamp Vermont, exploring the food and drink or Vermont. TasteCamp is always one of my favorite events as a small group of wine writers get together to explore a wine region, though the event has expanded to include additional alcoholic beverages as well. Vermont is a compelling destination, with delicious and interesting drinks from Hard Cider to Maple Syrup Beverages. There are a number of excellent Distilleries, producing wonders such as Barrel-Aged Gin. And I actually have more to write about this experience so look forward to more info about the delights of Vermont.

Favorite Wine Rant: Is wine simply a luxury, relatively unimportant? In one of my rants, I tried to answer the question, Wine Is Just Fermented Grape Juice? In one respect, it is just fermented grape juice, but there are other levels involved as well. Wine can be important, a key to bringing people together, creating friendships, and prolonging those friendships. Take a look at my Rant and think about its contents. Maybe you will see wine through a different lens.

What were some of your favorite wine-related items this year?

2016: Top Wines Over $50

What were some of my favorite wines of the past year?

Welcome to my third, and last, Top Wines List. I have already posted my Top Ten Wines Under $15 and Top Ten Wines Over $15. It is now time for my Top Ten Wines Over $50. Like the prior lists, this list includes wines that not only did I enjoy, but which I also found to be particularly compelling for various reasons. They might be especially delicious, something more unique or just excellent values for the price. They all stand out, for some particular reason, above the other wines at this price point that I have tasted this past year.

This is a purely subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" wines out there. It is primarily the wines which spoke to me the loudest, even when they were subtle wines. These are all wines that I highly recommend and which I believe many other wine lovers will also enjoy.

The wines are not listed in any particular order and each choice is linked to my more detailed prior review. All of these value wines are worth your consideration but please also note that the prices are approximations and the actual price may vary in your area. In addition, some of the wines might not be available in your local area, though you might be able to order them from the winery or an online store, dependent on your state's shipping laws.

1) 2011 Quinta Dona Matilde Vintage Porto ($54.99)
This Port is from a vintage which was universally declared and has received major raves. Made from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca and Rufete, this wine spent the first 2 years in large oak barrels and the rest in the bottle. With a deep and alluring aroma, this is an intense Port, muscular and powerful yet still restrained and elegant. It is full bodied, with strong tannins, deep red and black fruit flavors, and moderate spice notes. It possesses a lingering and pleasing finish. Though I think it would benefit from additional aging, it still is fairly approachable for a young vintage Port. With time, it should become a superb Port.

2) Ramos Pinto Tawny 20 Year Old Quinta do Bom Retiro ($70)
This is a highly impressive Port, produced from a blend of wines made from grapes including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, and Tinto Cão. The blend of wines also ranges in age, averaging out to 20 years, but the oldest wine is 70 years old, from the 1946 vintage. Overall, the blend includes approximately 50 different vintages, making for a fascinating melange. It is difficult to describe this is a wine as it needs to be experienced and words seem inadequate to properly describe the wonders of this Port. I can say that it is incredibly complex, with a wide range of aromas and flavors found within its liquid treasures. Each sip seems to bring something new to your nose and palate. From caramel to dried fruit, baking spices to almonds, and so much more. It is dry and silky smooth, a sensual delight which caresses and seduces your palate. And the finish is never ending, lingering and evolving with time. You could sit and analyze this Port all night, or just sit an enjoy the myriad pleasures in your glass. This is a "Wow" wine, something which should impress almost any wine lover.

3) Equipo Navazos Fino La Bota 54 ($50.99)
Equipo Navazos purchases, blends and stores Sherries, and they often are unique and compelling. The Palomino grapes for this Fino are from the famed Macharnudo vineyard, one of the top sites in the Sherry region that has sometimes been called the "Montrachet of Jerez." This Fino has a mean age of about ten years, and will last for many years if stored well. It is very fragrant, a pleasing aroma, that complements its intense and complex taste. It is bone dry, bright and crisp, with mild briny and nutty notes. This Fino has more layers of flavors than you find in a number of other Finos and is well worth checking out.

4) Cocchi Barolo Chinato ($57)
This is a unique Piedmontese digestif and producers all have their own secret recipes for creating Chinato. This Cocchi Barolo Chinato possesses plenty of complexity, being bitter and herbal, spicy and sweet, with black fruit flavors. The flavors blend harmoniously and you should slowly savor it, to revel in its unique taste profile. It is hard to describe the taste in words, as there is so much going on in this wine. It is also supposed to be an excellent pairing with chocolate.

5) NV Besserat de Bellefon Cuvée des Moines Brut Rosé ($70)
This fine Rosé Champagne is a blend of 30% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, & 40% Pinot Meunier. With a rich salmon color, this is a compelling Champagne, with bright red fruit flavors, a mild smokiness, peach & orange zest notes. It is crisp and clean, elegant and dry. This is a Champagne I could easily drink all night. It was paired with a couple cheeses and was a very pleasing companion. I think this would be a versatile Champagne for food pairings and I'd happily drink it with oysters, salmon, pizza or even a burger.

6) Vintage 2006 Besserat de Bellefon Cuvée des Moines Brut ($80)
This excellent Champagne is a blend of 54% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir, & 31% Pinot Meunier. It possesses a bright gold color and reminded me of their basic Brut except at a higher level, with more intensity and complexity. It is elegant, yet with more restrained power. Crisp and dry, creamy and delicious. A beautiful and harmonious melange of flavors, including apple, pear, almonds, spice and brioche. There is so much going on in the glass. I believe this Champagne would hold up well with grilled meats.

7) NV Gossett Cuvee 15 Brut ($150)
Just entering the U.S. market, this Champagne is a blend of  60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, using the best vintages from the late 1990s. It spent 15 years on the lees prior to disgorgment. It presents with a more unusual aroma, almost cheesy and earthy, though that doesn't come out on the palate, which was bone dry, with plenty of mineral notes and a touch of brioche, citrus and green apple. There were layers and layers of subtle flavors, an intriguing complexity which was hard to put into words. A fascinating and delicious Champagne which is highly recommended. Gosset has also been experimenting with longer aging on the lees, but it is too early to know whether anything will develop from those experiments. Grab a dozen oysters and enjoy the Cuvee 15 Brut!

8) 2010 Luis Rodriguez Vina de Martin Escolma Blanco ($65)
From the Ribeiro D.O. in the Galicia region, this Spanish wine is a blend of 20-40 year old vines of Treixadura, Albariño, Torrontés, and Lado. This is a quality cuvée that is only produced in excellent vintages. It is fermented in French oak, sits on the lees for 12 months, and then ages in the bottle for another 3 years. I very much enjoyed this wine, with its intriguing complexity, with some apple and tropical fruit flavors as well as plenty of minerality. It had a strong, floral aroma and a lengthy, pleasing finish.

9) 2013 Catena Zapata White Bones Chardonnay ($125)
This Argentinian wine is produced from grapes from the Adrianna Vineyard, one of the most studied vineyards in the world. It is made from 100% Chardonnay, with about two-thirds undergoing malolactic fermentation, and is aged in French oak for about 12-16 months. It is an impressive wine, likely to bring to mind a beautiful Chablis. It is bright and crisp, with a delicious and complex melange of citrus, pear, apple, mineral notes, and a hint of saltiness. It is medium-bodied with a long and pleasing finish. This is a wine that aches for seafood, from oysters to scallops, an elegant wine that you should slowly sip and enjoy.

10) NV Akenta Underwater Millesimato Spumante Extra Dry ($60-$70)
This Sardinian sparkling wine is made from 100% Vermentino, using the Charmat method, spends about six months aging 40 meters beneath the sea. The cold temperatures of the water, the darkness and the pressure all play a role in creating this wine. I found it is more full bodied, with a bright gold color and tiny bubbles.  There is an appealing aroma of stone fruit and almonds, with floral hints. On the palate, it is crisp with a slight touch of sweetness, and delicious flavors of peach, apple, and a mild bready note. Elegant and delicious.

France takes first place on this list, occupying three spots, while Portugal, Spain and Italy are tied for second place, all occupying two spots. And Argentina occupies the final spot. Of these wines, Sparkling Wines take first place, occupying four spots, with Champagne taking three of those spots. There are three Fortified Wines, two Ports and a Sherry, and one Italian digestif, a Chinato. Rounding out the list are two White Wines. The first wine on this list, the Quinta Dona Matilde Vintage Porto, was tasted at the Boston Wine Expo, an event where I often find a number of excellent value wines.

Not all expensive wines are worth their high price but these ten are wines well worth the splurge. These are the type of wines that words often cannot do justice. These are wines to experience and savor, not to dissect and analyze. These wines should be shared with others, with family and friends, to share the experience. With the holidays near, why not splurge and buy one of these wines.

If you have some of your own recommendations for unique and compelling wines over $50, please add them to the comments.

Osterio Posto: 3-Course Holiday Lunch Menu

Seeking a fun and tasty holiday lunch? Then, give consideration to Osteria Posto, an Italian steakhouse in Waltham.

Osteria Posto is presided over by Chef/Owner Joe Cassinelli of the Alpine Restaurant Group (which includes the Painted Burro, Rosebud American Kitchen, Posto, and Posto Mobile). Throughout the month of December, Osteria Posto is offering guests a three-course holiday lunch menu in addition to their regularly available lunch items. If you are in the area doing some holiday shopping, or just looking for a delicious lunch, then you should visit Osteria Posto and try their new lunch special.

The Holiday Lunch Menu includes:

Choice of appetizer:
--Bruschetta with roasted tomato, goat cheese, basil, and vincotto
--Caesar salad with Parmesan, ciabatta croutons and lemon, and anchovy vinaigrette
--Baby greens with Gorgonzola picante, spiced walnuts, and pomegranate vinaigrette
Choice of entrée:
--Mezzi rigatoni with ragu bolognese, pork, veal, beef, Parmesan
--Mafaldine with pumpkin pasata, roasted squash, sage, vincotto, and amaretti
--Mustard-glazed salmon with kale, honey crisp apples, macomber turnip, roasted rutabaga, cider
--Pork Milanese with spaetzle, oven-cured tomato, house mozzarella, and oregano
--Rosemary steak frites with skirt steak, rosemary fries, port wine butter, and bone marrow vinaigrette
Choice of dessert:
--Tiramisu with mascarpone, espresso, lady fingers, and chocolate
--Apple crostata with cinnamon streusel ice cream and black tea caramel sauce

Cost: The 3 course menu costs $36 per person (tax and gratuity not included)
To make Reservations, please call (781) 622-1500

As I was in the Waltham area yesterday, I decided to check out this lunch special as several items on the menu appealed to me. And it was a great choice as I enjoyed a delicious meal, and it's tempting to return again to try more items on the menu.

I began with the Bruschetta, receiving three slices of a crusty bread topped with a nice smear of goat cheese and plenty of roasted tomatoes. The creamy goat cheese was nicely balanced with the acidity of the tomatoes, and the flavors were enhanced with the basil and with roasted tomato, goat cheese, basil, and slightly sweet vincotto. It was a hearty-sized first course but I made sure to finish all three tasty pieces.

The Pork Milanese was also an ample size, with a nice crisp coating and plenty of gooey mozzarella. The pork itself was tender and flavorful and I thoroughly enjoyed every single piece. The spaetzle and oven-cured tomatoes added to the dish, and I'd love to see the spaetzle starring in its own dish. I'd highly recommend this dish if you have the holiday lunch menu.

For dessert, I chose the Apple crostata with a flaky and sweet pastry shell, thinly sliced apples, and the subtly spiced cinnamon streusel ice cream. The black tea caramel sauce was also more subtle with its tea flavor. Together, all of the different flavors meshed well, a fine ending to my lunch.

Osteria Posto never disappoints and this holiday lunch menu is an excellent way to sample the wonders of this suburban restaurant.

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) The Feast of the Seven Fishes, known as La Festa dei Sette Pesci, is a deeply rooted Italian Christmas Eve tradition, originating in Southern Italy and honoring the vigil prior to a religious holiday when no meat was served. Join Davio’s Boston on Saturday, December 24, from 5pm-11pm, to celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes with good food and great company.

The four-course prix-fixe menu, prepared by Executive Chef Eric Swartz, will feature unique and delectable seafood courses in addition to the à la carte menu.

MENU:
PRIMO
Artisan Lettuces, Chilled Octopus, Scallops, Crabmeat, Marble Potatoes, Frisée, Champagne Vinaigrette
SECONDO
Squid Ink Spaghetti, Baby Clams, Calamari, San Marzano Tomatoes, Oregano
PIATTO DELLA VIGILIA
Swordfish Roulade, Shrimp, Escarole, Mascarpone, Roasted Potatoes, Lemon Caper Butter
DOLCE
Chocolate Caramel Tart, Toasted Cashew Gelato, Sour Cherry Compote

COST: The prix-fixe menu is $65 per guest (excluding tax & gratuity).
Reservations are recommended by calling 617-357-4810.

2) Davio’s Lynnfield will also be celebrating the Feast of the Seven Fishes, on Saturday, December 24, from 5pm-10pm. The four-course prix-fixe menu, prepared by Executive Chef Danny Levesque, will feature unique and delectable seafood courses in addition to the à la carte menu. Reservations are recommended by calling 781.944.4810.

MENU:
PRIMO
Artisan Lettuces, Warm Octopus, Marble Potatoes, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Sherry Vinaigrette
SECONDO
Fritto Misto, Shrimp, Scallops, Oysters, Calamari, Lemon Aioli
PIATTO DELLA VIGILIA
Crab Stuffed Lemon Sole, Leeks, Baby Carrots, Zucchini, Roasted Tomato Butter
DOLCE
Pear Crostata, Vanilla Bean Gelato, Chai Spiced Caramel, Spun Sugar

COST: The prix-fixe menu is $65 per guest (excluding tax & gratuity).
Reservations are recommended by calling 781-944-4810.

3) Chefs from Puritan & Company, the Blue Room/Belly Wine Bar, Commonwealth, Craigie on Main, Little Donkey and BISq invite guests to a holiday reception benefitting the East Cambridge Fire Victims.

On Sunday, December 18, from 6pm-9pm, at Puritan & Company in Inman Square, these area restaurants will join together to host a ticketed holiday event to help the Cambridge neighbors who were affected by the devastating December 3rd fire that overtook the East Cambridge neighborhood. Chefs will join together to host a dine around reception that includes food and drinks for a ticketed price of $100 with all proceeds directly going to the Cambridge Mayor’s Fire Relief Fund.

Tickets can be purchased by logging onto Eventbrite here.

4) Every restaurant in the Boston Urban Hospitality family—Deuxave, Boston Chops and dBar —will be offering special New Year’s Eve menus to help make the last night of the year the most memorable one yet. Whether you’re looking for a multi-course blowout with osetra caviar or a late-night dance party until 2am, Boston Urban Hospitality has options to satisfy everyone.

Deuxave (4 courses; $150 + $75 for wine pairings) will feature an extravagant, four-course menu for those looking for a respite from the typical New Year’s Eve happenings. Deuxave’s celebratory affair will include supplemental Israeli Golden osetra caviar and white truffles from Alba; a look at the starts finds a Wagyu steak tartare with forbidden rice chips, papaya salad and crispy shallots; diners will also enjoy a mid course option including seared Nantucket Bay scallops with maitake mushrooms, brodo, fines herbs, and chili oil; the main course features dishes like a prime beef tenderloin with egg yolk ravioli, celery root puree in the style of chef Joel Robuchon’s famed purée de pomme and bordelaise sauce; and dessert ranges from satsuma sorbet with kaffir lime cream and pistachio crumble to coffee biscuit with cardamom ganache and caramelized vanilla glaze.
Seatings from 4pm to 11pm

Diners at Boston Chops (3 courses; $99) will have the opportunity to start their night with pristine oysters, jumbo shrimp cocktail, ceviche, local snappy lobster or go big with a mix-and-match seafood plateau. (Supplemental costs apply.) The three-course menu begins with refined versions of steakhouse classics: caesar salad, iceberg salad and a beef tartare and carpaccio duo with mushrooms duxelles, pickles and pistachio crackers; the main course options include filet mignon with cheesy croquettes and roasted asparagus and salmon with black trumpet mushroom risotto and swiss chard; the sweeter side of the night features a luscious coconut cake with passion fruit sorbet or a chocolate caramel dulce with chocolate short crust, caramel ice cream, and caramel tuile.
Seating from 4pm to 11pm

dBar (4 courses with a glass of champagne; $79) is your Dorchester destination for a rowdier celebration. Stop by between 5pm and 11pm for the four-course meal with a complimentary glass of champagne or come for the DJ and late-night dancing after you’ve eaten at Deuxave or Boston Chops.
Seating from 5pm to 11pm; DJ from 11pm to 2am

To make reservations, please call: Deuxave at (617) 517-5915, Boston Chops at (617) 227-5011 and dbar at (617) 265-4490.