Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) Seth Greenberg and the Serafina Seaport team announce their new weekend brunch. Brunch lovers can enjoy creative Italian inspired twists on traditional brunch fare every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 11 Fan Pier, footsteps away from the Boston Harborwalk.

The new Serafina Seaport brunch menu includes but is not limited to: 

--Lemon Ricotta Pancakes – fluffy ricotta pancakes, candied lemon, fresh berries, whipped cream; 

--Tiramisu French Toast – vanilla custard, sweetened espresso mascarpone and dark chocolate, 

--Truffle Benedict – roasted mushrooms, black truffle, english muffin, poached eggs, hollandaise, home fries; 

--Norcina Omelette – herb roasted mushrooms, spicy italian sausage fontina and home fries; 

--Sicilian Shakshuka (Seth Greenberg's longtime personal recipe) – paprika, spiced tomato, baked eggs, crumbled feta, niçoise olive, crostini; 

--Brunch Pizza topped with mozzarella, bacon, egg, potato, and caramelized onion; 

--Smoked Salmon Pizza garnished with crème di formaggio, crispy capers, and red onion; 

--Bacon Egg and Cheese Carbonara – parmigiano reggiano, focaccia breadcrumbs, spaghetti.

A specially selected cocktail list will accompany the menu, including: Blood Orange Bellinis, Espresso Martinis, Limoncello Spritzes, and Classic Italian Negronis. Should you wish, spritzes and mimosas can be presented in a cocktail tower during a group dining experience.

2) Tonno Wakefield invites guests to celebrate the start of summer in style at its Summer Kickoff Patio Party on Thursday, June 19th. From 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, guests can soak up the evening sun on the restaurant’s spacious outdoor patio while enjoying a curated selection of new summer cocktails and wines. The festive evening will feature themed tasting tables, each offering a unique pairing:

Table 1: Serving a Watermelon Martini with St. Marguerite ‘Symphonie’ Rosé and Flowers Rosé
Table 2: Features a refreshing Hugo Spritz with Ca’ Del Bosco Franciacorta and Zonin Prosecco
Table 3: Offers a Peach Bourbon Arnold Palmer paired with Alta Mora Etna Bianco and Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina
Table 4: Presents a spiked lemonade with Rombauer Chardonnay and Terlano Pinot Bianco.

Tickets are $50 per person and include all tastings, tax, and a selection of light bites to complement the drinks. Full dinner service will also be available, and reservations are highly recommended. Guests can secure their spot for this lively summer evening via Resy.

3) Committee, a Greek restaurant and bar, opened in the Seaport in June 2015, and for many years, it was one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Now, it's set to celebrate its 10th Anniversary, with some major changes. 

First, Owner George Aboujaoude has announced that Sebastian Zuluaga, formerly the Executive Chef at Saltie Girl, is taking over the kitchen at Committee. "As I continue to grow in my career, I'm excited to bring my experience to Committee at the Seaport. As we continue to work with our signature dishes, we will raise the standard and let the seasonal ingredients shine through our dishes. We just launched some amazing dishes, and they will only get better through our team." says Chef Zuluaga. 

Second, partner Dominick Minots and the team has just completed a total refresh of the space, including the outdoor patio. As a part of the refresh, the space has been updated from floor to ceiling to enhance both style and comfort. The front area of the space has been repurposed and transformed into a welcoming dining space with additional seats, tables and new banquettes. Additionally, darker tables have been added for a richer, more modern feel throughout. 

In the back of the house, several two-tops have been added, with a striking new mural. In total there are now 34 new seats, bringing the total to 172 seats. High-top banquettes have also been added to the back of the dining room, offering guests an elevated and versatile dining experience. The new mural by Mark Grundig has been beautifully refinished, featuring hues of blues and greens throughout. 

The updated patio space accommodates both intimate gatherings and larger events, with 68 total seats, and standing New tables, couches, and chairs offer a variety of seating options, both in and out of the shade, with new mood lighting and lush greenery. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Seaport community and to our loyal guests for their support over the past ten years. I’m excited to usher in the next chapter with a new chef and a complete refresh,” says George Aboujaoude. 

Lunch at Karma Asian Fusion in Winchester: First Impressions

Karma Asian Fusion is a high-end, Asian fusion restaurant and the first location was founded by Iverson Guo in 2006 in Westford. There are now locations in Concord, Burlington, Andover, and Winchester, with more to come. Although the menus at the different locations are largely very similar, there are some differences as well, allowing each location to have its own identity. I have previously dined at the Burlington location, and generally enjoyed the various dishes, especially their Sushi offerings. 

The Winchester location is now serving a new weekday Lunch Menu, and have also opened their patio dining, which can seat up to 36 guests. The Lunch Menu is available from Monday to Friday, 12PM - 3PM. The lunch menu intrigued me so I've dined there twice, to check out a significant number of their offerings. 

The Menu includes:

Appetizers

--Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings (3 pieces) $9.50 
--Salmon Carpaccio $15
--Chili Hamachi $15
--Crab Rangoon (4 pieces) $9
--Crispy Wonton (5 pieces; shrimp, chicken and sweet chili) $12
Soup/Salad

--Wonton Soup $10
--Cucumber Salad $10
Chinese Wok Lunch Sets $22

--Featuring General Gao’s Chicken, Yuen Yang Spicy Chicken or Beef, Vegetarian Mapo Tofu, and Mongolian Chicken or Beef. All served with hot and sour soup, white rice, pan fried dumplings, and edamame
Sushi Lunch Special $28

--Miso soup, edamame, 3 pieces of nigiri (otoro, Salmon, yellowtail), sashimi don, and ½ Fire Dragon Maki

The decor and ambiance is casually elegant, with some Asian accents, and a lengthy Sushi bar. There are multiple dining areas, and it's great for a casual meal, date night, a family dinner, a business lunch, or more. 

As for the Appetizers, the Salmon Carpaccio was excellent! Silky, tender slices of salmon, in a type of soy-based sauce with sesame seeds and scallions. A pleasing blend of textures and flavors, and an ample amount of salmon. Highly recommended!

The Chili Hamachi was also delicious, consisting of three large slices of hamachi, topped by jalapeños, and a slightly sweet sauce. Atop all of this was a crunchy and tasty mass, mixed with small yellow flowers. A pretty dish, which also possessed an excellent blend of textures and flavors. 

The Crispy Wonton were stuffed with shrimp and chicken, and accompanied by an enticing sweet chili sauce. The wonton were crunchy and crisp, with a plump and tasty pocket of shrimp and chicken. The chili sauce was delicious, with a mildly spicy heat which enhanced the taste of the wonton. I enjoyed these so much that I ordered them on both of my lunch visits.

The Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings) were another excellent appetizer, with a savory and complex soup within the firm dumpling. 

On one visit, I ordered a Chinese Wok Lunch Set, with the General Gao’s Chicken. It's an ample amount of food, and is visually appealing as well. 

The General Gao’s Chicken was delicious, meaty pieces of chicken, with a thin crispy coating, and the tangy sauce was complex and compelling. The dish felt fresh, and was probably one of the best General Gao's I've tasted in quite some time. Highly recommended!

The Pan Fried Dumplings were also excellent, with a very crispy exterior, and plenty of flavorful pork inside. The toppings enhanced the dumplings, and its obvious why these dumplings are so popular at the restaurant.

A bowl of Edamame.

The Hot and Sour Soup was tasty, nicely balanced, and topped by some crunchy wonton strips.  

On my second lunch visit, I opted for the Sushi Lunch Special, and again it was an ample amount of food, as well as visually appealing.

The Nigiri included Otoro, Salmon, and Yellowtail, and each piece was superb, silky tender and flavorful, each with its own slightly different preparation, such as the sesame seeds on the salmon. From my prior experiences at Karma in Burlington, the restaurant certainly excels at their Sushi. 

The Fire Dragon Maki is composed of spicy tuna & tempura crumb over a roll of tempura crabmeat, avocado and cucumber. Large maki pieces, they are a pleasing blend of textures and flavors, both crunchy and creamy, with some mild spiciness. 

The Sashimi Don contains several different slices of sashimi, cucumber pieces and roe, atop a bowl of rice. The sashimi was superb, tender and fresh, with a nice combination of colors. Another winner of a dish.

The Miso Soup was very good, with a savory broth and tender chunks of tofu, with seaweed. 

Overall, the food was excellent, and reasonably priced considering the quantity and quality of what you receive. The new Lunch menu is a great way for you to try the culinary delights at Karma Asian Fusion in Winchester. I will definitely be returning. 

However, there was one issue that occurred on my second visit. On my first visit, the service was excellent and it was a fine dining experience. No complaints whatsoever. On my second visit, the service was a little lacking, primarily as the server also worked as the bartender, so wasn't able to properly devote his time to all of his tables. For example, when my Fried Wonton were brought, the sauce was missing. I gave him a couple minutes to return with it, but when he didn't reappear, I flagged down another server and asked about the sauce. When my server finally brought the sauce, it was later with my Entree, and the sauce wasn't even the same as the one I received on my initial visit.   

Have you tried the new Lunch menu at Karma in Winchester yet?

Rant: Preventing The Heat Death of Wine

June is here, and temperatures this week, especially Wednesday and Thursday, could rise to the 80s, a toasty heat. This seems like an excellent time to repeat a vinous warning, a caution to protect your wine from high temperatures. 

We often hear how we should stay hydrated, use sun screen, and otherwise protect ourselves from the intense sun and heat. We also hear how we shouldn't leave children or pets in a hot car, even if the window is open a bit. 

However, how often do you hear that you should protect your wine from intense heat as well?

It should be illegal, the torture of an innocent wine bottle by the application of intense heat. It's also a far too common crime during the summer season. Please stop this cruel practice, and persuade others to give it up as well. Do you really want to lose that bottle of wine you recently bought? Please save the gentle wine bottle.

Summer is the time for travel, and maybe you'll visit a wine shop or winery. You might buy some wine and then need to transport it with you. Often, the wine is just placed into the trunk, and you might leave it there while you travel quite a distance, or just store it there for a couple days while you are away. You need to realize that your trunk can get very hot and that heat can adversely affect your wine. It needs protection, just like you, your children, or pets.

When I travel, I often bring my metal wine case, which is insulated and holds a dozen bottles of wine. Thus, I can safely transport my wines and it has been invaluable on long trips. You don't need to purchase such a case, though if you often buy wine it can be a good investment. Instead, you can carry some other type of insulated bag, box or other container, the same type you would use to transport frozen food or other perishables. You need to protect the wine from the heat, keeping it at a cooler temperature.

An insulated container has other uses too if you travel. You might find some food you wish to take home, and that too can be protected on your long drive home. How many times have you stopped at a farmer's market or food shop, and wanted to buy something but worried about it surviving the journey home? An insulated container will resolve that issue.

It's an easy solution to a rampant problem. Save the wine bottle from the heat, so that you don't come home and find your wine is ruined. Cherish the insulated container.

I'll also add that you need to protect your wine at home from intense heat as well. Where do you store your wine at home? Some just place them in open racks in their kitchen or dining room. If those rooms get too hot, then your wines are endangered. It would be better to store them somewhere else, where it is cooler and dark, such as maybe in your basement. If you have a wine cooler or wine refrigerator, that is probably the best place for your wines. 

Protect your wine from heat, wherever it might be.

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I'm back again with a new edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food and drink events. I hope everyone dines out safely, tips well and are nice to their servers.
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1) As Summer approaches, there's s a new lineup of seasonal dishes at Gustazo Cuban Café. Chef/Owner Patricia Estorino has crafted a menu that brings together the bold, soulful flavors of her native Cuba with the freshest ingredients New England has to offer. These new creations are all about balance: tradition and innovation, warmth and brightness, depth and freshness. Additionally, chef Patricia is always playing with new and seasonal ingredients.

Here’s a little taste of what’s new:
* Ensalada de Habas – A vibrant salad of fava beans, marinated chayotes, Campari tomatoes, watermelon radishes, red leaf lettuce, crushed plantain chips, and pistachio vinaigrette.
* Ceviche – Black bass cured in citrus and guava with dashi, dragonfruit, gooseberries, marinated cucumbers, crispy onions, and a splash of Curio’s Walk in the Woods gin.
* Grilled Bread – Toasted bread piled high with marinated tomatoes, queso frito, roasted red peppers, sherry balsamic, rose harissa, and opal basil.
* Pan-Seared Swordfish – Served with roasted marble potatoes, grilled asparagus, green almonds, hearts of palm, and tangerine vinaigrette.

With locations in Waltham and Cambridge, Gustazo Cuban Café brings the rich flavors and warm hospitality of Cuba to Greater Boston. Founded in 2011 by Chef Patricia Estorino and her husband Adolfo, Gustazo is known for bold, ingredient-driven cuisine, craft cocktails, and a welcoming atmosphere. 

2) Visit Tambo 22, the excellent Peruvian restaurant in Chelsea, next week, from June 3 to 7, for a special week-long celebration of the release of Chef Jose Duarte's new cook book, Taranta: A Boston Chef's Journey to Sustainability. Chef Duarte is one of my favorite chefs, who is extremely talented, compassionate, generous and an overall great person.  

On June 3, you can meet Chef Jose Duarte in person for a book signings of his new hardcover cookbook. Even if you can't attend the signing, you can still purchase the cookbook online. Also, from January 3-7, you can indulge in some of the cookbook menu specials, which are pictured above. The full Tambo 22 menu will also be available. Please note that items may sell out!

For Reservations, please go HERE.

Portuguese Lunch at Adega in Woburn: First Impressions

On Main Street in Woburn, nestled within a small complex of stores, including a laundromat, cleaner's and hair salon, is an unassuming sign, Adega. Unless you were specifically looking for it, you might drive by without giving it any attention. You might not even realize it was a restaurant. Yet it has existed in that location for 10+ years. 

This is the Adega Restaurant & Bar, a Portuguese restaurant which has existed since 2014, and is owned and operated by Chef Helder Teixeira, who is a native of the Portuguese island of Madeira. The restaurant seems to often fly under the radar, receiving little publicity or mentions on social media,  but is worthy of much more attention. 

Adega is open from Tuesday to Sunday, for both Lunch and Dinner, and it's a homey and clean restaurant, which seats around 50 people.  

There's also a small bar, and in 2022, the restaurant acquired an All Alcohol license, an upgrade from their previous Wine & Malt license.  

The Food Menu offers many traditional Portuguese dishes, and there's always a list of Specials, commonly including 2-4 appetizers and 6-8 entrees. The regular menu includes Appetizers (9 options at $10-$15), with items such as Steamed Mussels and Flame Grilled Linguiça. The Meat & Poultry Entrees (8 options at $20-$30), includes dishes such as Sautéed Pork, Sautéed Chicken, and Black Angus Sirloin Steak. The Fish & Seafood Entrees (12 options at $25-$35) include dishes like Salted Codfish, Portuguese Seafood Stew, and Grilled Octopus.

I've dined at Adega for lunch on two occasions, and the food was consistently delicious. Let me provide some of my initial impressions on my experiences.

One of the Appetizers is Lapas Grelhadas ($15), grilled limpets served with a garlic butter sauce and lemon. Limpets are a type of sea snail with a single shell, a speciality in the Azores and Madeira. I've previously enjoyed them elsewhere, and this dish was quite tasty. The limpets are a little chewy, like escargot, with a briny taste, enhanced by the garlic and butter. It was an ample-sized dish and the sauce was an excellent place to dip your bread. If you've never eaten limpets, they are well worth checking out.

Another appetizer are the Pasteis de Bacalhau ($13), Fried Codfish Cakes with a black-eyed pea salad. The codfish cakes were nicely crisp on the exterior, with a fluffy interior like salty mashed potatoes and cod. Again, a delicious and ample dish, with 6 cakes, for a very reasonable price.

As for the Entrees, the Espetada de Carne e Linguica Caseira com Batata Frita Portuguesa e Vegetal do Dia ($25) is a Beef and Homemade Linguica Kebab with Portuguese Fries and the Vegetable of the Day. A visually impressive dish, the meat was tender and flavorful with a nice spice to the linguica.  

The Portuguese Fries were excellent, a nice combination of crispness and fluffiness. 

Of the Seafood entrees, the Arroz a Valenciana ($35), similar in some respects to a Spanish paella, is composed of sautéed chicken, pork, linguiça, shrimp, mussels, scallops, calamari, clams, and a half lobster. What a combination of meat, poultry and seafood! The broth is made from garlic, olive oil and saffron, and it's all served atop rice. Everything was tender and flavorful, with quite a delectable broth. It's certainly large enough for two people to share, or one very hungry person. 

Overall, Adega earns my hearty recommendation, and I'm eager to try more of their menu items. It's reasonably priced and the dishes are ample and delicious. Service is very good, and the restaurant has a homey vibe. 

Have you dined at Adega before?