I am here with a special Wednesday edition of Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently. There are plenty of interesting events coming up soon in the local area.**********************************************************1) In celebration of Leap Year, and this year’s extra calendar day, Chef Paul Turano of Tryst restaurant, located in Arlington, is offering a menu special which will have guests leaping for joy, almost literally. On Wednesday, February...
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Turkey Shore Distilleries: Rum With A Sense of History
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
Could there be a historical connection between Privateer Rum and Turkey Shore Distilleries? Could the historic individuals, Andrew Cabot and John Heard, who inspired these new rum distilleries been involved together in privateering? This is a fascinating historical puzzle, one I would like to further explore in the near future.On the same day that I toured Privateer Rum, I also visited Turkey Shore Distilleries, another new rum distillery...
Monday, 27 February 2012
Rant: Blame The Wine Distributors
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
It is a subtle means of mind control, and the blame must go to certain wine distributor representatives.Some recent wine tastings, run by wine distributor representatives, have brought this issue once again before my eyes. These were small tastings, with only about 3-6 wines, that were held in local wine stores. For consumers, these are great opportunities to taste and learn about wine, to get a better idea of their own palate. I always recommend that consumers taste all of the wines available, as you never know which wines you might find...
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Sake Exports Continue To Rise
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
(The above sign says, Umai Nihonshu Arimasu, which translates as "Great sake here.")In a December 2011 post, I mentioned that though Sake exports had struck a rough patch in 2009, due to economic issues, they had roared back in 2010, actually setting a record. From January to November 2010, Sake exports reached 12,223 kiloliters, more than the prior record of 12,151 set in 2008. Of those exports, approximately 25% went to the U.S.Now, The Mainichi...
Friday, 24 February 2012
Privateer Rum: Silver Reserve to True American
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
In many respects, a privateer was simply a legal pirate, and an enemy would not even accept the validity of their legality. Privateers received letters of marque from a government, granting them the right to attack foreign ships, and they were frequently used during the 16th-19th centuries. During the Revolutionary War, American privateers plied the waters, attacking British ships, and one of those privateers was Andrew Cabot. Six generations later,...
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Thursday Sips & Nibbles
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.**********************************************************1) Join the Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro in celebration of “Pi Day.” Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th each year since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits of π in the decimal form. A toast to the beginning of the famous sequence of numbers, on Wednesday, March 14, the Beacon Hill...
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Chateau La Nerthe: Lobster & White Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
"A good Châteauneuf-du-Pape is first and foremost a wine-lover's wine."--Eric Asimov, The New York TimesLast October, I attended a fascinating and delicious lunch at L'Espalier with the wines of Chateau La Nerthe, spawning my article Chateau La Nerthe: All About the Blends. In addition, that wine lunch became my 2011 Favorite Single Winery Tasting. This week, Chateau La Nerthe returned to Boston for a wine lunch at Bistro...
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Food Safety: The Importance of Orange Peels
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown

It is estimated that the deadly bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella cause over 500,000 human deaths worldwide each year. In addition, these bacteria cause millions of others to be sick, some which require hospitalization. Were you aware that orange peels could be used to prevent some of these illnesses and deaths?Proper cooking can greatly decrease the chances of bacterial infection. Those who live in hot and humid...
Monday, 20 February 2012
Rant: Whose Responsibility Is Food Safety?
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown

Have you ever had food poisoning? It can be extremely unpleasant, as well as very dangerous. As there are approximately 76 million cases of food-related illnesses each year in the U.S., chances are that you probably have been affected at some time. Though most of those cases are relatively minor, although you may feel rather miserable, some can be much more serious, with about 323,000 cases requiring hospitalization and 5200 leading to death. So...
Sunday, 19 February 2012
2nd Annual iPura Tweet & Blogfest At IBSS 2012
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
Last month, I threw down the Gauntlet of Poseidon and issued a challenge to all local bloggers, and now I have more information for my competition. In a few weeks, it will be time for the 2012 International Boston Seafood Show (IBSS), to be held March 11-13 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Hundreds of vendors connected to the seafood industry, from all across the world, will attend this fascinating trade show.Last...
Saturday, 18 February 2012
My New Endeavor in Melrose: Beacon Hill Wine
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
Today, I start a new adventure....At 3pm, you'll find me at a wine shop, but I won't be shopping or attending a wine tasting. Instead, I will be starting a shift working at the Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose. I'll be working the register, stocking shelves, assisting customers and more. This will be my first weekend working there, and my usual schedule will be Saturdays from 3pm-7pm, and every other Sunday, starting tomorrow, all day....
Friday, 17 February 2012
Rum: A Brief History & Trivia
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
"Fifteen men on a dead man's chest Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!"--Robert Louis Stevenson in Treasure IslandWhen people visit a Chinese restaurant, they might choose to drink a cocktail like a Mai Tai, Scorpion Bowl, or Zombie. These are all very popular drinks, and in addition, are all rum based. Rum, which was invented over 460 years ago, has a rich, vibrant and controversial...
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Thursday Sips & Nibbles
Posted on 01:00 by Unknown
I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I briefly highlight some interesting wine and food items that I have encountered recently.**********************************************************1) On Monday, February 27, from 6pm-8pm, The Beehive will host the 12th installment in The Beehive's continuing art series entitled, Sting! XII: Boston Contemporary. This installment welcomes 13 artists selected by the Boston Contemporary Group (BCG) whose members include Camilo Alvarez of Samsøn, Anthony...
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