Thursday Sips & Nibbles

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.
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1)  On June 5, at 6:30pm, Legal Sea Foods will team up with Bryan Parker, winemaker at Terlato Family Vineyards, to host a four-plus-course wine dinner at the Prudential Center location. Each course will feature Legal Sea Foods’ signature cuisine paired with selections from this vineyard. Guests will indulge in the following:

Hors D'Oeuvres:
Stuffed Mussels with Leeks and Lemon Zest
Frutti di Mare Brochettes
Endive with Maine Crab and Blood Orange
Paired with Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley, 2010
First Course:
Crispy Cod with Anjou Purée & Meyer Lemon Aioli
Paired with Terlato Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, 2008
Second Course:
Pan-Seared Salmon with Rhubarb Compote & Herb Salad
Paired with Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2007
Third Course:
Mayan Rubbed Tuna with Grilled Long Beans & Mole Poblano
Paired with Giarrusso Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, 2008 and Terlato Family Vineyards “Block 9” Syrah, Dry Creek Valley, 2007
Cheese Course:
Berkshire Blue Cheese with Pickled Blackberries and Cocoa Crisp
Paired with Galaxy, California, 2008

Cost: $75 per person (excludes tax and gratuity)
Reservations required by calling: 617-266-6800

2)  AKA Bistro in Lincoln, one of my favorite restaurants, is gearing up for the Spring.

Chef Chris Chung'’s new Japanese menu items speak of Spring:
* Branzini is back. Mediterranean sea bass explodes with the combined flavors of hot sesame oil, jalapeno, cilantro and pickled burdock root ( a crunchy root vegetable with a taste similar to artichokes)
* Suzuki Sashimi. This is hybrid striped bass, seasoned with red shiso and topped with a tangle of mango-infused preserved yuzu & peppers
* Hamachi Sashimi Yellow. They adorn it with a creamy ginger vinaigrette, sea grapes and unique pressed yozu pineapple.
* Rock Shrimp Tempura. This is a a take on spicy Korean BBQ, “except with seafood instead of chicken.”

AKA has recently added a number of new Sakes to their list, such as the Sato No Homare (“Pride of the Village”) for $10/glass and the  Hakushika Yamadanishiki for $6/glass. The Sato No Homare is a favorite of mine, made in a sake brewery that is over 860 years old! What a taste of history.

Chariot de Fromage: Six or eight cheeses, at peak ripeness from The Concord Cheese Shop, are offered by the slice on Thursdays from 6-9 PM. Ask their cheesemonger Brie Hurd to describe the provenance and taste of each before deciding.

3)  Haru is debuting its new “Teriyaki for Two” Chef’s Special Menu, a prix fixe designed for two guests. Whether you’re an omnivore, pescatarian or vegetarian, you and your dining companion can indulge in the sweet tastes of “Teriyaki for Two.”

First Course:
Field Green Salad With Haru’s signature house dressing
Main Course:
Chicken Teriyaki (Marinated and grilled chicken breast with mixed vegetables)
-or-
Grilled Salmon Teriyaki (With shiitake mushrooms)
-or-
Tofu Teriyaki Grilled (With steam vegetables)
Dessert:
Ice Cream, Assorted flavors

The “Teriyaki for Two” Chef’s Special Menu is available during normal operating hours. It costs $45 (excluding tax and gratuity).

4)  As a result of a United Nations General Assembly resolution that passed in 2008, June 8 officially marks our planet’s biggest celebration of the ocean: “World Oceans Day.” On June 5, from 6pm-8pm, Legal Harborside will team up with The Nature Conservancy a few days early to celebrate “World Oceans Day” with a fundraising evening hosted on the rooftop lounge, brimming with local seafood and signature cocktails while overlooking Boston Harbor.

Supporters will indulge in a raw bar – filled with a variety of oysters, littlenecks and smoked salmon – and Legal Sea Foods’ signature New England Clam Chowder. Legal Harborside will also serve up complimentary beer, wine and an exclusively themed Ocean Breeze cocktail.

The only conservation organization working on marine issues in all U.S. coastal states and territories plus an additional 30 countries, The Nature Conservancy partners with fishermen to protect New England’s fisheries for the sake of healthy oceans and economically healthy coastal communities. Through 50 years of work in Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 23,000 acres of important habitat from the coast to the mountains.

Cost: $80 per person in advance; $100 per person at the door
To reserve tickets, please visit: www.nature.org/junefive