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. **********************************************************
1) Chef & Owner Anthony Caturano is about to reawaken Gravy Sundays at his newly reopened Prezza. Keeping in the longstanding Italian tradition of family and food, “Gravy Sundays” provides Old World-style comfort cuisine this winter. Menu features include the following: Fritto Misto (preparation changes weekly - $14); Tagliatelle & Meatballs (homemade, hand-cut tagliatelle with San Marzano tomatoes and meatballs - $16); and, Chicken Parmigiana (with homemade gnocchi and tomato - $24). Other homestyle signature dishes that Prezza serves up in true “Gravy Sundays” fashion are the Potato Gnocchi a la Bolognese (rustic meat ragout, tomato, porcini cream, Pecorino cheese – appetizer: $15; entrée: $30) and Homemade Meatballs, Sausages & Ribs (tomato, polenta - $26).

For reservations, please call 617-227-1577

2) On Monday, March 18, from 6:30pm-9:30pm, the Joslin Diabetes Center will host its 9th Annual Spoonful of Ginger event to once again benefiting Joslin’s Asian American Diabetes Initiative. It will feature some of Boston’s finest chefs for a food tasting at the beautiful Art of the Americas Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Guests will enjoy an evening of gourmet dishes prepared by some of Boston’s most renowned chefs, including Joanne Chang, Andy Husbands, Ming Tsai, and Jasper White. Proceeds benefit Joslin Diabetes Center’s Asian American Diabetes Initiative (AADI), which strives to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes for the rising number of Asian Americans living with diabetes, as well as working with Joslin in their commitment to finding a cure. At this year’s event, Joslin Diabetes Center will honor Eva and Nick Chau, Dr. C. Ronald Kahn, M.D., and celebrity chef Ming Tsai for their contributions to the AADI’s mission and the Asian American community.

Cost: Tickets are $250 each.

For Tickets: Call 617-309-2512, e-mail Kevin.Hudson@joslin.harvard.edu or visit: www.joslin.org/ginger

3) On Wednesday, February 27, from 6:30pm-8pm, Alma Nove invites food and wine lovers alike to join them for “A Taste of Tuscany” – a fun and informative tasting event which explores a selection of wines paired with cuisine from the Tuscan region of Italy. Chef de Cuisine, Jim Caputo, has carefully selected dishes that reflect Tuscan Italian flavors to complement the wines of the evening. Wine Director Carrie Casagrande of Alma Nove and Director of Italian Wine, Ciro Pirone, from Horizon Beverage, will discuss the featured wines while Chef Jim Caputo will discuss how the Tuscan dishes complement the evening’s wine selection.

Featured wines include:
- Castello di Montauto Vernaccia di San Gimignano
- Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva
- Frescobaldi Vin Santo

Reservations are required as this is very intimate event limited to 15 people. To reserve a spot, please call 781-749-3353.
Cost: $35 per person + gratuity