#ArtOfTheCocktail: Vermouth Tasting with Ramona Pettygrave Shah!

We are coming to the end of our 3rd season of Art of the Cocktail, my beloved brainchild!

Boston Center for the Arts has been a major supporter and the best collaborating organization and I couldn't be more proud to be affiliated with BCA.

Over the past few seasons, we have presented many spirits (See a brief write-up, here.) with your favorite popular bartenders, distillers, and brand ambassadors around the Greater Boston Area- Bourbon twice, Gin, Amari, Sherry, Scotch, Tequila, Mezcal, Rum twice, Boozy punches and more! Always supporting LOCAL spirits production when feasible!

Now, we are moving on to Vermouth and we couldn't ask for a better person to guide us through tasting this amazing fortified wine!

Did you know that most of your favorite mixed cocktails include Vermouth?

Lets face it, Vermouth is one of the most frequently overlooked spirits.

At this installment of Boston Center for the Arts' Art of the Cocktail series, presenter Ramona Pettygrave Shah, from Opus in Salem, will help you discover all the reasons why Vermouth should really be on the top of your list!

Join Boston Center for the Arts and Dr. Markeya Williams

(aka DrFoodie of Traveling Foodie in 4" Stilettos)

 for another fabulous installment of #ArtOfTheCocktail series.

Special thanks to Infinium for their generous sponsorship.

Mills Gallery at Boston Center for the Arts
551 Tremont Street | Boston

21 and over. Proper ID required.
Seatings at 6 pm and 8 pm
Tickets: $25 ($30 at the door)

Wine & Dine on Beacon Hill: Featuring Wines from Argentina! April 15, 2015 at 7 pm

WINE & DINE ON BEACON HILL

Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro Presents a Wine Dinner Featuring Wines from Argentina

 On Wednesday, April 15^th, 2015 at 7:00PM guests will take a virtual culinary wine tour of Argentina at Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro’s spring wine dinner. 

Designed to both educate and entertain, Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro’s (BHHB) wine dinners are aimed at individuals of all experience levels. 

This event is about “wonderful wines, creative food and good friends,” says Cecilia Rait, proprietress and wine director of the BHHB.

Beginning at 7:00PM, diners are invited to visit all four regions without leaving the comfort of their seats.  

Cecilia and Tracy Burgis of M.S. Walker act as virtual tour guides, moving from region to region expanding the history, curiosities and nuances of each selection. 

During this educational dinner, guests will sample wines from regions across Argentina.  

In addition to wine, the dinner will showcase the culinary artistry of Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro’s Executive Chef Lucas Sousa, whose dishes are designed to complement each featured wine.

This intimate adventure is set in communal seating to encourage conversation, laughter and fun. 

For $65.00 per person (tax and gratuity not included), guests are treated to four wines, a four-course dinner and Cecilia's and Tracy's good cheer, humor and expertise. 

Reservations are encouraged as the event will sell out fast.

WHERE: Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro| 25 Charles Street, Boston, MA 

617-723-7575 | www.beaconhillhotel.com.

      Wednesday, April 15^th, 2015; 7:00PM

COST:              $65 Per Person (tax and gratuity not included).

Reservations are necessary. 

Please call 617-723-7575.

About the BHHB:

Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is both an intimate and authentic boutique hotel, and an award-winning Bistro in Boston’s historic Beacon Hill. The Hotel consists of 12 guest rooms and one in-room suite; blending both modern convenience and historical character reflected in its thoughtful and distinctive design.

The Bistro serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, as well as, weekend Brunches and is open 365 days a year. Hours of operation are as follows:  Breakfast: Mondaythrough Friday 7AM to 10AM & Saturday and Sunday 7:30AM to 10AM, Lunch: Monday through Friday 11:30AM to 3PM, Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 10AM to 3PM, Afternoon Bar Menu:  All Week 3PM to 5:30PM, Dinner:  Monday through Saturday 5:30PM to 11PM - Sunday 5:30PM to 10PM. 

The Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is located at 25 Charles Street and is adjacent to the Public Garden on the corner of Charles and Chestnut Street, easily accessible by T from either the Charles/MGH or Park Street Stations. For More information please call 617-723-1133 or 617-723-7575 or log on to: www.beaconhillhotel.com.

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I have so much more to write about my food experiences in Paris and more...

Thanks for your patience!

-Besos!

Upcoming Reviews...Paris, Future of Junk Food, Chef Suzi Maitland, Distiller Maggie Campbell, My Cocktail Series-2nd Installment, Shojo, David Burke-Prime @Foxwoods, Seoul Korean & Much More!

Hi All!  

Between my week in Paris for my 35th birthday and my hitting the ground running once back in Boston at my gig practicing medicine and surgery, it has been awhile since my last post.

I can't wait to share my foodie adventures over the past 30 days and the days to come.  

Thanks for your patience.

Visit my Instagram page for photos of the reviews to come http://instagram.com/drfoodie 

Art of the Cocktail: The Labor of Liquor- A Collaborative Visual Arts Meets Liquid Arts between DrFoodie (Myself) and Boston Center the Arts Mills Gallery

My vision of an artful cocktails/spirits series has come to fruition thanks to collaboration and support from Boston Center for the Arts and Mills Gallery.  First event is during Artweek Boston on October 1, 2014.  Seminar & Tasting by Maggie Campbell and Kevin Martin of Privateer Rum, Ipswich, Ma!  Two sessions available (6-730 and 8-930)...get your tickets now! 

 

Cocktails and visual arts come together in an illuminating tasting amidst the Boston Center for the Arts’ exhibition “Labor in a Single Shot.” Food+cocktail blogger, Dr. Markeya Williams (“Traveling Foodie in 4” Stilettos”) and Head Distiller, Maggie Campbell of Privateer Rum (Ipswich, MA) host an intimate conversation about rum. Learn how it’s made and how it’s incorporated into hand-crafted cocktails.

Inspired by the themes of labor in the Mills Gallery exhibition, the evening highlights the process and work behind creating liquor and cocktails. With Campbell, explore the creative and artistic process of distillation, the aging-process, rum’s distinct flavor profile and its use to craft the perfect cocktail while enjoying a private viewing of the Mills Gallery exhibition!

21 plus, proper ID required for entry. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.bcaonline.org. Limit 20 per session.

                 

Future seminars will include a number of ladies from LUPEC Boston, Domingo-martin Barreres, Booze Époque, and many more. 

Upcoming Reviews and Articles

Life has been extremely busy, but I have not ceased enjoying and documenting amazing eats and drinks.  

Over the next few days, the following articles will be published for your enjoyment:

• Interview, Distillery Tour, and Blind Tasting with Head Distiller of Privateer Rum, Maggie Campbell

Maggie Campbell, Head Distiller at Privateer Rum

• A New "Featured Tipples (Cocktails) of the Month"

Tenzin, smoking dried rosemary and cedar wood for my cocktail!

@Trade Restaurant with Tenzin (Bartender Extraordinnaire with Summer Williams (Professor/Teacher of Theatre), Erika Harper (Fashionista/Fine Arts Student), Dr. Markeya K. Williams (Me/DrFoodie), Maggie Campbell (Head Distiller, Privateer Rum), Nick Wilson (Harvard Gov't School Graduate/Food&Cocktail Writer LA and Boston), Peter (Distilling Master in Training, Privateer Rum)

• Audubon Boston with Bartenders Tyler Wang and Devon Burroughs, Owner Joshua Childs, and Chef Suzi Maitland (interview coming soon)

 

 

• 2014 Movers & Shakers Cocktail and Food Pairing Competition (I was invited to judge this year after writing about it for two!)

• Wink & Nod/Whisk Bites and Sips (Special Edition Bourbons & V.E.G 30 year old Chartreuse with Curtis Mcmillan)

Curtis Mcmillan and me.  If you want to learn about whisk(e)y, this is your dude!  @Wink & Nod South End

• Japanese Whisky- A Tasting Review

 

@Thirst Boston (The new brilliant Cocktail & SpiritsWeekend full of fun and learning): Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale (Sake specialist @ O Ya and beyond) and Nick Korn (Cocktail and Bartending guru of Silvertone's plus)

• Blue Dragon- Recent Bites and Sips (with John Drew)

• New England Food Show 2014

 

 

• Memorial Day Weekend at Trade, Silvertone, & Marina Bay (Siros) with Sean the Bartender

Memorial Day Sips at Marina Bay

Dr. Andrew Rausch, Professor/Theater Director Summer Williams, Dr. Markeya Williams enjoying a bottle of bubbly (Veuve Cliquot) at Silvertone's Downtown Crossing

...and much more!

Fall Harvest Dinner Presented by Dewars and Drambuie @Church Restaurant, 69 Kilmarnock Street, Boston, MA

Enjoy all the best that fall has to offer with Church's Fall Harvest Dinner Presented by Dewars and Drambuie!

Church is offering a fall harvest meal featuring all the best flavors of fall! Five spectacular courses paired with tastes of classic cocktails and liquors featuring Drambuie or Dewars prepared by the one and only Chef John Rush and Dramshop Beverage Director Adam Grushey!
$55 a head gets you all five courses, samples of classic drinks and a great Tuesday night!

This is a one seating event, 6:30 arrival!

SEATS ARE LIMITED! MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW!

The Menu:

*First Course*
Oysters On The Halfshell
Crispy shallots, Meyer lemon foam
Paired with Drambuie 15 year

*Second Course*
Baby Arugula Salad
Roasted beets, fennel, blood orange supremes, candied walnuts, Drambuie vin
Paired with "Blood and Sand"

*Third Course*
Herb Crusted Halibut
Garlic parsley puree, braised cippollini onion
Paired with "Fallspice Roy"

*Forth Course*
Brown Sugar Braised Short Ribs
Corn and apple roasted bread pudding, roasted baby carrots and parsnips, cabernet glace
Paired with "Heather and Honey"

*Fifth Course*
Blonde Brownie Sunday
Dulce de leche ice cream, almond praline, butter “scotch” sauce
Paired with "Maple Leaf"

 

 

Haley House Event: Gospel Jamboree & Jerk Chicken Cook-Off! August 18, 2012 3-7 pm

Come out and feed your belly and your soul on August 18^th, 2012 from 3-7 pm!

Photo credit: haleyhouse.org

Haley House will be hosting, Dudley Square’s Common Thread Coalition’s First Annual SummerFeast, a Gospel Jamboree & Jerk Chicken Cook-off Contest in the parking lot of Haley House.

Tickets are only $5.00 and can be purchased at A Nubian Notion (146 Dudley Street, Roxbury – ticket hotline: 617 442 4425), Haley House Bakery Café (12 Dade Street, Roxbury), and Vaughn Fish & Chips (1 Erie Street, Dorchester).  NOTE: some locations may charge a small service fee.

Tickets can also be purchased online, here.

SummerFeast kicks off the monthly series: “Roxbury Night Lights” featuring affordable, family-friendly events to promote Dudley Square!

Stanley Porter, a local, talented singer-songwriter, and artist from Revere, MA will be featured at the Gospel Jamboree.

Local chefs will participate in the jerk chicken challenge.  Attendees will vote for the “People’s Choice” and chosen judges will decide upon the overall winner of the title: “Best Jerk Chicken”!

Confirmed Judges: Felix Arroyo, Rose Arruda, Kalila Barnett, Kelley Chunn, Rep. Gloria Fox, Councilor Tito Jackson, Derek Lumpkins, Sibu Malaba, Darryl Settles, Joyce Stanley, Mary Tuitt, Darnell Williams, Nicola Williams, and Pat Williams.

Participants include: Haley House Bakery & Café, Pepperpot, Country Kitchen, Irie, Preparations, Perry’s Gourmet, Shawn Jenkins, Evereth Stephens, and Audley Mills.

MASSART’s Sparcmobile will provide creative opportunities for the young and young at heart – along with other activities.

For more information, contact Bing Broderick at Haley House Bakery Café: 617.822.3941

Common Thread Partners include:
Black Ministerial Alliance
Boston Police Department, District B-2
Haley House Bakery Café
Historic Boston Incorporated
Gallery Basquiat
Madison Park Development Corporation
Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation
TenPoint Coalition

Mobilize & Enjoy!

Swizzle Sundays @ The Hawthorne Tiki Bar (Patio), Hotel Commonwealth, 500A Commonwealth Avenue

Jill F.

Swizzle Sundays at The Hawthorne's Patio Tiki Bar is lots of fun! 
What better way to cool down after a balmy Sunday than to enjoy classic and creative tiki cocktails on the patio.  

Scott Marshall, Tiki Master is brilliant!  

We really enjoyed his creations! 

Check out Swizzle Sunday this Summer through the end of August!

Scott Marshall, Tiki Master!

The menu defines:
swizzle   
1) (n.) a tall drink of dark rum, lime juice, crushed ice, and sugar: typically served with a swizzle stick.
2) (vt.) to agitate (a beverage) with a swizzle stick.
3) to gulp down; guzzle.

 
The theme for my tasting was smoke...I couldn't get enough of Mezcal-laced blends.  

My two favorite cocktails of the evening:


 


 

Have A Cigar: Made with Mezcal, St. Germain, Lemon, and
Punt e mes (an Italian Vermouth).







Naked and Famous: Made with Mezcal, Aperol, Yellow chartreuse, and fresh lime juice. 

I also thoroughly enjoyed the spicy Roscoe Pound made with Weller bourbon, lemon, honey, and ginger syrup served up in a coupe and the Maximillian Affair made with Chichicapa mezcal, lemon, St. Germain, and Punt e mes prepared for us as a digestif.

The Maximillian Affair

 My friend ordered the Attention made with Tanqueray gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Absinthe, Creme de Violette, and orange bitters.  Neither of us could stomach this cocktail. I blame this on the fact that I'm not a fan of gin or absinthe...so no surprise there.

Photograph Credit: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

 We snacked on the white bean dipped topped with piccadilly relish and served with crudités (carrot, cucumber and watermelon radish), mimollet crackers and crostinis.  The dip was bland and the spice of the piccadilly was over-bearing.

The chicken salad sandwich (with the crusts cut off) was pretty tasty.  My friend loved the tarragon and said "it took it to another level."  The sandwich was served with homemade potato chips.

Though we didn't have the pleasure of sampling them, two orders ($16 worth) of the deviled eggs somehow appeared on our receipt.  Unfortunately, I just realized this when preparing to write this review.

I am looking forward to using my Gilt group certificate for dinner with cocktail pairings for two.

Check out The Hawthorne's Swizzle Sundays on the patio through August 26th.

Upcoming Reviews to be Posted Soon!

Boston Food Tours- Chinatown Tour with Jim!


Foodtruck Festival @ UMASS Boston


EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival (Vancouver, British Columbia)


L'Abattoir Restaurant (Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia)


Sala Thai (Vancouver, BC)


Cache Bistro & Lounge (Vancouver, BC)


Sheraton Wall Center (Vancouver, BC)


Storyville Restaurant (Boston, MA)

Stay tuned!

Save-The-Date! Chef Karen Akunowicz's Sexy Summer Salad Class, July 7th, 2012 @ Myers + Chang, Boston, MA

Learn to make sexy summer salads Myers + Chang-style at the upcoming installments of the restaurant’s popular cooking class series. Chef Karen Akunowicz will be offering guidance (and great food) at the monthly get togethers which are scheduled for 10:00am on Saturdays June 2nd, July 7th and August 4th. Classes, which cost $65 per person, sell out well in advance so get your credit card ready and call 617.542.5200 to save your spot.

I will be attended and covering the July 7th event...hope to see you there!

My Upcoming (Spring/Summer) Food+Philanthropy Events

Here is a list of fantastic Food+Philanthropic (and a few pure fun) Events I will be attending and reviewing this Spring/Summer!  

I hope to see you there!


Sunday, March 25, 2012, 7-9 pm
Let's Hear it for the Girls!  
-A LUPEC (Ladies for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails) Event
- Their motto? Dismantling the patriarchy…one drink at a time!  LUPEC hosts several events throughout the year benefiting women's causes. LUPEC's website: http://lupecboston.com/
Highlight(s): Cocktail tasting. Chef Brian Reyelt of Citizens Public Restaurant will be pairing small plates with drinks throughout the evening.
@ The Urban Grape, 7 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA
Benefits:  Event Costs $15.  Guests are asked to bring gently used women's clothing to be donated to Dress for Success
Event Website:  http://letshearitforthegirls.eventbrite.com/


Friday, March 30, 2012, 6-10 pm
9th Annual Cooking for a Cause
Highlights: Features Boston's Top Chefs and Culinary Companies!
@ The Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA
Benefits: The East End House- "...provides nationally accredited childcare and after school programs, develop new programming to meet the unique needs of teens and middle school youth, offer senior outreach programs, provide emergency food assistance, and offer community and volunteer programs." -East End House mission statement.  East End House website: http://www.eastendhouse.org/
Event Website: http://www.eastendhouse.org/cooking-for-a-cause/2012/event


Wednesday, April 11, 2012, 7-9
4th Annual Mover's & Shakers 
Cocktail Competition
Highlights: Boston's top bartenders compete to earn the "Crowd Favorite".  Top South End restaurants serving great dishes!
@ Cyclorama Boston
Benefits:  Your fun side ;0) and BCA
Event Website: http://bcaonline.org/calendar/calendar-of-events/details/403-movers-
a-shakers.html


Saturday, April 14, 2012, 7-10
6th Annual "A Little Peace" Dessert 
Tasting Event
Highlights: Ocean Spray Bake-Off Challenge with local participants!
@ The Korean Church of Boston, Brookline
Benefits: Local non-profit/social justice organizations (Asian American Resource Workshop, Asian Pacific Islander Movement, Boston Korean Adoptees, Inc....)
Event Website: http://www.aarw.org/dessertnight


Saturday, April 14, 2012, 8-11
Minds Matter Boston Spring Soiree
Highlights: Red carpet, VIP reception and Uber car service, dancing, silent and live auction, drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Sponsors: Ketel One, Uber, Legal Seafoods, Blue Ribbon Barbeque, Kickass Cupcakes, Narragansett, Privateer, Allagash, Notch, Idle Hands, LUPEC and many others
@ Cyclorama Boston
Benefits: Support students paying for books, supplies, and college summer program tuition.
Event Website: http://mindsmatterboston.org/events/


Thursday, April 19, 2012, 6:30-9:30
1st Annual What's Your Beef Fundraiser
Highlights: " 9 of Boston’s premier chefs are tasked with breaking down & serving up their designated cut of beef." Jamie Bissonnette does short ribs, Ming Tsai does sirloin. Cocktails will be provided by English Bill Codman.  There will also be vegetarian options Louie DiBiccari.  A silent & live auction will be hosted by NECN's Jenny Johnson.
@ BCAE (Boston Center for Adult Education)
Benefits:   BCAE's tuition voucher program, which offers free classes to their partnered social services agencies.
Event Website: http://education.bcae.org/whatsyourbeef.html


OTHER FUN FOOD EVENTS:


Saturday & Sunday, May 19-20, 2012
Googa Mooga Festival Food & Drink Festival
Highlights: The restaurant participants (so far) http://googamooga.com/food/
Over 100 wines and over 30 craft beers: http://googamooga.com/drink/wineries/
@ Brooklyn, Prospect Park
Event Website: http://googamooga.com/


Friday-Sunday, June 1-3, 2012
10th Annual EAT! Vancouver Food & 
Cooking Festival
Highlights:
Discover new food + beverage products +cooking ingredients
Taste hundreds of  food and beverage from hundreds of exhibitors
Shop & buy hard to find food +cooking related products.
Learn new methods of cooking from the experts
Watch Food Network celebrity chefs showcase their talents on stage
Learn cuisines of foreign lands in the World Culinary Tourism Expo
Enjoy tasting the offerings of restaurants and wineries +breweries
Find new foods + treats for your pets in the Pets EAT! Too Pavilion
Discover appreciation for cheese at Dairy Farmer’s Cheese Seminars
Talk with food producers, growers, vintners and brewers
Improve wine + beer appreciation in Grapes & Hops Seminar area.
@ The New BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Event Website:  http://www.eat-vancouver.com/


Wednesday-Sunday, July 11-15, 2012
Taste of Chicago
Highlights: Hundreds of Chicago restaurants and food vendors featuring their signature dishes!
@: Chicago, Grant Park
Event Website: http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/supporting_narrative/events___special_events/special_events/mose/taste_of_chicago.html