Dinner w/ Opus One winemaker Michael Silacci

Last week I was invited to join my friend at 40-something life blog for a dinner with Opus One winemaker Michael Silacci and France Posener, the winery's East Coast Sales representative at one of Boston's premiere restaurants, L'Espalier. I loved the Summer Degustation which we ordered. It included 4 savory courses, followed by their grand fromage, signature sorbet and dessert. All told the 6 plates each accompanied by a different wine took us approximately 5 hours to eat - if you'd like to read in more detail what we ate, please link to my friend Tracey's blog, here.However, I would like to write a bit about the dining experience, starting with the exceptional service and attention we received due to Michael Silacci's presence. The chef and proprietor of L'Espalier, Frank McClelland came over to meet us personally and chatted briefly with France and Michael. After seeing so many raging chefs on these quasi-reality cooking shows, chef McClelland's calm, polite demeanor was a welcome dose of reality. We were also well tended by the sommelier, Erich Schliebe, who poured a new wine with each course and freely joined in our ongoing dinner repartee. Lastly, the restaurant's Captain, Daniel Floyd, provided us with the most attentive service I can recall in recent memory. I know this was all for the benefit of the well respected winemaker to my right, but I enjoyed being privy to the opportunity.

One of the reasons Michael Silacci and France Posener were in Boston was to premier the Opus One 2008 vintage. It was pretty cool to be among the first to try this new vintage. They brought a bottle of the award winning 2007 and the new 2008 and poured both for us to try side-by-side. The picture to the left is of last year's vintage.

Between courses and wine, conversation flowed easily from start to finish. Michael is quite interesting and is equally comfortable talking about subject matter completely unrelated to his areas of interest or expertise. He is an attentive listener and has a dry wit. One of the things I really enjoyed learning about my dinner companion is that he's allergic to chocolate - it causes him to sneeze. He joked the better the chocolate the more he sneezes. I was able to witness the reaction first hand when dessert was served and it caused all of us to laugh (again).

Dinner was filled with both personal stories from each of us as well as some interesting insights into the Opus One winery. I started my dinner not knowing the two guests who were treating my friend and me to this decadent dinner but left with a deeper appreciation for the work and attention they bring to their wines as well as some interesting insights into what makes them tick.

Should you be interested in visiting the beautiful Opus One estate and winery, make a reservation today here.

Free stuff to do in Boston this Friday

Although I'm off to Gotham this weekend, that doesn't mean I'm unaware of all the fun things happening in Boston. If you don't have plans this Friday or if you are tired of doing the same thing, consider one of these options.

Shakespeare on the Common Once again this year, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. is providing free performances. This year they are performing All's Well that Ends Well through August 14th down by the bandstand on the Boston Common. Invite that special someone to join you Friday evening under the stars and enjoy some great local theater.

ICA Boston Thanks to the Highland Street Foundation, this Friday (August 5th) Boston's premiere contemporary art museum is free to the public as part of their FREE FUN FRIDAYS series. Be sure to check out their "The Record: Contemporary Art & Vinyl" exhibit. For a small cover charge after taking in the exhibit you can partake in their waterfont dance party "DJs on the harbor: Classic DJ Throwdown".

Of course there are more options such as First Fridays Open Studios, Boston Guerilla Queer Bar which will be overtaking a straight bar in the theater district this month, or joining guys for a drink at Fritz Bar in the South End to watch the Red Sox kick off a hometown series against the Yankees.

Boston's rising rents pose problems for all of us

According to an article in today's Boston Globe, Boston-area rents are hitting new heights with the median price recently reaching $1,665 a month and a vacancy rate of 4.4% (down from 6.2% one year ago). If you are looking for an apartment in the Back Bay the news is even worse with average rentals running $2,650+ for a 2 bedroom and a 1.2% vacancy rate.

Boston's growing population of graduate students only exacerbates the problem. The Globe article points out that over the past decade 20,000+ graduate students have been added to the Boston area and new housing / rental units have not kept pace. These residents are only here a short time and the cost of living issues outlined serve as a serious impediment to many of these highly qualified, educated and skilled workers remaining in the area.

The city of Boston has long been aware that the cost of living and cost of rent / homes in particular are a huge issue. It would really be wonderful to see how Mayor Menino and other local politicians are working to make this less of an issue in the future so articles like this can quickly become part of our past.

If you would like to read the Boston Globe article, you can link to it here.

Boston announces 15 new food truck locations

According to Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog 15 new food truck locations will debut throughout Boston on Wednesday, July 13th.

New food truck locations will be located in Back Bay, Bay Village, South End, Fenway, Kenmore/BU, Dorchester, Boston Marine Industrial Park/South Boston Waterfront, and the Charlestown Navy Yard.

You can figure out where your favorite food truck is located or look online to see if there is a food truck near you by visiting the city of Boston website here.

Do you have a favorite food truck or does the idea of eating from a kitchen on wheels make you road sick? Boston has a fair amount of good options and there is always a large collection each Sunday at the SoWa Open Market so if you don't have one of these kitchens on wheels near you during the day, come and check it out on Sunday at the Open Market in the south end.

Thanks for the tip Adam.

Camp Cuts 2011 - Sunday, July 17th

When: Sunday, July 17th from 12PM - 6PM
Where: James Joseph Salon at 30 Newbury Street
Why: To benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp
Cost: $50.00
RSVP: [email protected]

Join Izzy Berdan (seated above) and some of Boston's best stylists who will be cutting hair for Camp Cuts 2011 to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

For $50 you will receive an amazing cut, mini post-cut photo shoot, a goody bag from some of Boston's best retailers, and much more thanks to the generosity of Boston's many sponsors. Make a hair appointment today; more information (including available times) is online at Camp Cuts 2011.

About The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp: Originally founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, this non-profit is a residential summer camp and year-round center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions. The camp serves more than 15,000 each year and all it's services are provided free of charge.

Restaurant Review: : Zócalo Back Bay

Zócalo, a Mexican restaurant recently opened in space previously occupied by Stix. The restaurant can accommodate 50+ inside but has a large patio for al fresco dining for lunch or dinner. Zócalo is owned by chef Erwin Ramos who also owns the very successful, Olé Mexican Grill in Cambridge.

Over the past year, Boston has seen several new Mexican restaurants open. Boston has not embraced Mexican cuisine and until recently, I could only name 2-3 Mexican restaurants in the area. So take my review with a grain of salt because my exposure to Mexican cuisine is limited at best. I've noted that the reviews of this new restaurant are very mixed, but my experience was pleasant from start to finish.

Dinner at Zócalo including an appetizer, main dish and dessert (no drink or tip included) will cost approximately $30.00 - $35.00 per person. Main dishes range from $17.00-$23.00.

Before our meal, I started with a delicious martini at the downstairs bar. My friends all indulged in a variety of margaritas; of which the passion fruit seemed the best. The service, starting with the bartender and including the patient waitress who helped us with our meal, was good from start to finish. While waiting for the main dishes to come out it was suggested we order sides of guacamole and salsa. These proved to be my favorite part of the meal. If dinner is not an option, grabbing some drinks and delving into the oversized portions of guacamole or homemade salsa is a great alternative.

For my main I opted for the chile rellenos. I thought the two roasted poblano peppers were very good. One was stuffed with cheese, spinach, raisins and almonds and the other with braised pork. The dinner also comes with a side of black beans and plantains, which strangely, I did not care for. The cheese on the beans tasted off and the plantains were too tough.

Chile Rellenos - $19.95
If you are looking to try someplace different or have a hankering for Mexican cuisine, give this place a try. The inside is very nice, the staff was friendly and in good weather you can make use of their oversized patio. Should you go, let me know your thoughts.

Zócalo is located at 35 Stanhope Street (617) 456-7849
Reservations not required but strongly recommended

Max Brenner Boston restaurant & bar opens

Max Brenner opened his first shop in Boston earlier this week. In lieu of his logo which any chocoholic worth their while would recognize, I opted to include a photo of Lee, one of the friendly bartenders at Max Brenner Boston. I figure Lee's resemblance to the corporate logo and winning smile was reason enough, but truth be told I've known Lee quite a while and was pleasantly surprised to see him working there and happier still to have an excuse to post his handsome picture. I believe this is the first (perhaps only) Max Brenner location in North America that has a bar. Although it may be an anomaly for Max Brenner shops, this will probably guarantee a late night crowd will keep the store full and busy and help it remain profitable. There are approximately a half dozen other chocolate shops within blocks of this store, but none offer such a large menu or remain open quite so late.

Included below are a few photographs of the new location. Click on the image to enlarge. Apparently I'm not the only chocoholic, as this table of handsome guys from the South End shows. They appeared to be enjoying their afternoon meal and were good sports to smile pretty for the camera so I couldn't resist including the photo.

A tale of two towne's

Towne Stove and Spirits (known locally as towne) has generated a lot of buzz since it opened its doors in the summer of 2010. I've made two recent visits to towne and the experiences could not have been more different. To be blunt, your experience will vary based on where you are seated. A louder more raucous environment dominates the first floor; a slightly more subdued atmosphere exists on the main section of the second floor; and the most intimate experience is in front section of the second floor overlooking Boylston Street.

Comparing service from one dining room to the next is unfair since the experience is totally different. Because of this, when you make your reservation (because it is worth checking out), consider what kind of dining experience you want and request the section that seems most in line with your wishes.

Dinner at towne will run you approximately $50 / person (1 drink, an appetizer and main – not including tip). On my second visit, we shared mesclun greens salad and lobster popovers. Both were beautifully presented and equally delicious. Lydia Shire always seems to work magic with lobster so when you visit I would strongly recommend trying one of the many options with lobster. For dinner I selected the duck which has a mouthwatering sauce comprised of cane syrup, citrus and red currants and mashed potatoes on the side. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the portion and wondered if I’d finish it. For the record the duck was devoured, and I soldiered on ordering the bittersweet chocolate bouchon, peanut butter sauce and mocha ice cream for dessert.

For food enthusiasts, I would certainly recommend trying towne. The dining experience and service varies depending on where you sit so take that into account and book your reservation accordingly. If you have eaten at towne, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts in my comments section.

The delicious duck

Going to towne

This week was the start of Boston's Restaurant Week and a friend has scored dinner reservations at towne. Located adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston's BackBay neighborhood, this restaurant has received a lot of attention due in part to its size (its pretty darn big by Boston standards) and the two culinary directors, Lydia Shire and Jasper White are much loved local chefs. Earlier this year, I provided a restaurant review of one of Shire's restaurants, Scampo.

I'm not sure what to expect, but I've been obsessing over the reservation; probably because tonight is theTaste of the South End and it has me thinking about food even more than usual. If you are in Boston or thinking of coming to Boston, restaurant week actually runs from March 6-11 and 13-18. There is more information about the event including participating restaurants, here.

Restaurant Review: Lucca

Lucca is an Italian restaurant in the North End that opened a second location last year in the Back Bay (where I ate). Dinner for two (appetizers, main dishes and a shared dessert - not including drinks or tip) is ~ $85.00. However, a number of pasta plates on the bar menu, which is slightly different from the main dining room can be ordered as half-portions which further reduces the average bill.

Sitting at the bar (as I did) provides a different dining experience than in the main dining room. However, the bartender’s suggestions (e.g. ordering a ½ portion of pasta and validating the starter I wanted) were spot on so I have to give credit for her knowledge and suggestions. Moreover, my food arrived promptly (along with a delicious bread basket w/ hummus and olive oil), and throughout my meal I was never rushed or jostled. These things may sound inconsequential but they impact my dining experience and matter to me.Both the bar and the main dining room are beautiful and provide an impressive backdrop to the main event (the food), which is excellent. The burrata cheese in my first plate melted in my mouth and was so delicious I could have this every night and not get bored for at least a year. Because Bolognese sauces tend to be quite heavy, I opted for the ½ portion which proved to be the perfect amount for me – esp. since I was busy inhaling the entire bread basket. The sauce was well seasoned and complimented the pasta which was served (as I like) al dente. This was my first time dining here, but it will not be my last. Hungry for Italian and want to try some place in the BackBay – try out Lucca.

First plate: Bibb lettuce, w/ burrata cheese, candied pine nuts, truffle vinaigrette, and shallots $13

Second plate: Rigatoni w/ Bolognese sauce (½ order) $10
Lucca in the Back Bay 116 Huntington Ave Boston, MA (617) 247 2400
Reservations strongly recommended

Boston Santa Speedo Run 2010 Video

In addition to the pictures I've included below, here is my debut as movie editor, piecing together video clips from all the fun earlier today.

Boston Santa Speedo Run 2010

Watch the 2-minute 2010 Santa Speedo Run VideoThe Boston Santa Speedo Run started in Boston in 2000 and quickly became a Christmas tradition that is now copied in a handful of cities through out North America to raise money for charity.

Each year I go down to Boston's BackBay neighborhood to watch, laugh and mingle with the crowd of spectators which rivals (if not dwarfs those running). The celebration commences and concludes at Lir on Boylston Street - located across from the Hynes and near the Prudential Mall entrance. Runners line up outside the bar and run a brisk 1 mile up parts of Boylston and Newbury Street much to the delight and surprise of visitors doing holiday shopping. Below I've included some pictures from this year's race. Click on any of the photos to enlarge.

M.I.T.'s cool architecture

For anyone who has visited Boston they know the city's architecture is synonymous with brick and brownstone. Check out some recent photos I took from BackBay last month for an example of what I'm referring to. Nearly half of my neighborhood (the South End) is comprised of mid-nineteenth century brick Victorian bow-front town houses. Despite this city’s love affair of all things brick – there is some really beautiful architecture that is really exciting if you are in to that sort of thing (and I am).

The NY Times has a cool article in today's business /real estate section about M.I.T.'s campus transformation and the very edgy and modern buildings they have built across the Charles River. According to the article, M.I.T. has spent $1.4 billion constructing 10 buildings over the past decade. No wonder there does not appear to be a downturn in construction industry in the Boston area. They've engaged giants in architecture to build these "trophy buildings" including the likes of Frank Gehry.

I’ve included some photos of buildings on the M.I.T. campus I like.

M.I.T. Media Lab
M.I.T. Stata Center
You can read the full article here.
You can view the slide show of construction projects here.

Images of Back Bay

Brownstones along Newbury Street



Church of the Covenant
Noted for their Tiffany stained glass windows, mosaics and chandelier


The Hancock and Boston Public Library (a.k.a. BPL)


Prudential Building (a.k.a. the Pru)