Author: Matt Robinson

WINE-DING YOUR WAY THROUGH SUMMER

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As his recent Wednesday night wine pairings have proven so popular, Harvard Square’s resident hospitality guru and wine expert Bertil Jean-Chronberg (who also enjoys a following around the world) is again expanding the offerings at his food and wine emporium Bonde (again with an “e”). 

Having kicked off with a French food-filled Bastille Day party on July 14, Bonde will host special tastings for eight people every other Wednesday through September 27, from 7-8:30 PM that will feature flights from some of the world’s finest organic and biodynamic wineries paired with sushi, sausages, French baked goods, and, of course, fromage.

As a proud native Frenchman who has worked in hospitality for 40 years, Bertil knows a great deal about food and wine and even more about how to make guests comfortable and to share his vast knowledge in a comfortable, convivial way that edifies even the most experienced imbiber. That is surely why his events continue to prove so popular and why it would be wise to register soon at www.bondewines.com and to keep an eye not only on his event calendar but his legendary wine publication, Zero-Two-Wine-Three-Eight (which is a well-poured pun on Bonde’s zip code) and other community-serving programs like the Black Donkey project that helps children in need.

Speaking of events, Bonde will also be hosting weekly wine garden parties no Sundays from 11-5 where guests can take in the Tour de France and tours of Harvard while enjoying wines from various regions (including New England on August 6!).

No matter when you go, it is always wine o’clock at Bonde and that is a wine-derful thing! www.bondewines.com

IS THIS A STEAK KNIFE I SEE BEFORE ME?

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Before I wrote about food, I wrote about Shakespeare and have been a fan for many years. I teach about him in most of my English classes and see every production I can.

Among my favorites is the story of Macbeth- the noble lord who climbs to the heights of power through murder and deception only to fall to his doom.

While I have seen performances all over the globe, one of my favorite Shakespeare companies is Boston’s own Commonwealth Shakespeare. That is why I am so looking forward to seeing their outdoor production on Boston Common which runs through August 6.

Years ago, I was asked to prepare pre-performance presentations about their play. This year, Comm Shakes his offering another special treat- a dinner and show package that involves the popular partner Boston Chops. In Downtown Crossing. 

For a $200 ticket (half of which is tax-deductible and which includes tax and gratuity), guests will be seated at Boston Chops between 5 and 6:30 to enjoy a special prix fix meal that offers options including Wagyu dumplings, pan-seared Atlantic salmon, and pappardelle Bolognese. And while the dessert options of crème brulee and toffee pudding are both worth visiting Boston Chops on their own, the real finishing touch will be seats in the CommShakes Friends section to enjoy the evening’s performance of this terrifyingly timely tale.

Whether you want to dig into a delicious steak dinner or a timeless drama, an evening with Boston Chops and Commonwealth Shakespeare is a Tony evening indeed!

www.bostonchops.com / www.commshakes.org

Burning with a Desire to Help

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With the Greater Boston Food Bank bringing their Fresh Fest back, I thought it a good time to talk about other food-related organizations that are doing what they can to help eaters in need.

The appropriately-named Good Charcoal Company partners with local communities nationwide to sponsor free weekly BBQs for those experiencing food insecurity. To date, they have provided over 32,500 meals for free across the country and have a goal of 100,000 by the end of this summer!

To help them reach that goal, all you need to do is buy their coal.

Fortunately, not only is the Good Charcoal Company’s charcoal good, it is also good for the world in other ways- for while it helps feed happy families and hungry neighbors in the United States, it also unites and supports the farmers in Africa who provide the wood and improves the lives of that region’s regal cheetahs by clearing grassland overgrowth that prevents their food from flourishing. In fact, Good Charcoal is the first and only charcoal sold in the U.S. that is certified by the Forest Stewardship council!
As it is 100% free of harmful chemicals and made from sustainably-harvested acacia (which is denser than even oak and hickory!), it burns hotter, longer, and cleaner, allowing you to use less and keep your air and your food cleaner and healthier and your time over the grill shorter, so you can enjoy more of your time with family and friends while knowing that other families (both human and feline) are also benefitting from your pit mastery.

While we all enjoy our summer celebrations and time outdoors with people we may not have seen in months (if not longer), it is important to remember those who do not have such privileges and do what we can to help them enjoy more as we enjoy all that we have. 

If a charcoal can remind us, that’s pretty good indeed!

thegoodcharcoal.com

The Shark Has Shed Some Skin

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Since the latest (and potentially hottest) Boston Hot Sauce Festival wrapped up, many area heat seekers may be coming down from their habanero high.

Fortunately, nobody told our friends at Spicy Shark!

In their continuing quest for the best and the brightest mouth igniters, the NH-based sauce bosses have taken a page from an ancient Indian cookbook to come up with their new Mako Snake hot sauce.

Using a Masala base, Mako Snake adds other infamous (but beloved) ingredients like Ghost Pepper, Carolina Reaper, and Habanero to create a taste that is as mythical a mashed-up mouth melter as its name would imply. And though it has only been recently released, the Snake already has fire-breathing fans from Manchester to Mumbai.

As the Scovie Award-winning Shark line runs along founder Gabe DiSaverio’s own five-fin heat scale from such “introductory” entries as their heated honeys and syrups, better-than-Buffalo wing sauce, and gentle Nurse Shark jalapeno sauce to the Caribbean Reef Shark Scotch Bonnet sauce, the Spicy Shark is a great source for fans of any level of heat or style of saucing. 

For those who are new to hot sauces, DiSaverio recently released a family-friendly (and naturally food-minded) book that the kids can read while the parents weep tears of spicy joy. On the other side of the spice scale is the Shark’s “six-fin” set which includes the Mako Snake and also the premiere super-spicy sauce known (not just locally) as “Hammah Gatah.”
Whether you have fins to the left or right of the scale, you are sure to enjoy some of the best (and hottest) sauces this side of the White Mountains (or the Himalayas)!

Speaking of which, watch for the Shark at fairs and festivals throughout New England and at your favorite markets (or at least the ones that should be your favorites!). 

 www.thespicyshark.com

A Golden Fleece of a Restaurant

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While the main issue with eating in either Boston or Providence can be deciding where to enjoy your next meal, we are also blessed (or perhaps cursed) with a bevy of suburban stars sandwiched between that make the choices even harder!

Among the newest of these is Kosmos in Walpole which, as luck would have it, is about halfway between the Hub and Renaissance City.

Headed by Greek imports Stavros and Angelos Petropolos (who trained under Boston legend Gordon Hammersley and helped open Committee in the Seaport district), Kosmos is already a local fave that is drawing fans from both states and even further afield- many of whom use public transportation so they can fully enjoy themselves (Opa!). 

Speaking of drinks, the eponymous white cranberry and vodka Kosmo is a surefire hit, as is the Kosmos IPA from Opa Opa Brewing in Williamsburg, MA. Kosmos also offers a wide range of Greek wines, Ouzos, and Metaxas. 

With the recently-revealed garden patio and authentic decor and food that make you feel as if you are on the coast of Corinth, Kosmos is a universe away from many other Greek eateries in the area and features such family-founded and family-friendly recipes as spanakopita (spinach pie), grilled octopus with Santorini split pea puree, pan-seared Saganaki cheese, chicken and lamb chops, striped bass, and Makaronia Me Kima (which is the famed Greek version of pasta Bolognese). If your family or group of friends is large, Kosmos also offers platters for at least two that feature grilled meats, seafood stew, and whole grilled snapper. Sunday brunch adds such Hellenic heroes as Spanakopita Benedict, Greek yogurt pancakes, hearty Shakshouka, and even an omelet topped with traditional Greek salad!

For those who like a sweet finish to their suburban excursion, Kosmos also has phyllo cake, multi-napkin baklava rolls, and Bougatsa custard pie with Nutella.

As I said- Opa!

www.kosmoswma.com

Pharmaceu-TEA-cals 

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We have often touted the benefits of great tea and coffee.

Top among them is the whole-leaf, whole-earth set from Mighty Leaf, which has been a go-to for my family and fans for years. 

Now the sustainable and socially responsible Mighty Leaf team is helping enjoyers get even mightier with a new line of enhanced beverage packets that are extra nutritious and extra delicious!

The Good Pharma line may have a title that is a bit technical, but the ingredients and focus are simple and straightforward. Like our friends at Forij, HOP WTR, and IQ Bars, Good Pharma uses what they cleverly (and pharmaceutically) call “Rxtracts” like brain-boosting, non-hallucinogenic mushrooms, as well as rare seeds and roots, easily-digestible nutrients like calming Ashwaganda and stress-reducing L-theanine, freshly-ground coffee and, of course, Mighty Leaf’s already sustaining and satisfying teas to create a set of sips that satisfy the tongue and everything around it.

The Brain Gain variety supports mental function and creativity. Resilience supports immunity. No Worries alleviates stress and tension. Rest Assured helps ease you out of your day and into rejuvenating sleep. All four come in handy single-serve packets that rest on the side of your mug and slowly infuse whatever you are drinking with added flavor and health. I often steep them alongside some Mighty Leaf tea for a brand-loyal and always pleasurable experience. 

In an effort to serve their fans and introduce the new line to others, Good Pharma has been presenting a new variety called No Worries in hotels and other places where harried travelers need a tasty break from their hectic schedules. Even if you are still working from home, however, there is still plenty to enjoy from Good Pharma and their Mighty originators and many benefits to enjoy from all of their enjoyable drinks.

https://drinkgoodpharma.com / https://www.mighty-leaf.com/ (Love that hyphen!)

An Easier Way to Forij

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As a writer who makes my living with my vocabulary, I am very aware of my brain and how to take care of it. 

That is why I am such a fan of brands like IQBar, HOP WTR and our tent-living, brain-loving pal Parker Olson, founder of Forij.

Many has been the day when I prepare to create with a big bowl of Forij’s delicious, protein-packed, and (perhaps most importantly) brain-boosting granolas. With no GMOs or gluten and not that much sugar (especially for a granola product), Forij leaves more room for vitamins and nutrients. And with ingredients like pure maple syrup, English walnuts, flax and chai seeds, fresh cinnamon, cacao, nootropic Lions’ mane and other cognitive-caring (and non-hallugenogenic) mushroom types, the functional foods are as good for your tongue and tummy as they are for your body and brain!

As it is admittedly not always easy to carry a bowl of cereal to work (even when you work from home), I was happy to learn that Parker recently released a set of chewy and satisfying bars that allow you to take the brain and body-benefits on your bike or in your briefcase. The first pair of flavors includes a convincingly cookie-esque oatmeal raisin and a rosemary walnut that is earthy, floral, nutty, and yummy! 

Apparently, a lemon blueberry and coconut-based flavor are on the way, but the debut two are terrific on their own (or when purchased in a combo pack)!

If you want support with supporting your brain, go to www.forij.co and sign up for the 30-day brain challenge and to receive daily doctor-designed brain games and other tasteful tips for better health.  While there, design your own cute and colorful Forijer friend to keep you motivated as you deliciously develop body and brain.

Whether you need to clear the cognitive cobwebs out in the morning or keep the mind moving midday, Forij has the forms and flavors to give you all you need whenever and wherever you need it.

https://www.forij.co

Firing up the Family Grill

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Summer is coming and that means it is time to start looking forward to spending more great times with two things – family and a grill.

What better time to check in with our friends the Iliades family at Farm Grill and Rotisserie in Newton?

In addition to such Hellenistic hits as their spicy Feta spread, tender grape leaves with aromatic herbs, tzatziki made with homemade Greek yogurt and Greek olive oil, flaky spanikopita, rich and hearty pastitzio, and traditional village salad with homemade dressing that you can (and should) take home, the Grill also offers everything from beef kabobs and rotisserie chicken to octopus salad on their always-refreshing (and mouthwatering) steam table. In their eternal quest to support other family businesses while offering the best products around, Farm Grill recently began offering Vermont-raised organic lamb that can be specially prepared for weddings, graduation parties, and other events either at Farm Grill or at your location with just a week’s notice!

Apparently, they may even be selling a great book about the Ivy League (www.lionstigersbulldogs.com) soon as well!

As we open up our windows to let in the warmer air, Farm Grill is also opening its doors for longer hours (another great sign of COVID recovery!), staying open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights until 9 PM and opening Sundays for on-site private events that offer all of the family-fueled flavor without any family cleanup!

And if you want more amazingly authentic, fresh, and flavorful Greek food, drink, and gifts for summer or any time of year, he sure to visit Farm Grill’s sister store, the Greek International Food Market in West Roxbury.

Either way, you are sure to bring your family something νόστιμο (“nóstimo”) every time!

www.farm-grill.com / https://greekintlmarket.com

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

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As Matt’s Meals fans know, I am admittedly not the biggest Indian food fan, but I LOVE Shanti.

While we wait for them to come to Needham, my family and I will venture to Roslindale or even back to my old hometowns of Cambridge and Dorchester to enjoy (and I mean “ENJOY”!) their authentically contemporary tastes, like their worth-the-trip hand-baked naan and fresh and refreshing mango lassi and their amazing curry dishes, vegetable plates, and exotic meat offerings.

Speaking of great food in Cambridge , the Shanti team is planning to bring their sister restaurant, Dudley Café, from Dudley Square in Roxbury (hence the name!) to Porter Square in Cambridge as well and are asking for help by offering a great reward to fans and friends even before they open!

Using the community finance tool NuMarket, the Dudley Café crew is crowdfunding the new venue by offering a 120% return on any investment. This means that when you donate $100, you get $120 in credit to spend at the new location. And with a menu that ranges from delicious day-starters like thick and rich challah French toast and a breakfast sandwich that includes egg, sauteed spinach, cheese and the Café’s house sauce to a lunch break’s worth of rice bowls and such hand-y favorites as the PAC Man (pulled pork, Asian slaw and chipotle mayo) and the famed No. 34 sandwich (which features grass-fed local roast beef with caramelized onions, sweet potatoes, and greens on French bread), any amount of credits will be easy to spend!

In addition to offering great food, Dudley Café is also a community space that presents local artists and events that bring people together in ways that go beyond shared meals (as good as they may be!).
In encouraging donors to enjoy the fruits of their generosity, the Shanti/Dudley team hopes to build a true community of food fans who also want to support local businesses, even if those businesses are worth visiting from not-so-local locales.

Please visit ShantiBoston.com and DudleyCafe.com and join the community!

Sacré Brown!

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I am a big fan of maple and a BIG fan of Branon Family Maple Orchards’ organic maple products. From their organic maple-to-go packs (which have saved me from many gallons of high-fructose corn syrup at various restaurants) to their maple Buffalo sauce, Maple Barbeque Sauce, maple-based seasonings, and maple bourbon vinegar, everything they make helps make almost any food (and not just pancakes) even better!

That is why I was so delighted to find a delightful drink their family makes called Sacré!

Created by their son Justin and his husband Roger, Sacré combines the family’s famous maple syrup (which is fermented with a healthy heirloom vinegar “mother” and aged in bourbon barrels) with fair trade, shade-grown coffee to make a non-alcoholic beverage that is also surprisingly low in sugar and caffeine content. The intriguingly complex and easy-to-drink beverage goes as great as a morning coffee alternative (or additive) as it does for a night cap and works as well on its own as it does with many other favorite flavors (as can be seen in the recipe guide on the website- www.woodnosedrinks.com). 

Using ingredients that are organic and sustainably farmed (as is true of all Branon products) and approved by the National Audubon Society for being made in a bird-friendly area using solar energy, you can enjoy glass after glass (or even bottle after bottle) knowing you are supporting local farmers and your own health. And as Sacré is made by an LGBT- and Veteran-owned business, there is even more reason to be supportive and more good feeling to go around.

Speaking of “a round,” I think I’ll have another sip of Sacré!.

https://www.branonmaple.com / www.woodnosedrinks.com