Features

THE GIVING TREES

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It’s Fall in New England and that means cider season- which for me means checking in with my friends at Champlain Orchards in VT.

And while I love their Mac & Maple and Farmstead ciders all year and their seasonal sippers like Honeycrisp and the recently-released Tuscan Blue are always worth waiting for (as is their forthcoming batch of ice cider!). In addition to their more traditional ciders, Chaplain also offers such creative creations as the local honey-tinged Larrabee, the ginger tea-infused Calyx, the Sangria-cider mash-up known as Sidria, and their amazing cider syrup. Despite all the delicious gifts they offer, however, what I love most about Champlain is how much they give to others!

In addition to partnering with other purveyors whose products they pack into their plentiful gift boxes, Champlain recently kicked off a new program that will have them giving more of their own bounty to people in need.

Through their new Cider for Good program, Champlain will donate ¼-pound of apples to area food banks for each four-pack of cider they sell. As they grow over 175 different fruit varieties, this program will not only bring nutrition to thousands but also educate many about the wide range of local bounty that is available in our region. And as the program will be hosted in New England, New Jersey, and Delaware, it will hopefully bring Champlain’s delicious drinks and other treats and their generosity to people far and wide.

While I do not need any more reason to enjoy Champlain Orchard ciders that than delicious taste and the good feeling of knowing they are ecologically responsible, to also know that they are helping others makes even the dry ciders that much sweeter!

SUPPORTING THE SUPPORTERS

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I have raved about the progressive programs offered at the New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT) and recently had the privilege of returning to their main facility to share delicious food and encouraging stories with their students and staff.

In honor of their many Caribbean-born students, the menu included intriguing inspirations from The Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other proud nations. And while the plantains and Chef Chris Faison’s award-winning Jerk sauce were impressive, nothing can compare with the stories the students and staff shared.

NECAT has taken hundreds of new immigrants as well as people who are involved with the criminal justice system from lives of desperation and pain to ones filled with opportunity and triumph and many of their alumni now serve in some of our favorite restaurants!

During the delicious dinner, Chef Niurka LeBron recalled how she went from living in a woman’s re-entry home to serving at some of Boston’s finest restaurants during a rousing fundraising speech that combined fiscal logic with religious fervor. And when Instructor Michelene Desmoreau was presented with an official citation from Her Excellency Maura Healey (which will surely look nice when she opens her own restaurant in Quincy next month), the ovation lasted for many minutes!

As these are just a few of the incredible people and stories I encountered at NECAT, I urge people to go to www.ne-cat.org and learn more about this life-saving and life-affirming program. Especially as I also work with the incarcerated and with students who have faced significant challenges in life, I know what good can come from a bit of support and respect and the folks at NECAT deserve both!

A DELICIOUS PLACE TO HOWL

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It’s the end of October, which means only one thing- it’s time for the Mardi Gras-themed Pumpkin Bash at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge!

Backed by the legendary Vudu Krewe, long-time music scene stalwart Shaun “Wolf” Wortis will jam along with other local legends at a charity-minded, costume-optional hootenanny that is sure to be a great take!

If you want to make it an EXTRA great night, reserve a table upstairs at Cambridge Common.

Combining upscale pub food with international flair and one of the best beer and drink lists around, the Common is a great place to grab a bite before a show or during a game or to meet and make friends while reading books about the Ivy League (Might I suggest lionstigersbulldogs.com?).

The Common is known for such amazing apps as fried pickles and pretzel bites, for their brunch favorite French toast sticks, and for offering both buffalo wings and tofu strips so even those who eschew meet can get in on the tasty fun! They also offer great beef and veggie burgers that call out to be combined with their award-winning sweet potato fries and a grilled cheese and tomato soup combo that is just right for this time of year. Their mac & cheese is rich and gooey and their fajitas sizzle with south of the border sabor. They even have healthy and flavor-packed bowls with everything from chicken to salmon to tofu!

To toast Wolf for his latest musical triumph, try a Barewolf Launchpad McQuack Red Ale, a Charles River Porter, or any of the other rare and special edition brews that the Common regularly rotates into their arsenal. On the way down to the show, see if you can find a review I wrote at the Lounge over 20 years ago. I will be there waiting!

FROM ‘PIET’-O TO KETO

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I was recently diagnosed with a genetic heart condition and am now looking down the barrel of some invasive procedures.

Fortunately (or perhaps not), I have a number of knowledgeable friends who had similar situations and are offering me sound advice as to how to deal with my heart health effectively.

Many of them have been recommending trying a ketogenic diet and one – famed local ceramic artist and chef Simona Alexandrov – has offered me a copy of her wonderful book, Keto Kitchen Renaissance: Transforming family traditions to unlock vibrant health.

In this well-researched and lovingly-prepared culinary memoir, Alexandrov explains what keto is and the many good things it can do for you and then offers tasty tips on kitchen and food prep that will make it easy for anyone to transition to this promising proclivity. Along the way, she not only introduces readers to some of the favorite meals she has prepared but also the favorite people for whom she prepared them, adding an even more personal and emotional touch to her well-reasoned recommendations. Though Simona is not a licensed nutritionist, her personal story of transformation and the evidence garnered from her familial test subjects are convincing. And even if losing weight or improving your heart and mental health are not your goals (huh?!), the recipes (which range from Simona’s signature salad dressing to kelp noodles, meatballs, soups, and sushi, to keto crackers, cookies, and candies, as well as selections from what she calls the House of Laughter – are plain and simply delicious and, with Simona’s help, easy to make and enjoy!

HARVARD HELPS THE HUNGRY

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It is rare for the neighborhood rivals at Harvard and MIT to get together on anything, but the cause of food insecurity is so important (and sadly so large) that the vo-tech school was willing to host the Party Under the Harvest Moon Gala that the liberal arts college was sponsoring for Food for Free.

Food for Free serves as a key cog in the food collection and distribution machine, bringing fresh produce and other nutritious essentials to over 100 organizations and (more importantly) 150,000 individuals who might not otherwise be able to access it. In the process of distributing over 6 million pounds of food a year, they also help deal with the absolutely nauseating issue of food waste.

At the event, guests were invited to meet the talented team behind the organization and their partners at Harvard and elsewhere and also to enjoy the music of Bubble Wave while trying to win bottles of wine and bid on other tasty treats.

Harvard has been a sponsor of the program’s Heat-n-Eats program, which repurposes prepared foods from their dining facilities by repackaging them into individual servings that are delivered by Harvard students and other volunteers to people who may not have the ability or facilities to prepare their own meals (including the students themselves!). Food for Free also brings monthly farmers markets to schools in the Greater Boston area, not only allowing more students and families to eat better but also encouraging them to learn about healthy food.

To do what you can so Food for Free can do more, please go to https://foodforfree.org/donate/ and be watching for the next Harvest Moon.

SCHOOL FOR SIPPERS

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As the days get shorter and colder, we all need something to keep our bodies warm, our minds engaged, and our spirits up,

Thankfully, there is a bevy of great new courses and other treats at Commonwealth Wine School!

Whether you are a novice sipper or a certified oenophile, CWS has events and offerings that will help you get more out of your wine and your life, including workshops, classes, and private events, as well as certification-level programs from the prestigious Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Wine Scholar Guild.

On October 27, they will host a class for those who want to make Halloween more fun for older trick or treaters by explaining what wines pair best you’re your favorite candies.

November 1, their expert educators will advise others on how to negotiate for the best wines in international markets.

On the 2nd and 3rd and again on the 16th and 17th, Sake lovers will gather to explore their favorite beverage. I am looking forward to the cider and cheese pairings on November 9 but may also refresh my palate at the introduction to wine tasting class on November 22.

If you cannot make it to or find parking in Harvard Square, CWS also offers classes in NH and ME and also online.

Though the classes and events make for fun breaks from the winter blahs, for those who want to get away from New England winter altogether, CWS also offers occasional wine tours around the world, including a trip to Argentina that is scheduled for February of 2025.

See you in class!

BACK TO THE CLUB

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Though it has been some time since I wrote about music, I still get a thrill about catching my favorite acts at area venues!

And if I can enjoy a delicious meal at the same time- All the better!

In fact, Matt’s Meals was very much created when I was transitioning from reviewing bands until 1 AM to reviewing restaurants and then catching the opening act.

I recently returned to Club Café to catch my friend Lisa Gail Johnson who was performing as part of the Ladies Who Brunch cabaret series in the historic Napoleon Room. And while I caught up with other talented friends (including vocal behemoth Ron Murphy and fellow music scribe John Amodeo) I also got reacquainted with the welcoming vibe and delicious food and drink that the home of Drag Bingo has been offering since the 1980s as it protects the border between Boston’s Back Bay and South End.

The daring drink menu includes such legendary libations as the Sparkle Factor and Pixie dust margarita and a solid set of liquors and liqueurs for every taste and occasion.

While brunch is a specialty (natch!) that features French toast casserole and creative omelettes, the main menu ranges from housemade tortilla chips and half-pound burgers to MD crab cakes and locally-sourced lobster rolls to crunch salads and Shanghai power bowls, and LGBT wraps that wave the flavor flag proudly. No matter what you order, be sure to get your gang some legendary disco fries and save room for a dessert made fresh by our friends at Bread & Roses Bakery in Ogunquit, ME.

For those who want to enjoy more of the Club more often, memberships allow for line cutting, birthday surprises, and other special privileges.
But for anyone who comes (and I mean “anyone”!), Club Café is always a safe space to let loose and have fun with some of the most creative and talented people AND some of the best food and drinks in town.

NUTS TO NIBS

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I was recently back at Boston Public Market for their annual Harvest Party and there is a lot of news to share!

In addition to hosting one of the largest pumpkins in the area, the carnival-themed fair offered guests opportunities to try their luck at various games and to enjoy free samples from many of the Market’s vaunted vendors.

In addition to such carb-y faves as pizzas from the Bagel Guild, popovers from The Popover Lady, and hot pretzels from Hearth & Hug that came with a mustard I wanted to bottle and take home, there were also fall-spiced popcorn from Curio Spice, mouth-watering sandwiches from Beantown Pastrami, and the widely-distributed but rarely bested ice cream from Crescent Ridge!

One of my favorite discoveries, however, was that Q’s Nuts (which has supplied many of my author talks and presentations of my book on the Ivy League with their delicious and nutritious snacks) was expanding their menu of offerings not just into more new creative flavors of fresh and healthy almonds, cashews, peanuts, and more, but into superfood-worthy cacao nibs!

While Q’s has been a favorite source of protein and energy (and also of gifts for family and friends), they are now adding addictively-delicious roasted nibs to their ever-expanding menu of tasty treats, making a visit to the Market or to qsnuts.com even more worthwhile!

The BPM Harvest Party means that winter and the holidays are around the corner. What better time to stock up on delicious nutritious snacks that CAN last through the season but that you will probably devour the day you get them?

Fortunately, Q’s always has new flavors and ideas coming so reordering is not only easy but required.

ONE LAST ROUND

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Even though COVID keeps hanging around, it’s finally getting cool enough to start thinking about heading inside to eat.

But before you hibernate, our friends at Harpoon are making a convincing argument for a few more hours al fresco.

At the Harpoon Beer Garden which is located just outside the Boylston T Stop doors on the skirt of Boston Common, hardy New Englanders and their visitors can enjoy fresh draft beer from Harpoon’s growing menu of faves (including their signature IPA as well as beers from Long Trail, Clown Shoes, and even the popular pairings with Dunkin’!), along with Polar seltzers, margaritas made with Harpoon-sourced alcohol, and (my favorite!) a warm and warming cider that you will want to mull over for some time.

If you need delicious food to absorb and complement your adult beverages, Harpoon has partnered with their Seaport neighbors at Rosa Mexicano to offer hearty and satisfying tacos and chips with freshly-made guac.

In addition to great food and drink, the Beer Garden (which is scheduled to be open through Halloween and to reopen in May) also offers curated culture on Emerson College’s UnCommon Stage that ranges from locally-sourced musicians and dancers (some of whom offer lessons to patrons!) to Harpoon’s famed Flannel Fridays which bestow a bespoke drink holder to anyone who continues to embrace the Grunge esthetic. If not, the Garden even sells Harpoon gear (including those made in partnership with Life is Good)!

Winter is coming but that doesn’t mean we can’t rage against the dying of the light with some delicious food and drink and plenty of friends!

See you in the Garden!

GET FRESH ON THE CAPE SEPTEMBER 19

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While most of your friends may packed up their vacation houses by Labor Day, there are still plenty of reasons to go to the Cape!

One of them is a tasting event at Expressions Gallery in Chatham that will be hosted by Farmers to You on September 19 starting at 6:30 PM.

As the name implies, Farmers to You is a collaborative that works with over 150 farms throughout the region to bring everything from award-winning cheese and humanely-raised meats to pasture-raised poultry and eggs, organic bread, and milk that still has the cream floating on top of the bottle, and even creative prepared foods to over 2,000 patrons and locations throughout MA, VT, and NY.  

Among the featured foods and farmers at the Chatham event (which is free but for which registration is requested) will be sweet sauces from Butterfly Bakery (which is also the home of our favorite Fat Toad Farm Caramel!), upcycled crackers from Brewers Foods, Long Wind Farm‘s grown-in-soil tomatoes, Aqua ViTea kombucha, and cheeses from Farmstead Cheese Co. and Sweet Rowen Farmstead. 

In addition to fresh and delicious food, the event in Chatham will also offer the opportunity to discuss with Farmers to You founder Greg Georgaklis and to enjoy the refreshing visual produce of artist Steve Koppel.

Whether or not you can make the event, Farmers to You is always ready to serve through its enticing website (https://farmerstoyou.com), which offers beautiful pictures of every product along with the stories behind the people behind each one. It even has meal suggestions for those who might need a little encouragement with expanding their dietary palette. They also offer their own CSA and pickup or delivery in certain areas and are constantly growing- just like their products!