The following message is only for people who observe Passover and for people who want delicious healthy food every day in April.

The vegetarian eatery Pure Cold Press is celebrating 10 years by serving food that is kosher for Passover on April 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

As anyone who makes their house ready for this most observed of Jewish holidays knows, there is a lot involved in getting ready for the seders and other observances, so to do it for an entire restaurant is quite an undertaking! However, the folks at Pure Cold Press have always prided themselves on doing their best to serve their devoted customers. Perhaps that is why their first 10 years have been such a success, despite the pandemic and all the challenges that most restaurants face.

On most other nights, Pure Cold Press offers such popular offerings as their signature shakshuka, fresh fruit-topped pancakes, seitan-based mucha lucha salad, spicy protein bowl with soy chicken shwarma, and popular pizzas, and the freshly-pressed juices that originally gave them their name.

Thanks to their dedicated ingenuity, not all that much will change for Passover. Using potato flour, Pure Cold Press will have pizzas, paninis, and even bagels, as well as Passover editions of their famous Date Night smoothie and Liquid Gold and Namaste juices.

Passover is known as a time of questions and a celebration of liberation. If the question is where to eat, Pure Cold Press is the answer as it is a great place to try something new and break free from the everyday (or to find new everyday favorites).

When I started my writing career 30 years ago, one of the first people I met was Russ Gershon – a polymath artist/producer/music teacher/record label head who has remained a friend through all these years

Now that I’m writing about food, it seemed only natural to promote Russ’s jazz trio (featuring Rick McLaughlin on bass and Brooke Sofferman on percussion) performing at OGGI Gourmet in Harvard Square on Saturday, April 12 from 7-10 PM as part of their Second Saturdays series. 

As it is Herbie Hancock’s and Hound Dog Taylor’s birthday, the music is sure to be extra cool…and the food? Well-

Having started in Jamaica Plain, OGGI itself has been around for over 20 years, which is quite an accomplishment! One taste of their food and it I easy to see why it has remained so popular.

While OGGI may be best known for pizzas with such tasty toppings as roasted mushrooms and goat cheese or jerk chicken with pineapple, Chef Steve Welch also knows his way around a sandwich and offers anytime faves like the perfect breakfast grab egg sandwich and a lobster sandwich that keeps many fans coming back. In addition to great food, OGGI also offers popular coffee and tea concoctions, as well as juices and smoothies, and a full bar.

As if all of this were not enough, for Russ’ events, Chef Steve will roll out a special tasting menu featuring whatever is fresh and hip (just like Russ’ music!).

For a restaurant to last 20 years is an accomplishment worth talking about, as is a friendship lasting 30 years. I hope to be able to talk to you live at OGGI on April 12 and whenever you want great food and a great time. 

I have often raved about Neroli, the amazing Italian restaurant and market in Westwood, and have made special mention when my favorite band- The Winiker Brothers – are in town to play there.

Well big news on both fronts- Neroli has recently expanded their offerings to include brunch on Saturdays and guess who is booked to entertain April 27 with seatings at 11-12:30 and 12:30-2 (with special guest, our friend and colleague Dan Rea)?

As the house band at such legendary houses as The Last Hurrah at the historic Parker House Hotel and over a quarter-century of wonderful weekend at Skipjack’s in Boston’s Back Bay, the Winikers know how to keep a brunch lively.

But when you consider that Neroli already has one of the best and most authentic Italian menus around, any weekend will surely be enhanced by a visit.

The new weekend menu is being served from 11-3 and features a brunch board with smoked salmon, sliced avocado, crisp bacon, and freshly-boiled eggs to cinnamon rolls with homemade limioncello icing to lobster rolls to an entire menu of freshly-pressed panini and an Italian Benedict that features poached eggs on Parma prosciutto and toasted foacaccia, as well as their famed arancini, gnocchi Bolognese, and signature parms (eggplant, chicken, or veal). To wash it down, Neroli offers their amazing Spritz tower featuring Santa Marina Prosecco, as well as a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, sangrias by the pitcher and mimosas by the bucket-full. For those who found parking nearby, they also offer non-alcoholic treats like the Moji-No and a range of sweet and smooth lattes and other delights.

No matter what you order or when you come, brunch at Neroli will surely be a new fave for you, especially if you appreciate great food and amazing music.

I hope to see you April 27 and encourage you to enjoy Neroli whenever you can.