Event

ANOTHER WINIKER WINNER

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As anyone who listens to our spots or who just knows me knows, I will travel pretty far to hear the Winiker Brothers.

They have been dear friends to both Jordan and myself for decades and are the go-to call not only when we want the best music for any event but when we want support for our lives in general or just for a meal.

That is why I hope to be at Neroli in Westwood on April 4, when the Brothers will make their delicious debut at their latest venue.

In addition to convincingly playing everything from Tony Bennett to Taylor Swift, Bill and Bo and their cohort of top bandmates have also played everywhere from the old and new Gardens to the White House, so you can always be sure of a great night of music when they are on the bill!

At Neroli, the Winiker’s music will complement an equally impressive bill of fare that includes their signature bruschetta with Stracciatella and roasted baby heirloom tomatoes, arancini with brain-healthy and satisfying saffron risotto, three-meat meatballs, salumi and cheese boards, freshly-layered lasagna, lobster ravioli, and other traditional Italian fare served with New England flair.

If you can’t make it that night, they are open Tuesday through Sunday with Sunday brunch and a special Sunday supperclub to help you get ready for the week ahead. If you can’t make it in at all but still want great food, Neroli also offers a take-out market and catering so they- like the Winikers- can get you exactly what you want for your next big event.

GRAZIE, SETH!

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Seth Greenberg has long been known as the man behind Mistral, Mooo, M80, and many more massive hits.
This spring, he will make his latest splash on the banks of the Charles River when he opens MonteVerdi at the Four Diamond Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge.

Turning the German into Italian, MonteVerdi pays tribute to the Greenberg’s family’s time near Venice, where Seth’s late father owned a clothing factory and where his mother was dubbed “Signora Monteverdi.” 

Combining views of the Charles with flavors of the Po and Tiber, MonteVerdi will also bring together the titanic (and locally-spourced) talents of former Ashmont Grill and Rendezvous Chef Christian Ellis, Serafina Back Bay and Verb Hotel manager Jared Hall, and Seth’s favorite designer, Petra Hausberger of Somerton Park Interiors.

Greenberg’s menu is apparently going for the “less is more” philosophy that is the mark of great Italian cooking. With flatbread pizzas and freshly-made pastas to locally-sourced seafood, a new edition of legendary chef Gordon Hammersley’s roast chicken, and an amazing homemade sauce, MonteVerdi will offer everything your Nonna did…and more! 
Opening just as the weather warms, Monteverdi will not only offer an al fresco raw bar but also one of the largest terraces in town, making it the perfect place for a beautiful brunch, a dreamy dinner, or an Italian-inspired evening. This is such a scoop that there is not even a website yet, but you can try www.sonesta.com.

A NEW GEO-SPACE FOR JAZZ

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With the passing of local lions like Fred Taylor and Eric Jackson, the Boston Jazz scene has not been what it once was.

Even though the great rooms like the Savoy and Pauls’ Mall are long gone, there are still holdouts like Sculler’s and Wally’s keeping the Berklee-fed Boston sound alive.

Recently, a new space opened in the offices of a company that knows space!

Feldman Geospatial has been supporting the physical structure of cities and towns for over 75 years.

Now, with the opening of the Jazz Nights series at Long Live Beerworks (which is housed at 152 Hampden Street in Boston), the Feldman team will bring more soul to their structures than ever.

Long Live has made its own mark with its Black Cat double IPA, Rox Pils Italian Pilsner, Coffee Cake Bites Imperial Stout, and new varieties coming on all the time. With their locally-crafted brews inside and locally-sourced murals and food trucks, the Feldman series is homegrown through and through. And throughout the new music series, the music will be as well!

From Alex Alvera and Mango Blue to Gonzalo Grau and Plural to the core Boston Jazz trio known as The Fringe, Jazz Nights will bring Grammy winners and garage band heroes together in open-ended nights of music, beer, food, and local culture.

The Boston Jazz scene may have changed, but if new offerings like Jazz Nights at Long Live presented by Feldman Geospatial are any indication, it is alive and well!       

GREEK REVIVAL

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As it was once called the Athens of America, it makes sense that Boston is at the forefront of the Greek revival that appears to be running through the restaurant space like an Olympic (or Boston) marathoner.

And while many popular places have followed, the Farm Grille & Rotisserie in Newton and its sister store, Greek International Market in West Roxbury, have been leading the pack for over 25 years.

Whenever I want to get my Greek on in a fresh and friendly flash, a visit to the Grille always fits the bill(e). But when I want to get the authentic ingredients that make this family-run restaurant and caterer so great or to explore the larger realm of Hellenistic hunger helpers, the Market has all I need….and MORE!

In addition to freshly-imported Greek spices and wines (including Retsina) to imported meats and other prepared foods (including their famed octopus salad!), as well as hand-crafted cheeses and Greek yogurt, an olive bar and enough olive oils and Greek pastries for the Spartan army, the Market offers honey-based health and beauty aids, toys and gifts, and customized gift baskets that are perfect for any occasion. 

Speaking of occasions, the Market has an Aegean Sea-full of fish and a farm-full of plant-based options that are perfect for Lent or just for eating healthy! And Proprietor Katerina Iliades recently debuted a line of children’s clothing for communions and baptisms that will be on display at a VIP fashion show on March 23 at the Maliotis Center in Brookline!

Everyone seems set on catching the healthy and delicious Mediterranean diet train. As is true of so many other things, we in Boston are ahead of the curve, thanks in great part to the Iliades family and their great pair of places to eat.    

L’CHAIM

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Now I get to talk about two of my favorite food-related things – Michael’s Deli and beer!

As anyone who follows us knows, one of our favorite friends in the industry is Steve Peljovich of Michael’s Deli in Brookline. Not only does he have the best corned beef and other deli favorites around, but he gives more back to the food community and the larger community and almost anyone else around.

On April 7 from 3 to 5 PM, Steve will be participating in a special Relay for Life event at Exhibit A Brewing taproom and gallery in Framingham.

Relay for Life raises money for cancer research. Proceeds from this event will benefit both the American Cancer Society and the Boston Hope Lodge, which houses cancer patients as they go through their difficult treatments.

What makes the event all the better is that Steve’s gastronomic co-conspirator will be none other than Ivan Pulecio of Hearth Pizzeria in Needham, who is also on the podium for restaurant industry mensches.

Steve and Ivan have faced more than their fare shares of health challenges, but they keep coming back and giving back more and more!

Add the creatively handcrafted beers from Exhibit A and live music from Alison Keslow and The Earthtones to the great food from Michael’s and Hearth and this should not be just a great fundraiser but a great time.

AND it’s for a great cause too!

https://bit.ly/raise-a-pint2024

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EFFIE-N GOOD!

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As I have been bringing my book on the Ivy League and my live author interview series to more venues (such as the Needham Library, where I will be interviewing everyone’s favorite radio host, Jordan Rich, on April 30), I have had to find more snacks to bring for my guests to enjoy as they linger to buy books and talk with the authors.

That is why I always have boxes of Effie’s Homemade on hand!

Based on the traditional Nova Scotian oatcake, these family recipe-based, hand-crafted cookies and crackers (ahem- “biscuits”) are made in Dorchester, MA and available all over (including at my book events!).

From their original Halifax-helped oatcake and European-inspired rye biscuits to their hearty and historically-accurate corn cakes and stone-ground wheat pecan biscuits, Effie’s are perfect for wine and cheese parties, mini PB&Js or just straight out of the box. There are also recipes at https://effieshomemade.com to inspire your next sensational snack!

For those with a taste for sophisticated sweetness, Effie’s also offers aromatic almond biscuits, bold and snappy ginger biscuits, brain-boosting walnut biscuits, and decadent cocoa biscuits.

No matter which you pick, all of their biscuits come in giftable boxes and samplers and many are also available in individually-wrapped two-biscuit servings that are just right for a satisfying snack or something special to share

While becoming a loyal customer is not hard, Effie’s even offers a reward program for those of us who enjoy their wonderful wares on a regular basis!

Come be a guest at my author events and you too will have that opportunity!

In the meantime, use MattsMeals20 to get 20% off at https://effieshomemade.com/

A CORNERSTONE OF SUPPORT

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Another Pi Day has come and gone, but for fans of doing good for others and great food and drink, I have good news!

As Matt’s Meals fans know, I also work with an organization called Project Insulin (a.k.a., “PI”) that is working to craft a generic insulin that will allow people who cannot afford inflated Big Pharma prices to get their life-sustaining medicine.

For their latest celebration of Pi Day, PI hosted a party at The Cornerstone in Somerville. In addition to raising over $5,000 with help from their primary sponsor, Rockland Trust, supporters also raised a special drink that will continue to offer dividends to PI throughout the month.

In addition to the special drinks and special feeling you can get at The Cornerstone knowing how they support the community with more than just great food, you can also enjoy how Somerville native Chef David Oshima combines New England favorites with Asian and Pacific Islander flare.

In addition to his already famous “Sommahville” clam chowder (or is it “chowdah”?) that is inspired by the fare his father used to bring home from Faneuil Hall, Chef also offers a Loco Moco and Hawaiian chicken salad that hearken back to his more distant ancestors. If you want seafood, Cornerstone has tuna tartare or steak frites style, mussels served in either a white wine garlic of fra diavolo red sauce, and shrimp served in even more ways! They also offer a vegetable tower that Chef admits converted him from a full-time carnivore! If you want meat, however, the Cajun fried chicken sandwich, multiple wing flavors and taco fillings, and a legit Wagyu burger fit the bill. There is so much variety that it is easy to make the Cornerstone the cornerstone of your diet many times a week! And if you go soon, you can help PI help other people sustain life while you are at it! https://thecornerstonesomerville.com /http://projectinsulin.org

COOKIN’ UP A NEW SPACE in NEWTON

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While I admittedly talk a better food game than I create, I still like to learn. That is why I was so bummed when Create-a-Cook closed and why I am so excited to see the space being revamped as Third Space Kitchen & Events.

I recently met owner Eric Brown and found that he also comes from more humble cooking stock. Having been in the tech world for most of his career, Eric went to the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts before opening Third Space in Groton and hopes to bring other amateur and professional chefs to teach and learn about food while building community and having fun!

The name of the place comes from the concept of a space that is neither work nor home but that is comfortable and productive nonetheless. Both Third Space spaces offer after school classes that are intended to imbue newer chefs with confidence in both their kitchen skills and creativity and evening classes that will work well for date nights and also as sources of great family-style meals that can also lead to networking and friend-making. 

Eric also hopes to involve area food-makers and even has plans to set up a podcasting area where he can continue the culinary community support he offers on the regional food forum Nashoba Valley Eats.

While he is already sourcing from Springdale Farm and looking for other independent food makers (which we also have in common!), Eric admits that not every meal will be seasonal and makes it clear that the recipes that involve out of season ingredients are meant to allow students to find favorites they can make work any time of year and to enjoy and learn about food just like Eric and I do!

thirdspacekitchen.com

I WANT IT NOOOOOW!

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As we get ready for another reboot of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (as if we need anything better than the legendary Gene Wilder!), the idea of finding a “golden ticket” that allows its bearer access to a magical food-related wonderland will be swimming in more than just a heads of children everywhere.

And while Wonka Bars and Everlasting Gobstoppers may be great, older fans may be more interested in something more age-appropriate.

Leave it to our friends at Harpoon Brewery to jump on this holiday trend with their “Spread Holiday Cheer Giveaway!”

As they are the creators of New England’s first IPA, it may be no surprise that Harpoon is once again on the forefront of food trends. 

For this special holiday season giveaway, the folks at Harpoon are hiding golden cans of their legendary IPA in their new, limited-edition 12 packs. Whoever finds the special cans will have a chance to win an amazing holiday party where they can bring up the 30 guests to Harpoon’s brewery in Boston or Vermont to enjoy the best, freshest beer (and pretzels!) around at the best, freshest time of year!

This year also marks the 30th birthday of Harpoon’s IPA. And while there may just be 27 Harpoon lovers who will get a taste of the brewery’s latest special prizes, anyone who enjoys their IPA while searching for the golden can will have reason to celebrate!

So don’t be an Oompah-Loompah. Grab a Harpoon and celebrate the season!

http://harpoonbrewery.com

BACK TO THE ROCKS

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Though it is the home of the dramatically-inclined Beastie Boy progenitor Israel Horowitz and the Berklee-bound hero of the Academy Award-winning film Coda, and was a regular hang for legendary singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, Gloucester (which is also home to our friends at Pigeon Cove Ferments) may be better known for its fish sticks than its live music.

Soon. However, they that go down to the sea in ships will be able to come back to this historic and bucolic port town and rock out!

A new restaurant and performance space called The Cut is bringing over 20,000 square feet of food and entertainment space to Main Street.

With the help of Tom Clark (a veteran of House of Blues and Motown Café), talent buyer Randi Millman (who brought the bands to Johnny D’s and TT the Bear’s for decades), and producer Tony Goddess (who has worked with John Legend and local legends like Guster and The Cars), the Cut not only offers artists a place to play and record but also rehearsal studios for those who may not quite feel ready to headline just yet.

As for food, Chef Justin Plumadore’s gastropub menu will spotlight site- and season-inspired fare like beet carpaccio, fried chicken BLTs and fried oyster po’ boys, Szechuan salmon, flatiron steak and butternut squash and black bean enchiladas daily from 4:30-10pm, along with draught and bottled beers, hard kombucha, fine wines, and curated cocktails There is also an order-and-go window open from 11:30am-10pm for those who want to grab a bite sooner or hang out later.

Whether you can sing or not, be sure to make The Cut!

https://thecutlive.com