Food

This section includes pieces related to food products

DO NOT TRADE THIS SHOW FOR ANYTHING!

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SCOOP ALERT!

SCOOP ALERT!

While I look forward to the Harvest Party at Boston Public Market October 12, I am also anticipating a delicious time with our creative friends at Commonwealth Kitchen when they host their 2023 Food Show on October 5.

As the creative center for such local legends as AMG Snacks, Crooked Stick Pops, Hillside Harvest, Humble Bones granolas, Mona’s Curryations, Off Our Rocker cookies, Sweet Tahini, Telegram Cookies, Wise Mouth Tea, and even Clover Food Lab, Commonwealth Kitchen has been a hub for kitchen creators for decades. At this annual event, food fans and industry insiders get a special glimpse into the facilities where their mouthfuls of magic happen and get to meet the makers and see what might be coming from the kitchen next.

Whether you are a distributor, event planner, retailer, or consumer, there will be plenty to enjoy at the Commonwealth Kitchen’s event. 

From 12 to 3 PM, industry professionals will be invited to see what is cookin’ in the Commonwealth and decide (if they can even begin to choose!) which people and products to support most. Then, from 3-7, the general public will be let into taste the wonderful wares their friends and neighbors have to offer and hopefully to get inspired to bring new foods to their friends and families and maybe even back to the Kitchen as a member!

Since 2009, Commonwealth Kitchen has offered commissary space, business advise, mentoring, and other supports to underserved and underfunded food entrepreneurs, many of which have gone on to be counted among the region’s most popular venues and creations! Though they have already launched hundreds of businesses and created hundreds of jobs and millions in revenues, there are always new stars waiting for their chance to shine. By taking part in their Food Show, you can not only see what will surely be the next big things in Boston’s food scene but get behind them as well!

https://commonwealthkitchen.org/foodshow/

A STEAK IN A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

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Capital Grille coming to Dedham August 11

I have been a fan of Capital Grille for many years. In fact, my family and I have been marking my father’s birthday there for over a decade, And while we have no problem traveling to Chestnut Hill or Burlington for such special occasions, it is nice to know that a new location will be opening in Dedham at Legacy Place later this summer.

Known as much for their personalized service as their perfectly-cut and cooked meat, poultry, fish, and more, the Capital Grille is a great place for a date, business meeting, or just to take a self-treating break from an aggressive shopping excursion.

From their wide selection of succulent steaks, each of which is dry aged in-house for 18-24 days and hand cut daily by the Grille’s resident butcher. While the Grille may be best known for such curated cuts of beef, many also come to enjoy its lobster mac n cheese, seared salmon, or double-cut lamb chops (all with a side of Sam’s mashed potatoes, of course) and some even come just for a slice of decadent cheesecake and the famous Stoli Doli cocktails that are always ready to refresh!

Speaking of refreshing, summer is a great time to visit as many other locations are offering the Grille’s famous Generous Pour wine event through September 3, during which guests can enjoy a wide range of wines from the world’s top winemakers all for $35 with the purchase of a dinner entrée! 

In addition to bringing new flavors and people to Dedham the opening of the Grille is also set to create nearly 100 new jobs in the area!

As any foodie knows, a good meal wis worth travelling, but it is nice when the good meal comes closer to you too.

See you there!

www.thecapitalgrille.com/

TWO GREAT TASTES THAT TASTE GREAT TOGETHER

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As a fan of diners and of local establishments with long histories, I have long been a regular at Johnny’s Luncheonette. 

For over 30 years, Johnny’s has been a staple of the Newton Centre community, drawing people in from far and wide and catering to such legends as David Mamet (who I saw there myself!) and the Kennedys.

With such worth-the-visit plates as the LEO (lox, eggs, and onion) omelette, avocado fries, an elegant burrata avocado toast, big, beefy, biohack-free burgers (including one made with fresh felafel), the Larry David (the good one- with pastrami with Swiss, of course!) and the corned beef-packed Langley sandwich that hearkens back to the eatery’s own history, as well as always-fresh and flavorful menu additions sourced from Johnny’s many farm friends, Johnny’s has something for everyone whether you want a wholesome family meal or a Formica conference table for an important meeting.

If you need more form the Johnny’s family, head over to the equally legendary Cabot’s Ice Cream which the Johnny’s team recently took over. Though the management is technically new, longtime owner Joe Prestejohn is still scooping a few shifts a week and the offerings are as wonderful and varied as ever- ranging from mile-high pies to their signature ice cream cupcakes and banana wheels, the almost fatally rich Chocolate Homicide, and the two-quart Newtonite that has ended many a local’s meal. Speaking of meals, Cabot’s also offers everything from Belgium waffles to hot turkey dinners- ‘cause you need to have something to have dessert after!

Drop by one whenever you are in the area. Or, heck- drop by both!

www.johnnysluncheonette.com / www.cabots.com

ANOTHER ROUND AT THE WINERY

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In its never-ending quest to give area food, wine, and entertainment fans what they want, City Winery is offering a new program that will bring all of these and more to more people than ever by encouraging what some may say is the sadly lost art of of sharing.

As part of their new “Pairing is Sharing” dining experience, the food and beverage teams at City Winery have combined forces to combine small plates that show off their big-flavored wines through a dining experience that is guided by the diners but supported by the staff.

Tapping into top winemakers like North Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Windrem, and City Winery’s own wines from their hydroelectric-powered facility just north of New York City, the sharable selections options include charcuterie and oysters, charred octopus, Wagyu Sliders, triple cream brie, as well as a mushroom-pocked pizza known as the ”Fun-guy” flatbread. All of the wines are tapped fresh from stainless steel kegs and all the equally elegant edibles are prepared and delivered fresh to enhance the experience all the more!  

For those who want to enhance their experience even further, the Winery recently rang in Ringo Starr’s birthday and will soon be hosting the legendary likes of Lisa Loeb, Dickey Betts, Holly Near, Bebel Gilberto, Lalah Hathaway, Cowboy Mouth, and Jon Cleary & His Absolute Monster Gentlemen, as well as bartending classes, comedy shows, and trivia nights.

Despite the name, City Winery has been offering much more than wine for many more years than some of the wine you drink has probably been around. If someone has not shared it with you yet, be sure to reserve a table for Pairing is Sharing and make it a night of wine, friends, and song!

https://citywinery.com/Boston

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

MAKING DISHES THAT FULFILL WISHES

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Many moons ago, we touted the wonderful work of a woman who has become one of my dearest friends in the food industry- Jeanie Gruber. 

At that time, the experienced therapist and caterer was sustaining and supporting her clients’ and friends’ minds, bodies, and souls by making amazing homemade foods in her shop in Newton in between visits to her second hometown of New Orleans.

When COVID shut that down, Jeanie quickly devised a new plan that allows her to keep cooking and sharing but for a very different community.

WISHDISH is an organization that serves the homeless. But instead of just doling out food at a soup kitchen or making dishes with whatever the food pantry has available, WISHDISH engages and serves individuals in the community directly. After partnering with area shelters, Mis Jeanie visits the residents, asking each of them about the dishes they most remember. Once she has been offered each of international recipes (which range from curries gumbo to plov and porridge to eggplant parm and frybread to Mulligan stew and Shepherds pie, and even to a take on her own famous matzo ball soup), and Jeanie crafts enough of an authentic edition of each request to serve the entire community! In this way, Jeanie and her WISHDISH team not only feed the body but satisfy the soul by showing care and respect for people who many others simply pass by without even a look or smile.

Having established the program in Boston and New Orleans, Jeanie is looking for other communities to support and is also planning a series of city-specific cookbooks that will also share the stories of those who shared their favorite recipes so she can continue to show love through food while supporting those most in need.

As I have touted many times before, there are many organizations that support people in need. And while many of them make a truly vital difference, as is the case with so much of what she has done, nobody does it like Miss Jeanie does!

For more information and to offer support, please go to www.thewishdishproject.org

75 Years of Growth

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Regardless of your politics, it is pretty undeniable that the State of Israel has been an exemplar in scientific discovery and ingenuity and that, especially as a nation that was born of the desert and still has little water to begin with, is an inspiration for other nations that need to be more aware of and careful with their most precious natural resources (which pretty much includes everyone!).

That is why everyone can learn and benefit from a visit to Foodscape, a new, non-political, nationally-touring immersive art and culinary experience that will be stopping by the Rose Kennedy Greenway on May 28 from noon to 4 PM before wandering to New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington, DC.

Curated by the Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts) and Israel’s own BAMAH arts, Foodscape offers a multi-sensory journey that strives to define the flavor of Israel and interpret it for international audiences by inviting people from all cultures and backgrounds to engage the 75-year-old nation’s unique and pioneering ecosystem without ever boarding an El Al plane (or even leaving their neighborhood)!

In less than 3,000 feet, people will be able to see, smell, touch, and even taste the pluralistic plantings and Technion-tested tactics that have helped make Israel a leader in environmental preservation and culinary creativity as they join Israeli artists in interacting with the ingredients necessary to make the popular Middle Eastern soda known as gazoz. While traveling through Foodscape, people will also encounter live performance pieces and other sweet, salty, and savory surprises from the food-focused folks at Studio Mela.

For some, Israel is far away geographically or even politically. For others, it may be a distant vision of the soul. Thanks to Foodscape, the nation and its notions can both be made more real and digestible right here in your own backyard.

Learn more by visiting www.jartsboston.org

Make More for Maine

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While I often discuss the restaurants that have been doing their best to survive and (hopefully) once again thrive, the fact that many restaurants went away and that many people are still reticent to come back to them has caused issues for another set of food friends- Namely, the farmers who produce the products that most restaurants (and home chefs) use to craft their creative creations.

Fortunately, some pioneering places are coming up with fruitful ways to support their fruit and vegetable suppliers.

The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (which can be found at mainefarmersmarkets.org) recently rolled out a new program called Bumper Crop that sells product vouchers that are valid at over 50 of Maine’s most meaningful markets. From Augusta and Bangor to Kittery and Portland to Wells and York, these handy harvest helpers allow users to go to any of the participating markets and pick up whatever healthy foods and other goods suit their fancies, including Maine’s legendary blueberry and maple products, as well as fresh cheeses, spices and sauces, coffees and teas, and even edible flowers!
In addition to purchasing Bumper Crop vouchers for yourself or other people you hope to keep healthy and happy, the Federation has also been offering the vouchers to employers as an employee wellness benefit (for which they only pay for the amounts that their employees actually use!). So far, over $100,000 worth of the vouchers have been distributed by area employers, benefitting both their employees and their farming friends and neighbors as well! 

Speaking of benefits, the program has already added about $25 to each produce purchase and encouraged over 60% of users to visit more markets and to eat more healthy and organic goods- so the benefits go far beyond the financial!

Let’s hope that other areas remember the Maine Federation so their family farms can bump up their businesses and better support other communities as well.

mainefarmersmarkets.org

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The Brothers are BACK ;)

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Many years ago, I sang the praises of a great restaurant just outside of Boston called Brothers. It not only offered great food made by – you guessed it – a set of brothers, but it also featured amazing music by two of the most talented brothers in the area – Bill and Bo Winiker. 

When COVID shut the restaurant down, I was worried that the music would be over too. Fortunately, not only have the restaurant and the band returned, but they are now even closer to where I live!

The talented team behind Brothers recently took over Cook in Needham center. While I had not been there basically since Covid started, my return to the restaurant was well worth the wait! 

Not only does the simple but ample menu feature such tempting treats as charred broccoli with chimichurri sauce, a pita and dip set with creamy whipped feta cheese and zingy za’atar sauce, and an intricately-flavored sesame, mandarin salad that can be topped with falafel, chicken, shrimp, or salmon, as well as great burgers, pizzas and specials, but also great drinks, like the tequila and Mezcal-based Cactus Cooler, a spicy pineapple Margarita, and the wicked fresh Cranberry Bog.

Though the kids menu is less ample than that meant for older eaters, all the options are spot on and well-made. Our girls loved the chicken fingers and pasta, but suggested that they may get burgers or mac and cheese next time.

And then, of course, there is the music! Not only have Bill and Bo played at the White House, the closing of the old Boston Garden, and the opening of the new one, and at Symphony Hall, they also played my wedding and are booked for a number of future family celebrations. They are, to put it mildly, the best of the best! So to be able to hear their music while enjoying delicious quality food in a comfortable neighborhood place (that just happens to be in my neighborhood) made for a great way to spend an evening and I look forward to doing it again soon and often.

www.cookneedham.com / http://www.winikermusic.com