Wine

FORAGE-ING IN A FAMILIAR PLACE

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I lived on Concord Avenue just before Craigie on Main became the sensation it did.

It has been decades since that was my neighborhood, but I recently made it back to try the newest dining destination at five Craigie Circle- Foragehttps://foragecambridge.com.

As I am already a fan of their sibling restaurant – Few and Far in Dedham Square – I was ready for a deliciously eclectic meal. But even after raving about Few and Far, I was not ready for just how delicious Forage would be!

Tucked away under an apartment building, Forage may be hard to find and parking is no treat. But just like a fine truffle, the search underground is well worth the effort! 

From their signature pickle dish that showcases a wide range of veggies and pickling processes to a local cheese board that comes with bittersweet chocolate sauce and a citrus and radish salad with pine-nut brittle, the menu is not for the timid but fortune favors the bold. If you truly want to take the dare, there are tasting menus for omnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians or vegans (all of which have optional cheese, wine, or non-alcoholic beverage pairings) that assure that everyone eats happily no matter what they will or won’t eat.

The highpoint of my meal was – well were – a rainbow trout with sweet potato, pea shoots, and a side of shrimp (or scallop) ceviche and an ultra-creamy scoop of homemade ice cream that can be packed into pints for those who truly want to reward themselves.

If taking home the ice cream is not enough, the team behind Forage also offers a wine club through their Satellite Bottle Shop in Dedham that features natural, organic, and biodynamic wines that are hand-selected by their talented team.

Don’t wait decades- Enjoy Forage now! 

EQUAL TALENT

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It’s been a bit since I talked about an event at City Winery, but I just found out that singer/songwriter/guitarist Janie Barnett is coming on April 17 for a special show.

Not only will the show be special in that it will feature the timeless music of the legendary Cole Porter as done in Barnett’s inimitable Americana style, but it will also be special because Janie is donating all proceeds from sales of her 2023 Cole Porter album, Under My Skin, to Mass Equality.

As Porter was famously closeted through most of his career, it makes sense that Barnett is choosing his music as the means by which to raise awareness for other people who may not be treated fairly in society. Especially as so many people and groups are feeling marginalized and unequal, this will surely be both a fun and important show.

For those who are not familiar with Barnett, she performed on Saturday Night Live with Rickie Lee Jones and has also performed with such legends as Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raiit, and Jimmy Buffett. To strengthen the ties to food a bit, she was also the voice of Diet Coke for a time. But, as is true of any event at City Winery, the food and drink are already well spoken for, thanks to sommelier Alex Nezam and his talented kitchen compatriots. Among the latest menu highlights are Calabrian chicken wings, grilled hangar steak, their famed charcuterie and cheese boards, and a mezze-style dip platter that lets everyone at the table enjoy! And as far as what to wash it down with, the place ain’t called City Winery for nothin’!

For more information about the show, go to www.citywinery.com/boston and for more on Mass Equality, go to https://massequality.org.

A TOAST TO CROATIAN WINES

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I was at the Belmont Media Center the other day as I am a host on that channel as well and I ran into an old friend – Mirena Bagur.

I spoke about Mirena a while back and talked about the wonderful wines that she imports from her native Croatia.

She had brought a few cases to the Belmont event and they were all big hits! But when we were talking, she told me that some of her wines had recently won some new awards, so I wanted to share the news with Matt’s meals fans.

Apparently, Mirena and her countrymen submitted wines from 13 wineries to the TEXSOM Awards and still came away with 21 awards, including a Best of Show for their Teran Rosé, a platinum award for Istarska, and five gold medals for various other varietals, including the rare and delicious Graševina and Plavac Mali!

As TEXSOM has been around for 40 years and has itself been lauded as one of the best wine events by industry experts, this is no small thing, especially when you consider what a relatively small producer Croatia is.

However, with Mirena’s support, Croatian wine is being recognized- and rightfully so!

She represents 45 wineries in Croatia and is constantly importing new varietals, such as the Posip and Zinfandel (which, she informs me, originated from Croatia!).

Word is that Morena will soon be selling her wines at Art’s Specialties but be sure to ask for Croatian wines at your favorite shop so more people can see what all the Balkan buzz is about!

ONLY FOUR CUPS?!

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Passover is coming, and that means it’s a great time to stock up on foods that are made with fewer artificial items- especially things that could do sugar or corn syrup and you can get the sugar version.

While I always stock up on jam and soda, it is also a great time to get introduced (or reintroduced) to kosher wine.  

When wine is kosher for Passover, it means that it is certified kosher for Passover and all year-round, contains no gluten nor any byproducts from grain that has leavened

Kosher wine is made exactly like any other “regular” wine that does not carry a kosher certification. The only differences are: all hands-on operations from the moment the grapes are crushed until the wine is bottled and sealed must be done by a crew of professionally-trained sabbath-observant Jewish workers mandated by the contracted kosher supervision agency. Like any wine, there are kosher wines that are dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, or sweet and they come from state-of-the-art wineries from all over the world.

As the leading producer of kosher wines and spirits, Royal Wine Corp. knows what makes a great wine and is always looking for and offering some of the best the world has to offer! From domestic delights like Herzog Generation VIII to French faves like a vintage Burgundy fromChâteau Philippe Le Hardi and a Pomerol from Château Le Gay to an Italian Chianti that you just can’t refuse, Royal brings the best of the world to your table, whether you want to enjoy the traditional four cups of the Passover meal or more.

And if you like Israeli wine (as more and more people are!), Royal recently released new and new-old wines from such award-winning wineries as Feldstein, Gros, Naveh, and Yatir – all of which are names you should know if you are any kind of oenophile.

So if you still think sticky and sweet when you think of kosher wine, it is time to emancipate yourself and your taste buds. 

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A “SPECIAL” BREW

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As I recently hosted an episode of  “Belmont Business Report“ that was produced by Belmont Media Center about Art’s Specialties, I figured it would be appropriate to revisit them for Matt’s Meals as well!

In addition to opening his latest store in Cambridge with more on the way, Art has also been brewing his own coffee in his Maynard location and is making hand-distilled cold brew that is now available at all of is stores.

As is the based with so much of what Art does, he started selling other canned cold brew brands but figured that he could do it better!

Using the family coffee traditions of his Armenian roots, Arts cold brew is rich and refreshing and comes in handy 12-ounce glass bottles that can be enjoyed or their own or used to make your favorite coffee drinks and treats. They go especially well with ice cream from Art’s Creamery as a lower-caffeine and low-acid Affogato or to wash down any of the special culinary treats you pick up at his main stores.

While at Art’s, be sure to peruse his collection of over 100 local and international beers, as well as his shelves of non-alcoholic drinks, international snacks and prepared foods, and, of course, the wide selection of curated olive oils and vinegars and teas and cheeses that first made him famous. 

I find something new and delicious every time I visit and Art is always happy to honor special requests for new products, so even if he does not have exactly what I am looking for, he surely will soon!

Art already has locations in Belmont, Sherburne, Maynard, and Carlisle and is opening Cambridge and Everett, so a visit to Art’s Specialties (and Art’s Creamery) is more convenient from more places and more worth the trip from anywhere else.

See you there and see you on Belmont Media!

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POP GOES THE PARTY

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For years, we’ve talked about the Boston International Wine & Food Festival at the Boston Harbor Hotel and the Boston Wine Expo.

And while those are both amazing, I’m excited to pop the cork on a new wine event in Boston.

On Saturday, February 15 from 6 to 10 PM, the national sensation known as Uncorked Wine Festivals will premiere at the SoWa Power Station in Boston’s South End.

Featuring over 100 wines and bubblies from around the world. Uncorked will also offer DJ-directed dancing and food trucks that will have a flavor for every sip you savor.

For the braver oenophiles, there will be a blind tasting bar where you can try your taste buds and find new faves amongst seasoned swirlers and amateur aerators.

VIP tickets cost $110 and include access to all four hours of the event plus exclusive access to an upstairs lounge that will offer premium tastings, pairings, and other special treats. For those who want a taste of special access, early admission tickets are $85 and include all four hours of festivities and some exclusive pours for the first hour. General admission starts at 7 PM and includes more than 100 wines for only $70.

For the ultimate, oenophilic experience, Uncorked has an app that you can download at https://uncorkedwinefestivals.com that will allow you to keep track of all of your new favorite wines and get info about the food vendors that might not even be available on Matt’s Meals!

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just looking for something fun to do to keep the Valentine’s Day vibe bubbling, check out the Uncorked Wine Festival and help start a new Boston tradition.

CHOOSE NO BOOZE

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It’s that time of year when many people start to let go of their well-intentioned resolutions and slip back into less productive habits like overeating and drinking.

Fortunately, a number of area eateries and event spaces have prepared for such moments of weakness with a strong set of non-alcoholic drinks that let you enjoy the fun of the season without any moral compromise.

I recently raved about Post 1917 in Reading. In addition to their great food and historic atmosphere, the reconditioned post office will be delivering such creative creations by bar manager Ben Spinney as the Fleur De Lis (with Fleur Aperitivo and fresh orange and lemon juice), a Negroni Sans (Fleur on the rocks with an orange twist), and Trust the Bartender, a personalized creation tailored to your taste. 

If you’re in town to watch the B’s and C’s go for more banners, Banners Kitchen & Tap is featuring the award-winning booze-free brand Lyre’s in drinks called the Half Court Spritz and the Volcano – the latter of which is a fiery combination of Fever Tree grapefruit, house made coconut syrup, and Lyre’s White Cane Spirit. As it is a great place to catch the game, it is no surprise that Banners will also offer Athletic Brewing IPA on draft and an increased selection of non-alcoholic canned beers to help you get through the season.

If you prefer to participate in sports instead of (or in addition to) just watching them, PuttShack locations in Natick and the Seaport can help you ball without the fall with the Lyre-based N/A Spritz (which also features our fave Töst sparkling tea), H2NO Ranch Water made from Almave Blanco distilled blue agave with fresh lime and soda water, a Cotton Candy Crush made with real cotton candy and coconut Red Bull, and a cold-pressed passion lemonade that will surely help you get your balls in the cup.

Winter in New England can be challenging, but this year, staying straight and sober while having fun and eating well is not.

L’chaim!

SALUTE!

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There is not much better than an amazing meal at Prezza in Boston’s legendary North End. And there are a few better ways to wash down your favorite flavors than with a great Italian wine.

Perhaps that is why owner Anthony Cutarano has arranged a Great Wines of Italy dinner at Prezza on January 21 at 6:30.

At this specially-priced, five-course meal, guests will enjoy such creative delights as Mediterranean prawns with Calabrian chili, seared scallops with lobster butter, duck confit with mushrooms and a tomato veal stock, parmesan polenta, grilled sirloin and veal chops, and a pistachio sundae with mango sorbet. And while the delicious dessert will surely end the meal with a flourish, the fact that every other course is being paired with some of Italy’s most beloved wines will make this meal truly special!

From a 2023 Ca’Marcanda Vistamare to a 2020 Gaja Barolo and 2018 Sesti Brunello di Montalcino, Caturano is pulling out all the stops and a bunch of great corks to celebrate his Italian heritage and the flavors that have inspired him and his guests for so many years.

If you are not able to snag a table on the 21st, rest assured that any night at Prezza is a treat! From their trend setting antipasto board and ravioli di Uovo to their famed crispy shrimp with Italian slaw, wood-grilled venison, branzino, and their freshly-caught squid and octopus medley, lobster-loaded fish stew, and of course, handmade pastas topped with everything from duck to veal to saffron and shrimp, Prezza combines traditional, Italian favorites with creative combinations of fresh ingredients and flavors that make it a great place to bring family friends or just to drop by to see what’s new on the menu. 

And if you can’t decide on just one thing, Prezza recently brought back their petite portion menu, featuring oysters, tuna, tartare, and their famous gourmet meatballs, offering everyone plenty of options to make their own tasting menu or a lighter meal or snack.

Molto bene!         

The ART of Great Food (and Ice Cream)

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In my constant search to find great places to find great food made by great people from our great community (and beyond), I recently came upon a place – actually a series of places – that not only sells some of my favorite brands that I’ve talked about before (some MANY times!), but also a huge selection of soon-to-be-favorites!

Run by the husband-and-wife team of Art and Jen Negaryan, Art’s Specialties has everything from chocolate, coffee, and cookies to cheese and crackers to oils and spices to international foods that are hard to find ‘round here, as well as a wide array of local and international beverages that ranges from beer and wine to cider and sake. They even have an entire set of flavored olive oils and vinegars that are delicious to taste and perfect for any recipe or gift package.

Speaking of gift packages, Art and his talented team are more than happy to help you pick out the perfect presents for any friend or colleague.

And while many suppliers have been raising their prices, Art and Jen do all they can to make it easy and affordable to try new things so you too can find new favorites.

When you want to reward your great taste, head across the street from the Belmont store to Art’s Creamery or to the Sherborn store or soon to a new location near the Cambridge/Arlington line, where flash-frozen flavors from New City Microcreamery, Nightingale Ice Cream, and Van Leeuwen and their own Ice Cream Bike Sandwiches, all of which have proven so popular that they are staying open all year!

With locations in Belmont, Carlisle, Maynard, and Sherborn, there is probably a store near you. And if not, go to www.artsspecialties.com and www.artscreamery.com to see what is new and what you will be enjoying next.

FRE TO INDULGE

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While I started my writing career as a music critic, as I got older and less able to function after staying for the last encore, I started to review dinner and the opening act, which eventually led me to my focus on food.

Another change has been the amount of alcohol I can handle.

Fortunately, I have found suitable substitutions like Sober Carpenter ciders, non-alcoholic beers from Partake and hop-infused beverages from HOP WTR, and wines from Fre (that’s “free” but with only one “e,” as the other was apparently removed with the alcohol).

Using a revolutionary centrifuge technology, Fre removes the alcohol from fully-fermented wine. In the process, a lot of the calories drop out too, making it even easier to enjoy multiple glasses. And as they offer such popular varietals as cabernet, chardonnay, merlot, rosé, sauvignon blanc, and even blends, there are multiple reasons to do so!

While you still need to acknowledge that you are of legal drinking age when you visit frewines.com (as it technically has less than .5% alcohol in it, which is the same as in most kombucha), once you are there, it is easy to find out more about their wines and to find your next favorite. In addition to a link to their Napa-born Luminara line, the site also has recipes by Liquid Muse founder Natalie Bovis-Nelsen and seasonal suggestions for celebrations that give you more reasons to enjoy. As I have been taking my book on the Ivy League and my author interview series to various venues, Fre is great because most bookstores, libraries and senior center allow it and my guests love it!

You will too!