Photo: you can count on me/Fickr
LOCAL BITES
If You Dare
Yes, yes, pumpkin pie is a favorite Thanksgiving dessert, but have you ever thought about adding something new to the table, or giving the tried-and-true recipe a twist? If you’re not scared of a revolt, check out Saveur’s eighteen pie recipes.
Soup Plays Dirty
Who doesn’t love a good competition? Especially when it involves food, and you eating it. It’s a Soup Slurpdown November 21st at dante, where chef Dante de Magistris and his culinary cohorts will serve up their best soups to the chilly onlookers/judges. Reserve your $20 ticket at (617) 497-4200 or at events@restaurantdante.com.
Great Excuse
Did anyone else notice it was 60° this week? The folks at BostonZest certainly did, and they visited Jake’s Seafood at Nantasket Beach for a local favorite: lobster rolls. If you’re craving a taste of summer, don’t worry—Jake’s will be open through December.
Bond, Jason Bond
The man behind the amazing Steak Frites at Beacon Hill Bistro, chef Jason Bond, unveils his intimate, 28-seat eatery, Bondir, November 21st. The locally sourced menu kicks off with yummies like butter-poached Cape Ann lobster and squash soup with homemade marshmallows. Call (617) 661-0009 for reservations.
Sharing the Wealth
Rialto duo Adam Gendreau and Patrick Gilmartin decided to bring their everyday staff meals to the public with Staff Meal Food Trucks. Staff meals are meals made by restaurant staff for the restaurant staff, so suffice it to say their midnight snacks are a little more impressive than ours. Starting this weekend, they’ll be serving you daily from 8pm-3am. Call them at (617) 209-9244 for more information or follow their location updates at twitter.com/staffmealboston.
Bundle Up
JJ Gonson of Cuisine en Locale isn’t the only one spreading the good word on where and when to shop local this winter season—the MA Department of Agricultural Resources just posted a list of upcoming festivals and weekly farmers’ markets. So you can keep stocking up on fresh and local produce come snowfall.
‘Tis the Season
Get in the Christmas spirit November 27th at Smolak Farm in North Andover at their annual Tree Lighting Festival. You’ll have a chance to browse thousands of pre-cut or “choose-and-cut” Christmas trees, and if you bring a new, unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots, you’ll get 25% off your purchase. But what does this have to do with food? Well, of course there will be plenty of complimentary hot chocolate, a gingerbread house giveaway, and cookie demonstrations for the kids while you shop. And who knows, maybe the Big Man himself will make an appearance.
Ciao Italia
The host and creator of America’s longest-running television cooking program, Ciao Italia with Mary Ann Esposito, will be at Kane’s Donuts in Saugus for a book signing December 1st at 7:30am. Get there early…
Fine Local Dining
December 2nd is the 3rd Annual Celebrity Chef Dinner Series at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, and this year’s focus is on local ingredients. Chef Sam Hunt of 15 Walnut in Hamilton will start the evening with hors d’oeuvres at 6pm, followed by a three-course prix fixe dinner. The cost is $125 per person. Call (978) 412-2555 for reservations, or e-mail theinn@ttor.org.
NATIONAL TREATS
Syrah with Marshmallow Sweet Potatoes?
As there’s always such a variety of flavors on your Thanksgiving table, it can be tough to pick the right wines. Here are some helpful tips from The Washington Post on what goes with what.
Food Lit
Slow Food Boston’s Anastacia Marx de Salcedo mixes Cuban food, politics and culture in her essay, “One Cup Hunger-Striking Prisoners, Two Cups Crazy Cuban Bloggers,” featured in the most recent publication of Blood Lotus. This particular issue is dedicated entirely to food poetry and fiction, so read up and eat up.
Move Over
There’s a new competing culinary hotspot: Portland, Oregon. Josh Ozersky of Time calls this unpretentious, pig-loving small town “America’s New Food Eden.”
Bacon Popcorn
I’m just sayin’…