Photo: cheongwah2002/Flickr
LOCAL BITES
Climbing the Summit
Start the weekend off right at the Beer Summit Winter Jubilee January 14th and 15th at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston. With over 50 brewers in attendance, you know you won’t go thirsty. There are three sessions, so don’t fret if you can’t get out of work early enough to make the first one. Tickets are $40 and are available online.
Late Bfast
Soundbites in Somerville invites you to an all-you-can-eat breakfast-for-dinner January 16th from 5-8pm to help benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. There will be a cash bar and, don’t worry, a big screen for all you Pats fans. RSVP via their Facebook invite.
Piggy to Market
The Butcher Shop kicks off their first CSA of 2011 with Berkshire pigs from upstate New York. Members can pick up their goods starting January 16th with two rack chops and two loin chops. Click here for more information on the rest of the giving, or call them at (617) 423-4800.
Jumping the Gun
Dorchester and Milton can’t wait for Winter Restaurant Week (March 6th-11th and March 13th-18th), so they’re offering their own prix fixe menus January 17th-31st. 224 Boston, 88 Wharf, Abby Park, Ashmont Grill, Blarney Stone, dbar, Ledge Kitchen & Drinks, and Tavolo are all joining in on the discounted fun. Visit their websites for more info.
Call a Cab
Finz of Salem is throwing a vodka-happy dinner hosted by Pinnacle Vodka. Each course of the meal–which includes oysters, Asian scallop ceviche and other mouth-watering eats–is accompanied by a vodka cocktail. Do you like the sound of a lychee martini, or a vodka-blood orange puree cocktail? Then book a seat ($59) at (978) 744-8485.
Get Your Scot On
In honor of Scottish poet Robert Burns, The Haven will carry on its country’s 200+ year tradition of Burns Night(s), January 24th and 26th from 6:30-10pm. There’ll be a four-course meal of Cock-a-leekie soup, Scotch Eggs, Bridies, Haggis and Tipsy Laird, a Burns poetry reading, live music and Scottish country dancing, and a Fireball ceremony! (Oh, and, lots of whiskey.) Contact thehavenpr@gmail.com to make a booking.
Familiar Faces
Imbibe Magazine hits up our very own Bahston to chat with some local bartenders on everything from what they pour themselves to what they’d rather never pour again. Recognize anyone?
A Battle Worth Fighting
February 28th marks the second annual “Burger Battle,” the glorious beef-lovin’ fight for the title of best burger in town. Chef Ken Oringer and Chef Josh Buehler of KO Prime take on over ten of the city’s top chefs, including last year’s champion, Chef Brooke Vosika of The Bristol Lounge. RSVP at (617) 772-5875. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door.
NATIONAL TREATS
Beer Before Liquor…
Apparently does NOT make you sicker. The Washington Post dishes the truth on some well-known alcohol myths. Get your facts straight.
Mixing Business with Lunch
Esquire gives its list of the best restaurants to do business in, with tips on what to look for and what to avoid. Also, there’s an interesting rundown on the cultural differences surrounding “the power lunch.”
“Hummus, the Next Guac?”
Bold statement, but Oleana in Cambridge changed this Time writer’s mind. Check out the other Middle Eastern eateries he’s gushing about.
Aged Wine
This week in Armenia, scientists discovered what is perhaps the oldest winery in the world. Archaeologists unearthed a vat for treading grapes and the hearty remains of crushed grapes, seeds and vine leaves dating back to approximately 6,100 years ago.