Delicious Holiday Ideas For Boston Food Lovers
Looking to treat someone special with a gift this holiday season? Looking to indulge in something extra special yourself? Here is a list of wonderfully delicious options to celebrate this holiday season in festive spirit – from restaurants all over the Greater Boston area – first edition.
Bistro du Midi
For the culinary enthusiast in you or that special someone, Chef Robert Sisca has a range of options available this holiday season. Tuck into a Chef's table 100; a wonderful option for two people looking to indulge in something extra special together. On the second floor of their beautiful space overlooking the Boston Public Gardens, the Chef Table 100 gives guests an intimate and interactive perspective of the meal Chef Sisca and his team will be preparing for them. Sommelier Todd Lipman will also be on hand to pair dishes accordingly. Priced at 175 for the 5-course meal and 225 for the 7-course meals, these prices include the wine pairings as well. This is an option that should perhaps be on the top of your xmas list this year!
For a culinary journey through Provence, you might want to look into their Tour de Provence dinner. This option is designed for three to six people to enjoy and thus provides for an excellent group meal. If you are looking for an even larger group, Bistro du Midi has yet another menu option – the Matisse Alcove, Custom Wine Dinner which can accommodate between six and ten diners. Priced at 235 for the 5-course option and 300 for the 7-course, guests will be treated to an exclusive and private evening with Sommelier Todd Lipman and all of his wine expertise at the ready.
It looks like Bistro du Midi just might be in cropping up in your holiday plans this year!
Blue Inc
For those of you who hear 'Christmas' and think, 'ugly sweater', Blue Inc has just the thing for you. On December 9th from 10p.m. till close, deck yourself out in your ugliest sweater and head to this Financial District spot. Rumour has it an ice luge will be on hand and of course, a prize going to whoever shows up with the best 'ugliest' sweater of the evening. A DJ will be busting out some tunes as well, so you know some ugly sweater dance moves will also be in your future.
Hotel Chocolat
If you are looking for a simple yet exquisite gift idea, do stop in at Hotel Chocolat, located on Newbury street. Delectable advent calendars make for the perfect gift that builds in excitement as the big day nears and at Hotel Chocolat, you can find ones with their premium milk or dark chocolates behind every door. (Delivery is available for this gift, but orders must be placed by 1 o'clock pm on Thursday the 28th for a December 1st arrival.)
Other wonderful and delicious ideas include the Festive Wreath, an impressive work of edible art made of 50 % cocoa milk, nibbly cookies and Florentines. The Wreath comes in a small size (16$) and a large (42$). For the adults in the room, get yourself one of their tipsy Christmas puddings; milk chocolate, raisins, nutmeg, orange and a generous amount of rum and brandy.
Of course, all the little ones are always most excited about stocking stuffers and with chocolatey gifts you can pick up at Hotel Chocolat, you might want to slip a few White Chocolate Tiddly Penguins and Christmas Snowballs into your basket for your own enjoyment as well.
L'Espalier
L'Espalier is one of the only restaurants in the Greater Boston area that has its own in-house tea sommelier. Cynthia Gold has been working her magic and tea-lore from various angles at L'Espalier for a few years now and every holiday season she has something wonderful up her sleeve. This year, Cynthia presents diners with a series of Teatastic holiday events from classes on how to use tea in just about any cooking technique to creating delicious tea cocktails; one of the following will surely strike your fancy:
· Tea Blending Party – December 1st, 2pm. Enjoy afternoon tea as Cynthia guides guests in creating their very own, individual tea blend. Guests can expect to leave with a ¼ lb bag of their unique and delicious blends (makes 50 cups of tea) which in turn becomes a wonderful way to impress guests of their own at the sure to come holiday parties. 50 $ a person.
· Princess Tea – for those looking to indulge in something with a little more fantasy, book a spot for yourself and any little ones on the 15th of December. Princes and princesses will delight in a fantasy tea service with cakes and treats – oh and did I mention? Tiaras and crowns will naturally be on hand. 50 $ for adults, 35 for royalty 12 and under
· Holiday Tea – December 21st, 22, 28th and 29th, head to L'Espalier for an afternoon featuring Cynthia's favorite holiday tea beverage, the Tea Nog. Festive foods will also be served and what better way to escape the cold and craze of holiday shopping than with a steaming cup of comfort? 55 $ for adults and 35$ for the little ones.
Poe's Kitchen at the Rattlesnake
Chef Brian Poe certainly has his hands full all times of the year with his three wonderful Boston restaurants. One of his most well-known and highly anticipated holiday events is his 'Rattlin' around the Christmas Tree' at Rattlesnake Kitchen and Bar in the Back Bay area. On the 4th of November, for the 4th year in a row, Eddie Doyle and the Spirited Bostonians host this wonderful fundraiser to raise money for the Globe Santa Fund. Expect jazzy tunes by the Rollo Tomassi Quartet, a fashion presentation by Dawn Mostow Models, a silent auction by Jim Wells and of course, a southwestern tasting by Chef Brian Poe and his incredible team of culinary masterminds. The event will run from 5:30- 9:30 p.m. with 20 dollar donations being sent directly to the Global Santa Fund.
Revere Hotel
In the true spirit of giving, Revere Hotel Boston Common will be hosting their annual hot, a hot chocolate pop up. From the 29th of November through to the 27th of December, every Friday, you should head to the lobby of the Revere Hotel to enjoy a different hot chocolate variation. Between the hours of 3-6 pm, Revere's Executive Chef Bader Ali will be assisted by a different local chef from around Boston in creating delectable hot chocolate variations. Better yet, each cup will be brewed with hot cocoa mix from Somerville's very own and much loved Taza Chocolate Factory. Guests can expect steaming cups of Candy Cane Cream Pie, Nutella with Homemade banana whipped cream or Molten Chocolate hot cocoa among many others. The roster of celebrity chefs include Samuel Monsour of JM Curley, Jason Santos of Blue Inc, Abby Lane, and newly opened Harry's Kitchen and Bar and Brian Poe of Rattlesnake Kitchen and Bar. Hot chocolate will be given out on a donation basis with all proceeds being donated to The Home For Little Wanderers. Come to one or come to them all!
Towne Stove and Spirits
With their new, all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch buffet, Towne could not have gotten much sweeter...and then they decided to throw in some complimentary, made in house, candy bars for Black Friday weekend. After a satiating Sunday brunch, which will inevitably include a few trips to the various stations...think cheese and charcuterie, fresh omelet station and carving blocks – oh, and a dessert bar to truly feast your eyes upon, you will want a handmade caramel, cookie and milk chocolate bar to keep you going throughout your day of extensive bargain shopping. Eat it as you leave, or save it for later – if you have that kind of self-control...
Zebra's Bistro and Wine Bar
Starting on the 30th of November and going until the 22nd of December, Zebra Bistro and Wine Bar in Medfield will be holding Gingerbread Making classes three times a day on the weekends. With classes at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. you have ample opportunity to release your inner child and artist...not to mention, create a beautiful treat that you can devour later on! This will mark the 12th year Zebra holds this holiday tradition and reservations are highly recommended as classes sell out quickly. For 60 dollars, a parent and child are admitted and given all the required tools and supplies, not to mention all the tricks of the trade with Zebra's Executive chef, Brendan Pelley and his team of pastry chefs.