Tag: december

  • Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve 2012 in Boston

    IStock_000010713239XSmall copy

     

    This is an outdated post. Click below for the link to:

    Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2015 & New Year's Day Brunch 2016

    Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine this New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!

    We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve. Are you looking for a place to ring in 2013 with a happy crowd? Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration? 

    We fall into the food-loving, quiet celebration group, and we'll tell you about some places where that's possible.

    But, we have to admit one of our more memorable New Year's Eves was spent at the bar at Hamersley's Bistro. We had planned to slip in and out for a quick, quiet dinner and managed to stay for a much longer time enjoying the company of a great group at the bar. This year, they're planning a four-course prix fixe menu with a champagne toast if you're there at midnight.

    Everyone can begin at Open Table. They maintain a list of special New Year's celebrations at area restaurants. This is perfect if you're meeting up with a group here in the city and the site even offers places like AKA Bistro in Lincoln for those who prefer a suburban location.

    You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.

    The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day.

    Update 12.27.12: Eater Boston has added its Map of What to do on New Year's Eve.

    Update 12.28.12: Grub Street Boston put up their, "Grub Guide: Where to Get Dreamy Takeout on New Year's Eve"  Some good choices there.

    There are also restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputation on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.

    • Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and, for that kindness, we've put them at the top of this list. 
    • Eastern Standard, next door, is doing the same. Regular menu, great wine list, craft cocktails.
    • Grotto on Beacon Hill, Kitchen in the South End, and Marliave downtown all join that list of places sticking with the food you love.
    • Craigie On Main is planning two sets of seatings for two prix fixe menus. Call fast, these reservations will be snatched up quickly.
    • Brasserie JO has a special menu but alway provides great food in a relaxed atmosphere, and their desserts are a party in themselves. 
    • La Morra in Brookline – chef Josh Ziskin says he saves some of his most prized dishes just for this evening. He's serving a four-course Italian dinner with a glass of Prosecco for toasting. 

    Where are you spending the evening? What's your favorite way to celebrate? Come back on January 1st and tell us about your New Year's Eve.

    To be notified of updates to this post, sign-on to the comment feed for this post or follow us on Twitter for updates. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Photo: iStockphoto.com

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve 2012 in Boston

    IStock_000010713239XSmall copy

     

    This is an outdated post. Click below for the link to:

    Where to Dine on New Year's Eve 2015 & New Year's Day Brunch 2016

    Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine this New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!

    We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve. Are you looking for a place to ring in 2013 with a happy crowd? Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration? 

    We fall into the food-loving, quiet celebration group, and we'll tell you about some places where that's possible.

    But, we have to admit one of our more memorable New Year's Eves was spent at the bar at Hamersley's Bistro. We had planned to slip in and out for a quick, quiet dinner and managed to stay for a much longer time enjoying the company of a great group at the bar. This year, they're planning a four-course prix fixe menu with a champagne toast if you're there at midnight.

    Everyone can begin at Open Table. They maintain a list of special New Year's celebrations at area restaurants. This is perfect if you're meeting up with a group here in the city and the site even offers places like AKA Bistro in Lincoln for those who prefer a suburban location.

    You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.

    The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day.

    Update 12.27.12: Eater Boston has added its Map of What to do on New Year's Eve.

    Update 12.28.12: Grub Street Boston put up their, "Grub Guide: Where to Get Dreamy Takeout on New Year's Eve"  Some good choices there.

    There are also restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputation on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.

    • Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and, for that kindness, we've put them at the top of this list. 
    • Eastern Standard, next door, is doing the same. Regular menu, great wine list, craft cocktails.
    • Grotto on Beacon Hill, Kitchen in the South End, and Marliave downtown all join that list of places sticking with the food you love.
    • Craigie On Main is planning two sets of seatings for two prix fixe menus. Call fast, these reservations will be snatched up quickly.
    • Brasserie JO has a special menu but alway provides great food in a relaxed atmosphere, and their desserts are a party in themselves. 
    • La Morra in Brookline – chef Josh Ziskin says he saves some of his most prized dishes just for this evening. He's serving a four-course Italian dinner with a glass of Prosecco for toasting. 

    Where are you spending the evening? What's your favorite way to celebrate? Come back on January 1st and tell us about your New Year's Eve.

    To be notified of updates to this post, sign-on to the comment feed for this post or follow us on Twitter for updates. 

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Photo: iStockphoto.com

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Toasting a Sparkling December!

    Long ago, we decided that we weren’t waiting for New Years Eve to raise a glass of sparkling wine and toast a happy ending and new beginning. So we’ve started each month with a bottle of bubbles since 2007!  And, we’ve been sharing our bubbly selections with BostonZest readers since New Years Eve 2009. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017d3c67a7f8970c-800wi

    That means we have amassed quite a collection of wine recommendations. They are all available any time you want them from the “Sparkling Wine & More” tab at the top of each page.

    With a month of gift buying, parties, and holidays in front of us, we’ll say “Happy New Month,” sip a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, and link you to a few bottles you might add to your holiday shopping list. 

    A Case of Sparkle

    Ordering a case of a good, inexpensive, sparkling wine can be a great idea this time of year. Many shops will give you a case discount. If the store does not promote it, ask. You can also call ahead and have the wine merchant bring in the extra case of the wine you want. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016761614856970b-800wi

    We can suggest Dibon Cava, Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, or the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we’re opening this month.

    Pre-wrap a few bottles and you will be prepared for hostess gifts, thank you gifts, client gifts, or something special to hand out with a holiday cash tip. 

    6a00e54fc42bb888340147e122f02f970b-800wi-1

    Gift Wines For Wine Lovers

    For someone who loves wine and would like to try something that will expand their wine life list or add a new category of taste to their holdiay, we would splurge on a “Grower Champagne.” 

    Central Bottle in Central Square Cambridge always seems to have a supply of these special bottles on hand. We recommend both the Champagne Chartogne-Taillet and Pierre Peters shown from ledgendary importer and wine educator Terry TheiseHis annual catalogs are available online and provide a champagne education. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016300761f28970d-800wi

    Pink for Romance! 

    Wrap up a romantic evening with the gift of a pink sparkler. It can be a value priced Louis Bouillot Rosé cremant. Or a splurge with a bottle of Delamotte Brut Rose from the maker of Salon Champagne.

    Other pinks that tickle our fancy are Argyle Brut Rosé from Oregon, 3B Sparkling Rosé from Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato, and for the utlimate fun evening try opening a bottle of Puro Rosé! (We had to make a video to show you how to open this one.)

    Please add to our list by telling us about your favorite sparkling wine for the holidays. You can add a comment at the bottom of this post, sent it to @bostonzest on twitter or send us an email.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover’s Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2009-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Toasting a Sparkling December!

    Long ago, we decided that we weren’t waiting for New Years Eve to raise a glass of sparkling wine and toast a happy ending and new beginning. So we’ve started each month with a bottle of bubbles since 2007!  And, we’ve been sharing our bubbly selections with BostonZest readers since New Years Eve 2009. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017d3c67a7f8970c-800wi

    That means we have amassed quite a collection of wine recommendations. They are all available any time you want them from the “Sparkling Wine & More” tab at the top of each page.

    With a month of gift buying, parties, and holidays in front of us, we’ll say “Happy New Month,” sip a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, and link you to a few bottles you might add to your holiday shopping list. 

    A Case of Sparkle

    Ordering a case of a good, inexpensive, sparkling wine can be a great idea this time of year. Many shops will give you a case discount. If the store does not promote it, ask. You can also call ahead and have the wine merchant bring in the extra case of the wine you want. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016761614856970b-800wi

    We can suggest Dibon Cava, Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, or the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we’re opening this month.

    Pre-wrap a few bottles and you will be prepared for hostess gifts, thank you gifts, client gifts, or something special to hand out with a holiday cash tip. 

    6a00e54fc42bb888340147e122f02f970b-800wi-1

    Gift Wines For Wine Lovers

    For someone who loves wine and would like to try something that will expand their wine life list or add a new category of taste to their holdiay, we would splurge on a “Grower Champagne.” 

    Central Bottle in Central Square Cambridge always seems to have a supply of these special bottles on hand. We recommend both the Champagne Chartogne-Taillet and Pierre Peters shown from ledgendary importer and wine educator Terry TheiseHis annual catalogs are available online and provide a champagne education. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016300761f28970d-800wi

    Pink for Romance! 

    Wrap up a romantic evening with the gift of a pink sparkler. It can be a value priced Louis Bouillot Rosé cremant. Or a splurge with a bottle of Delamotte Brut Rose from the maker of Salon Champagne.

    Other pinks that tickle our fancy are Argyle Brut Rosé from Oregon, 3B Sparkling Rosé from Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato, and for the utlimate fun evening try opening a bottle of Puro Rosé! (We had to make a video to show you how to open this one.)

    Please add to our list by telling us about your favorite sparkling wine for the holidays. You can add a comment at the bottom of this post, sent it to @bostonzest on twitter or send us an email.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover’s Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2009-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • Toasting a Sparkling December!

    Long ago, we decided that we weren’t waiting for New Years Eve to raise a glass of sparkling wine and toast a happy ending and new beginning. So we’ve started each month with a bottle of bubbles since 2007!  And, we’ve been sharing our bubbly selections with BostonZest readers since New Years Eve 2009. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017d3c67a7f8970c-800wi

    That means we have amassed quite a collection of wine recommendations. They are all available any time you want them from the “Sparkling Wine & More” tab at the top of each page.

    With a month of gift buying, parties, and holidays in front of us, we’ll say “Happy New Month,” sip a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, and link you to a few bottles you might add to your holiday shopping list. 

    A Case of Sparkle

    Ordering a case of a good, inexpensive, sparkling wine can be a great idea this time of year. Many shops will give you a case discount. If the store does not promote it, ask. You can also call ahead and have the wine merchant bring in the extra case of the wine you want. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016761614856970b-800wi

    We can suggest Dibon Cava, Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, or the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we’re opening this month.

    Pre-wrap a few bottles and you will be prepared for hostess gifts, thank you gifts, client gifts, or something special to hand out with a holiday cash tip. 

    6a00e54fc42bb888340147e122f02f970b-800wi-1

    Gift Wines For Wine Lovers

    For someone who loves wine and would like to try something that will expand their wine life list or add a new category of taste to their holdiay, we would splurge on a “Grower Champagne.” 

    Central Bottle in Central Square Cambridge always seems to have a supply of these special bottles on hand. We recommend both the Champagne Chartogne-Taillet and Pierre Peters shown from ledgendary importer and wine educator Terry TheiseHis annual catalogs are available online and provide a champagne education. 

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016300761f28970d-800wi

    Pink for Romance! 

    Wrap up a romantic evening with the gift of a pink sparkler. It can be a value priced Louis Bouillot Rosé cremant. Or a splurge with a bottle of Delamotte Brut Rose from the maker of Salon Champagne.

    Other pinks that tickle our fancy are Argyle Brut Rosé from Oregon, 3B Sparkling Rosé from Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato, and for the utlimate fun evening try opening a bottle of Puro Rosé! (We had to make a video to show you how to open this one.)

    Please add to our list by telling us about your favorite sparkling wine for the holidays. You can add a comment at the bottom of this post, sent it to @bostonzest on twitter or send us an email.

    Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

    The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

    The New Wine Lover’s Companion

    The Wine Bible

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2009-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

    Enhanced by Zemanta
  • What Christmas Traditions Did You Enjoy?

    IMG_4373 - Version 22011-12-25-coffee-panetone-Christmas-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Do you have Christmas Holiday traditions that you enjoy? I realized how much I love to have a wedge of panettone with my first cup of coffee on Christmas morning. 

    Traditions can be comforting and sometimes we don't notice that we've created a new tradition, until we think about the little things we like to do on certain holidays. 

    This is a month of traditions no matter which of the many December holidays you choose to celebrate and to what degree you indulge in the festivity. Some people go to movies, eat chinese food, make a favorite meal. 

    What are your small traditons and personal ways to mark this festive season?

    Where do you like to go? 

    What do you love to eat?

    What events to you enjoy attending?

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!


    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.