I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting wine and food items that are upcoming. **********************************************************
1) On July 14, at 7 pm, Bondir restaurant in Concord will be partnering with French in Acton to host the center’s sixth annual Bastille Day Celebration. French in Acton language school led by Madame Cynthia Edelman focuses on teaching French to students of all ages and skill levels. Each year French in Acton hosts a Bastille Day dinner to provide students and those interested with an opportunity to speak the French language with others while enjoying some cuisine of the land.
Chef Jason Bond is offer a special three course Bastille Day Dinner for $65 per person (wine, tax and gratuity included). To reserve, please call Bondir Concord at 978-610-6554.
2) In honor of the first full weekend of Summert, The Blue Ox in Lynn (a restaurant I really need to get to) will debut a special “Lemonade Stand” menu.
Created by GM and Beverage Director, Charlie Gaeta, the special menu will blend freshly-squeezed lemon juice and house-made simple syrup with the following fresh fruit combinations, each of which are available as a virgin drink for $4, or with each guests’ choice of premium tequila, rum or gin – for $11. Each lemonade drink is blended and strained to order.
Beginning this Saturday and lasting through the weekend, Charlie will be serving the following unique takes on lemonade:
--Watermelon Lemonade - pulverized watermelon (strained), fresh lemon juice, house-made simple syrup (premium tequila, rum or gin optional)
--Cucumber & Orange Blossom – orange peel essence, cucumber water, fresh lemon juice, house-made simple syrup (premium tequila, rum or gin optional)
--Cantaloupe - fresh cantaloupe (crushed and strained) fresh lemon juice, house-made simple syrup (premium tequila, rum or gin optional)
--PIMM’s Lemonade – infused with classic fruit flavors commonly found in a PIMM’s cup – including fresh mint, strawberry and house-made local rhubarb syrup (which itself is infused with juniper)
3) I am very excited that the Tuscan Kitchen and Tuscan Market will be coming to Burlington, to 24 New England Executive Park, which is close to the Burlington Mall. I previously raved about the Salem, NH market location. The Burlington Tuscan Kitchen will use fresh Italian ingredients, ranging from hand-made pastas to freshly baked artisan breads to homemade gelato. Tuscan Kitchen will also incorporate imported pasta machines, a meat rotisserie, wood-fired ovens, and fireplaces to create a cozy atmosphere. While Burlington’s Tuscan Market will be a bit smaller than the NH location, it will still retain much of the same features, including a 30 seat Cafe.
The new Tuscan Kitchen and Tuscan Market is scheduled to open the first week of September 2014.