Farm to Table, Vermont Style

The setting at Wednesday’s  Whim dinner could not have been more perfect for a visit from some of Vermont’s finest culinarians. Chef Tom Bivins of The New England Culinary Institute brought teachers, students, and expert gatherers with him to help put together a terrific meal at Smolak Farms. The apple trees were heavy with fruit, the pond was calm, the music was carefully chosen, and the food showcased the best Vermont has to offer.

We sipped a Rosenblum Cuvee zinfandel supplied by North Andover’s Wine ConneXtion while enjoying incredibly fresh butter from Vermont Butter & Cheese on slices of freshly baked baguette. We were then served hot corn consommé with mushroom glace, pan-fried daylily corms, and toasted wild onions. The sweet broth contrasted wonderfully with the earthy glace and the pungent onions, a great start to the meal. It was followed by a savory and comforting entree of grilled grass-fed beef strip steak, lobster mushrooms, madeira demi sauce, mashed potatoes, and sauteed summer squashes.

The daylily corms, wild onions, and lobster mushrooms were gathered by Nova Kim and Leslie Hook of Wild Gourmet Food. Kim said she and others in the Wild Food Gatherers Guild are pleased with the recent movement toward local food and eager to pass their years of knowledge onto the next generation.

The guild helps members market their wares and promote sustainable gathering (they prefer this term to foraging, which had a negative connotation in past times). “We don’t take everything in a given spot; we harvest it so it comes back again,” said Kim. Bivins said his interest began in grade school when his class read Euell Gibbons’ Stalking the Wild Asparagus. “At first when Nova and Kim brought me some of their finds, I thought ‘What am I going to do with this?’ but then I just went with it,” Bivins said.

A generous cheese plate featuring three award-winning Vermont cheeses was up next. We greatly enjoyed the Cabot clothbound cheddar, Bayley Hazen blue cheese, and Vermont Butter & Cheese Bonne Bouche (Bivins favorite).

The cheese plate included plums from Smolak, and the dessert included the farm’s plump blueberries. The berries were paired with tiny sweet Vermont blackberries and an outstanding shortcake moistened with milkweed blossom syrup and topped with elderberry flower cream.

The Whim series continues for the next couple of weeks. Chef Evan Mallett of Black Trumpet Bistro will prepare the meal on Wednesday the 17th, followed by Chef Paul Turano of Tryst Restaurant on the 24th. Dinners are $60 plus beverages and gratuity; tickets can be purchased through the Smolak website.

Smolak Farms
315 South Bradford Street, North Andover
(978) 682-6332
www.smolakfarms.com

Without Restraint: North Shore Wine Week

“Pour out the wine without restraint or stay
pour not by cups, but by the bellyful
pour out to all that wull.”

So said Edumund Spenser in Epithalamion, and that’s precisely what’s happening during the fourth week of August on the North Shore.

The first annual North Shore Wine Week is taking place from August 21 to 27, and we’re excited to be part of the event. The kickoff party is being held on August 20 from 12:00 to 5:00 at Wine ConnecXtion in North Andover. It’s a free event, but you need to email vip@northshorewineweek.com to request an electronic ticket. There will be wine tastings all afternoon, paired with food from Brasserie 28, Oregano, 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar, Tuscan Kitchen, and Burtons Grill.

During the week, there are wine tastings and wine specials at restaurants and wine vendors all over the North Shore. For example, on Sunday from 5:00 to 9:00, you can sample a flight of four summer whites and sultry reds for $12 at 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar in Salem. On Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00, Urban Wine Project is hosting wine and jazz night at Turbine Wine Bar in Lynn featuring the project’s 2009 Central Square Chardonnay and 2009 Oxford Street Pinot Noir. Everyone who purchases a glass of either wine will receive a complimentary appetizer with their first glass. Friday afternoon at Grand Trunk in Newburyport, there will be a free tasting of Spanish wines and 15% off all bottles during the tasting.

A schedule of events is here, and more are being added daily. We’ll post again with further details about events as the date nears.

Getting (Sur)Real at the PEM

During a cooking demonstration, Chef Matt O'Neil creates a layer of chive cream for his tuna tartare

The Peabody Essex Museum is throwing several evening parties this summer. We decided to check out Thursday night’s event because one of our favorite North Shore chefs, Matt O’Neil of The Blue Ox, was doing a cooking demonstration.

Army of Broken Toys provided the evening's soundtrack

The night was dedicated to surrealism, with a special exhibit of Man Ray paintings and music by Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys.

O’Neil was serving up tuna tartare with chive cream on a potato crisp. The connection with surrealism is the surprise of combining seafood with cheese (there is mascarpone in the cream under the tuna). Surreal or not, it was an outstanding combination of texture and flavor.

Sushi grade tuna awaits dicing, adding the "special" sauce, the finished tuna tartare

The chef mixed together one part sour cream to two parts mascarpone and added a generous amount of chives. He suggested making the cream a day ahead for more “chive presence.” The cream is piped or spooned onto thick potato chips (potatoes soaked in water for one hour and then fried).

The sushi-grade tuna gets finely diced. O’Neil prefers the very-tender loin over the belly (torro) for this preparation. To the tuna, he adds the green part of the scallion, black sesame seeds, cilantro, diced cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

The last step is the addition of his “special sauce,” which includes sriracha, soy, sesame oil, seasoned rice wine vinegar, and honey

The live chess game

Tastebuds satisfied and recipe in hand, we were ready for the final event of the evening: a live chess game, complete with outrageous costumes.

Check out upcoming events at the PEM here. The next summer party is Waterworks on August 25, featuring a cash bar, experiments with water, Andrew Sempere’s Bowl of Oceans sculpture, and Susan Fishman and Elena Kalman’s The Wave, an interactive installation in the Asian Garden.

Weekend Picks, July 15-17

I’m sure you’ve noticed a lull in the action around here lately, but these things happen when summer (and numerous family events) hit town.  We’re back in action now and have a few quick  ideas to supplement your summer fun this weekend.

Looking to start the thing off right? Head over to Pamplemousse in Salem this evening from 5 -7 pm to help them celebrate 9 years in business. They’ll have cupcakes, wine and treats as well as Magic Hat’s #9 Not So Pale Ale.

If a bit respite from the sun sounds good on Saturday afternoon, Kappy’s in Peabody will be hosting their Taste of New England, which features locally produced spirits, beer and wine. It’ll be a nice opportunity to taste the wares of one of our favorite distilleries, Gloucester’s Ryan & Wood, as well as the brand new Privateer Rum out of Ipswich, MA.

Saturday evening the place to be is Gloucester, for their 2011 Downtown Block Party. Not only will there be live entertainment, street performers and general carousing, many of the local restaurants will be running deals for the evening.Yyou might want to stop in Cape Ann Brewing, where the guys are throwing a pig roast with live music, starting at 6pm.

Did you know that Hawthorne Hotel Chef de Cuisine Jennifer Normant is a contestant on this season’s Hell’s Kitchen? To celebrate, The hotel will be hosting a viewing party in their Grand Ballroom on Monday night at 7pm. Meet the chef, watch the show, and partake of cocktail and hors d’oeuvres special on offer that night.

On a sad note, we were devastated to see that an electrical fire caused severe smoke damage to both 5 Corners Kitchen and Terry’s Ice Cream in Marblehead Wednesday afternoon. Both eateries are closed until further notice for clean up. We wish them a speedy recovery and hope they’ll be open again as soon as possible. If you’re in Marblehead this weekend, show Terry’s your support by stopping by their brand new ice cream truck, which will be parked across the street from the building. We love the idea of one Facebook poster, who suggested that Chef Barry of 5 Corners open an adjacent “pommes frites” truck so local could get their fix of his addictive fries during the clean up. We’d certainly be in line.

And here are a couple of ideas from our pals in the North Shore Bloggers Consortium

Seth is all about what’s happing in Lynn in Lynn Happens.

Weekend Picks, June 10-12

If you’ve been running around crazy busy for the past few weeks, you’re not alone. We feel your pain and think you might enjoy kicking back and relaxing at some of the great tastings and fun events going on this weekend.

Start things off right by stopping into Cup ‘n Board in Swampcott from 5:00 to 7:00pm for a beer tasting from Blue Hills Brewery. They’ll have tasty treats on hand as well, and an awesome selection of both beer and wine to take home for the weekend.

This weekend marks the beginning of strawberry season and Smolak Farms in North Andover is throwing a kickoff celebration from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm with strawberry picking, free activities for the kids and complimentary wine and prosecco tastings provided by Wine ConneXtion from 1:00 to 2:00pm.

They’ll also be starting pick-your-own season at one of our favorite farms, Cider Hill in Amesbury. And speaking of Cider Hill, they’ll be participating in the Marblehead Farmer’s Market, which opens on Saturday for the season. In a recent newsletter Glenn Cook, owner of Cider Hill said ” This is one of the best markets in the state!” Check it out from 9:00am to noon.

On Saturday afternoon there are several opportunities to try new tastes you may want to add to your summer drink list. At 2:00pm Busa Wine and Spirits in Salem is hosting an Iberian Wine Fiesta with summer reds from Bodegas San Valero in Carinena, Spain on offer as well as a handcrafted sangria. They will also be raffling off two $50 in -store gift certificates. The raffle tickets are $5 each and proceeds to go to Northeast Animal Shelter.

At 4:00pm Kappy’s Liquors in Danvers hosts a Grand Beer Tasting, which looks to be a terrific way to sample north shore brews with selections from Cody and Cape Ann Brewing, as well as more esoteric quaffs like Stone Brewery’s Arrogant Bastard Ale and Les Brasseurs’ Amadeus Biere Blanche Witbier.

There are also a couple of fundraisers worth attending on our radar. Salem’s Lobster Shanty hosts the 6th BaldBil YMCA Day. The Shanty will donate 5% of the entire day’s house proceeds to the Y’s financial assistance program in support of kids and families. All bartender tips will go to the Y, as well as what the waitstaff give to the bartender at night’s end. There will also be live music and some very cool items raffled off.

On Monday the 13th, head on over to Victoria Station in Salem. At 7:00pm they are hosting a Fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. When executive chef John Andrews discovered that one of his staff had been diagnosed with MS he stepped up to rally support for her and the Society. There will be food tables by Victoria Station, Finz and The Lobster Shanty, Seaport Cafe and more, as well as raffles, auctions, celebrity bartenders and live music. Tickets are $10 at the door and all proceeds go toward the cause.

And as usual, we’ve got the weekend picks from our pals in the North Shore Blogger’s Consortium:

Seth keeps you up on everything going on in Lynn at Lynn Happens, including the debut of the new Arts After Hours production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by our awesome pal Corey Jackson.

Kim Bingham talks about meeting the Boston Brunchers along with her weekend picks on Lighter and Local.

Author Jane Ward lists her weekend ideas, but we’re even more entranced by her luscious looking curried chicken salad recipe.

Rob and Laura head all over New England for some great ideas at The Two Palaverers.

Weekend Picks, May 20–22

It’s a good thing the weather is finally clearing up (fingers crossed) because there are some great outdoor activities this weekend.

First, we’ll tell you how to start the weekend off right. Head over to Lynnway Liquors in Lynn this afternoon and say hello to the effervescent Emily O’Brien. She will be on hand from the Urban Wine Project, and will be pouring tastes of their brand new Oxford Street Pinot Noir and Central Square Chardonnay from 4:30 to 6:30.

On Saturday from 11:00 to 2:00, The Food Project is holding its second-annual Lynn Farm Fest. There will be a plant sale that includes seeds and garden supplies, a workshop on planning and planting a raised-bed garden (at 11:00 and again at 1:30), and you can sign up for CSA shares, which start on Monday. More CSA info is here.

From 1:00 to 5:00 on Saturday, you can get your sugar fix at the Newburyport Chocolate Tour. Pick up your ticket ($15) and goodie bag at the Unitarian Church (26 Pleasant St.), then walk the downtown route and partake in delectable chocolate treats from more than 20 participating vendors.

Shubie’s Food and Wine Festival will take place from 1:00 to 5:00 in Marblehead regardless of the weather, and it promises to be a doozy. There will be more than 40 wines for tasting, and purchasers will receive 20% off a case or 25% off two cases. There will be many food samples, including a Olympic extra virgin olive oil, Sailor’s Swagger pineapple hot sauce, and Chef Lynne’s papas fritas (hand-cut fries). The one we’ll be checking out is an exclusive debut of a new Jasper Hill cheese, Conundrum. It promises to be a cross between the Winnimere and the Moses Sleeper; spoonable, slightly sweet, slightly woodsy. We’ll try not to swoon.

And as usual, we’ve got links of interest from our pals in the North Shore Blogger’s Consortium:

Madman Seth has a weekend chock full of fun outlined in Lynn Happens.

Rob and Laura range farther afield for with some great ideas at The Two Palaverers.

And while our friend Jane Ward lists several events, but the most exciting by far is her own book author reading at Jabberwocky Bookshop, Newburyport. Stop in and see her tomorrow night!

Weekend Picks, May 13–15

It’s the weekend for tastings, with everything from ice cream to oysters being served up around the North Shore. It starts on Saturday with the folks from Batch visiting Shubie’s in Marblehead from noon to 3:00 with their super-premium ice cream made in Jamaica Plain. We tasted some this winter at a blogger event, and it was fantastic.

The decadence continues up the road at Busa Wine and Spirits in Salem. The Loire Valley Wine Bureau is taking the area by storm for the month of May, pairing muscadet and oysters at several Boston restaurants. North Shore residents can check out this duo on Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00, with free muscadet samples and freshly shucked oysters. Busa says: “This unpretentious wine from the Loire Valley has dry, mineral flavors and acidity that pair perfectly with Boston and New England’s cuisine of oysters, fried clams, and lobster rolls.” Tastings on Saturday include two muscadets and a sancerre.

If you’re not into oysters, you may want to head west on Saturday afternoon. Wine ConneXtion in North Andover is holding its Grand Tasting from 1:00 to 6:00 with 50 wines being poured and food for pairing from Tommy Grella of “The Next Food Network Star.” Several preferred wines such as malbecs, amarones, and unique grape varietals will be offered at a one-day discounted price.

Beer lovers will want to make it to Pamplemousse in downtown Salem. We’ve heard a lot of buzz lately about the new Notch Session Beers, and brewer Chris Lohring will be on hand from 2:00 to 4:00 to pour samples and tell you all about this newcomer to the North Shore brewing scene.

Saturday evening, head up to Newburyport’s historic city hall for a huge wine tasting to support Yankee Homecoming, from 6:00 to 9:30. You’ll have the chance to taste 100 wines courtesy of Leary’s Fine Wines & Spirits as well as brews from  Mercury Brewing Company. The beverages will be accompanied by cheese from Cabot of Vermont and hors d’oeuvres created by local chefs and restaurants. Tickets are $30 ahead of time or $35 at the door.

You’re even allowed to start drinking early on Saturday. (not Tuesday as previously reported) From 8:00 to 11:00, Ipswich Ale’s Tapmobile will be on hand to pour fresh brews during the 5.5 mile Essex River Race. Enjoy the gorgeous river views from the Essex Shipbuilding Museum on Main Street.

And as usual, here are some terrific weekend picks  from some of our pals in the North Shore Bloggers Consortium. We’ll add more as they get posted.

Media giant Seth gives up the best of Lynn at Lynn Happens.

Kimmy has done is again on Lighter and Local, with an insanely tasty looking recipe along with her picks.

And the unstoppable Rob and Laura always have great ideas at The Two Palaverers.

Weekend Picks, May 6–8

No plans for the weekend? We’ve got you covered. Start things off right with some local wine. Isaaks of Salem owner Ian Bennett will be handing out samples from 4:00 to 7:00 tonight at Shubie’s in Marblehead. Try all three varieties: Dry Honey, Popp Road Raspberry, and Sweet Tooth Honey. If you’re a fan of the Vineyard Road, you may want to return to Shubie’s between 12:00 and 3:00 on Saturday for samples from their portfolio.

Also on Friday are two farm openings: Cider Hill in Amesbury and Smolak Farms in North Andover. Cider Hill has spent months renovating their store, including updating the bakery to a full-scratch operation. Owner Glenn Cook says the new offerings will include bread baked from grain ground right before the bread is made. The peach trees are blooming, the apple trees are next, and the chickens are arriving around lunchtime.

Smolak Farms is sporting a renovated animal and playground area and says the farm stand will be getting a makeover to have more of a café feel. There will be espressos, lattes, chai, and lunch specials to accompany their pies, muffins, and donuts. Opening day activities include free hayrides, free crafts and games for children in the barn (10:00-2:00), and cider donuts for half price.

Sunday is Mother’s Day, of course, and if you haven’t already made plans, head over to Wine ConneXtion in Andover on Saturday from 12:00 – 5:00 for ideas on treating mom to breakfast in bed. They’ve teamed up with Salem’s  A&J King Bakery and Ocean Spray Juice for a tasting of wine, champagne, juice, and baked goods. Offerings include chocolate bouchon, caramel bread pudding, and seasonal tarts with farm-grown berries and sweetened ricotta. Best of all, donations from the event will benefit the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

And if you’re looking for last minute brunch ideas, take a look at our Mother’s Day round up.

And as usual, here are some terrific weekend picks  from some of our pals in the North Shore Bloggers Consortium:

The lovely lady of Lighter and Local, Kimmy Bingham, gives us tasty recipes and her picks  here

Media giant Seth gives up the best of Lynn at Lynn Happens.

Find out what’s happening all over New England with the Two Palaverers.

Jane Ward talks chocolate as well at weekend picks at Food and Fiction.

Only the Best for Mom

With Mother’s Day less than a week away, we’ve rounded up a list of restaurants serving up celebratory menus to honor everyone’s favorite parent. We’re happy to report we’re not the only ones promoting North Shore restaurants for the occasion; both 62 Resaurant and Wine Bar and Ceia Kitchen + Bar show up on on Zagat’s 10 Mother’s Day Reservations to Book Now list.

First up on our brunchtastic tour of the North Shore is 15 Walnut in Hamilton, which is offering a special brunch menu from noon to 6:00. Bloody Mary’s, mimosas, egg skillet dishes, and petite filets are all on offer, plus the regular lunch menu. Call (978) 468-2434 for a reservation.

Newburyport’s 10 Center is serving a brunch buffet from 11:00 to 3:00 for $45 per person (kids six to 12 are $15, and under six eat for free). Clearly for those with hearty appetites, there’s a bread basket, a raw bar, a salad station, eggs and breakfast meats, sides like chive mashed potatoes and mac ’n’ cheese, a carving station with turkey breast and roast prime rib, desserts like mini lemon mousse parfaits, and a sundae bar for the kids. (978) 462-6652 for reservations.

Salem’s 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar is serving brunch from 10:30 to 2:00 and dinner from 1:00 to 9:00. They’re not revealing much about the menu, but we’re sure Chef Bettencourt will be cooking up a storm. Call (978) 744-0062 to reserve.

The Blue Ox in Lynn is going all out for mom with appetizers like baked stuffed brie and lobster tacos, grilled filet mignon or stuffed suckling pig for entreés, and mascarpone cheesecake or fudge brownie gelato for dessert. Served from noon to 6:00, the price is $34 per person for three courses, and reservations are recommended at (781) 780-5722.

Ceia Kitchen and Bar in Newburyport has added a special brunch service for mother’s day with tasty sounding a la carte offerings like the lobster omelet for $14 or scallops with ramp & cucumber vichyssoise for $24. Reservations available from 10:00 to 3:00, call (978) 358-8112.

Emerson Inn’s grand brunch buffet runs from 10:00 to 3:30 in Rockport and costs $49 for adults and $24 for kids ages three to 10. The menu is extensive and includes four salads, breakfast pastries, artisan breads, grilled salmon, boursin scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, eggs benedict with lobster hollandaise, oven roasted pork, eggplant ratatouille over spinach quinoa, and a viennese dessert display. (978) 546-6321 to reserve.

If your mom loves to be outdoors, head for the Garden Café at the PEM in Salem. A $36 prix fixe brunch will be served from 11:00 to 3:00 (kids under 12 are $15.95, and members receive a 10% discount). After brunch, exchange your voucher for a free gift for mom in the gift shop. Call (978) 745-9500, ext. 3157 for information and reservations.

At Salem’s Hawthorne Hotel, the extensive buffet includes everything from belgian waffles with strawberry sauce to butternut squash souffle, baked haddock with corn crumbs, spanish style seafood stew, and a carving station with prime rib, honey-baked ham, and roasted turkey. Desserts include mini pastries, pecan bourbon pie, and raspberry cream torte. It runs from 10:30 to 6:00 and costs $40.95 for adults and $16.95 for kids 12 and under. Call (978) 825-4311 for reservations.

Victoria Station in Salem has some interesting items on their brunch menu. Alongside baked goods, fresh fruit, assorted quiche, and rice pilaf are bacon butter fried cauliflower, garlicky home fries, mediterranean shrimp, and a chorizo, jack, and egg scramble. It’s being served from 11:00 to 3:00 for $32 per person, with live music from 12:00 to 3:00.

Finally, several areas restaurants and bakeries are participating in Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer from May 2 to 8, in which participating sponsors donate a percentage of the purchase of a featured baked good or dessert to breast cancer research and care. North Shore participants include 62 Restaurant, A&J King, Cakes for Occasions, Cassis Bakery, Duckworth’s Bistrot, and Mission Oak Grill.

Weekend Picks, April 29-May 1

We’re keeping our fingers crossed for good weather this weekend and looking forward to some fun events. Start things off right by attending Ipswich Museum Pub Night, co-sponsored by Ipswich Ale Brewery, from 6:00 to 10:00 on Friday night. There will be beer, pub fare, raffle prizes, and live music by Orville Giddings.

On Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00, Busa Wine and Spirits in Salem is holding its 10th Annual Spring Welcoming Party. Taste wine, beer, and/or spirits while listening to swing music, and enter a raffle to win a Heineken BeerTender.

On Sunday, the Newburyport Farmer’s Market opens, and they have Frequent Farmer cards available this year. When you purchase $5 worth of farm product at one of the participating booths, you will receive a card. For every $5 worth of produce, fruit, meat, fish, or plant products you purchase from that farmer, you receive a stamp. When you accrue 10 stamps, you’ll receive $5 worth of product from that booth.

Also on Sunday is the Pajama Brunch at Cafe Polonia. They’re serving lunch and brunch menus from 10:00 to 4:00, and you get 10% off your check if you wear your jammies.

Starting at 3:00 on Sunday, the folks at Chive Catering will be serving up local pork, local beers, and local music at the Cox Reservation in Essex. Sip beer while exploring the salt marsh farm and listening to Boston band Qwill, then enjoy a five-course supper celebrating a recently dressed and cured Maine pig. Tickets are $100 each or two for $175, and all proceeds go to the Essex County Greenbelt Association.

Last but not least, there’s still time to reserve a spot in the From Scratch Pasta Class, at 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar in Salem. Sunday night at 6:00, Chef Bettencourt will walk student-diners through the pasta-making process, including the techniques behind making wonderful shapes and regional varieties. Guests will finish the evening with a three-course dinner featuring a choice of starter, a full pasta tasting, and dessert. The class is $55, and reservations are required. Call (978) 744-0062.

And as usual, here are some terrific weekend picks of things to do all over the north shore from our pals in the North Shore Bloggers Consortium:

The unstoppable Joey C from Good Morning Gloucester gives us his scoop here.

The wonderful Jane Ward, who has just published her second novel (hurrah!) has some great ideas over at Food and Fiction.

The lovely lady of Lighter and Local, Kimmy Bingham, gives us tasty recipes and her picks  here

Media giant Seth gives up the best of Lynn at Lynn Happens.

Choices from all over New England at The Two Palaverers.