Photo: ketrin1407/Flickr

LOCAL BITES

Tea, Anyone?
Well, not just anyone. Your mom, perhaps, in honor of Mother’s Day? Show you’re thinking ahead: Thursday, June 7, a proper Afternoon Tea will be served on vintage china at the Commander’s Mansion, Watertown, complete with imported clotted cream and jam. Tea will be followed by a book reading/ signing with local author Katrina Avila Munichiello, author of A Tea Reader: Living Life One Cup at a Time. Hats are encouraged, but not required. Guests to be welcomed by the Gilded Harps. Tickets $24/pp.

New Couple in Town
On May 15, Finale Desserts will host a Craft Beer Tasting at the Park Plaza Hotel, featuring a selection of beers paired with seasonal desserts. Bryan Green, representative from the Great Brewers Guild, will discuss the variety of beers and how they pair with each dessert created by Executive Pastry Chef Nicole Coady. Here’s one pairing, to whet your appetite: Duvel Golden Ale with Fresh Fruit Tart. Tickets: $19.99/pp. To make a reservation, call 617.623.3233.

A Watershed Moment
Whole Foods continues with “Do Something Reel,” a monthly series of provocative documentaries about food and environmental issues. “The Apple Pushers” inaugurated the series in April. This month’s film is Watershed: Exploring a New Water Ethic for the New West, directed by Mark Decena, narrated by Robert Redford and produced by his son, James Redford. Watershed is available for viewing at the festival’s website and on Whole Foods’ Facebook page. $5.99/viewing through the end of May. More…

Photo: Lobster aromatherapy (all photos: Kathy Gunst)

Lobster tails, poached in butter and then thinly sliced, are placed atop perfect segments of pink grapefruit. Tiny microgreens are scattered on top, followed by coconut foam.

Three tall, young male chefs dressed in starched whites, their faces in deep concentration, meticulously arrange these ingredients in small bowls. The entire dish is then nestled in an oversized white bowl filled with sprigs of freshly-harvested rosemary, thyme and shaved dry ice. Just before the lobster is served, boiling water is poured over the herbs in the outer bowl, creating a bubbling aromatherapy bath for the seafood. The swirling vapor produces an herbal cloud intended to heighten the enjoyment of the dish.

This bit of over-the-top gastronomy is not to be found in Paris, Barcelona or any other culinary capital. No, we are in Dover, New Hampshire, where the best food you normally can hope for is a decent bowl of chowder, mediocre Chinese food and a slice of so-so pizza. That is, until Evan Hennessey and his team opened Stages at One Washington in an old mill building on the banks of the Cocheco River. More…

Photo: SheriW/Flickr

LOCAL BITES

A Mother’s Day Tea
Starting with a selection of recipes from Barre, MA, that date from the turn of the last century, the ONCE kitchen kids are going to recreate a classic afternoon tea. This means cakes, cookies, sherbet, tisanes and finger sandwiches – of course! – all served on Mother’s Day, May 13, 4-6pm at Naga in Cambridge. Tickets are $45/person for treats, beverages and a hand letter-pressed card on which to create your personal culinary heirloom to share with a loved one far away.

A Quiet Brunch, Kids in Tow
Aura Restaurant at the Seaport Hotel, which specializes in elegant dining for moms and dads with structured activities for the waynes, has it in spades this Mother’s Day if brunch (11-3pm) is what you’re after. The Kids Place 4 Fun will help kids of all ages make special Mother’s Day crafts, and Jewelry by Karel will be on site if more gifts are needed. Tickets are $55/adult; kids under 12 eat for free. To reserve call 617.385.4300, or go to OpenTable.com. Read the details and menu here.

Food Hugs
The tagline of Eat Boutique is “Food That Hugs You Back.” For Mother’s Day, they’ve got a box of handmade goodies that your mom savor in her own sweet time, hand-written card, included. Here’s a hug, Mom! More…

Photo: raindog808/Flickr

Where to grab a bite in Boston at three in the morning? It’s a conundrum that plagues club-goers, college students and hungry Hub-dwellers all over town. There’s really only one spot that Bostonians from all walks of life can claim as a their greasy spoon mecca: Boston’s only 24-hour restaurant, the South Street Diner.

Annie Ropeik
Radio Boston

A short film that debuted Saturday at IFF Boston, “24 Hours At The South Street Diner,” tells the story of this 65-year-old Leather District landmark, painting a brightly colored portrait of a thriving community space with character to spare. The diner draws regulars and first-timers of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds around the clock, serving up classic American diner fare from sizzling cheeseburgers and fries to chocolate chip pancakes and milkshakes in old-fashioned soda fountain glasses, plus beer in bottles and on tap, wine and mimosas until 1 a.m.

But the food is secondary to the soul of the place itself. Owner Sol Sidell says in the film that the diner’s celebrity outshines that of any one person who’s ever paid it a visit (and those people include rock bands, film stars and athletes). Preserved by the devotion of its community, the eatery that began in 1947 as the Blue Diner has survived fire, near-bankruptcy, changes in ownership and threats to its all-night hours to become the pastiche of Boston culture it is today. More…

Oysters (photo: dominic bartolini/Flickr)

Lots of buzz about seafood this week. And the weekend has only just begun.

Listen to Radio Boston’s interview with journalist/Boston bureau chief Abby Goodnough in the wake of the controversial story she reported in Sunday’s NY Times “A Ban on Seafood Has Some Fishermen Fuming.” The ban comes from Whole Foods, and the fuming fishermen fish our New England waters. It’s a high-profile stand by Whole Foods that has serious local repercussions.

Radio Boston also spent time talking with Chef Barton Seaver, gleaning from him the culinary miracles of fresh fish and the importance of our behavior as consumers of fish.

Both Goodnough and Seaver will participate in the Let’s Talk About Food New England Sustainable Seafood Teach-In this Sunday at Harvard. Tickets are available at the LTAF website.

YUM in action Wednesday night (all photos: Katie White/PRK)

On Wednesday night, The Welcome Project of Somerville hosted YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City at the Center for the Arts at the Armory. This was a fundraising dinner featuring ten immigrant-founded restaurants, with YUM profits benefiting The Welcome Project’s educational and cultural programs for Somerville’s immigrant community.

While attendees sampled spreads of warm goat cheese, roasted red pepper, garlic and eggplant sauce from Sabur, or kukhara ko chhoyia (Nepali dried chicken with chili and lime) from Masala, Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone spoke about the importance of preserving ethnic food traditions in the battle against childhood obesity. Critical to reducing reliance on fast food, Curtatone explained, is careful attention to and appreciation of the “craftsmanship” that goes into many ethnic dishes. Curtatone cited his own Italian-American upbringing as formative in helping him to appreciate distinctive food cultures.

YUM attracted a cross-section of guests, ranging from Welcome Project corporate sponsors to its own ESL students. Live music and an open bar made the evening festive and fun.

As for me, I munched on warm tortilla chips from Maya Sol, pitted olives and small squares of feta from Istanbul, and helped myself to thirds on a steaming rice dish from Yaki & Yeti with carrots, onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, cilantro and turmeric. During all this I dreamed of emigrating, if only for a short while, to one of these cuisine-rich countries myself.

For a full list of the delicious restaurants featured at YUM, visit their blog.

Photo: Ben Husmann/Flickr

LOCAL BITES

Bacon/Brew Week 
Hale and hearty, Boston’s 3rd annual Bacon and Beer Fest has grown into a week-long celebration, beginning this Sunday, April 29, and ending next Saturday. Lots of restaurants are creating their own savory take on this favorite pairing. Grab all the information here.

The Health of New England’s Seafood
This Sunday, April 29, is a great chance to learn about the health of our region’s fish stock and fishing industry. Let’s Talk About Food (LTAF) has organized another Teach-In — this time at Harvard University — with a line-up of impressive seafood-related professionals from all walks of the industry. Tickets are $10 for the 1-5pm program; there is a free, related event Sunday evening at the Museum of Science. Read more and order tickets at the LTAF site.

Spring Flavors
Massachusetts Horticulture Society is holding its The Flavors of Spring Gala on Friday, May 4, at 6:30 pm in Wellesley. This fundraiser, benefiting the “Garden to Table” program, will feature tastings from local chefs, local distillers and craft beers. The Garden to Table program helps people of all ages and all levels of gardening experience learn how to grow, cook, preserve and enjoy healthy local food. Tickets are $125 per person and may be reserved at Masshort.org or by calling Maureen Horn at 617-933-4912.

The History of Japan’s Coffee Craze
Next up in the Pépin Lecture Series offered by BU’s Food and Wine program is Coffee Life in Japan, presented by BU Anthropology Professor Merry White. White will trace Japan’s vibrant café society and its impact on urban space, notions of modernity and gender-based behavior. The lecture takes place on May 9, 6pm. More…

Chef Jason Bond of Bondir, Cambridge (Photo: Susanna Bolle)

Though the leaves on the trees and the pollenated air tells us in no uncertain terms that spring is here, it’s still too early for much in the way of spring produce here in New England. What we do have in abundance is hearty root vegetables. This recipe for Celery and Celeriac Soup from Chef Jason Bond of Bondir in Cambridge makes good use of them.

Bond knows his roots. He grew up on a farm out west (we’re talking Wyoming, not the Berkshires) where his family kept a well-stocked root cellar. His recipe shines a spotlight on celery, a vegetable that Bond says doesn’t get nearly enough respect.

While the soup is hearty, the flavors are subtle and sophisticated. Add some cream if you want to make it a little richer and more decadent. Add fresh herbs, if you like. It’s versatile recipe with room for lots of improvisation.

Here’s the basic plan. More…

Photo: NASA Goddard Photo and Video/Flickr

Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day. Remember, love our Mother Earth often and well – for food’s sake!!! To celebrate, join Picnic for the Planet – Boston on Boston Common, beginning at 11 am.

LOCAL BITES

The Health of New England’s Seafood
Next Sunday, April 29, is your best chance to learn about the health of our region’s fish stock and the health of our fishing industry. Let’s Talk About Food (LTAF) is again organizing a superb event, this time at Harvard University, with a line-up of seafood-related professionals from all walks of the industry. Tickets are $10 for the 1-5pm program; there is a free, related event Sunday evening at the Museum of Science. Read more and order tickets at the LTAF site.

Needham and Newton Unite
On Monday, April 30th, Spring Seasonings: Tastes of Our Neighborhoods is being held at the Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, 5:30-8:00pm. Honorary Event chairman Roger Berkowitz of Legal Sea Foods has marshaled together 40 fellow restaurateurs and chefs from Newton and Needham to participate, including not only Legals, but also Spiga, B Street, Petit Robert Needham, Bokx 109, the Center Café and Tu y Yo. Chestnut Hill’s Urban Grape will be supplying beverages. Tickets run $30 apiece. More…

Photo: Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com/Flickr

LOCAL BITES

Share Your Strength: Help End Hunger
Taste of the Nation Boston kicks off next Thursday, April 19, at 7pm at Hynes Convention Center! This is a fundraising event for Share Our Strength and its nation-wide campaign to end childhood hunger in America. The evening will feature over 70 of Boston’s great restaurants, 30 wineries, specialty cocktails, a silent auction and live entertainment. (Read the local backstory on SOS from PRK: Why Cooking Matters).

A Premeditated Riot
Wine Riot Boston is returning to the Hub next weekend. Beginning Friday, April 20, 7-11pm at the Park Plaza Hotel, you can work your way through 250 wines from all over the world – tasting, pairing, app’ing (is that a word?), getting educated and interacting in booths (no joke, that’s what they’re sayin’). Read more about this planned Riot, and buy tickets online.

Get Reel, Whole Foods
This month Whole Foods Market launches its “Do Something Reel” film festival — a series of “provocative” documentaries about food and environmental issues. First in line is “The Apple Pushers” (immigrant entrepreneurs / urban food deserts) which will be shown on April 22 in various theaters around the US. A live panel discussion will stream afterwards from Austin, TX. Click here for info on the Boston screening.

Drumlin Farm and…Chocolate
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln is hosting an “Evening of Chocolate” on April 27, led by Drumlin Farm’s Tia Pinney and Walter Plante, co-founder of New Leaf Chocolates (and blogger behind Koko Buzz, featured here at PRK). Knowledgeable and passionate, Plante will share where cacao is grown, how chocolate is made, how to care for it and factors that influence its flavor and texture. Registration required. More…