Chihuly: Through The Looking Glass

The stunning, floor to ceiling, Dale Chihuly work entitled: Lime Green Icicle Tower at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Sometimes you get invited to a food event and you get a gift bag, the chance to meet someone famous or ... a sneak peek inside a yet-unopened art exhibit of one of your favorite modern artists. Well, that's what happened to us this week.


Dale Chihuly: Through The Looking Glass opens April 10 at the MFA's Art Of The Americas wing but we've got a little preview for you.


The crates were literally still being unpacked for the installation, which, we are sure, is going to be the major attraction for art lovers in Boston this summer.


Chihuly is perhaps the world's most preeminent glass artist. Based in Seattle, his works are are exhibited all over the globe. Many people are most familiar with his work that graces the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Yes, it's that Dale Chihuly.





Looks like Fourth of July fireworks over the Esplanade to me.


In addition to the Chilhuly advance peek, we were also invited into the new Art Of The Americas wing to roam the exhibits. If you have not been yet then you definitely need to add it to your weekend agenda. If you are visiting Boston this spring or summer this should be on your must see list of things to do. Featured works include such iconic images as the portrait of George Washington which was used as the basis for the very American dollar bill that is in your wallet right now. Don't miss it.






Museum Of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: 617.267.9300

For those of you who are big fans (like me) and would like to actually meet the artist have we got the offer for you! Next week the Melanoma Foundation of New England is hosted a reception in honor of Dale Chihuly where the artist will do meets and book signings. Ticketes were originally $250 but now TBF readers can attend for a $100 donation. Simply call the number below and mention that you read about it in The Boston Foodie. Here are the details.

WHERE: Fairmont Battery Wharf
Three Battery Wharf
Boston, MA 02109

WHEN: Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
VIP Reception: 6:00pm – 6:30pm
General Reception: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

COST: VIP Reception: $500 donation
General Reception: $100 donation (minimum)

HOW: To reserve tickets, kindly contact The Melanoma Foundation
of New England at: (800) 557-6352

Future Chefs

In the incredibly busy work space at Quincy High School, Patrick Noe takes a moment to chat with TBF. Maybe you should join us on April 9 and meet up with the next generation.

Spoonful of Ginger 2011 At The MFA

A Spoonful Of Ginger was the place to be on Monday night as patrons of the Joslin Diabetes Center gathered to support the Asian American Diabetes Initiative. Did you know that Asian Americans are fifty per cent more likely to develop diabetes? Set against the stunning backdrop of the MFA's new Art Of The Americas wing, it featured great food served by celebrity chefs and a really fun crowd of friendly people. It was also a chance to preview the work of famed glass artist Dale Chihuly, who will open a new exhibit on April 10. Chihuly Through The Looking Glass was literally still being unpacked during the event. We'll have a sneak peek tomorrow. Meanwhile, check out that soaring Chihuly sculpture, "Lime Green Icicle Tower", in the background for an idea of the incredible scale. Now onto the food!


The Lamb Tamalito (a mini Green Tamale of Braised Lamb) by José Duarte of Taranta was the talk of the event. Huge hit.


The Myers + Chang Team: our good friend Bob Botchie, Joanne and Lee. It was a big day for Chang, who not only was an award recipient at the event but also announced she will be writing a second Cookbook. Flour Power!


Myers + Chang prepared a Thai Ginger Chicken Salad.


Christian and I enjoying a glass of wine as we surveyed the massive space filled with food tables inside the new Art Of The Americas wing.


Aside from providing us with plenty of laughs, Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger prepared a Gingered Sweet Potato Soup with Mushroom Duxelle on a Sesame Cracker. It was clearly one of the hits of the night.


Peking Duck from Chinatown Cafe.


MEM Tea Imports was on hand for some refreshing tea that paired very well with many of the dishes.


Ginger Pineapple Pavlova with Basil Simple Syrup from Bravo at the MFA. This went very well with the Oolong MEM Tea from Gilbert Tsang.


Team Jasper White from Summer Shack.


Jasper White's triple treat: South African Pickled Mahi-Mahi, Scungilli Salad, Coconut Maine Shrimp Ceviche


Cedar Roasted Salmon, Sweet Pea and Heirloom Carrot Salad with Lemon Confit from Longwood Events.


Malabar Pepper Prawns With Spinach Basmati Rice.


Pavlova With Lemon Ginger Mousse and Blueberries. Fantastic combination from Flour Bakeries.


With the gang from Bishoff PR. Congrats to Sarah (in black), who is heading off to London next month for the Royal Wedding!


Another fantastic food night in Boston.

For more information visit: AADI

Cooking At The BCAE

Jenny Johnson of NECN's TV Diner and Chef Charles Draghi of Erbaluce.

We were recently asked to a taping of TV Diner at BCAE, where, in their impressive kitchens they invite local Chefs to come in and prepare a dish with Executive Producer Jenny Johnson. We've attended several before and it is always a fun, delicious day.


Chef Draghi prepared a Fritatta using fresh, local herbs and never any butter. The result was mouth-watering, as you can see in this photo.


Next up was Chef Todd Winer of Met Back Bay who prepared a creamy corn dish with truffles.


Truffled Indian Corn with Couscous and (even more)Truffles. Jenny joked that she had eaten an entire bowl of it just the night before and still wanted more. We could see why. This may have been our favorite dish.


We were all surprised when the ever-colorful Chef Lydia Shire walked in to greet us. What a great line-up we had!


Anyone who has ever seen a Lydia Shire food demo knows that it is not complete without one of her quirky dinner setting creations.


Lydia prepared a skirt steak using what she called: "Maximum salt and pepper." She sang the praises of Kerrygold butter and Maldon salt, two of the quality ingredients used.


The steak was topped with another dollop of that delicious butter.


Chef Rodney Murillo of Davio's had just flown in from Atlanta and rushed over to the BCAE. I never knew that Davio's has locations in both Atlanta and Philadelphia. He had Jenny opening clams in no time.


Chef Murillo prepared two dishes: stuffed clams and a clam ceviche using the juice of blood oranges. Fantastic! Chef Murillo predicts a trend toward less fried shellfish and more dishes like this and oysters marinated in champagne.


Chef Lydia Shire of Scampo and Towne with TBF.

We absolutely could not resist having our photos taken with Lydia!


Lydia Shire and Christian Sann of SCVNGR in Cambridge.

The Boston Center for Adult Education offers cooking classes at all levels, for all ages and encompass every possible cuisine, making it easy for everyone to join a favorite Boston celebrity chef for time in the kitchen.

Brugal Rum Tasting

With Catherine Stanton Schiff of Brugal Rum.

I love it when the classics are suddenly en vogue again, even with a new twist. The classic cocktail and all of the accoutrement that goes with the preparation has grown exceedingly popular over the past few years. With the growth of pubs and taverns, today mixologists are often better known than the chefs at food establishments. I think the reason is simple: there is nothing that beats quality, in both the ingredients and everything else used to mix the cocktail.


We recently joined a number of other cocktail aficionados at The Boston Shaker to take a few sips of some great drinks featuring Brugal Rum, the number one rum in the Caribbean and the only 100% Dominican rum, begun in 1888 by Don Andres Brugal and still run by the family.


We tried tasting cocktails prepared with the Brugal Rum Blanco Especial and Brugal Rum Anejo.


The " Monotonic" was made with the Anejo along with Angostura Bitters, an Orange wheel, Tonic and Lime Zest. Our favorite, however, was the "Maria Pickford", a new take on the classic drink the "Mary Pickford."

Maria Pickford
1 oz Brugal Blanco Especial Rum
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 tsp Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 tsp Grenadine
Cherry

Refreshing and light, this just might be our new warm weather mix.



Kickass Cupcakes provided some sweet treats. Their mojito cupcake (my favorite) now uses Brugal Rum exclusively.


Adam Lantheume, pictured here with Catherine, and The Boston Shaker in Davis Square hosted the Brugal Rum tasting.

The Boston Shaker
69 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144-2746
Telephone: 617.718.2999

The Agenda March 28

Our Agenda for the week of March 28 is full and we hope you will be able to join us at some of these spectacular events starting with A Spoonful Of Ginger, which will be THE place to be on Monday evening. For more information, contact Joslin Development at 617.309.2531


On Thursday an elegant reception for LifeSavor kicks off at the Langham, where 900 of Boston's business executives, philanthropists and civic leaders will mingle at a cocktail reception while enjoying sumptuous appetizers and signature martinis compliments of GREY GOOSE Vodka. Other activities will include bidding on one-of-a-kind experiences, vacation getaways, sports packages featured in the silent auction, and popping a festive balloon for the surprise inside, all to benefit Community Servings.

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time: 5:30pm - 11pm
Location: Langham, Boston - 250 Franklin Street, Boston
Ticket prices: Cocktail Reception - $200; Cocktail Reception and Multi-Course Dinner at Bond Restaurant- $300. Tickets may be purchased here.


Join us for an evening of food and drink featuring the area's finest chefs and restaurants, mixologists, local wines, hand-crafted beers and spirits, and sweet treats. With the swinging sounds of the Winiker Orchestra setting the mood, Cooking for a Cause will be an unforgettable evening to benefit the programs and services East End House provides to the community.

Tickets for this year's event are $125. Click here to purchase yours online, or call 617-876-4444.

Date: Friday, April 1st, 2011 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: Seaport Hotel
One Seaport Lane Plaza Ballroom
Boston, MA



We'll also be visiting what we hear are the very cool offices of SCVNGR, and see how restaurants and food shops are using the popular location-based gaming app to increase traffic and repeat business. It's going to be another busy week!

Finding Your Own Spring

It is Spring, right? Hard to figure when it is still twenty something degrees out on those early morning runs. Well, when the weather doesn't cooperate there is always the kitchen, or the specialty food shop.



To brighten up our cold weather weekend we are enjoying a few light, airy colorful macarons with a cup of chai. For some reason macarons just make us think Spring and that chai sure warms one up.