Food & Drink in Northbridge

Wine remains a mystery to so many of us.  Every time we walk into a wine store or peruse a wine list at a restaurant we're faced with a daunting task.  What are we going to choose?  What goes with what we're eating?  What is perfect to just watch TV with?  These are the pressing questions, especially as the weather gets colder and we start looking for big reds to pair with our stews and perfectly drinkable wines to ignore the snowstorms outside with.   If you are in this predicament- I have a solution for you. Each  Saturday and Sunday the City Wine Tours offers walking tours of Cambridge's Harvard Square, as well as the North End, the South End and the Back Bay of Boston.  Each tour stops at three different, unique restaurants and sample two different wines at each, all accompanying the libation with small bites to nosh on.  Of course, that isn't all you get- the real beauty here, beyond an afternoon of eating and drinking great wines, is a knowledgable guide who mixes an abundance of educational wine tips and information with tidbits of knowledge about the area in which you are walking.  All this is done in a fun and informal way to create a stress free experience. I had the opportunity to join a tour of the South End recently and was really excited start to finish.  We began our tour at Gaslight on Harrison Avenue, kicked things off with a bit of sparkling wine, and a white burgundy (my favorite) and learned the unique processes used in the creation of both.  Tour leader John Fiola kept us entertained with leading a discussion on the proper way to open champagne and the different regions of French wine.  We traveled next to CinqueCento also on Harrison Ave and dove into Italian wines and the different laws which rule them as opposed to French.  He also opened up a conversation here looking at how to order wine in a restaurant- invaluable knowledge.  Our final stop was Masa on Tremont Street, and as we meandered there, John took the opportunity to give us some insight into the South End, it's history and the major changes that have happened there over the past few years.  Masa, with its SouthWestern cuisine concentrated their wine in South America as well as California, and offered up a crisp white and full bodied red.  Here we looked at the unique processes of "New World" wines as well as how to properly open a screw top wine bottle.  John also let us in on the how the non corked wines came to be and why. The tour lasted just a little over two hours, but seemed to speed by much faster.  The knowledge that was transferred throughout the process kept us on track and provided a great elementary education without overwhelming us with too much detail.  CIty Wine Tours is offering a unique way to spend a weekend afternoon while combining a little education with glasses of truly great wine.  This is a perfect way to learn a little more about the neighborhoods of Boston and wine. CIty Wine Tours offers tours every Saturday and Sunday at each of the different locations.  Gift Certificates are available, and, hint hint, would make a fabulous holiday gift.  They do offer some coupons and sales- check http://www.citywinetours.com for details.

Save for Love Story, movies that paint Boston in a romantic light are few and far between. It's a stunning notion, considering the city's Georgian architecture, cobblestone streets and intimate eateries. From the artistically presented French cuisine at L'Espalier to the cozy ambiance and shared tapas at Dali, you can literally taste the romance in this town. Inman Square: Farm-Fresh Fare by a Cozy Fireplace  Bondir | 279 Broadway, Suite A Chef Jason Bond’s sustainable approach to seasonal farm-style fare helped Bondir earn a spot on Bon Appétit’s list of the best new restaurants of 2011. And while housemade breads and a daily changing menu are sure to impress a date, it’s the crackling fireplace and endless supply of wine that really kindles the romance. Inman Square: James Beard–Nominated Turkish Restaurant Oleana | 134 Hampshire Street If the weather permits, you’ll want to snag a spot on the patio at this Turkish oasis, where a trickling fountain and a live fig tree forms an exotic backdrop for a James Beard–nominated menu. While carnivores dive into pork belly or Moroccan fluke, vegetarians can enjoy the popular tasting menu. North End: Seasonal Italian in a Victorian Row Home Mamma Maria | 3 North Square Perched on a small hill, this 19th-century structure’s floor-to-ceiling windows reveal gorgeous views of the historic North Square. If that’s not romantic enough, the chefs source their seasonal ingredients solely from New England farms and purveyors, meaning everything—from the carpaccio to the osso buco—is crafted in homage to the area. Multiple Locations: Ode to the Seasons Ten Tables This ultra-cozy spot really has just 10 tables. Luckily, one of those is the chef’s table, which grants glimpses of culinary masters in action as they honor the season with ingredients from Boston-area farms, such as littleneck clams from Woodbury Shellfish or roasted root vegetables from Allandale Farm. Even the cocktails include local fruits, which are puréed in house. Back Bay: Upscale New French Dining L'Espalier | 774 Boylston Street Head to “The Library”—one of L’Espalier’s four dining rooms—for a tranquil and intimate meal. Amid the dim lighting and shelves of books, you’ll find sophisticated yet accessible French cuisine crafted from local ingredients and served with a bit of flair. Try the rib eye for two, carved tableside and paired with mushroom ragout. Wellington/Harrington: Southern Comfort Food Turns Upscale Hungry Mother | 233 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue A 2013 James Beard nominee, Chef Barry Maiden marries classic French culinary techniques with traditional Southern recipes. The result? Wagyu beef tongue, crayfish and grits, and spring lamb meat pies with saffron aioli—each born from a foundation of New England ingredients. End the meal with a shareable slice of buttermilk chess pie. Beacon Hill: Modern Italian in a Subterranean Setting Grotto | 37 Bowdoin Street Situated in the basement of a Beacon Hill brownstone, this softly lit date-night hot spot features contemporary Italian cuisine infused with local undertones. Cherry-pick items from the three-course prix fixe menu, such as garlic and black-truffle soup, grilled beef tenderloin in a red-wine sauce, and panna cotta for dessert. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always order the eatery’s simple signature: spaghetti and meatballs. Area IV: Lavender-Honey Duck for Two Salts | 798 Main Street What’s more romantic than a bistro run by a husband and wife? Perhaps that husband and wife’s most popular dish: a whole roasted boneless duck kissed with a lavender-honey glaze for two. Order the meal in advance, and enjoy it with one of their carefully selected small-production wines from France, Spain, or Uruguay. Ward Two: Intimate Spanish Tapas Dali Restaurant & Tapas Bar | 415 Washington Street Flickering candlelight illuminates colorful Spanish decor and low tin ceilings at Dali, but there are plenty of dark corners for canoodling. Each small plate of baked goat cheese, cured Spanish ham, and saffron-battered shrimp is meant to be shared and enjoyed with housemade sangria. Beacon Hill: James Beard Award-Winning Wine Program No. 9 Park | 9 Park Street Win over your beloved via Chef Barbara Lynch’s seven-course tasting menu, three-course prix fixe menu, or à la carte dishes. Whichever you choose, you’ll encounter elegant Italian- and French-inspired cuisine made from local ingredients, from prune-stuffed gnocchi to berkshire pork loin. As for the wine, the James Beard Foundation approves of the sommelier’s small-batch European picks.

In an era of hip eateries with a focus on craft cocktails, celebrity chefs and complex, locally foraged dishes, there’s something so comforting about eating at a classic diner. Hopefully, there’s a neon sign outside, although it doesn’t have to work, and the worn-out banquettes and counter stools are never so full you can’t find a place to eat. At the very least, breakfast should be served all day, portions should be hearty and coffee should be refilled without having to ask. One of Boston’s standout spots is Mike’s City Diner in the South End, which has been serving up homemade food for almost two decades. Giant portions, daily lunch specials and a very friendly vibe make this a local favorite, but has also drawn the attention of former President Bill Clinton, professional athletes and the occasional visiting celebrities. Out-of-towners aside, plenty of locals will tell you that Mike’s serves the best hash in the city. Although a rarity in Boston, The South Street Diner is open all night, and the giant coffee cup sign atop the building is a beacon for late night revelers looking for a place to land after dancing and drinking. The diner special, with three eggs, two pancakes or French toast, home fries and bacon is a bargain at $12, as is the $20 carafe of mimosas. Service can be brusque, but food comes fast, which is a good thing for many late-night eaters needing to soak up their experiences. Plus, the quick pace means you won’t have to wait in line long for a table. Two more Boston diners worth checking out are Victoria’s Diner, on Massachusetts Avenue, and Mul’s Diner, in South Boston. Mul’s is the sort of chummy local spot where everyone seems to know each other – Southie is that kind of neighborhood – while Victoria’s puts you elbow to elbow with people you just can’t wait to meet. With a friendly atmosphere and round-the-clock weekend service, Victoria’s is the absolute representation of a classic Boston diner, from the plate of eggs on down. But really, with quality, quantity and service like this, any one of these diners can be a great respite for tired and hungry locals, or out-of-towners looking for a simple bite to eat.