Monthly Archives

January 2011

BOSTON, ENTERTAINING, RECIPES

Cocktail Club: Spiked Sparkling Cider

Spiked Sparkling Cider, Mood Lighting Optional!

Thanks to my lovely roommate and her friends, I’ve been inducted into a cocktail club.  Each month, a group of ladies get together at someone’s home to try a unique drink paired with a delicious nibble.  The best part? The host takes care of the food/drink, allowing the guests to relax.  How often are you a guest at someone’s home and are told to bring nothing, except for your delightful self?

A recent cocktail club introduced me to a delicious new drink that’s a play on sparkling cider.  Ripped from the pages of Real Simple Magazine, this drink pairs my love of prosecco with two very unexpected ingredients – apple juice and goldschlager.  Sure, you could purchase store-bought cider and add alcohol to it, but this drink feels and tastes slightly more sophisticated.  From the fizzy prosecco, to the not too sweet combination of apple juice and goldschlager, this cinnamon scented cider has become a go-to winter cocktail in my apartment.

For a cocktail club or dinner party occasion, serve with roasted pork tenderloin, green beans and a mushroom risotto.

Spiked Sparkling Cider – Serves 20

4 bottles chilled Prosecco
6 cups chilled Apple Juice
3/4 cup Goldschlager

Mix, clink glasses with your friends and enjoy!

For more of my recipes, click here.

BOSTON, EVENTS, FASHION

Thursday, January 27: Boldfacers Stylemakers Pop-Up at the W Boston Hotel

Boldfacers Stylemakers Pop-Up

Ever wanted to raid the closets of Boston’s most stylish women?  On Thursday, January 27, make that fantasy a reality at the Boldfacers Stylemakers Pop-Up store at the W Boston Hotel.  Featuring stylish garments from local trendsetters, the event starts with a VIP Reception with the Stylemakers from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.(tickets $25), then the main shopping soiree starts at 7:00 p.m. (tickets $10).  Fabulous fashionistas participating include Channel 7’s Frances Rivera, Kiss 108’s Lisa Donovan, Boston Magazine’s Alex Hall, and more.

The W Boston Hotel is located at 100 Stuart Street.  For more details, visit www.boldfacers.com.

RECIPES

Home Cookin’: Parmesan-Dijon Lentils with Veggies

Parmesan-Dijon Lentils with Veggies

My workweek meals must be simple, healthy and fast.  I’m always on the go, so whipping up a quick, yet flavorful dinner is a must.  Plus, any chance to add extra veggies and protein into my diet is a big bonus.

While lentils take awhile to cook, the rest of the ingredients in this dish make it a snap to prepare.  You’ll need the following items:

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BOSTON, EVENTS

Monday, January 17: Free Open House at the MFA

MFA Art of the Americas Wing Interior

Ah, long weekends.  I don’t know about you, but I cherish that extra day off and always look to enjoy it properly by doing something special.  This long weekend, I’m envisioning catching up with friends while soaking up a little culture.  Lucky for us Bostonians, on Monday, January 17, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is openings its doors to the public for free in honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Made possible courtesy of the Citizens Bank Foundation, the MFA’s free open house runs from 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. and is an excellent opportunity to check out the museum’s new Art of the Americas wing.  As if the new wing and free admission weren’t incentive enough, the MFA has also organized a variety of special programs that celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., including concerts from musicians at The Berklee College of Music and interactive art activities.

Much better than spending your day in an office, right?

The Museum of Fine Arts is located along the Avenue of the Arts at 465 Huntington Avenue in Boston.  For more information, please visit the MFA’s website: http://www.mfa.org/

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Closed! Three Hotspots I’m Missing in 2011

Rocca by SoWa Sundays from Flickr

As I look forward to many nights on the town in 2011, I can help but feel a twinge of sadness that three of my go-to hotspots – Rocca, Vox and Ginger Park – are no longer open.

Ginger Park closed in early December and according to the Boston.com blog Dishing, chef/owner Patricia Yeo is reportedly scouting out another space for a new restaurant concept in May.  What I’ll remember is the incredibly cool space framed by arched wood panels, fantastic drinks and a chill bar scene.

Following a New Year’s Eve dinner, Rocca surprised local foodies by closing its doors.  Adding to the buzz was whether the restaurant’s celebrity chef Tiffani Faison may be interested in opening her own place.  We can only hope that a fun new restaurant concept takes its place, because I’ll remember Rocca’s free parking lot, swanky interior and affordably priced menu for making it a great venue for meeting friends from all corners of the city for a workweek dinner.

Last, but certainly not least, Vox on Boylston Street has also closed.  Unfortunately, googling has not generated much background as to why the fun nightspot closed, but we can only hope that its prime Back Bay real estate will result in another fun bar/restaurant before we know it.  I’ll remember many lively happy hours and nights out on the town!

Got any scoop about soon-to-be restaurants and hotspots filling these venues? Leave a comment below and let me know!