Thursday, May 1

Latin & Jazz Nights at The Fireplace
Just a tiny reminder: The Fireplace has live music on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Drop by on Wednesdays for a bite to eat from chef Jim Solomon’s spring menu and enjoy live jazz from bands like Gypsy Schaeffer or the Rob Mitzner Trio. If you’re feeling like some live Latin music might help you ease your way into the weekend, swing by on Thursdays when groups like Mangito, Cuban Jazz Project and Enclave take the stage. Call the Fireplace at 617.975.1900 for the full schedule or to make reservations.
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Tony Coturri Stops at Tomasso Trattoria
Winemaker Tony Coturri makes a pit stop in Southborough on Thursday, May 1st for a wine dinner with chef Justin Melnick at Tomasso Trattoria & Enoteca. Melnick will be putting together a five-course menu to complement bottles from the family-owned winery, which encompasses about 370 organic acres in Sonoma County, California. Dinner, which costs $80 per person, starts at 7:30pm. Call Tomasso at 508.481.8484 for reservations. If you can’t make dinner, swing by Panzano Provviste e Vino (Tomasso’s neighboring market and wine shop) around 5:00pm when Coturri will be hosting a free wine tasting.
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May Industry Night at Toro
Restaurant folk can take a moment to relax with their brothers and sisters in arms at Toro’s monthly industry night. On the first Thursday of the month (that's Thursday, May 1st), restaurant professionals can compare notes and share horror stories over complimentary passed tapas at Ken Oringer's South End spot from 11:00pm until 1:00am. So, take off your apron, order a glass of wine and let someone else clear the dishes. Call Toro at 617.536.4300 for more info.
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Friday, May 2

Cooking Gnocchi In the Kitchen at Rustic Kitchen
Host Alissa Bigelow demystifies gnocchi at Rustic Kitchen’s In the Kitchen cooking series in their Park Square location’s intimate Viking Studio demonstration kitchen. Bigelow will be recreating executive chef Tom Holloway’s signature gnocchi and classic Italian meat sauce every Friday night starting at 7:00pm. She’ll also be adding a Boston Bibb salad with shaved fennel, red onions, goat cheese, toasted pine nuts and blood orange vinaigrette and pairing both courses with Capestrano Montepulciano from Abruzzi - a medium bodied, fruity wine with hints cherry and spice. After the demo, guests will get to taste Bigelow’s handiwork. Front row seats for the demo cost $85 each – and can go fast since there are only 12 seats in the studio. Reserve your spot by calling 781.575.1533 or drop an email to kcafarelli@rustickitchen.biz.
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Taste of the North End Returns to the Aquarium
Eat with the fishes at the Taste of the North End, scheduled for Friday, May 2nd at the New England Aquarium. More than forty restaurants are signed on to serve up bite-sized versions of their signature dishes. Starting at 7:30pm, you can wend your way around the Aquarium’s central tank snagging samples from restaurants like Bricco, Carmen’s, Eclano, Il Panino, Lucca, Mare, Marco Restaurant, Mike’s Pastry, Modern Pastry, Taranta and Tresca. Once you’re ready for something sweet, you can head into an adjacent tent for dessert and dancing to live music from Double Vision. Tickets, priced at $95 each, are on sale now and can be purchased through the Taste of the North End website or by calling 617.367.2353. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care and the North End’s schools and recreation centers.
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Mix & Mingle at MFA's First Friday
Get on over to the Museum of Fine Arts on Friday, May 2nd for this month's First Friday, a modern day mixer for art enthusiasts and stylish socializers. Rest assured though, you won't be asked to spot the difference between a Monet and a Manet, you can just mingle – with old friends or new acquaintances – over a glass of wine or a cocktail in the Koch Gallery from 5:30-9:30pm. This month there’ll be music from the David Eure Latin Jazz Ensemble, and plenty of tapas-style nibbles from Bravo chef Jacqueline Kelly and MFA executive chef Sebastian Porto. First Friday admission is free with Museum admission, so kick off the month in high cultural style.
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Lure Launches Spring Wine Diner Series
Getting ready for an early season excursion to the Vineyard? Lure at the Winnetu Hotel is launching their 2008 Spring Wine Diner Series, so plan accordingly. Starting on Friday, May 2nd, the weekly series features wines from renowned wineries and importers as paired with chef Mark Goldberg’s farm-to-table cuisine. The dinners, which cost $95 per person ($85 for guests of the hotel) get underway at 6:30pm with an hors d'oeuvres and aperitif reception followed by a four-course dinner. Special well-versed guests from the wineries or distributors will be on hand to introduce the wine and answer any questions. Space has been limited to create an intimate and attentive feel and reservations are required. Save your place by calling 508.627.3663.

Friday, May 2nd - Boisset Family Estates
Explore the best of Burgundy & Bordeaux as chef Goldberg matches local cuisine to J. Moreau Chablis, Bouchard Macon-Villages, the highly acclaimed Jean-Claude Boisset Gevrey Chambertin, Domaine de La Vougeraire Pommard and Louis Boillot Rose Brut. Kate Cassidy explains how these are still great values and incredible wines from some of France's best.
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Aujourd'hui's Friday Night Bubbly Bar
Toast the arrival of the weekend with a glass of champagne at Aujourd’hui's Friday Night Bubbly Bar. Swing by the Four Seasons after work on Friday evenings (from 5:30-7:00pm) and raise a glass of something sparkling – sommelier Brick Loomis will be highlighting some of his favorites at $10 per glass. Chef William Kovel will be sending out complimentary nibbles or, if you’re looking for something a little more substantial, you can order a bite from the bar menu. Call Aujourd’hui at 617.351.2037 for more info.
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Saturday, May 3

Springtime Fireside Chats at The Fireplace
School is in session at The Fireplace every other Saturday afternoon when chef-owner Jim Solomon welcomes a whole new batch of food and wine experts to share their knowledge at his informal and informative Fireside Chats. Check the schedule below and reserve your spot by the fireplace to hear from brewers, vintners and specialty foods purveyors and producers. The afternoon sessions run from 3:00-4:15pm and cost around $25 each (though prices may vary). Call The Fireplace at 617.975.1900 for more information or to reserve your spot at any of the following:
Saturday, May 3rd - Tequilla
Saturday, May 17th - Mixing Martinis
Saturday, May 31st - Reisling/Guwerztraminer
Saturday, June 14th - New England Cheese
Saturday, June 28th - Cool Summer Cocktails
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Café Fleuri's Chocolate Bar Buffet
Quell your every cocoa craving at Café Fleuri’s famously decadent Saturday afternoon Chocolate Bar. The nineteenth season of the exceedingly popular smörgåsbord of chocolaty goodness takes its cues from the four elements – with more than 125 chocolaty desserts inspired by air, fire, water and earth. Indulge with airy cotton candy, hot chocolate buñuelos, a dunk-your-own chocolate fountain and dark chocolate and orange crème brulée. Chocolate Bar, which is available every Saturday from 12:00-3:00pm, costs $35 per adult and $17.50 for children ages 5-12. For reservations, call Café Fleuri at 617.956.8751.
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Best of Charlestown & Beyond
Pulling together some of the neighborhood’s best restaurants for an evening of great food and fun, the eighth annual Best of Charlestown & Beyond is scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd. Pick up a pair of tickets ($40 in advance or $50 at the door) to enjoy samples from area restaurants including Family Kitchen, Figs, Ironside Grill, Navy Yard Bistro, Not Your Average Joe’s, Olives, Paolo’s Trattoria and Warren Tavern, among others. Proceeds from the tasting event, which runs from 7:00-11:00pm at the Hood Business Park, benefit the Harvest on Vine food pantry, Charlestown MissionSAFE, homeless programs in Boston as well as and other community outreach. Buy your tickets online through TicketWeb or drop an email to contactcyac@gmail.com with any questions.
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Rosés are All the Rage at Rialto Wine Class
Sommelier Kelly Coggins revisits some of his favorite rosés in his upcoming Rialto wine class, scheduled for Saturday, May 3rd. Sign on to get an education in the virtues of this much maligned wine – Coggins will be pouring and pairing still and sparkling bottles from Spain, France, Italy and the United States. Class, which runs from 1:00-2:30pm, costs $48 per person which covers wines, a seasonal antipasti buffet created by Jody Adams and her team as well as tax and gratuity. Call Rialto at 617.661.5050 to reserve your spot or for more information.
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Sunday, May 4

Collaborative Dinners from a Culinary Couple
Chefs de cuisine Carolyn Johnson and Bill Flumerfelt team up for Your Place & Mine, two collaborative evenings of cooking at their respective restaurants, Rialto and Icarus. On Sunday, April 13th, the dynamic duo, who met in the cozy confines of the Icarus kitchen eight years ago, take over the Rialto kitchen for a three-course dinner full of their own personal touches and plenty of seasonal New England ingredients. On Sunday, May 4th they cross the river and set up in the Icarus kitchen for another three-course menu featuring their shared culinary efforts. Reserve your table for either dinner, both priced at $40 per person, by calling the restaurant directly – Rialto at 617.661.5050 or Icarus at 617.426.1790.
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Rocca's Spring Sunday Supper Schedule
Already a favorite among South Enders (not to mention Esquire, which named it one of 2007 best new restaurants) Rocca adds to their allure with their super-affordable Sunday Supper prix fixe. Available from 5:00-9:00pm, the weekly changing menus feature two courses and a sweet end-of-the-meal treat for just $22 per person. Check the upcoming schedule below, then scoot over to Harrison Avenue to enjoy chef Tom Fosnot's Ligurian specialties. Call Rocca at 617.451.5151 for reservations or more information.

Sunday, May 4th - Early spring vegetable salad with grilled ramps, polenta and preserved lemon vinaigrette; and grilled Atlantic salmon with mint-orange gremolata, fiddleheads and wild mushrooms.

Sunday, May 11th - Grilled pizzetta with tomatoes, spring herbs, aged provolone and speck; and crispy soft shell crab with warm fingerling potato salad and lemon-caper aioli.
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Red Phesant Fundrasier for Local Conservation
On Sunday, May 4th, the Dennis Conservation Trust gets some support from the folks at the Red Pheasant Inn - chef Bill Atwood will be hosting a special wine dinner in honor of the Trust’s twentieth anniversary. Atwood and his team will be putting together a four-course menu full of spring dishes made from as many organic and local ingredients as they can get their hands on. Dinner, which gets underway at 5:30pm, costs $125 per person. Proceeds benefit the Dennis Conservation Trust and support their mission to preserve open space within the town of Dennis, Massachusetts. For more information or to reserve your spot, call the Red Pheasant at 508.385.2133.
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Sunday Market Menu at Beacon Hill Bistro
Spring is finally here, which means farmers markets will be popping up all over town flush with local produce – chef Jason Bond makes the most of farm fresh goodness on the Beacon Hill Bistro’s Sunday Evening Market Menu. The three-course prix fixe, priced at $40 per person, will feature primarily vegetarian courses with the occasional egg or fish element thrown in for good measure (and a little protein). The menu is expected to change on a weekly basis depending on what’s available. You might expect courses like baby carrots glazed with walnuts, pain d'epice and light amber maple syrup; braised fresh artichokes with green garlic, fava leaves, la ratte potato puree, and sevruga caviar; and short cake with rhubarb and angelica, strawberry sorbet and candied fennel. To enjoy the Market Menu at Beacon Hill Bistro on any Sunday night through the end of the summer, call 617.723.7575 and reserve a table.
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Sel de la Terre Launches Sourdough Sundays
Showing off their skills with bread baking, the team at Sel de la Terre Natick launches Sourdough Sundays, a seasonal a la carte menu showcasing their award-winning breads. The weekly changing menu, available in addition to the traditional menu on Sunday nights from 4:00-10:00pm, will highlight sourdough in offerings like panzanella salad made with crusty sourdough, ripe tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, cucumber, red onion, capers, and basil; or oven roasted free range chicken with andouille, sage and country sourdough stuffing. Reserve your table – at the Natick location only – by calling 508.650.1800.
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Retro Sunday Menu at KO Prime
Chef Jamie Bissonnette rounds up all the classic steakhouse dishes and gives them a KO Prime-appropriate update for his Retro Sunday menu. Expect traditional renditions of old school favorites like oysters Rockefeller and shrimp cocktail, as well as refreshed versions of chicken Cordon Bleu (with jambon, gruyere and trumpet mushrooms) and trout almondine (with Marcona almonds, haricots verts and parsley puree). The a la carte menu is available every Sunday night and will change on a regular basis – though the all-you-can-eat prime rib roast will be a staple on the menu week in and week out. Call KO Prime 617.772.0202 for reservations.
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Californian Sunday Suppers at The Met Club
Chef Todd Winer gives slow-starting spring weather an infusion of Californian flavor with his sunny Sunday Supper menu at The Metropolitan Club. Available from 5:00-10:00pm every Sunday night, the three-course family-style menu channels the Golden State through courses like the S.F. Cobb salad with egg, bacon, iceberg lettuce, sprouts, avocado, shaved artichoke and vin santo dressing; Sonoma rabbit Milanese with sweet pea risotto and morel brown butter; and sourdough berry trifle with muscato custard and toasted almond. The Sunday Supper menu costs $30 per person (kid-friendly portions, priced at $20 per young ‘un, are available for diners 12 and under) and can be paired with accompanying wine specials. Call the Metropolitan Club at 617.731.0600 for reservations or more information.
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Inaugural Jazz Sunday at Azure
Shake the blues and make way for Jazz Sundays at Azure at the Lenox Hotel. Starting on Sunday, May 4th, Sunday diners can stick around after their meal for live tunes from top notch musicians who’ll be taking the stage from 9:00pm until midnight. There are also plenty of comfy seats in the lounge where guests can relax over a cocktail or a snack from chef Robert Fathman’s small bites menu – try the infused cocktails made from Fathman’s own line of hand-infused spirits spiked with all-natural ingredients. For more information and reservations, call Azure at 617.933.4800.
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Monday, May 5

Ashmont Grill's Monday Night Wine Club
Chef-owner Chris Douglass and chef de cuisine Sam Putnam roll out their April Monday Night Wine Club schedule at Ashmont Grill. Take your pick from among the upcoming offerings and head out to Dorchester for one of the relaxed weekly gatherings, which have proven to be a popular way to explore new wines – and sample some nibbles from the menu. Wine Club, which starts at 6:30pm and costs $30 per person, almost always sells out so call 617.825.4300 to save your spot.
Monday, May 5th - Keith Mills from Esprit du Vin
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Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is Back
More than a hundred restaurants, bakeries, cafés, cupcakeries and chocolatiers in and around Boston will be whipping up special desserts to help the fight against cancer for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From Monday, May 5th through Sunday, May 11th, each establishment will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the designated dessert to breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – all you have to do is order and enjoy. This year’s event, the 9th annual, is in honor of Finale pastry chef Nicole Coady’s mother and grandmother who have both undergone successful treatment for breast cancer. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to the Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer website or just scroll down for some highlights.

33 Restaurant Aujourd'hui Aura at the Seaport The Beehive Blue Ginger Boarding House Bonfire Bristol Lounge Chez Henri Chiara Excelsior Finale The Fireplace Grill 23 & Bar Hamersley's Bistro

Harvest Il Capriccio Kingfish Hall Lucca Lumière The Metropolitan Club Oleana Olives Sasso Sibling Rivalry STIX Restaurant & Lounge Temple Bar Tomasso Trattoria Turner Fisheries Union Bar and Grille

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UpStairs on the Sq. Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
The ladies of UpStairs on the Square celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the Monday Club Bar. Swing by on Monday, May 5th for a live salsa band, dancing, margaritas and special south-of-the-border-inspired bites, including a $38 three-course prix fixe from chef Steven Brand. If you’re not up for dinner but down for dancing, there’s a $15 cover charge and lessons for the novice salsa dancers starting at 8:30pm. Call UpStairs on the Square at 617.864.1933 to get the whole scoop.
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Boston 2012 Dinner at No. 9 Park
Take a look into the city’s culinary future at No.9 Park’s Boston 2012 Dinner on Monday, May 5th. Chef-owner Barbara Lynch gives some up-and-comers a chance to shine on a collaborative seven-course tasting menu. The evening gets underway at 6:30pm with hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner at 7:15pm from Colin Lynch of No. 9 Park, Andres Grundy of Clio, Jonathan Nagar and Dan Scampoli of Craigie Street Bistrot, Kasey Piuma of Oleana, Yukihiro Kawaguchi of O Ya, and Leo Asaro and Kevin Walsh of Radius. Even the evening's wines will be selected by sommelier-in-training Kate Smith, assistant to The No. 9 Group Wine Director Cat Silirie. The dinner, which will be like a sneak preview of what’s in store for Boston’s restaurant scene, costs $175 per person not including tax or gratuity. Reservations may be made by phone 617.742.9991.
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Mi Casa Beecasa at The Beehive
The Beehive gets a Mexican make-over for Mi Casa Beecasa, the restaurant’s first annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Book a table on Monday, May 5th for live music from Mariachi Fantasia starting at 8:00pm and an assortment of festive specials from chef Rebecca Newell like crabmeat-stuffed jalapeno pepper with jicama cilantro slaw; picante chicken tamales with black beans and rice; or lime and tequila shrimp tacos with mizuna greens. The drinks – margaritas, sangria and the Donkey-jote shot made from a secret recipe – will be flowing. As is the way at The Beehive, there’s no cover but it's a cash bar. Dinner reservations are encouraged, so call 617.423.0069.
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Dollar Mondays at Red Rock Bistro
Looming recession or not, everyone likes a bargain - belly up to the bar at Red Rock Bistro on any upcoming Monday for one of the tastiest deals on the North Shore. Swing by anytime after 11:30am to enjoy harbor views and to snack on an assortment of yummy treats from chef Lee Fannon – oysters on the half shell, shrimp skewers, corn dogs and mini Angus burgers, all for just a buck apiece. Call Red Rock Bistro at 781.595.1414 to reserve your barstool or for the fastest route to Swampscott.
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Chef Showdown at Sibling Rivalry
The battle of the menus continues at Sibling Rivalry's weekly Fight Night. Sous chef Asia Mei goes head to head with chef David Kinkead in the weekly epicurean face-off. The showdown features dueling three-course menus built around the same basic ingredients. Pick your favorite and have at it for just $35 per person. Get in on the action every Monday night (the menu changes each week), just call Sibling Rivalry at 617.338.5338 to make reservations.
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South of the Border Bash at Bonfire
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Bonfire where chef Eben Leonard will have the in-house taqueria working double time churning out celebratory Mexican-inspired bites. From 5:00-8:00pm, Park Square revelers can sip on specialty margaritas and nibble on taco platters and freshly made guacamole and chips. For more information or reservations, call Bonfire at 617.426.2000.
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Cinco de Mayo Festivities at Excelsior
Swing by Excelsior on Monday, May 5th for a $5 fiesta in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Chef Eric Brennan and his staff are loading up the bar menu with Mexican-inflected dishes – Baja fish tacos with chipotle crema; smoked duck quesadillas; and pulled Kurobuta pork nachos with Grafton cheddar and pickled red onion – each priced at $5 apiece. Pair your bar snacks with specialty cocktails like the Ay Carumba (tequila and grapefruit juice) the Blue Mai Tai (Bacardi light and dark rums, Blue Curacao and fresh fruit juices) or a classic margarita – also priced at the magical $5 mark. The fun starts promptly at 5:00pm. For more info, call Excelsior at 617.426.7878.
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May Wine Mondays at L'Espalier
Enjoy a relaxed Monday night meal at L'Espalier, when sommelier Erik Johnson has a little fun at his popular weekly series, Wine Mondays. With themes ranging from classical to unconventional, Johnson and chefs Frank McClelland and James Hackney pair a seasonal four-course menu with an assortment of wines from L’Espalier’s impressive list. Wine Mondays start promptly at 7:00pm and cost $60 per person. Reservations are required, so call 617.262.3023 to save your spot at any of the upcoming gatherings.
Monday, May 5th - California Dreamin'
Monday, May 12th - Groovy Grapes
Monday, May 19th - White Nights
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Etude Wine Dinner at Lucca
On Monday, May 5th, chef David Ross pairs four courses of his Italian cuisine with the Napa Valley’s Etude Wines. Reserve a table at the North End's Lucca to indulge in courses like San Daniele prosciutto with soft mozzarella extra virgin olive oil and a homemade sea-salted breadstick; sushi grade tuna with fried garlic and capers, baby micro greens, radish and a kalamansi lime emulsion; and duck over a wild mushroom risotto with bitter greens. Dinner, which starts at 6:00pm, costs $99 per person including tax and gratuity. To book your table, call 617.742.9200 and speak with Tania.
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Tour de France Dinner Series at Sel de la Terre
If you’d rather eat your way through the regions of France than cycle your way through, Sel de la Terre Natick’s Tour de France Dinner Series is right up your alley. Every other Monday, executive chef Geoff Gardner rolls out a four-course menu paired with wines in tribute to a different region. Chef and world traveler Ian Grossman hosts the get togethers which start at 7:00pm and cost $45 per person. Check the schedule below, pick your region and make your reservations by calling 508.650.1800.
Monday, May 5th - Savoie
Monday, May 19th - Lyonnais
Monday, June 2nd - Franche
Monday, June 16th - Bourgogne
Monday, June 30th - Champagne
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Tuesday, May 6

Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is Back
More than a hundred restaurants, bakeries, cafés, cupcakeries and chocolatiers in and around Boston will be whipping up special desserts to help the fight against cancer for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From Monday, May 5th through Sunday, May 11th, each establishment will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the designated dessert to breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – all you have to do is order and enjoy. This year’s event, the 9th annual, is in honor of Finale pastry chef Nicole Coady’s mother and grandmother who have both undergone successful treatment for breast cancer. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to the Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer website or just scroll down for some highlights.

33 Restaurant Aujourd'hui Aura at the Seaport The Beehive Blue Ginger Boarding House Bonfire Bristol Lounge Chez Henri Chiara Excelsior Finale The Fireplace Grill 23 & Bar Hamersley's Bistro

Harvest Il Capriccio Kingfish Hall Lucca Lumière The Metropolitan Club Oleana Olives Sasso Sibling Rivalry STIX Restaurant & Lounge Temple Bar Tomasso Trattoria Turner Fisheries Union Bar and Grille

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Downtown Bistro's Weekly Neighborhood Night
Tuesdays are Neighborhood Night at Lynn’s Downtown Bistro, though you don’t have to be from the City of Sin to take advantage of this mid-week deal. Drop by after 5:00pm for a $12 special entrée from chef David Fitzgerald’s menu of eclectic American bistro fare or, if you’re up for three courses, order the prix fixe menu and enjoy the aforementioned special entrée between salad and dessert courses for just $20. Book your table at the Downtown Bistro by calling 781.593.3111.
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Tokyo Tuesdays at Gargoyles on the Square
Grab a seat at the bar at Gargoyles on the Square on an upcoming Tuesday night to try chef Jason Santos’ Tokyo Tuesday bento box. The contents change on a weekly basis, but with Santos in the kitchen you know you’re in good hands – and besides, it’s part of the fun. The box, which costs $15, can be paired with a flight of sakes for another $10. Call Gargoyles on the Square for more information or just pop in next Tuesday and see if there’s space at the bar.
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dbar Hosts Show Tune Tuesdays
In the mood to belt out a few Broadway tunes? Show Tune Tuesdays at dbar should fit the bill. Head over to the Dorchester Ave. eatery for a bite from chef Chris Coombs’ eclectic menu then stick around to show off your lyrical repertoire. Starting at 9:00pm, VJ Piccini and R.D. Grow host a musical extravaganza, where choreographed dancing is encouraged. For more information, call 617.265.4490.
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Wine Tuesdays at Sel de la Terre Natick
Can’t make it into Boston for Sel de la Terre’s Wine Wednesday? Swing out to their new Natick spot for Wine Tuesdays to get a fresh introduction to rosés, some picnic-appropriate options or some bottles that pair especially well with chocolate. Scroll down to see the upcoming schedule then call Sel de la Terre Natick at 508.650.1800 to reserve your spot. Each evening’s agenda includes a four-course tasting rustic French menu from chef-owner Geoff Gardner and chef de cuisine Daniel Bojorquez, and accompanying wines inspired by changing seasons, wine regions or varietals. Wine Director Erik Johnson will be on hand to help guests polish their wine knowledge and pairing skills. Wine Tuesdays start at 7:00pm and cost $45 per person.
Wednesday, May 6th – French ABCs
Wednesday, May 13th - Wine and Chocolate
Wednesday, May 20th - Picnic Basket Goodies
Wednesday, May 27th - Rosé Colored Glasses
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Wednesday, May 7

Latin & Jazz Nights at The Fireplace
Just a tiny reminder: The Fireplace has live music on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Drop by on Wednesdays for a bite to eat from chef Jim Solomon’s spring menu and enjoy live jazz from bands like Gypsy Schaeffer or the Rob Mitzner Trio. If you’re feeling like some live Latin music might help you ease your way into the weekend, swing by on Thursdays when groups like Mangito, Cuban Jazz Project and Enclave take the stage. Call the Fireplace at 617.975.1900 for the full schedule or to make reservations.
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Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is Back
More than a hundred restaurants, bakeries, cafés, cupcakeries and chocolatiers in and around Boston will be whipping up special desserts to help the fight against cancer for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From Monday, May 5th through Sunday, May 11th, each establishment will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the designated dessert to breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – all you have to do is order and enjoy. This year’s event, the 9th annual, is in honor of Finale pastry chef Nicole Coady’s mother and grandmother who have both undergone successful treatment for breast cancer. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to the Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer website or just scroll down for some highlights.

33 Restaurant Aujourd'hui Aura at the Seaport The Beehive Blue Ginger Boarding House Bonfire Bristol Lounge Chez Henri Chiara Excelsior Finale The Fireplace Grill 23 & Bar Hamersley's Bistro

Harvest Il Capriccio Kingfish Hall Lucca Lumière The Metropolitan Club Oleana Olives Sasso Sibling Rivalry STIX Restaurant & Lounge Temple Bar Tomasso Trattoria Turner Fisheries Union Bar and Grille

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Loosen Winemaker Dinner at UpStairs on the Sq.
Proprietresses Mary Catherine Deibel and Deborah Hughes welcome Loosen Winery’s Ernst Loosen to UpStairs on the Square for their next winemaker dinner scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. Named Best German Producer and one of the Best Producers of the Past 25 Years by Wine & Spirits Magazine, Loosen will be pouring some of his highly acclaimed wines to match a four-course menu crafted by chef Steven Brand. Dinner costs $95 per person and gets underway at 6:30pm in the Jewel Box. Call UpStairs on the Square at 617.864.1933 to see what’s got everyone talking.
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Aujourd'hui's Epicurean Evenings for May
Watch spring blossom in the Public Garden from a perch in the bar at Aujourd’hui where chef William Kovel and sommelier Brick Loomis host Epicurean Evenings every Wednesday night. The popular weekly series, a perfect place for oenophiles to connect, continues in May with a new roster of great tastings. For the uninitiated, the weekly gatherings revolve around three selections from Loomis’s extensive wine list (usually with a grape, region or winemaker in common) complemented by small plates from the kitchen. Epicurean Evenings cost $50 per person and get underway at 6:00pm. To reserve your spot, call 617.351.2037 to make reservations.

Wednesday, May 7th - Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Monsieur Jérôme Quiot, owner of Domaine du Vieux Lazaret in Châteauneuf-du-Pape will be joining the fun. Sign on for a rare opportunity to taste with a great master, while also enjoying a Rhone Valley themed menu.
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Regatta of Cotuit's Wine & Food Flight Menu
Even as the weather starts to warm up and the summer crowds don't seem that far off, chef-owner Weldon Fizell puts his creative skills to the test in his new Wednesday night Wine & Food Flight Menu. Featuring four imaginative courses paired with three accompanying wines, the prix fixe menu costs just $42 per person (not including tax or gratuity). Fizell will switch up the offerings every week but you can take a look at a sample menu to see what he has in store for Wednesday diners. To reserve your table call the Regatta of Cotuit at 508.428.5715.
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Upcoming Wine Wednesdays at Sel de la Terre
This spring, get down to Sel de la Terre’s State Street location for primers on picnic basket favorites, rosés, and the ABCs of American wines (that’s Anything But Californian) at Wine Wednesday. The weekly agenda includes a four-course tasting menu of chef Geoff Gardner’s rustic French fare and accompanying wines inspired by changing seasons, wine regions or varietals. Wine Directors Erik Johnson and Michael Meagher will be on hand to help guests polish their wine knowledge and pairing skills. Wine Wednesdays start at 7:00pm and cost $45 per person. Take a peek at the upcoming schedule which is listed below and reserve your spot by calling Sel de la Terre at 617.720.1300.
Wednesday, May 7th - Picnic Basket Goodies
Wednesday, May 14th - A Rosé by Any Other Name
Wednesday, May 24th - The ABC's of American Wine
Wednesday, May 28th - Mike’s Favorites
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Hot Off the Vine Wine Series at 33 Restaurant
The team at 33 Restaurant & Lounge explores Alsatian wines in sommelier Paul Westerkamp’s May Hot Off the Vine series. Westerkamp will be uncorking some of his favorites bottles from to share with guests in a flight tasting, a cheese pairing, a wine class and a grand tasting. Newly appointed chef Peter Eco will be sending out nibbles from his new menu for guests to try. Hot Off the Vine events vary in price, so call 617.572.3311 for more information or to make reservations for one of the upcoming installments.

Wednesday, May 7th - Flight Tasting
Taste three new wine releases from Alsace, France at this flight tasting, which runs from 5:00-7:00pm and costs $20 per person.
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Thursday, May 8

Latin & Jazz Nights at The Fireplace
Just a tiny reminder: The Fireplace has live music on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Drop by on Wednesdays for a bite to eat from chef Jim Solomon’s spring menu and enjoy live jazz from bands like Gypsy Schaeffer or the Rob Mitzner Trio. If you’re feeling like some live Latin music might help you ease your way into the weekend, swing by on Thursdays when groups like Mangito, Cuban Jazz Project and Enclave take the stage. Call the Fireplace at 617.975.1900 for the full schedule or to make reservations.
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Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is Back
More than a hundred restaurants, bakeries, cafés, cupcakeries and chocolatiers in and around Boston will be whipping up special desserts to help the fight against cancer for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From Monday, May 5th through Sunday, May 11th, each establishment will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the designated dessert to breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – all you have to do is order and enjoy. This year’s event, the 9th annual, is in honor of Finale pastry chef Nicole Coady’s mother and grandmother who have both undergone successful treatment for breast cancer. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to the Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer website or just scroll down for some highlights.

33 Restaurant Aujourd'hui Aura at the Seaport The Beehive Blue Ginger Boarding House Bonfire Bristol Lounge Chez Henri Chiara Excelsior Finale The Fireplace Grill 23 & Bar Hamersley's Bistro

Harvest Il Capriccio Kingfish Hall Lucca Lumière The Metropolitan Club Oleana Olives Sasso Sibling Rivalry STIX Restaurant & Lounge Temple Bar Tomasso Trattoria Turner Fisheries Union Bar and Grille

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Sommelier Smackdown: Round 2
On Wednesday, May 8th, a couple of the city’s top wine stewards face off at round two of the Sommelier Smackdown at Gordon’s Fine Wine & Culinary Center. This month’s showdown features Brahm Callahan of Excelsior and Matt Reiser of UpStairs on the Square who’ll be pairing their picks with four courses from chefs Louis DiBiccari and Ian Grossman both of Sel de la Terre. Among the evening’s offerings: marinated asparagus with crispy pancetta, shaved parmesan and roasted shallot vinaigrette; braised pheasant agnolotti with English peas, fava beans and pea tendrils; gorgonzola with poached figs, spiced walnuts and 5-peppercorn syrup; and an assiette of strawberries. Guests, having forked over $65 apiece, will get to determine the winner. Reserve your front and center spot by calling 781.893.1900 or through the Gordon’s website.
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Friday, May 9

Cooking Gnocchi In the Kitchen at Rustic Kitchen
Host Alissa Bigelow demystifies gnocchi at Rustic Kitchen’s In the Kitchen cooking series in their Park Square location’s intimate Viking Studio demonstration kitchen. Bigelow will be recreating executive chef Tom Holloway’s signature gnocchi and classic Italian meat sauce every Friday night starting at 7:00pm. She’ll also be adding a Boston Bibb salad with shaved fennel, red onions, goat cheese, toasted pine nuts and blood orange vinaigrette and pairing both courses with Capestrano Montepulciano from Abruzzi - a medium bodied, fruity wine with hints cherry and spice. After the demo, guests will get to taste Bigelow’s handiwork. Front row seats for the demo cost $85 each – and can go fast since there are only 12 seats in the studio. Reserve your spot by calling 781.575.1533 or drop an email to kcafarelli@rustickitchen.biz.
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Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is Back
More than a hundred restaurants, bakeries, cafés, cupcakeries and chocolatiers in and around Boston will be whipping up special desserts to help the fight against cancer for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From Monday, May 5th through Sunday, May 11th, each establishment will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the designated dessert to breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – all you have to do is order and enjoy. This year’s event, the 9th annual, is in honor of Finale pastry chef Nicole Coady’s mother and grandmother who have both undergone successful treatment for breast cancer. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to the Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer website or just scroll down for some highlights.

33 Restaurant Aujourd'hui Aura at the Seaport The Beehive Blue Ginger Boarding House Bonfire Bristol Lounge Chez Henri Chiara Excelsior Finale The Fireplace Grill 23 & Bar Hamersley's Bistro

Harvest Il Capriccio Kingfish Hall Lucca Lumière The Metropolitan Club Oleana Olives Sasso Sibling Rivalry STIX Restaurant & Lounge Temple Bar Tomasso Trattoria Turner Fisheries Union Bar and Grille

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Aujourd'hui's Friday Night Bubbly Bar
Toast the arrival of the weekend with a glass of champagne at Aujourd’hui's Friday Night Bubbly Bar. Swing by the Four Seasons after work on Friday evenings (from 5:30-7:00pm) and raise a glass of something sparkling – sommelier Brick Loomis will be highlighting some of his favorites at $10 per glass. Chef William Kovel will be sending out complimentary nibbles or, if you’re looking for something a little more substantial, you can order a bite from the bar menu. Call Aujourd’hui at 617.351.2037 for more info.
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Saturday, May 10

Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is Back
More than a hundred restaurants, bakeries, cafés, cupcakeries and chocolatiers in and around Boston will be whipping up special desserts to help the fight against cancer for Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From Monday, May 5th through Sunday, May 11th, each establishment will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the designated dessert to breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – all you have to do is order and enjoy. This year’s event, the 9th annual, is in honor of Finale pastry chef Nicole Coady’s mother and grandmother who have both undergone successful treatment for breast cancer. For a full list of participating restaurants, go to the Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer website or just scroll down for some highlights.

33 Restaurant Aujourd'hui Aura at the Seaport The Beehive Blue Ginger Boarding House Bonfire Bristol Lounge Chez Henri Chiara Excelsior Finale The Fireplace Grill 23 & Bar Hamersley's Bistro

Harvest Il Capriccio Kingfish Hall Lucca Lumière The Metropolitan Club Oleana Olives Sasso Sibling Rivalry STIX Restaurant & Lounge Temple Bar Tomasso Trattoria Turner Fisheries Union Bar and Grille

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Café Fleuri's Chocolate Bar Buffet
Quell your every cocoa craving at Café Fleuri’s famously decadent Saturday afternoon Chocolate Bar. The nineteenth season of the exceedingly popular smörgåsbord of chocolaty goodness takes its cues from the four elements – with more than 125 chocolaty desserts inspired by air, fire, water and earth. Indulge with airy cotton candy, hot chocolate buñuelos, a dunk-your-own chocolate fountain and dark chocolate and orange crème brulée. Chocolate Bar, which is available every Saturday from 12:00-3:00pm, costs $35 per adult and $17.50 for children ages 5-12. For reservations, call Café Fleuri at 617.956.8751.
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Sunday, May 11

Make Your Mother's Day Reservations
Mother’s Day is just around the corner – Sunday, May 11th to be precise – celebrate your mom with a fancy prix fixe, a decadent buffet or a seasonal spring menu at restaurants like 33 Restaurant & Lounge, Aura, Bambara, Beacon Hill Bistro, Bistro 44, Black Trumpet, Blue Room, Bravo, Café Fleuri, Cape Sea Grille, Chiara, Coriander, Craigie Street Bistrot, Evenfall, Excelsior, The Fireplace, Grafton Street, Harvest, Heather, L'Espalier, Lineage, Metropolitan Club, Pesce Blue, Pigalle, Prezza, Sasso, Rialto, Sage, Sandrine's, Sel de la Terre,