Cisco Brewers @ Back Bay Social Club

Back Bay Social Club kicked off spring with a number of beer pairing dinners, showcasing a 4-course meal with a featured brew of the evening. I was fortunate to attend the dinner hosted by Cisco Brewers, one of my favorite local breweries!

The evening commenced with Cisco Sankaty Light in cans and passed apps including prosciutto wrapped blue cheese stuffed dates and bone marrow and ramp toast. I'm a big fan of Cisco in cans, (super convenient for transporting to the beach!) The first course was a springy Day Boat Scallop over a chilled cucumber coulis, topped with black pepper seared halloumi cheese. This was served alongside a classic named for the foggy island where is brewed, Cisco Grey Lady Ale - a dry and spicy wheat beer fermented with Belgian yeast.
Next we sipped a Cisco Madaquet IPA - a light and balanced west coast style IPA. This beer paired nicely with our main course, a delicate Potato Wrapped Grouper in a pineapple burre blanc with root spinach.

An indulgent Peanut Butter Torte with banana sabayon, fried plantains and salted caramel was complimented by the Cisco Island Series Reserve, a slightly sweet and creamy oak aged vienna style lager.

The dinner was excellent - lively, fun and delicious. And drinking all that Cisco has me really looking forward to visiting the brewery on Nantucket this summer! 

This meal was complimentary, thanks to BBSC for inviting me!

Scenes From Lantana

The town of Lantana is where my Grandparents live in West Palm Beach County. Here are some snapshots of our time spent there before we made our way to Sanibel Island. Breakfast every morning consisted of: Post Great Grains with a banana, Entenmann's sugar or cinnamon powdered donuts, orange juice and coffee. The powdered donut spread will forever remind me of Nan. So will Fiesta Ware.

Pelican Bay on a calm afternoon (above) and a windy afternoon (below).

Nan's rescue cat Zack is the sweetest. He catches lizards.

Lots of art deco condos line the neighborhood.

At McKenna's Place for dinner one night Adam and I split clam chowder, snow crab and steamed clams. The freshness of the seafood was debatable. I think the crab was frozen as opposed to fresh and my clam chowder was over-salted.

The pitcher of Yuengling we all split hit the spot.

We went to Grumpy Grouper for dinner the next night.

I ate every last bite of my Blackened Grouper Sandwich.

It was my first time trying Grouper, a firm fish with a heavy flakiness. The flavor is mild but distinct, maybe like a cross between bass and halibut. The fries were quality.

Aunt Cheryl met us for some drinks.

The atmosphere at the Grumpy Grouper is a great time, locals fill the barstools and exotic fish tanks line the perimeter. They even had some live entertainment!

It was wonderful to spend time with Nanny & Grampy (and Zack!)

Our last morning we went cruisin around the area - checking out the mansions of Boynton and West Palm Beaches.Many thanks to all the Florida fam for hosting Adam and I. We had an absolute blast and can't wait to see you again in February!