Lord Jeffrey Inn | Amherst

Majestically nestled on the maple-lined Amherst Common and the campus of Amherst College, the Lord Jeffery Inn and their handsome restaurant and bar 30Boltwood warmly welcome guests to the heart of New England. The landscape embraces springtime with well manicured hedges, a crisp green lawn and cheerful gardens of bright yellow daffodils and vivid fuchsia and orange tulips. Original architecture and classic style offer historic charms while featuring modern amenities in 49 stylish guest rooms. This is the place to stay and/or dine if you're visiting the area. 

After we spent the day biking in the neighboring towns of Northampton and Easthampton along the Norwattuck and Manhan Branches of the Western Massachusetts Rail Trail, I was absolutely beat. It took all my energy to shower up for dinner, and I was so grateful we only had to venture downstairs to reach 30Boltwood. We were seated in a cozy brown leather booth with a copper top table lending an exclusive feel; sinking into that tall circular booth it felt like we had the place to ourselves! We were greeted by a jovial and engaging waiter who informed us that all wines by the bottle are $35 each. And with an extensive, expertly labeled list - whites are broken down as either: crisp, aromatic, full-bodied or bubbles, and reds: earthy, rustic or powerful - this proves an incredible deal. 

We enjoyed a Cabernet / Merlot blend from South Africa, Ken Forrester "Petit", alongside Maplebrook Farms Burrata ($12) with smoked red pepper and preserved lemon. The Pan Roasted Duck Breast ($35) was accompanied by a foie gras torchon, polenta, wild mushrooms and swiss chard. A flawlessly prepared al dente House Tagliatelle ($26) arrives with smoked pork shoulder, goat cheese and roasted tomatoes. A bonus round included a sample of the Monkfish over English pea puree, pickled rhubarb, spinach greens and radish. Dessert offered a creative Espresso Crème Brulee Tart ($12) with bourbon whipped cream and pistachio plus a scoop of Sweet Corn and Blueberry ice creams. 

Locally sourced ingredients prepared simply but with attention to detail coupled with intimate dining booths and inexpensive bottles of good wine, 30Boltwood served to impress. Retreating upstairs and sinking my tired and sore limbs into Lord Jeffrey's comfy pillow top mattress and high thread count linens rounded out a perfect Amherst getaway. 

Lord Jeffrey Inn + 30Boltwood
30 Boltwood Avenue
Amherst, Massachusetts, 01002 

*Our stay and our meal were provided thanks to Hampshire County Regional Tourism + Massachusetts Office of Travel + Tourism.

Wine Tasting in Healdsburg

Sonoma in January possesses a unique kind of beauty. Temperatures hover around a toasty 59 degrees, the rain spits from the thick fog cloaking the mountains, naked vines stand in stark contrast along the rolling patchy green hills. I'm relaxed and happy to be here for the first time with my best ladies. 

On Saturday morning after an early check in at the Renaissance Marriot Lodge at Sonoma Resort + Spa our driver, David, of Intimate Wine Tours whisked us off to Healdsburg, a small city located in Northern Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley where we tasted wines at Bella Winery and Yoakim Bridge. Because of the 1:30 Patriots playoff game we only had time for two tastings before booking it over to Lagunitas Brewery in Petaluma to ensure prime seating in front of their one TV!

Bella Vineyards + Wine Caves 

$10 tasting / beautiful wine caves / relaxed tasting atmosphere /

gorgeous property / excellent Zinfandel.

9711 W Dry Creek Rd

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Yoakim Bridge Estate

$10 tasting / intimate yet lively tasting room run by a spunky couple /

great Zins and a really delicious 2010 merlot.

7209 Dry Creek Road

Healdsburg, CA 95448

Lagunitas Brewing Company

noshed on soft pretzels + smoked pork nachos /

tasted unique beers - a range of hits and misses.

1280 N. McDowell Blvd

Petaluma, CA 94954

Post Lagunitas and a Patriots Win(!!) we headed back to The Renaissance Lodge where we were just in time for wine tasting happy hour, along with the rest of the hotel guests. After some hotel lobby shenanigans it was off to Sonoma Plaza for one last tasting. Our good natured driver who is now off the clock joins in on the fun at Roche Winery Tasting Room before bidding us farewell until tomorrow. We make our way across the square for dinner featuring inventive contemporary 

Portuguese cuisine at La Salette. Pictured is the Tasca Tasting Platter: Fried Goat Cheese, Spicy Fried Pig Ears and Escargot in Garlic Butter.

Roche Winery

popular downtown Sonoma tasting room 

outdoor patio on the square

122 West Spain St.

Sonoma, CA 95476

La Salette

Cozinha Nova Portuguesa

452 First St East

Sonoma, CA 95476  

Apothic Wine Dinner | Tavern Road

Apothic Wines and winemaker Boyd Morrison hosted a tasting dinner at the high energy meets industrial and artsy Tavern Road, newly opened on Congress Street in Fort Point. Apothic offers three distinct varietals from California grapes: a red, a white and a newly released rose. The unique blends which create bold, full bodied and captivating wines were expertly paired with our three course meal prepared by Chef Louis DiBaccari.

We began with the Apothic Rose, a zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon blend with a gorgeous crimson hue and big luscious flavors of strawberry and watermelon. The first course presented a choice of chilled yellow watermelon soup with grilled haloumi, hazelnut and mint or a  grilled octopus salad with foccacia croutons drizzled in a cured meat viniagrette. Both were excellent starters which paired nicely with the Rose.

The Apothic Red is a merlot, zinfandel, syrah and cabernet sauvignon blend, revealing intense fruit flavors of rhubarb and black cherry, with hints of mocha, chocolate and spice. 

It complimented both entrée choices: a flavorful and tender harissa rubbed lamb steak with romesco, ramps and hazelnuts, and a terrific olive oil poached Chatham bluefish with fava beans, English peas and littlenecks. The table also enjoyed some side dishes - how nice to feast on crisp bok choy with green beans, shallots and almonds. A toasty roasted cauliflower with dates, baby beets and horseradish. Lastly, potato gnocchi with dandelion and aged balsamic. 

The vibrant Apothic White which combines chardonnay, riesling and moscato capped off our meal alongside dessert - a fresh baked, piping hot, chewy cookie and two scoops of a Mexican hot chocolate ice cream. I am a BIG FAN of Mexican hot chocolate and this ice cream truly captured its essence with smooth cocoa, cinnamon and cayenne for an intense spiciness.

It was quite an impressive spread, matched by awesome wines in a fun setting heralded by a spacious open kitchen, a lively bar scene and the chef's personal soundtrack choice - all 80's music! Many thanks to Boyd for introducing us to his wines and all who made this dinner such a great event!

Tavern Road

343 Congress St

Boston, MA 02210

Heirloom Tomato Celebration | Bistro 5

All hail the magnificent heirloom tomato. I love that chefs around the city not only look to embrace the summer fruit in its prime, but become giddy at the prospect of cooking with it. They patiently wait for the high season, eager to get their hands on fresh, ripe, perfectly imperfect, locally grown heirloom varietals. In its peak the tomato is incomparable to those mealy, off season, uniformly round and shaped for the consumer brands. The in-season tomato is so beloved, so cherished. 

Chef Vittorio Ettore is one enthusiast, he practically worships them, and in their honor prepares a five course tasting menu annually at his West Medford restaurant Bistro 5. The excitement is palpable and the anticipation of this years menu builds as I listen to the chef speak about his inspirations while munching on soft, herb studded foccacia bread with chickpea puree over fruity green hued olive oil. What follows is a parade of courses that celebrate the late summer fruit in a sophisticated meets ethereal fashion. 

For our first course of Cherokee Tomato Gazpacho, a gorgeous pearly white scallop ceviche is punctuated with a beautiful Cherokee tomato broth and a quenelle of refreshing cucumber-jalapeno sorbet, garnished with a leaf of lemon basil.

Then, the chef swirls in an enchanting gazpacho cloud. He is creating a masterpiece where the foam itself is velvety and frothy adding remarkable depth and flavor. The dish strikes a high note, it is truly outstanding. 

The wine paired with this course is a 2011 Cantina Santa Maria La Palma, Aragosta, Vermentino di Sardegna. I think this is my first time trying the Vermentino white grape varietal and I adore it (along with that lobster on the bottle!) The wine is fresh and lively with notes of ripe apple, it finishes dry and is a particularly divine match with the scallops.

The Potted Tomato Panzenella is thoughtfully conceived and brilliantly executed. A whimsical presentation is inspired by the scent of a tomato garden with actual tomato plant leaves fancied as a garnish. Pineapple tomato and crusty bread mingle in a mini terra cotta pot with black olive "soil", topped with a mozzarella balloon that has been fused with a tomato mousse and then dusted in panko breadcrumbs. 

Another lovely bottle of wine accompanies, 2011 Domaine de Saint Pierre, Sancerre, Liore. It is high in acidity and tasting of green melon and citrus with a distinct chalky finish. 

Course number three is a dynamic Lemon Boy Tomato Risotto laced with soft tangy goat cheese and crispy prosciutto, paired with a 2011 Domaine de la Solitude, Rosé, Côtes du Rhône. I am fond of both the Risotto and the Rose, in this instance they are a perfect match. This dinner is turning out to impress far beyond my expectations and making that crowded bus ride all the way out to quiet West Medford square and later my cab ride home, well worth it. 

The fourth course presents an expertly seared Rohan Duck served with sweet and sour butternut squash, Thai basil and pickled ginger. Alongside is a head turning Smoked Speckled Roman Tomato Crème Brulee. 

A savory, smokey crème brulee? For the entrée course? Yes and yes, for the win. The wine continues to impress, we've moved to a red, a 2007 Vingneti Zabù, Il Passo, Sicilia which is a Nero d'Avola and Merlot blend with ripe blackberry and cherry, leading to a long velvety finish. It is fantastic with the meat.

Chef labels the dessert course Tomatina, it is equal parts creamy Organic Peach Tomato Mousse and a fanfare of a presentation inspired by the famous tomato fight in Spain. A splattering of vanilla crème anglaise and sweet pistachio pesto come with a neat little bowl of basil yogurt gelato on the side. The dessert wine is a sweet frizzante, 2011 Zagara, Moscato d'Asti, Barolo. It is extremely refined and feels fancy to sip.

This heirloom tomato tasting menu is not tomato as you might expect it; Chef Ettore elevates classic Italian dishes with an innovative use of ingredients and playfully inspired twists which translate real life moments and experiences onto the plate. Additionally, the wines are interesting and expertly paired. 

Bistro 5 will be offering the tasting menu, which changes daily based on the heirloom varietals availability, from September 5th   - 29th. {3 courses for $45/wine pairing $20 or 5 courses for $65/wine pairing $25} I attended this preview tasting as media and my dinner was complimentary.