Ü >Ì Ì ` U Ü iÀi Ì } U Ü >Ì Ì Ãii January 10–23, 2011 Wining & Dining IN BOSTON INCLUDING: / i ÃÌ 7i Ý« / i ÃÌ 7i iÃÌÛ> / i ÕL½Ã iÃÌ 7i ÃÌà Visit bostonguide.com now with enhanced, day-by-day events calendar! contents January 10–23, 2011 COVER STORY 6 Going Grape 10 HITE Boston’s top spots for W wining and dining IMOTHY T PHOTOBY DEPARTMENTS ., R J 15 10 around the hub 1957 , 10 CURRENT EVENTS K I WAY 15 ON EXHIBIT S COTFORD 18 SHOPPING S 23 CAMBRIDGE YLAND R 28 MAPS ARTMOUTH D KI 34 NEIGHBORHOODS OHN S J 42 SIGHTSEEING 47 FREEDOM TRAIL oyster perpetual 49 RESTAURANTS 24 gmt-master ii 61 NIGHTLIFE S TAT E O F ULLER E F HE T UCKMINSTER R.B ON THE COVER: COURTESYOF From the Boston Wine Expo to the Boston Wine Festival and beyond, January in 49 Boston boasts a variety of exciting events ALSEY for wine aficionados. A.H on the right: (top to bottom) Joshua Bell at Symphony Hall; Our Favorite ETSEY Things at International Poster Gallery; R. B OFFICIAL ROLEX JEWELER Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) ROLEX OYSTER PERPETUAL AND GMT-MASTER II ARE TRADEMARKS. of the Universe at American Repertory Theater; Top of the Hub restaurant. PHOTOBY ___ BOSTONGUIDE.COM 3 The Official Guide to BOSTON www.bostonguide.com ANNIVERSARY January 10–23, 2011 Volume 60 • Number 17 THE Tim Montgomery • PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOSTON Josh B. Wardrop • EDITOR Scott Roberto • ART DIRECTOR John Herron Gendreau • WINE EXPO ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Betsey A. Halsey, Della Huff, JANUARY 22-23, 2011 Derek Kouyoumjian, Timothy Renzi • CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS SEAPORT WORLD TRADE CENTER Ellysia Francovitch • EDITORIAL INTERN Appearances by: Rita A. Fucillo • VICE PRESIDENT, PUBLISHING Jacolyn Ann Firestone • VICE PRESIDENT, ADVERTISING MING TSAI Joe Shannon • SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Simply Ming Blue Ginger Paul Hurst • NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES HURST & ASSOCIATES, INC. 800-397-8908 • [email protected] JASPER WHITE Tyler J. Montgomery • Jasper White’s VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS Summer Shack Melissa J. O’Reilly • BUSINESS MANAGER Mike Hipps • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER Jerome Rosenfeld • CHAIRMAN EMERITUS GORDON HAMERSLEY Hamersley’s Bistro PANORAMA is published bi-weekly by New Venture Media Group LLC. Editorial and advertising offices at 332 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210. Telephone (617) 423-3400. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written MICHAEL SCHLOW permission of the publisher. Radius, Via Matta and PANORAMA is a member of the Massachusetts Lodging Association, The Back Bay Association, The Greater Boston Alta Strada Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Boston Concierge Association, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Newbury Street League, the South End Business Alliance, the North End Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Crossing Association. PAUL O’ CONNELL Chez Henri a magazine affiliate ___ Purchase tickets at www.WineExpoBoston.com 4 PANORAMA OR MANY GOURMANDS, THE WINE ONE WINE ON WEDNESDAYS pairings and educational seminars featuring drinks with dinner is as crucial an element of a Face it—wine is just too good to only be sa- the hottest new names on the wine scene and successful meal as the food itself—such is the vored on the weekend, and it’s scarcely sur- the newest offerings from acclaimed domes- devotion that true oenophiles feel for one of prising that some of us like to take some tic and international vineyards. Chef Daniel time in the middle of the workweek to un- Bruce of the BHH’s restaurant Meritage Fmankind’s earliest libations of choice. Boston is brimming wind with a glass or two.That must be why (renowned for its massive 12,000-bottle wine with too many delicious vintages to offer the definitive list of so many restaurants in Boston have chosen collection, one of the largest in Boston) crafts wine lists, so instead Panorama offers a primer on some of to devote Wednesdays to wine appreciation, delectable wine dinners like the Battle of the city’s best bets for finding a great wine experience—be offering a hump day haven for those who the Cabernets on January 13 at 7 p.m., love the grape. In the Back Bay, Sel de la showcasing Napa Valley vintages, and the it a special wine event, an informative tasting or lecture, Terre (774 Boylston St., 617-266-8800) or just a charming space in which to raise a glass with hosts its popular, long-running Wine someone special. Wednesdays, conducted by wine director Erik Johnson—these themed wine gather- FINE WINE GETS EXPO-SURE IN THE HUB ings start at 7 p.m., and for $44 per person, Bring together more than 300 wineries from around guests receive a four-course tasting menu of the world, pouring samples from some 1,800 different Chef Louis DiBiccari’s rustic French cuisine bottles of wine and what do you have? Apart from paired with seasonally appropriate wines, some very happy connoisseurs with wide smiles (and like the January 12 Cabin Fever: Cabernet perhaps a case of the giggles), you have the 20th an- Sauvignon and Cabernet Blanc event or the nual Boston Wine Expo—the largest trade and con- January 19 Red in the Face: All Red Wine sumer wine event in the country, and an event marked dinner. Visit www.seldelaterre.com for a in red on the calendar of any Hub wine lover. full schedule. For two decades, fans of fine wine and delicious food Over in Somerville’s Davis Square, have flocked to the Boston Wine Expo—taking place this Gargoyles on the Square (219 Elm St., year January 22 & 23 at the Seaport World Trade Center 617-776-5300) hosts Wine-y Wednesdays, and Hotel—to sample exotic wines and learn from some where $15 gets guests a tasting of any three Poggio al Tesoro A WINE TIME: The largest event of its kind in the U.S., the of the top names in the business. Winemakers meet and wines off the restaurant’s list, with an ac- and San Polo Boston Wine Expo takes over the greet the public and conduct seminars, sharing some of companying plate of treats from Chef Jason Wineries event on Seaport World Trade Center January 22 & 23. the tricks of their trade, while area restaurateurs put in Santos available for an extra $5. And if you January 20 at 7 p.m., their due diligence tasting vintages that’ll soon be ap- want to sample a vintage that’s a veritable spotlighting fine pearing on wine lists throughout Boston. work of art in a place that’s packed full of Tuscan wines from renowned winemakers Guests can check out live cooking demonstrations literal works of art, the Museum of Fine Leonardo LoCascio and Marilisa Allegrini. from acclaimed local chefs like Ming Tsai (Blue Ginger), Art’s restaurant, Bravo (refer to listing, Refer to listing, page 13. Todd English (Olives, Figs, KingFish Hall), Jasper White page 15) hosts Winesday on January 26 (Summer Shack,Towne Stove and Spirits), Michael Schlow from 5:30–7:30 p.m., where wine novices can CLASS IS IN SESSION (Radius,Via Matta), Mark Porcaro (Top of the Hub) and learn about wine from a trained expert— For every person out there who can recite many more, while the Grand Tasting allows attendees to your $25 admission includes hors d’oeuvres chapter and verse about their favorite stroll the massive convention hall meeting winemakers and unlimited tastings of featured wines. wines, there are 100 people who couldn’t and sampling their wares. For the true wine devotees, the tell a Beaujolais from a Cabernet. Rather Expo also features the Grand Cru Wine Lounge—a special A FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS than let a relative ignorance of wine keep tasting area pouring reserve wines, the high-end, best-of- Everybody likes a party—especially when the you from enjoying all the fine varietals out the-best vintages that rarely appear on restaurant wine party is packed full of some of the best wines there, why not educate yourself? The lists (a special admission fee of $175 is charged to visit and gourmet meals you can imagine and, Boston Wine School (1354 this “holiest of holies” for wine lovers). even better, it goes on for three months.The Commonwealth Ave., 617-784-7150) was Whether you’re an aficionado or a novice, the Boston Boston Wine Festival 2011 at the Boston started by local food and wine expert Wine Expo offers something for everyone who has a Harbor Hotel is just that kind of celebra- Jonathan Alsop back in 2000 to help fledg- passion for the grape. Refer to listing, page 13. tion—an ongoing series of special food-wine ling connoisseurs conquer their fears and ___ ___ 6 PANORAMA BOSTONGUIDE.COM 7 uncertainty about what they’re drinking, and now the school offers seasonal courses about wines of different regions and styles suitable for beginners and experts alike. The Wine School offers multi-part courses (like the four-week Wine 101: Tasting, Thinking & Talking About Wine, which begins January 27), as well as one- off dinner lectures like How to Taste Wine & Why, January 22 from 6:30–9 p.m. Visit www.bostonwineschool.com for a complete schedule of courses and events. SECLUDED SPACES TO SIP Wine can add a romantic element to any meal, and even more so when that wine is enjoyed in a private little alcove away from a busy restaurant dining room. That’s why several Boston eateries have designed semi-private wine rooms which not only spotlight their collections, but offer greater ambience in which to enjoy them.