Taste of Back Bay 2018

This year's Taste of Back Bay served the very best that the city's quintessential neighborhood has to offer. From Sangria to cupcakes to lobster macaroni and cheese to deviled eggs, the Back Bay prepared dishes that delighted! Local chefs were on hand and patrons enjoyed he beautiful sights from the Prudential Center's 50th floor Skywalk Observatory. Eataly, Flour, Joe's American Bar and Grill, DeLuca's Market, Eastern Standard, and Sorellina were just a few restaurants on hand to provide patrons with an assortment of the delectable dishes they serve daily. The event was all for a worthy cause as a portion of every ticket supported The Women's Lunch Place.

Bon Appetit Boston!

Taste of Downtown Crossing 2017

The 2nd Annual Taste of Downtown Crossing shutdown Lafayette Street again this year, bringing with it the best of all that downtown Boston has to offer.

Participating restaurants included:

• Artisan Bistro
• Avenue One
• Back Deck
• Boston Chops
• Chicken & Rice Guys
• Cultivar
• Explorateur
• Fajitas & 'Ritas
• Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors
• jm Curley
• Legal Crossing
• Marliave
• The Merchant
• Omni Parker House
• Pabu
• Papagayo
• Roche Bros. (Premier Sponsor)
• Ruka
• Ruth's Chris Steak House
• SA PA
• Salvatore's
• Serafina
• Shed's BBQ
• Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen
• Taste Wine Bar & Cafe
• Yvonne's

There was a wide variety of food and throughout the day chef demonstrations took place live on the street, showcasing how to easily replicate dishes at home, including sushi.

Until next time, Happy Trails!

Taste of Downtown Crossing

The 2nd Annual Taste of Downtown Crossing takes place this Sunday, September 24th from 12 to 3 pm.

Boston's Avenue de Lafayette will be transformed to feature tastes from the best of downtown crossing restaurants paired with chef demonstrations.

This year's Taste will feature delectable dishes from:  Artisan Bistro, Avenue One, Back Deck, Boston Chops, Chicken & Rice Guys, Cultivar, Explorateur, Fajitas & 'Ritas, Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors, jm Curley, Legal Crossing, Marliave, The Merchant, Omni Parker House, Pabu, Papagayo, Roche Bros., Ruka, Ruth's Chris Steak House, SA PA, Salvatore's, Serafina, Shed's BBQ, Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, Taste Wine Bar & Cafe, and Yvonne's to name just a few!

Chef demonstrations throughout the day include: Chef Kelly Armetta (Avenue One), Chef Ben Steigers (Pabu), Chef Brian Young (Cultivar), and more.

For more information visit: http://tasteofdtx.com/

To view photos from last year's Taste of Downtown Crossing: https://theredballoonreport.blogspot.com/2016/11/taste-of-downtown-boston.html

To buy tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-downtown-crossing-tickets-36692415001?aff=redballoon

Happy Tasting Boston!

Taste of Back Bay 2017

The Taste of Back Bay was a delight for the eyes, ears, and palates. The Skywalk Observatory at the Prudential Center was infused with savory delights and sweet sounds. An array of restaurants from Back Bay featured dishes that dazzled. 80 Thoreau crafted a smoked swordfish. Buttermilk and Bourbon provided deviled egg toast with Benton's country ham and hot pepper salad. Stephanie's on Newbury created a shrimp and scallop cevich. Eataly featured a crostini with house made mozzarello and pesto. If that were not enough, Georgetown Cupcake and Sweet were on hand providing decadent desserts.

Some of the photo highlights from the event are below.

                                       

Proceeds from the Taste of Back Bay went to support the charitable organization, Food for Free.

Happy Tasting Boston!

Taste of Back Bay 2017

The Red Balloon is pleased to share the official 2017 Taste of Back Bay Press Release:

The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) will hold its 22^ndAnnual Taste of the Back Bay on Thursday, May 11^th 2017, from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Prudential Skywalk. Come and sample some of the finest food and drink Boston has to offer. This year a portion of the proceeds will benefit Women’s Lunch Place in addition to NABB’s many community programs.  Tickets are $125 members/ $135 non-members/ $150 day of event. For more information or to order tickets go to www.nabbonline.com or call 617-247-3961.

************************

FULL PRESS RELEASE

************************

Contact:                                                                                 Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay

Susan Baker                                                                          www.nabbonline.com

Taste of the Back Bay                                                         info@nabbonline.com

Baker.sue@comcast.net                                                    160 Commonwealth Ave.#L-8, Boston, MA 02116

617-867-9501                                                                      617-247-3961

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                    Back Bay Neighbors to Celebrate the 22^nd Annual Taste of the Back Bay

                                                To be held Thursday, May11^th, 2017

The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) is pleased to announce the restaurants and vendors that will be participating in its 22nd Annual Taste of the Back Bay on Thursday, May 11^th 2017 from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Prudential Skywalk. The proceeds from this year’s Taste will benefit NABB’s many community programs, and a portion will be donated to the Women’s Lunch Place.

The Taste of the Back Bay is an annual sampling of the finest food and drink available in the Back Bay and the surrounding area-including signature dishes, fine wine, and micro-brewed beer. This year’s stellar lineup includes:

-Abe & Louie’s                                     -Kashmir

-Atlantic Fish                                       -King’s Boston

-Bauer Wine & Spirits                        -La Voile

-Bar Boulud                                          -Legal Sea Foods

-Brasserie Jo                                         -L’Espalier

-Bristol Lounge                                    -Lucca Back Bay

-Back Bay Beats                                   -Papa Razzi

-Buttermilk & Bourbon                      -Pecinct Kitchen + Bar

-Capital Grille                                       -Off the Common

-Cornish Pasty Co.                               -Roost Bistro/The Patisserie

-DeLuca’s Market                                -Stephanie’s on Newbury

-Earl’s Kitchen + Bar                          -Still River Winery

-Eatlay                                                   -Top of the Hub

-Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse           -The Urban Grape

-Georgetown Cupcake                        -80 Thoreau

-Joe’s American Bar & Grill                                                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                               

Tickets are now on sale and cost $125 for NABB members, $135 for non-members, and $150 day of event.  Those wishing to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

To purchase tickets, go to www.nabbonline.com or call the NABB office at 617-247-3961.

Boston Wine Expo 2017

The wondrous Wine Expo Grand Tasting was filled with the sweet sounds and scents of superb wine. The expo celebrated its 26th anniversary this past week on February 18th and 19th. Inside Boston's Seaport World Trade Center there was plenty of sparkling concoctions worthy of toasting.

This year's Grand Tasting highlighted over 1,800 wine varieties from around the globe. The Celebrity Chef Stages featured appearances by Andy Husbands as well as David Becker to name a few. Seminars on over 35 topics including, "One Hour Wine Experts" and "Why You Like the Wines You Like" took place for those looking for a more formal education in wine.

The Red Balloon had the privilege of meeting and discussing wine with Marzia Ferraris Arizzi at the Expo. Marzia is the proprietor of Arizziwine. This family owned winery produces Sangiovese and Merlot wines from the soil to maximum the taste. Marzia stressed the importance of quality when producing all of her wine. She ensures that within each bottle she creates, that the grapes and the very essence of life are contained. Her philosophy of quality is clear in her devotion to her winery. For Marizia, the wine process from start to finish is clearly a labor of love. Marzia is pictured on the far right of the photo below:

New this year, participants at the Grand Tasting could take part in mini-paint sessions to get a feel for Paint Night. With aprons on, participants took to their canvases and got in touch with their inner Picasso.

Participants also had the option of creating mini-terrariums, getting their hands dirty and a sense of what is involved in Plant Night.

More photos from the expo:

                           

                         

                                                                                                                                           

As always, the expo is for a worthy cause.Proceeds from the Boston Wine Expo support the Tufts Medical Center's Summer Camp Program for Children with disabilities.

Cheers to 2017!

Forbes 30 Under 30

The Forbes 30 Under 30 Taste of Boston Food Festival recently took place in Boston's State House. John Legend was in attendance along with Chrissy Teigen who served as one of the judges for the event.

Several restaurants were on hand to provide delectable treats for those in attendance.

Photos from the event:

Taste of Downtown Boston

The inaugural Taste of Downtown Boston took place on the Avenue de Lafayette. The event featured live entertainment including musicians and local artists. Live cooking demonstrations took place throughout the day. The street was filled with restaurants of the downtown neighborhood providing delectable treats.

Participating restaurants included:

Artisan Bistro,
Avenue One at Hyatt Regency,
Back Deck,
Boston Chops,
Central Bistro,
David’s Tea,
Fajitas & ‘Ritas,
Gordon’s Fine Wine & Liquors,
JM Curley,
Kingston Grille & Bar,
Legal Crossing,
Marliave, 
Mast,
The Merchant, 
Oceanaire,
Papagayo,
Roche Bros.,
Ruth’s Chris Steak House,
SA PA,
Serafina,
Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, and
Yvonne’s

Photos from the event can be seen below:

Here's to Downtown Crossing!

Taste of Fenway

The Taste of Fenway was a huge success featuring restaurants that pleased even the most discerning palates.

Blaze Pizza, Basho, TigerMama, Fiouna Catering, Hojoko, Sweet Cheeks, Yard House, and Wahlburgers were among just a sampling of the restaurants providing a taste of their cuisine for patrons to feast upon.  Fomu was on hand offering alternative ice cream. Flavors including the seasonal favorites of pumpkin caramel and apple cider donut as well as the delightful chocolate pudding. TigerMama dished out Singapore Street Noodles which consisted of delicious crispy curried noodles, asian greens, and sesame seeds. Basho Japanese Brasserie served up a BBQ chicken wrap that delighted. Blaze Pizza provided a variety of pizza pies including a vegetarian option. Wahlburgers crafted their special "Our Burger" sliders which consisted of lettuce, tomato, "government" cheese, Paul's signature housemade wahl sauce and pickles paired with their Housemade Chili.

Wally the Green Monster made a special appearance.

Photos from the Taste of Fenway:

Here's to Fenway!

Taste of Downtown Crossing

This Sunday, the very first Taste of Downtown Crossing will take place.

Please see an excerpt from the official Press Release:

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District to Host The Inaugural Taste of Downtown Crossing 

A celebration of diverse food, culture and entertainment Boston, MA-

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting the inaugural Taste of Downtown Crossing, a celebration of diverse food, culture and entertainment. On Sunday, September 25, 2016 between noon and 4:00 pm Avenue de Lafayette will be transformed into a lovely street side café. Event attendees will enjoy the sounds of violinist Lewis Flores, opera singer Marshall Richard and piano player Brian John. The event will also feature a wine and beer garden, culinary demonstrations and food tastings from over 20 restaurants offering their distinctive cuisines. The Taste of Downtown Crossing will showcase many of the restaurants that have made Downtown Crossing a foodie hotspot. Since the formation of the Downtown Boston BID in 2011, thousands of Boston residents, employees, students and visitors have flocked to Downtown Crossing to enjoy the best food and shopping Boston has to offer.

“Taste of Downtown Crossing is a new destination event that will allow the BID to continue promoting the Downtown Crossing area as an active and welcoming neighborhood, and we are excited to celebrate the many restaurants of Downtown,” said Rosemarie Sansone, President & CEO of the Downtown Boston BID. Downtown Crossing restaurants to be featured in the tasting portion of the festival include:

Artisan Bistro,
Avenue One at Hyatt Regency,
Back Deck,
Boston Chops,
Central Bistro,
David’s Tea,
Fajitas & ‘Ritas,
Gordon’s Fine Wine & Liquors,
 JM Curley,
Kingston Grille & Bar,
Legal Crossing,
Marliave,
Mast,
The Merchant,
Oceanaire,
Papagayo,
Roche Bros.,
Ruth’s Chris Steak House,
SA PA,
Serafina,
Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen, and
Yvonne’s

Happy Tasting!

21st Annual Taste of Back Bay

The exquisite 21st Annual Taste of Back Bay took place on May 19th at the Skywalk in Boston's Prudential Center.

The 360 degree view of Boston from the Skywalk was breathtaking.


The Top of the Hub provided a dish of halibut which was divine.

The French brasserie La Voile provided a beautiful arrangement of delectable treats to taste without flying to Paris.


Not only was the food fantastic to taste, the presentation was second to none.

Not to be missed, Georgetown Cupcake was on hand with some sweet desserts.


It was an incredible night in support of a worthy cause, Food for Free, which rescues fresh food that might otherwise go to waste and provides it to those in need.

Until next time, The Red Balloon is off to great places!

Taste of Back Bay

Tonight is the night!

The 21st Taste of Back Bay is taking place at the Prudential Skywalk.

Be sure to stay tuned to The Red Balloon for exclusive content that you will only see here!

Taste of the South End: Photo Preview

Here are a sampling of photos The Red Balloon recently took at this year's amazing Taste of the South End:

Stay tuned for all of the details from the 2016 Taste of the South End Boston!