Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Friday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie festivals, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Taste of Cape Cod Holiday Festival
Nov. 23, 1-6 p.m.
Resort & Conference Center of Hyannis
This time of year, the drive to the Cape is shorter than the wait at the new Craigie. The best Cape restaurants, including Barnstable Restaurant & Tavern, Gracie’s Table, Island Merchant, Bleu, Circadia Bistro, and Vining’s Bistro, among others, will be serving up samples of their signature dishes.

Da Vinci Prix Fixe
Every Monday and Tuesday, 5-10 p.m.
Da Vinci
You don’t have to wait for Restaurant Week to enjoy a great deal at Da Vinci. Every Monday and Tuesday, they’re offering diners the choice an entree, appetizer, and dessert for $29 per person. (more…)

Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Friday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie festivals, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Oct. 31, 5-10 p.m.
Halloween Prix Fixe Menu
Om
The posh Harvard Square eatery offers a $50 prix fixe menu tonight in celebration of the bewitching hour. Indulge in festive concoctions like Nightmare Salad, Mummy Monkfish, and a tasty dessert that’ll satisfy your Halloween sweet tooth.

Every Monday through Friday, 5-7 p.m.
Economic Relief Program
Townsend’s
The Irish restaurant, recently reviewed by our food critic, Corby Kummer, created a package deal for diners that includes a bottle of the “Wine selection of the week,” and one appetizer, and one entrée—all for $15 per person (yes, $15, we double-checked). Apps include mussels with Smithwick’s Ale or fall greens with red beets, and entrees include Irish-style Bolognese, beer battered fish & chips, or a Wagyu beef burger with aged cheddar. (more…)

Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events and Father’s Day feasts in town. Check back every Thursday for weekly prix-fixes, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

June 11, 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; June 12, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
The Scooper Bowl
City Hall Plaza
New England’s biggest ice cream extravaganza returns to City Hall Plaza. Get your spoon warmed up (or cooled down) for all the ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and gelati you can eat. The proceeds go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and there will be live music, contests, and games, as well as Fitzy Snowman Sculpting.

June 15, Noon-3 p.m.
Taste of Allston
Herter Park, Allston
Allston has some seriously good restaurants and for one day only you’ll be able to sample the best of the best all in one location. The Taste of Allston will bring local eateries together for a grand tasting including Grasshopper, Cafe Bello, Sunset Grill & Tap, and more. (more…)

Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best Mother’s Day brunches in town. Check back every Thursday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie feasts, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Mother’s Day Meals

Avenue One
May 11, Reservations will be taken for the following seating times: 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Prices vary
617-422-5560
Even Mom will want to lick the plate clean when she tastes the delectable goodies prepared by Avenue One’s gourmet chefs. She’ll enjoy traditional breakfast favorites, enticing entrees, seasonal salads, and freshly baked desserts. And children will love the Little One’s Buffet with finger-friendly favorites.

Beacon Hill Bistro
May 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
$38 (pre-fixe menu)
617-723-7575
This classy cafe is offering an impressive brunch that will make mom swoon. With a pre-fixe menu that includes cinnamon French toast, fresh omelets, and mouth-watering desserts. (more…)

On Saturday morning, I’m going to wake up at the crack of dawn, pack a bag with a brunch-appropriate get-up, and jump on the 8:15 Acela train from Back Bay to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. Then hitch a ride back to Boston Sunday night. All for—you guessed it—my mom.

Because, in case you’ve forgotten, Sunday is Mother’s Day. And even living 300 miles away doesn’t excuse you from the responsibilities that come with the ultimate of Gold Crown holidays.

But, if for some reason you can’t make it home, there is a more convenient alternative: sending sugary wishes via the Harvard Sweet Boutique. Created by Harvard resident Sue George, this e-bakery will craft mom the melt-in-your-mouth cookies, brownies, and toffee you wish you had time to make yourself—then wrap them in adorable packaging and ship them off in less time than it will take you to travel home and back. (more…)

Just in case you haven’t heard, today is Valentine’s Day. But seriously, if you still haven’t made dinner reservations anywhere, here’s a suggestion: Go out for tapas. Many of the Boston area’s Spanish restaurants do not require reservations, and some don’t take them at all.

If you’re willing to drink a glass of fine Iberian tinto while you wait for your table, trying several small plates in a lively atmosphere is a surefire way to genuinely enjoy a night out with your special someone. And since in Spain, it’s most common to center your meal around the bottle of wine, my choice is Taberna de Haro in Brookline, which has perhaps the most extensive list of Spanish wines around. (more…)

We here at Chowder view politics and food like our children—it’s hard to choose between the two. You can imagine we’re torn between celebrating Mardi Gras and sitting at home on our couch waiting for election results tonight. But we’ve got some ideas for those who prefer King Cake to delegate counts after the jump.

(more…)