Noodle Bar to Open at Blue Ginger

Here are three things we love about Ming Tsai:

1. He comes out of the kitchen (sometimes) at Blue Ginger in Wellesley and sits at his own bar for a drink.

2. He learned to cook in a whole new way when his own children developed food allergies.

3. He talks to people -- regular people, famous people -- but keeps coming back to us regular folks.

Which is why, perhaps, he's decided to open a noodle bar for lunchtime service in the lounge of Blue Ginger, effective March 30. He'll do his own spin on regular-folks food like classic Ramen and stir-fried noodles but they'll be that much better.

Think Spicy Pork Miso Ramen.

And Garlic Miso Ramen.

And Yakisoba Stir Fried Noodles.

Mmmhm.

As for what to drink?

Check out Ming's own suggestions for wine, beer and cocktails to pair with his food.

Whether you have something with your noodle lunch (and why wouldn't you?), or if you come back for dinner and have it then, you will never be at a loss for just the right drink.


WHAT: Noodle Bar opens at Blue Ginger
WHEN: March 30
WHERE: Blue Ginger, 583 Washington Street (Route 16), Wellesley
WHAT TIME: Noodle Bar will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DAILY TIDBIT:

If you're at a tasting of red and white wines, and you know you're going to be tasting a lot of high-acid Rieslings (like those from Germany or New Zealand), drink the reds first. Otherwise the acidity from the Rieslings, if you drink those first, will send the tartness of the red wines through the roof.

Women's History Month, with Drinks, Around Boston

The first things to know are that March is Women's History Month and March 2010 is the thirtieth year there's been nationwide recognition of it.

The next thing to know, of course, is how exactly to participate, celebrate, and raise a glass. Or two. Or twelve. (We're talking the whole month, after all.)

Here are a few of our favorite ideas.

Cin-cin.


WHAT: Mix up a Ladies' Cocktail, courtesy of LUPEC Boston and The Savoy Cocktail Book
HOW: Stir the following in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail shaker.
1.75 oz bourbon
0.25 oz anisette
0.5 oz pastis
2 dashes angostura bitters
1 pineapple spear

WHAT: Incorporating Patterns: New Work by Lola Baltzell, Karen Kemp & Maureen O'Connor
WHERE: Atlantic Works Gallery, 80 Border Street, Top Floor, East Boston
WHEN: Third Thursday Reception this Thursday, March 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.

WHAT: Tour the Boston Women's Heritage Trail
WHERE: Take your pick of neighborhood walks: North End, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Chinatown, South End, Downtown

WHAT: Ladies Who Launch series resumes with guest speaker Swanee Hunt
WHERE: No. 9 Park, 9 Park Street, Boston
WHEN: Thursday, April 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.COST: $75. Call 617.742.9991 to RSVP.

DAILY TIDBIT:

According to the Adams Wine Handbook, women make up 52% of the adult population and purchase 57% of the wine consumed in the United States. They represent a huge market with great purchasing power that until recently has been overlooked. Women tend to be less influenced by wine ratings, as they tend to judge the entire product. Although wine quality is important to women, so are the label design, the bottle shape and the philosophy of the winery.

Boston Bartenders on the Rise, This Sunday at Green Street

Maybe it's the name of their drinks.

Loose Translation.

Saving Daylight.

William of Orange.

Peralta.

Or maybe it's the chemistry of mixing things like homemade "golden" vermouth with Plymouth Gin, or Scorpion Mezcal with Allspice Dram, or Punt E Mes with Aperol.

Or maybe it's the showmanship (and showwomanship) of it all, these bartenders and their cocktails.

Whatever it is, it is sexy. And this Sunday, it's on display at Green Street in Central Square.

Boston Bartenders on the Rise and DrinkBoston are bringing together four of the city's most talented emerging bartenders to mix their specialty cocktails and mingle with the crowd.

Four bartenders. Four cocktails. Passed apps. And a whole lot of things sexy.

Grab your front-row seat. Reservations strongly recommended.


WHAT: Boston Bartenders on the Rise, featuring Emily Stanley of Green Street, Bob McCoy ofEastern Standard, Evan Harrison of Deep Ellum, and Carrie Cole of Craigie on Main
WHEN: Sunday, March 14 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Green Street Grill, 280 Green Street, Cambridge
COST: $40
RSVP: Call 617.876.1655

DAILY TIDBIT:

"One revolution is like one cocktail. It just gets you organized for the next." -- Will Rogers

RWB Discount to New World-Old World Showdown at WGBH

The only way to really GET the difference between an Old World wine and a New World wine is to taste them side by side, one after the other. Twodifferent wines, two different continents, but the same grape.

The problem is that, enjoyable and helpful as those opportunities are, they simply don't come along too often.

The brand new WGBH Foodie community is setting out to change all that.

Next Friday evening, March 19, they're setting up the Atrium of their beautiful studios in Brighton for a bit of a New World-Old World showdown. And you are invited to join in on a little friendly competition.

At a discount, no less. (Tickets normally cost $25 but they're $20 for RWB readers.)

First you'll taste Sauvignon Blanc from the Old World. Fifteen minuteslater you'll taste Sauvignon Blanc from the New World. Then you'll vote for your favorite.

Next you'll taste Riesling from the Old World. Fifteen minutes later you'll taste Riesling from the New World. Then you'll vote for yourfavorite.

They'll repeat the process with red wines too (Pinot Noir and Syrah). Theypour. You taste. We debate. You vote. Everyone wins.

It will be lively and fun and by the end of it you will -- finally! --recognize the difference between New World and Old World wines.

It's the perfect way to end your workweek.

WHAT: New World-Old World Showdown Wine Tasting
WHERE: In the Atrium of the WGBH Studios, 1 Guest Street, Brighton
WHEN: Friday, March 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
COST: Normally $25 but $20 for RWB readers.
PURCHASE TICKETS: Click here.

DAILY TIDBIT:

The "warm-up" to this New World-Old World showdown will be a sparkling wine reception from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The "cool down" is a jazz performance starting at 9 p.m.

Corks & Forks at Shubie's: Focus on Greece

Maybe you've have had dolmas and fatoush salad.

But what about Asirtiko Athiri?

Or Boutari Nemea?

Or Naussa Grande Reserva?

They would be the three Greek wines being poured tomorrow night at Shubie's in Marblehead.

And this would be the menu to go along with them:

Humus with pistachio oil
Dolmas with beef, pine nuts and currants, drizzled with fig syrup
Lavash with tuna tartare, olives, capers, pistachios and yogurt sauce
Falafel fried chicken with humus sauce
Fatoush salad with chopped vegetables and feta
Candied pecans

Unusual?

You bet.

That's why it's worth it.


WHAT: Corks & Forks Series, Focus on Greece
WHERE: Shubie's Marketplace, 16 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead
WHEN: Thursday, March 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
COST: $35. No RSVP required.

DAILY TIDBIT:

The average age of a French oak tree harvested for use in wine barrels is 170 years.

Spring Wine Fest 2010, Two-for-One Special This Week Only

So, yes, May 22 is a ways away.

But here's a very good reason to think about it now: saving 50% off your ticket to the Boston Event Guide's Spring Wine Fest that's happening that day.

The Wine Fest happens in two parts: an afternoon tasting from 1 to 5 p.m., and an evening tasting from 6 to 10 p.m.

Either way, that's four hours of festivity -- including wines, foods, and a whole lot of socializing -- for you and another very good friend for $39 (afternoon tasting) or $49 (evening tasting) all in.

Chances are pretty good that, even two months from now, you will still think that's one heck of a deal.

Except this offer won't be available two months from now.

It ends this Friday, March 12.

Get on it. Then take your good sweet time choosing your lucky buddy.

WHAT: Spring Wine Fest 2010, sponsored by the Boston Event Guide
WHEN: Saturday, May 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston
COST: $39 for two tickets to afternoon session, $49 for two tickets to evening session
SPECIAL NOTE: Offer ends this Friday, March 12.

DAILY TIDBIT:

A substance called Mother of Vinegar helps turn wine to vinegar the same way a sourdough starter helps turn flour and water into bread.

Taste of the South End TOMORROW

To know the South End is to love the South End.

(Especially if you're a food-and-wine kind of person. Or a design kind of person. Or a fashion kind of person. Or or or.)

Tomorrow night, for a mere two and a half hours, the who's who of the food-and-wine South End comes to you.

On a plate, as it were.

Taste of the South End kicks off at 7 p.m. By 7:01 p.m. you, your appetite, and some 40+ restaurants -- not to mention a whole lot of other hungry folks -- will be jockeying for position at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts.

Not that this is a bad thing by any stretch. Not with restaurants like Hamersley's, Toro, and Tremont 647 offering up their fare to all comers.

It's just that it will be a lot of ground to cover in two and a half hours.

Best to keep it simple.

Know. Love. Eat.

Then love some more.


WHAT: Taste of the South End, a Benefit for AIDS Action Committee
WHEN: Tuesday, March 9. VIP admission from 6 to 7 p.m. General admission from 7 to 9:30.
WHERE: Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street, Boston
COST: VIP admission $150, General admission $95
MORE INFO: Click here.

DAILY TIDBIT:

"Here's looking at you, kid."

-- Humphrey Bogart, with a glass of Champagne, toasting Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.