October 7th was a beautiful day, the leaves just starting their shift to the riot of color that is fall here. And, as the Red Sox prepared for the Fall Classic and what would be their third World Championship in 9 years, the Boston Chaine convened in the Ritz Carlton Ballroom overlooking historic Boston Common for our own fall classic featuring a wonderfully creative menu of local produce and product and the Boston induction program. What more could you ask in an evening besides an incredible dinner at Boston’s newest five diamond hotel? How about meeting the Angus beef farmer who supplied the main roast?
What was once new is now old and thus this, The “new” Ritz in Boston has truly taken on the mantle of The Ritz in our fair city with a level of gastronomy and service second to none. Working closely with Maîte Hôtelier Rajesh Khubchandani, Chef Rôtisseur Andrew and NE Young Chef winner Chef Rôtisseur Adam Kube a spectacular marriage of food and wine was planned!
But wait, there’s more! Boston’s “Big Show” induction featuring thirteen intronizees, two elevations, a scholarship presentation, a Grand Commandeur, a Bronze Star and the celebrated Golden Goose! With so many new inductions, elevations and honorees to attend to fast talking was in order and indeed the fast talking, sword smacking Boston Bailliage came through in under 45 minutes lead by Bailli Provinical John J. Vyhnanek with Boston’s crack team of officers running and gunning and tossing around the renowned Golden Goose.
A beautiful reception followed the intronization featuring Veuve Cliquot NV Champagne accompanied by beef tartar on lavosh, mini lobster tacos with sweet chili, roasted sweet potato with marscapone & candied walnut, short rib of beef & bleu cheese en croute, egg-in-the-hole with bacon & apple jam and a simple but delicious mushroom arancini.
With palates teased the assemebled passed into the lovely Ritz Ballroom to the dulcent tones of our favorite harpist to sit for the main event, our locally source themed dinner extravaganza.
First served was a seafood sausage of George’s Bank scallop, Maine lobster and striped bass with Maine vine ripended tomato-chia nage paired with Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2011. Next Massachusetts butternut squash ravioli with Vermont maple & sage brown butter was accmpanied by the Apothic Syrah Blend 2011. Subsequently a confit of Long Island duck in a Lexington Mass. Napa cabbage wrap and a celery & beet jus reduction with Monte Vermont butter was beautifully matched with Don Miguel Gascon Malbec Reserva 2010. In keeping with the local fall theme an intermezzo of Lunenburg Massachusetts Cortland apple granite was served on a Calvados gelee and paired with Daron Calvados, Normandy. The main roast was the spectacular “Archer’s Farm” organic, grass fed, Angus beef filet mignon from Maine with Massachusetts sourced petite squashes, a parship puree and baked duchesse potato married beautifully with Fransican Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2010. A Vermont goat cheese “strudel” in fillo dough and a Jasper Hill Cellars Landaff raw cow’s cheese was served wth a local fruit compote and mated with the Savory & James, Amontillado Sherry. Once the presentation of various plates and awards was complete the dessert of local granny smith apple tartines with vanilla gelato piared with Michelle Chiarlo Nivole Muscato di Asti 2010 finshed this spectacular evening and the assembled trundled home to visions of local product and baseball in our minds.
Vive la Chaîne!