Calendar

Oct
19
Thu
Cognac vs. Armagnac: A Tasting and Lecture
Oct 19 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join the French Cultural Center for an evening of brandy tasting featuring eight Cognacs and Armagnacs, brought to you by Heavenly Spirits.

 

 

Christine and Daniel Cooney will lead a fascinating lecture accompanied by a tasting to explore the limits of one’s palate, comparing French brandies and their exclusive characteristics.

GUESTS WILL ENJOY EIGHT DIFFERENT LIQUORS

  • Cognac Organic Selection | Distillerie du Peyrat | France
    This Organic Selection is 4 to 5 years old. It is very lively, fresh and fruity.
  • Cognac Petite Champagne VSOP | Normandin Mercier | France
    The grapes used are Ugni Blanc and a little Colombard and Folle Blanche, a very rare occurrence in Cognac.
  • Cep d’Or XO Premium | Jean Fillioux | France
  • Cognac Grande Champagne Très Vieux | Jean Fillioux | France
    Jean Fillioux is an iconic Cognac house that has been producing Cognacs for 5 generations.
  • Bas Armagnac Napoléon | Marie Duffau | France
    This Armagnac is fresh and lively, with flavors of cocoa, orange rind and cake batter.
  • Napoleon 100% Folle Blanche | Artez Bas Armagnac | France
    Aged a minimum of 6 years, it displays floral aromatics typical of the grape varietal, white peach, dried apricot and orange peel flavors.
  • Bas Armagnac Hors d’Age | Dartigalongue | France
    The Dartigalongue family started to distill in 1813 and is the oldest Armagnac house.
  • Bas Armagnac 25 years old | Delord | France
    This superb blend displays flavors of cocoa, spices, vanilla, raisins, walnut and cinnamon.

 

About Heavenly Spirits

Heavenly Spirits

Heavenly Spirits is a leading importer of artisanal French spirits, such as Armagnac, Calvados, Cognac, whisky, gin, aperitifs and liqueurs. For the past seven years, the company has been recognized as the number one importer of Armagnac in the US, accounting for 26% of all Armagnac sold each year. The Heavenly Spirits portfolio is represented in 30 US states and includes an impressive list of iconic brands.

About Christine and Dan Cooney

Born in the Cognac region of France, Christine spent summers at her grandparent’s farm north of La Rochelle, where she watched her grandfather, Amédée Foubert, run his winery and distill eau de vie from plums and other fruit grown on the farm. In addition to running his own graphic design and marketing companies, Dan has worked as a Professor of Art and Design for over fifteen years, most recently at Bridgewater State University. His art work, mostly paintings, drawings and sculptures are in collections all over the world. After twenty years of working in the wine and spirits industry and another stay in France, the Cooneys relocated to Massachusetts and, in 2008, created Heavenly Spirits.

Jan
13
Sun
Patriots Viewing Party at Back Bay Social
Jan 13 @ 12:00 pm

Let Back Bay Social Club take your #SundayFunday to the post-season level.

The boys in blue are in the playoffs (once again), and Back Bay Social has been waiting all season long to host you & the #SundayFunday football gang for a POST SEASON VIEWING PARTY!

Watch the same on Back Bay Social’s giant screen with surround sound with a bucket of wings and some beer — or order from the full brunch menu.  Be sure to register while space is still available!

Jan
16
Wed
Irish Whiskey Dinner at Solas Irish Pub
Jan 16 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join Solas on Boylston Street for the first dinner of their Whiskey Wednesday series!

Enjoy an evening of dinner, drinks and laughs, while learning about the whiskey we all love, Irish Whiskey! Boston’s finest Irish Whiskey Ambassador, Cathal O’Connor, will share his expansive knowledge; while Solas Sous Chef, Alex Galvis, will speak on the inspiration behind her delicious three course meal. Slainte!

Cocktail (Half) Hour:
Featuring Kilbeggan Single Grain

First Course:
Irish Soda Bread Crostini – local bleu cheese, apricot mostrada, sorrel
Paired with Kilbeggan Single Grain

Second Course:
Coffee Rubbed Rack of Lamb – barley risotto, cirtus bok choy, fig butter
Paired with Tyrconnell Single Malt Irish Whiskey

Third Course:
Cinnamon Apple Tart – vanilla bean ice cream, caramel
Paired with Tyrconnell 10yr Sherry Finish

PLUS, a Connemara Peated Single Malt Irish Whiskey toast to end the night

Lookout for details on part two of their series January 30, where they will sample whiskeys from all around the world!

 

Jan
30
Wed
World of Whiskeys Dinner at Solas Irish Pub
Jan 30 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Join Solas on Boylston Street for the second dinner of their Whiskey Wednesday series!

Why travel around the world to try new whiskeys when we have them all right here at Solas? Come join Solas for an evening of dinner, drinks & laughs! Beam Suntory’s Maggie Sinclair will share her expansive whiskey knowledge; while Solas Sous Chef, Alex Galvis, will speak on the inspiration behind her delicious three course meal. Slainte!

Cocktail (Half) Hour:
Featuring Canadian Club (Canada)

First Course:
Cucumber and Blood Orange Panzanell – pumpernickel crouton, thyme honey
Paired with Toki Japanese Whiskey (Japan)

Second Course:
Smoked Pork Shoulder – farro & stone fruit salad, shaved brussel sprouts
Paired with Basil Hayden’s Dark Rye (USA)

Third Course:
Pear Banoffee Pie – graham cracker, dulce de leche
Paired with Tyrconnell 10yr Sherry Finish (Ireland)

PLUS, a Japenese Gin Roku toast to end the night!

Lookout for details on part three of their series February 6, where they will sample luxury scotch!

Dec
18
Wed
Whiskey Tasting with National Brand Ambassador Alex Thibault!
Dec 18 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Save the water, come for the WHISKEY!

Whiskey Tasting with National Brand Ambassador Alex Thibault • Wednesday, December 18th • 6:30PM

$25 ticket includes:

  • Whiskey Tasting with specialty paired appetizers prepared by our Executive Chef
  • Green Spot paired with Chipotle & Lime Chicken Sausage
  • Redbreast paired with Ribeye & Blue Cheese Bites
  • Powers Gold paired with Smoked Salmon Crostini
  • Midleton Very Rare paired with Dark Chocolate Foundue
  • Redbrast 21′ to cleanse the palate cleanser!
  • Q&A with the legendary Alex Thibault
  • Welcome whiskey cocktail

This event is 21+.

For more information on Back Bay Social, please click here.

Jan
16
Thu
Holiday Hot Beverages Tasting at French Cultural Center
Jan 16 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Holiday lovers rejoice! This tasting will prolong the holiday atmosphere at the French Cultural Center!

To kick-off their tasting season, the French Cultural Center will explore the different hot beverages that you can sip during the winter time!

Join them for a warm and new tasting presented by Alexandre Sofjer, resident sommelier at La Voile and 1855 Bar à vin.

Event in English. Advanced RSVP strongly recommended. The general tasting is a standing event – this is not a sit-down seminar. Please email culture@frenchculturalcenter.org to request a seat/chair, if needed.

On the Menu 

  • Mulled wine
  • Mulled apple cider
  • Irish coffee
  • Grog
  • Russian punch

For more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.

Jan
23
Thu
Winter Wine and Cheese at Eataly Boston
Jan 23 @ 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

If you’re going to cheat on your New Year’s resolution, shouldn’t it be with wine and cheese?

Get lost in formaggi and vino heaven, and join Eataly Boston’s annual Winter Wine & Cheese Fest!

Guests at this tasting festival will receive an all-access pass to wander through the entire store and taste a variety of artisanal cheeses and fine wines. At each station, you’ll learn about the characteristics and stories behind each cheese you’re enjoying and every wine you’re sipping directly from passionate experts. Experience an evening as the best of both Italy and New England come together with cheeses and wine sourced from top local and Italian producers.

Don’t miss this indulgent trip to Italy—without ever leaving Boston—for a Winter Wine and Cheese Fest designed by some of the best cheesemongers and sommeliers in the business!

All-Access Bracelets are $60

Ticket includes food sampling and tastings of an array of cheeses/salumi and wines.

Due to the nature of the event, we are unable to make menu substitutions to accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions.

All guests planning to consume alcohol must be able to produce valid government-issue identification to prove they are 21 or older.

To learn more about Eataly Boston, please click here.

 

M. Chapoutier Wine Dinner at Bar Boulud
Jan 23 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join Mandarin Oriental Boston for an evening of exciting wines from legendary Rhône Valley producer M. Chapoutier with regionally-focused pairings.

More information is coming soon! 

To learn more about the Mandarin Oriental, please click here.

Jan
25
Sat
2020 Rialto Pop Up Dinner at Porto
Jan 25 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

By very popular demand: the 2020 Rialto Pop-Up Dinner by Chef Jody Adams at Porto Boston!

Please join Porto Boston on Saturday evening January 25, 2020 for a Rialto Pop Up Dinner prepared by Chef Jody Adams and the Porto culinary team. Enjoy light bites and cocktails from 6-7pm, followed by a reminiscent 5 course dinner of Rialto inspired favorites paired with our selection of Italian Wines. Tickets are limited and are required to attend this event!

Questions? Please contact Elissa@Porto-Boston.com.

MENU

Find our planned dinner menu below (subject to slight change) :

01. Grilled Oysters
Andouille sausage, garlic toast

02. Lobster Cavatelli
red and green tomato sauce, saffron, hot lobster oil

03. Slow Roasted Duck
balsamic vinegar, braised escarole, green olives, rosemary

04. Grilled Beef Rib-Eye
roasted garlic potatoes, arugula, endive, truffles

05. Hot chocolate Crema
coffee-hazelnut ice cream, blood orange

** Please note, unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate substitutions for this event. 

To learn more about Porto, please click here.

 

Feb
1
Sat
La Chandeleur at the French Cultural Center
Feb 1 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Meet and mingle with other Francophiles while celebrating La Chandeleur!

Also called Crêpe Day, la Chandeleur is a French holiday during which people traditionally eat crêpes and drink cidre. Though la Chandeleur is often associated with the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, it actually stems from pagan traditions. And, of course, there is the traditional coin ritual: if you can flip a crêpe while holding a coin in your other hand, you and your family will not have to worry about financial problems. There is even a fun legend that ties Napoleon’s misfortune with his time in Russia with the flipping of the crêpes!

The French Cultural Center will observe this popular holiday with crêpes and a variety of delicious toppings. All ages are invited and welcome to attend!

Please note: When you register for a family, you are registering per family. You will be required to answer a question on the number of family members that will attend.

Early RSVP recommended.

To learn more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.


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