Discover hotel and resort dining, food and wine festivals, restaurant weeks, country farms, cozy inns, recipes, cookbooks, cooking classes, international fare and more.

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Spotlight: Contessa Restaurant at The Newbury Hotel in Boston

Video courtesy of Dining Playbook

Spotlight: Afternoon Tea Vermont Style

Photo courtesy of Shelburne Farms

Savor Afternoon Tea, Vermont Style... Enjoy daily afternoon tea in the Tea Room, one of several lovely common rooms at Shelburne Farms, and more.
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Friday, August 28, 2015

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Today's Travel Finds: Pasta Making Class, a Mid-week Foliage Package, Fall-themed Recipes, a Historic Gentlemen's Supper

The Art of Pasta Making ~ October 29, 2015 ~ 6:00pm - 9:00pm
"Who doesn't love homemade pasta? Who doesn't want to learn how to make their own homemade pasta? Join Chef Diane Manteca as she leads you on a guided tour of traditional Italian pasta making in this hands-on cooking workshop. She'll begin with a demo on how to make and roll your own fresh pasta, while discussing how to match pasta shapes with appropriate sauces. You’ll then learn to craft your own ravioli, gnocchi, and tagliatelle, along with a few simple sauces. When you find that perfect sauce/pasta match, it’s amore!" Boston Center For Adult Education

The Mid-Week Fall Foliage Package at the Wildflower Inn (Vermont) -- Stay 3 nights and get the 4th night free or stay 2 nights and get 50% off the 3rd night with the Mini Explorers Package - These offers include 6 self-guided detailed maps of fall foliage driving tours to Vermont, New Hampshire and Southern Quebec.

Fall-themed Recipes from New Hampshire Chefs - Head on over to New Hampshire Magazine and treat your taste buds to some delicous fall recipes like Cranberry and Walnut Baked Brie with Cinnamon Herb Crostini and Acorn Squash Risotto with Tart Cherries and Ricotta Salata.

Historic New England's "Mrs. Tucker's Supper" ~ Friday, August 28 at Castle Tucker in Wiscasset, Maine ~ 9:00am - 11:00am.
This event is centered around a supper prepared by a young Mollie Tucker and the letter she wrote to her sister in April, 1860. Attendees will learn about the history behind the gentlemen's supper and what it revealed about life at Castle Tucker. Also included, is a tour of the house following the program. Admission cost for Historic New England members is $10; nonmembers $15.





Friday, August 14, 2015

Today's Travel Finds: Cookbook Author Series in Boston, Touring Mansions in Newport, Pampering in New Hampshire

Annual Dewey Square Cookbook Author Series (August and September, 2015)
Meet the authors and engage with local food experts, as they share their knowledge and excitement about cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dewey Square Farmers Market is located at the corner of Summer St. and Atlantic Ave., across from South Station. 

For the upcoming schedule, visit the blog of the newly opened Boston Public Market.

Four remarkable audio tours bring you a new and unique perspective on the lives of the people who lived and worked in the grand mansions of the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island. 

To learn more, visit www.newportmansions.org/plan-a-visit/audio-tours

Pampering in the Mountains: The Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire is offering a Simply Spa-tacular Package. It includes a $100 daily spa credit, a glass of wine or champagne each night following your spa treatment, a nightly turndown service, a special welcome gift and daily breakfast.




Enjoy a Picnic in the Berkshires: Blantyre Resort at Your Service

The charming Blantyre Resort in Lenox, MA will prepare a special picnic basket or to-go disposable bag for your time out and about in the Berkshires or a picnic in their beautiful gardens. 24-hour notice is required.

Photo courtesy of Blantyre

For more information, visit http://blantyre.com/foodandwine/picnic


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Today's Travel Finds: Moose Watching, Lobster Cruise, Food & Wine Festivals

Portland's luxury INN by the SEA, is offering a Twin Lobster Package that includes 2 nights accommodation in a single bedroom garden suite, spa suite or traditional guest room; complimentary Dishing Up Maine cookbook, gourmet breakfast for two daily, lobster cruise on Casco Bay for two and Chef's Lobster Tasting menu, one night of your stay. What are you waiting for lobster lovers? Visit their website for more info.

The Moose Festival Package at Jackson Lodge in Canaan, Vermont: Stay in one of the two or three bedroom lakeside cabins during the weekend of August 28-30, 2015, and your admission to the festival on Saturday, August 29th is free. You will also receive a voucher for free coffee and donuts, at the ‘April’s Maple’ booth, not to mention directions to favorite moose spots.

Upcoming: A showcase of culinary talent will be on display at the fourth annual Taste of WGBH Food & Wine Festival on September 17-20, 2015 - Jammed packed events will feature 200+artisans, 4 days of food, wine, and music. For more details, visit the festival website.

Before the hot summer is over, more heat will be on the way. The Wells, Maine ChiliFest is Saturday, August 29, 2015. This traditional late summer event will take place at the Wells Junior High School on U.S. Route 1. Check out the Maine State Cook-Off for International Chili Society members, or participate in an open cook-off for the People's Choice prize. Visit www.wellschilifest.com


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Celebrating Julia Child: Sur La Table's Cooking Class in Boston and Natick

In memory of Julia Child's birthday on August 15, Sur La Table is offering a special cooking class to celebrate the world-renowned chef, author and TV personality.

Copley Place Boston Event: August 15, 2015 from 10:00am  to 12:00pm
Natick, MA Event: August 15, 2015 from 10:00am to 12:00pm

For more information including cost, availability and menu, visit Sur La Table online.

View more cooking classes in New England here.


Today's Travel Finds: Fall Special Packages, Recipes, Getaways...

Cape Arundel Inn: Kennebunkport Resort Collection’s Fall Farm & Spirits Package - Discover local farms, ice cream stands, orchards and more. Includes a swag bag filled with local goodies upon arrival and two custom trail maps for a self-guided tour.

Trapp Family Lodge Recipes from the family that inspired "Sound of Music"

Winemaker Series Dinners at Stonehedge Inn & Spa in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts - Menus are crafted to pair perfectly with the featured winery. Blue Chip Wines of Napa Valley (August 17, 2015). View the full event calendar

Fall Harvest Getaway at Ocean House in Rhode Island - Luxurious accommodations in a Deluxe or Terrace Water View Room; One-on-one 30-minute local wine tasting experience with Ocean House Sommelier; 20% off one bottle of wine at local vineyards; $100 resort credit. Offer valid from September 4 - November 24, 2015. View details

Romance in New Hampshire Package - This special offer from the Chesterfield Inn features champagne in your room upon arrival, one dozen chocolate covered strawberries, one gourmet dinner for 2 (3 courses and gratuity included), full country breakfast.

Video of the Day: How an authentic Maine Lobster Clam Bake is prepared and cooked at Stage Neck Inn


Video courtesy of Stage Neck Inn