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Merrimack Valley Magazine

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NoteWorthy – 12/13/20

December 13, 2020 by Doug Sparks

AROUND THE VALLEY

Winter Giardino at Tuscan Market Highlights Skating Rink, Tree Market, Igloo Dining

Developer and restaurateur Joe Faro was joined by members of the Boston Bruins and The Greater Salem Chamber for a ribbon cutting on Saturday, Dec. 12., for Tuscan Market’s Winter Giardino. This winter garden features public skating, a 30-foot Christmas tree, an L.L. Bean pop-up store and igloo dining.

Igloos are open every day with a full menu available and can be reserved by calling Tuscan Kitchen Salem at (603) 952-4875. To learn more visit here.

The skating rink is open through April on Wednesday and Thursday from 2-8 p.m. and Friday-Sunday 12-8 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 Salem for residents, and $5 for kids. Skate rentals are available on-site. On Sundays, Tuscan Kitchen will donate admission proceeds to a local charity throughout December. Admission for the skating rink can be purchased day of at the skating rink gift card booth. Masks are required while skating.

 

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera to Serve as President and CEO of MassDevelopment

File photo.

The MassDevelopment board of directors voted unanimously to empower Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, the board chair, to extend a contract offer to Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera for the position of president and chief executive officer.

Rivera joins MassDevelopment after serving as mayor of the City of Lawrence for seven years where he managed a $341 million operating budget, a $92 million capital improvement plan, and oversaw approximately 3,500 employees. As Lawrence’s chief executive, Rivera led efforts to invest in infrastructure and attract hundreds of millions of dollars in private development, while also overseeing the creation of over 2,400 units of affordable and market-rate housing.

 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Statewide Rollback to Phase Three, Step One, Additional Restrictions Effective December 13

On Tuesday, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that effective Sunday, Dec. 13, all communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the commonwealth’s reopening plan. This will reduce indoor capacities across a broad range of sectors of the economy and tighten several other workplace restrictions. The administration announced the roll-back to respond to an increase in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving holiday.

The return to Step 1 will also require the closure of certain businesses designated as Step 2 industries. These include indoor performance venues and certain high-contact indoor recreational businesses. In addition, capacity limits will be reduced to 40% statewide for most industries, and the limit on outdoor gatherings will be reduced statewide from 100 persons to 50 persons. Additional safety measures will be applied to restaurant dining as well.

The administration also announced additional guidance for certain sectors including restaurants, office spaces and gyms, to address activities where mask wearing is not possible at all times.

Click here to read the revised gatherings order.

Click here to read the order rolling Massachusetts back to Phase III, Step 1.

 

Annual Mayor’s Holiday Fest to End Youth Homelessness Carries on with Raffle Fundraiser

Courtesy image.

In spite of this year’s limitations on social gatherings, Lowell Mayor John Leahy intends to continue the tradition of the successful Mayor’s Holiday Rock ‘n’ Roll Fundraiser tradition, begun by Sen. Ed Kennedy and former Mayor Bill Samaras, by holding a raffle to raise money for this important cause. In the three years past, Mayor’s Kennedy and Samaras have raised over $60K.

Tickets may be purchased here. Sponsorships are also available. All donations raised through the Mayor’s Holiday Fest Raffle will help Community Teamwork continue their efforts to prevent youth homelessness.

Community Teamwork estimates that there are over 100 young people in Lowell each year who experience homelessness for reasons including family conflict and abuse, sexual identity, pregnancy, addiction or mental health issues, contact with the juvenile justice system or aging out of foster care. This at-risk youth population is often overlooked. In response to the need, Community Teamwork’s youth services program has built out the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC) to provide low-barrier services and crisis intervention to homeless and at-risk youth between the ages of 16-24.

The drawing will be held live on Facebook (@MayorofLowellMA) on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m. Raffle tickets are $50 each. Prizes include: a guitar signed by country music duo Martin and Kelly, a monthly chicken pie from Lenzi’s for a year, and more.

Visit here for more information.

 

New UML Fellowships Advance Efforts in Climate Education, Sustainability Research

UMass Lowell (UML) faculty and students pursuing climate education or sustainability research that seeks to improve the environment have received funding to support their work through a university initiative dedicated to these issues.

The funding for the projects was presented by UML’s Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy (RISE), a collaboration between the university’s Climate Change Initiative, energy engineering program and Office of Sustainability. Founded in 2019 with the support of UML graduate Brian Rist and his wife Kim, the institute recently named its inaugural class of fellows to honor and advance their work. They are economics assistant Prof. Kelly Hellman, along with Kerry Candlen, a plastics engineering major from Westford, and Maria Fonseca Guzman, a chemical engineering major from Roswell, Ga.

Hellman was awarded a $15,000 faculty fellowship to create a new course, “The Economics of Climate Change,” which will examine how the phenomenon is affecting the economy, human health and the environment. Students will also study economists’ predictions for future impacts.

 

Red Sox, City of Lowell Working to Keep Baseball in Community

© MLB.com/RedSox

The Red Sox and the city of Lowell announced on Wednesday that they are working to keep baseball in the Lowell community. The two sides are in the early stages of evaluating various opportunities for the 2021 season, and will continue to discuss longer-term options in the weeks ahead.

“For over a year, we have worked with Congresswoman Trahan, Lowell City Manager Eileen Donoghue, Major League Baseball, and Lowell Spinners ownership to examine every option that would keep baseball in the City of Lowell,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “We are exploring what form that could take in 2021, and are committed to maintaining the 24-year-long tradition of baseball in the Lowell community. We are grateful to Governor Baker, Senator Markey, and Senator Warren for their support of our collective efforts, and look forward to our continued work with Lowell’s public officials as we develop and formalize our plans.”

 

MassDevelopment Announces $360,000 in Funding for Arts-Based Projects in Gateway Cities

On Wednesday, MassDevelopment announced the availability of $360,000 in funding for a new round of the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Creative Catalyst Grant program, a competitive grant program for eligible Gateway Cities that supports locally initiated, public-facing projects that advance arts- and culture-based economic development and neighborhood revitalization. Locally, individuals and organizations proposing projects in and near current and former TDI districts in Haverhill and Lawrence are eligible to apply. Grants will range from $20,000 to $40,000 for individual projects, and from $60,000 to $100,000 for clusters of projects in the same geographic area.

Applicants can find the full request for proposals and details about upcoming region-specific informational webinars here. Expressions of interest are due by January 8, 2021, at 5 p.m..

 

Lawrence Nonprofit Receives $5,000 Grant for Food Distribution During Pandemic and Beyond

Courtesy Merrimack Valley Dream Center.

Merrimack Valley Dream Center, a Lawrence-based nonprofit, has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Greater Lawrence Community Fund, a fund of the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF). Funds will be used for food distribution during the pandemic and beyond.

Merrimack Valley Dream Center serves the homeless, low-income individuals and families, and those recovering from addiction. Grant funds will be used in its Food Truck Ministry program, a year-round food distribution program that has been providing bags of groceries to residents of the Merrimack Courts Housing Project. The Dream Center plans to expand this work to the Hancock Housing Project in 2021.

During the pandemic, the Dream Center has joined forces with Top Notch Scholars, J. Alavarez & Company, and Town Livery in the monthly Everybody Eats Every Month food distribution initiative supported by New England Patriots’ Justin Bethel through his Beating All Odds Foundation.

Donations of personal hygiene items, socks and gloves are appreciated during the winter months. See their website or call (978) 566-1547 for more information on either of these programs.

 

Jupiter, Saturn to Form ‘Christmas Star’ on Dec. 21

© vovan / Adobe Stock.

In a rare celestial event not seen in nearly 800 years, Jupiter and Saturn will align to create what will appear to be one large star in the night sky on Dec. 21, the winter solstice, the day each year with the shortest period of daylight and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere.

This will be the closest alignment of Jupiter and Saturn visible to the naked eye since 1226. Given its appearance amid the holiday season, many amateur astronomers have nicknamed the event the “Christmas star,” according to Silas Laycock, a UMass Lowell (UML) astronomer.

“Anyone giving a telescope as a holiday gift should let the recipient unwrap it a few days early for an experience that cannot be replicated for hundreds of years to come,” said Laycock, who has been tracking Jupiter and Saturn over the past few weeks as they have drawn closer to each other in the evening sky.

Laycock is an associate professor of physics who conducts research in the university’s Lowell Center for Space Science and Technology.

 

U.S. Dept. of Commerce Awards $600k to Lawrence Partnership

The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) along with Rep. Lori Trahan, Sen. Edward Markey, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the city of Lawrence, and the Lawrence Partnership announced that the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded a federal grant of $600,000 to the Lawrence Partnership, a broad coalition of business and civic leaders.

This federal funding will be used to support the expansion of their Revolving Test Kitchen (RTK) initiative, an incubator to invest in small, local food-based businesses in Lawrence. This expansion will allow for the RTK to increase operations and serve up to a dozen food-based businesses in Lawrence at once. The project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.

To learn more about MVPC’s CEDS Program click here. To learn more about Lawrence Partnership’s Revolving Test Kitchen click here.

 

Community Partners Come to the Aid of Seniors Facing Food Insecurity 

Courtesy images.

The coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity among local senior citizens and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is stepping up to help.

Last spring, as COVID-19 began infecting older adults in high numbers, nonprofit agencies providing support to this demographic were hit hard. Most of the volunteers they depended on to distribute meals to their clients were seniors themselves.

Realizing these unforeseen forces were having a profound impact on elder health, last spring and summer GLCF distributed two COVID-19 relief fund grants to two nonprofits that support seniors, Minuteman Senior Services and Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley & North Shore. The spring and summer grants were distributed by GLCF from the Massachusetts COVID-19 Relief Fund. This relief fund supported those across the state most impacted by the COVID-19 health crisis, and focused on essential front-line workers and vulnerable populations including the homeless, immigrant populations, people with disabilities, and those facing food insecurity.

Then, in November, GLCF continued addressing food insecurity among seniors by awarding another round of grants to both nonprofits from the foundation’s own COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

***

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Announces New Board Member

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union welcomed its newest board member, Wendy Estrella. Estrella is the founder of Estrella Law Offices, the city’s largest real estate firm, and owner of Estrella Enterprises.

Her various volunteer and civic leadership roles include trustee of the Mass School of Law and a founding board member of the Lawrence Partnership. She was previously appointed by Gov. Deval Patrik as a trustee of Northern Essex Community College and served as a board member of Lawrence Family Development Charter School.

Estrella is a graduate of Northern Essex Community College, Merrimack College and Mass School of Law, and has been the recipient of multiple regional and statewide awards and honors. She lives in Methuen.

Incompass Human Services Announces Appointment of Shawn Nault as Director of Day Services

Incompass Human Services (formerly LifeLinks CLASS), a nonprofit organization that delivers enriching supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families throughout Greater Lowell and Greater Lawrence, has appointed Shawn Nault as director of day services.

In this new role, Nault will oversee the portfolio of Incompass day programs in Chelmsford and Lawrence, including day habilitation, community-based day services, T.R.E.E., and employment services. Together, these programs enroll nearly 400 individuals from the surrounding communities with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Nault has more than 30 years of experience running I/DD clinical programs, having spent the past seven years leading the day habilitation program in Chelmsford. He also oversees the Incompass Urban Youth Collaborative Program in partnership with Department of Developmental Services, an experiential internship that engages students who are interested in pursuing a career in human services.

Longtime Lazarus House Volunteer Becomes New Director of Operations

Ed Wiederhold of Tewksbury, Mass., began in his new role as director of operations for Lazarus House Ministries on Dec. 7. Widerhold brings with him almost 40 years of operations experience, a love for Lazarus House, and a strong desire to carry on building solid and lasting relationships with the Ministry’s staff, partners, vendors, sponsors and local committees.

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: Baker-Polito, Boys and Girls Club, Christmas Star, City of Lowell, Climate Education, COVID-19 Rollbacks, Dan Rivera, Encompass Human Services, Gateway Cities, Holiday Fest, Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Lazarus House, NECC, Red Sox, Tuscan Kitchen, Tuscan Market, UMass Lowell

2020 MVMA Winners – Milestone (Longevity in Business)

August 18, 2020 by Terry Suzuki

We are happy to present the winners of the 2020 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners.

Milestone – 5 Years
Seoul Kitchen
Seoul Kitchen is a family-owned and operated restaurant in Westford that captures exciting and authentic Korean flavors in a modern and welcoming setting. Featuring fresh and creative sushi served alongside craft cocktails, their dishes can be best described as bold and innovative, yet traditional. Their sushi is one of a kind — they use hand-selected fish from the local seaport to make delicious fresh items from the sushi bar.
142 Littleton Rd. | Westford, Mass.
EatSeoulKitchen.com

Milestone – 10 Years
Tuscan Kitchen
Inspired by owner Joe Faro’s travels throughout Italy, Tuscan Kitchen’s authentic Italian cuisine makes you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the boot. Tuck into a Fichi pizza with figs, rosemary, burrata and prosciutto, or go for the traditional rigatoni alla Bolognese. Want something lighter? They also offer delicious salads and meat dishes.
Burlington, Mass.; Salem, N.H.
TuscanBrands.com/Kitchen

Milestone – 20 Years
Farmer Dave’s
Farmer Dave was raised on Marsh Hill in Dracut, Massachusetts. At an early age, he began at Brox Farm in Dracut. After graduating from college, he worked with Ecuadorian farmers to improve their soil health, crop yields, irrigation systems, crop storage, animal health, and marketing methods. Upon returning 1997, he began leasing the Brox Farm, growing vegetables and flowers. In 2006, he purchased his own farm in Dracut. Farmer Dave plants a wide variety of long-term crops including apples, blueberries, raspberries and herbs. Visit his website to learn more about Farmer Dave and their popular CSA program.
437 Parker Rd. | Dracut, Mass.
FarmerDaves.net

Milestone – 30 Years
Enterprise Bank
When it first opened, Enterprise Bank quickly gained a reputation for providing full-service banking to community residents and businesses. With success came growth. Headquartered in Lowell, Enterprise Bank now has branches throughout the Merrimack Valley and continues to advance its mission of kindling the entrepreneurial spirit.
Twenty-Five Branches Throughout The Region, with a North Andover Location Opening Soon
EnterpriseBanking.com

 

Milestone – 40 Years
Flowers by Steve
Step into a floral paradise at Flowers by Steve’s Haverhill store. Steve’s can create specialized arrangements for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions. Established in 1975, they offer everything from classic roses to exotic bouquets. Flowers by Steve can tailor arrangements to your requests. Find the perfect bouquet for your favorite person with the help of the expert designers at Steve’s.
14 Cross Rd. | Haverhill, Mass.
FlowersbySteveInc.com

Milestone – 50 Years
Harrows Chicken Pies
Harrows Chicken Pies are still made the same way they were in the 1930s, with slow-cooked chicken and rich homemade gravy. You can either call ahead to pick up a piping hot, ready-to-eat chicken pie, or pick up a cold one to bake at home. The pies are available in four different sizes, ranging from 1-6 servings. No matter what size your family is, Harrows can accommodate. Besides the chicken pie, Harrows also sells dessert pies such as apple and blueberry. On top of that they also sell a variety of sides to complement your meal.
436 Broadway | Methuen, Mass.
ChickenPie.com

Milestone – 75 Years
Lowell Memorial Auditorium
Built after World War I to honor veterans, Lowell Memorial Auditorium is an ideal venue for concerts, family shows, conferences, conventions, trade shows, corporate seminars and much more, the 2,800-seat venue was constructed in 1922. Famed as the location of the Golden Gloves boxing tournament (Rocky Marciano began his career at the LMA) and Lowell Irish Festival, the building is a critical part of Lowell’s legacy that continues to provide a home for entertaining and educating area residents.
50 E. Merrimack St. | Lowell, Mass.
LowellAuditorium.com

Milestone – 100 Years
Shaw Farm
While the Shaw family’s farm business is over 100 years old, their history as farmers goes back further. When the king of England offered land to New England farmers in the 1700s, the Shaw family of Rhode Island moved to Nova Scotia before returning to resettle in Dracut. In the spring of 1915, disaster struck at the farm where Shaw was working, and an entire herd of cows had to be destroyed as a result of foot and mouth disease. The farm was sold, but Mark Shaw inherited its home delivery customers. This was the beginning of the M.L. Shaw and Sons milk business. From these beginnings grew the dairy business that has become central to our region’s agricultural history. In the ’60s, the family opened a farm store and would eventually move into ice cream production, which is how many children in the Merrimack Valley come to know of Shaw Farm and its legacy.
204 New Boston Rd. | Dracut, Mass.
ShawFarm.com   

 

The 2020 MVMAs are sponsored by:

Filed Under: MVMA Tagged With: 2020, 2020 MVMAs, 2020MVMAs, Awards, Enterprise Bank, Farmer Dave's, Flowers by Steve, Harrows Chicken Pies, Longevity in Business, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Merrimack Valley, Merrimack Valley Magazine Award, milestone, MVMA, Seoul Kitchen, Shaw Farm, Tuscan Kitchen

Bridal Venue Guide – 2020

January 28, 2020 by Katie DeRosa

Your guide to some of the area’s best wedding venues in the Merrimack Valley area for 2020 and beyond!


Blue Ocean Event Center

Do you dream of salt air kisses, waves lapping beneath your feet, wowing guests with picture perfect views, and an elegant reception by the sea? At Blue Ocean Event Center, the only thing we overlook is the ocean, the perfect setting for the day of your dreams. Weddings at Blue Ocean Event Center feature breathtaking ceremony options with the ocean as a backdrop, elegantly modern and versatile waterfront reception spaces for 35 to 450 guests, menus and set-up styles to reflect your personal style and tastes, and customized planning with our expert event managers to create the wedding of your dreams. Catered by the on-site Seaglass Restaurant culinary team, our menus celebrate the bounty of the land and sea offering guests fresh, seasonal cuisine with an array of menu options and reception styles. Invite your guests to experience the beauty of a seaside wedding and award-winning dining in an exclusive beachside atmosphere that is unique and rejuvenating. 

Salisbury, Mass.
(978) 462-5992
BlueOceanEventCenter.com

 

Four Oaks Country Club

Offering something for every bride and groom, Four Oaks Country Club provides a very unique experience when creating the wedding of your dreams. The contemporary-styled Clubhouse and Grand Oaks Ballroom sit on Marsh Hill, offering beautiful views extending as far as Boston.  Our experienced Wedding Director will provide you the undivided attention and service you deserve throughout your day.

The Grand Oaks Ballroom seats up to 200 guests and has multiple options for arrangements and decorations. It also includes a full dance floor. The cuisine at Four Oaks Country Club is as exceptional as the venue. We can tailor any menu to delight you and your guests!

80 Meadow Creek Drive, Dracut, Mass.
(978) 455-0054
FourOaksCountryClub.com

Merrimack Valley Golf Club

Located at the Beautiful Merrimack Valley Golf Club, Merrimack Valley Events by Simply Elegant Catering has over 23 years of experience and will ensure that your wedding day far surpasses your expectations. We offer premium, full-service catering at the highest quality, and guarantee that the entire planning process will be stress free and enjoyable! You are about to embark on a journey that starts with making the first of many thoughtful decisions. It will culminate with the perfect day that brings your guests together in celebration of your marriage. It will be the day you have always dreamed of. Whether you choose a wedding at the Merrimack Valley Golf Club or at an off-site location,
we will help you celebrate your wedding day in style!

210 Howe St., Methuen, Mass.
(978) 683-7771 x11
MerrimackValleyEvents.com

Middlesex Community College Foundation John Nesmith House

An elegant setting for intimate weddings and receptions, the MCC Foundation’s John Nesmith House reflects the splendor of the era when Lowell was home to some of America’s first captains of industry. Built in 1843, this 22-room Greek Revival mansion has been beautifully renovated – with central heat, air conditioning and a full professional kitchen – and features period furnishings throughout. The spiral staircase can provide the bride a grand entrance. The beautifully landscaped grounds offer several unique indoor and outdoor ceremony locations, and spectacular photography opportunities. Nesmith House can accommodate up to 100 guests for a cocktail reception or 65 for a plated dinner. Our experienced staff will work with you every step of the way to ensure your special event is everything you want it to be.

Lowell, Mass.
(978) 458-3722
Middlesex.Mass.edu/Historic

Tuscan Kitchen

At Tuscan Kitchen, our finely appointed event spaces are designed to offer an intimate atmosphere to entertain your guests with exceptional service and artisan cuisine in a beautiful, tasteful environment. Our chef will custom design a menu for each guest’s individual needs, budget and taste. We create personalized menus and an event program that features the same artisan cuisine we serve in our dining room. Our private dining and event rooms are designed to offer guests flexible space to have events ranging in size from 20 to 500. Whether it is a family style dinner for 12 or a dinner party for 150, our private dining space and warm hospitality will make your next event truly memorable.

TuscanBrands.com
67 Main Street, Salem, N.H. | (603) 952-4875
2400 District Ave, Burlington, MA | (781) 229-0300
581 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, N.H. | (603) 570-3600
64 Seaport Boulevard, Boston, MA | (617) 303-7300

UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center

Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or an extravagant affair, the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center can customize any event to make your wedding dreams a reality. The luxurious Grand Ballroom can accommodate parties of up to 440 people. For smaller weddings, showers and rehearsal dinners, the Lower Locks and Hamilton rooms feature an abundance of natural lighting. An outdoor patio off of the Lowell Locks is perfect for your ceremony or reception. Overlooking the city’s canals on the banks of the Concord River, the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center offers a beautiful backdrop for your wedding photos. We offer tiered wedding packages that can be customized to fit your taste and budget. Local, sustainable ingredients are used to create a delicious meal for you and your guests, and our lodging features 31 inn-style guestrooms as well as 120 seasonal (summer) hotel rooms.

Lowell, Mass.
(978) 934-6920
UML.edu/ICC

Filed Under: Bridal Tagged With: 2020, Blue Ocean Event Center, Bridal Venue Guide, Four Oaks Country Club, Merrimack Valley Golf Club, Middlesex Community College Foundation John Nesmith House, Tuscan Kitchen, Venues, Wedding Venues, Weddings

2019 MVMA Winners – Wine & Dine (Part 1)

July 23, 2019 by Merrimack Valley Magazine Leave a Comment

We are happy to present the winners of the 2019 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners.

American
Burtons Grill & Bar
Burton’s Grill is the place to go for cuisine from the traditional to the innovative. Perfect for power lunches, after-work socializing and fine wine, Burton’s offers paleo, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as classic American cuisine. Takeout is always available and several locations feature seasonal outdoor patios.
North Andover, Peabody, Burlington, Westford and Hingham, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.
BurtonsGrill.com

Asian
Fusion House Restaurant
The emphasis in on fusion at this cozy Methuen eatery. The scope of the dishes is wide: the many choices include sushi, pad thai, and Polynesian-style Chinese favorites. Wash it all down with one of their classic cocktails.
301 Merrimack St.  |  Methuen, Mass.
FusionHouseRestaurant.com

Pastry Shops/Bakery
Purple Carrot Bread Company
In April 2018, Purple Carrot Bread Co. opened its doors as a cafe and eatery on Merrimack Street in downtown Lowell. Every item on the menu is made from scratch, from hearty stews to salad dressings and condiments. Rustic breads are the heart of Purple Carrot’s menu: Country Blonde, Kalamata olive, rosemary and garlic ciabatta are among the more popular offerings.
107 Merrimack St.  |  Lowell, Mass.
PurpleCarrotBreadCo.com

Coffee Shops & Cafes
Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus
With free WiFi, compostable cups, outdoor seating and custom-roasted beans, what more could you ask for in a local coffee shop? Find all this and more at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. Offering Equal Exchange fair trade coffees and three in-house roasts, Brew’d Awakening is a great place to do some work, chat with friends or just sit and sip.
61 Market St.  |  Lowell, Mass.
BrewdAwakening.com 

Italian
Tuscan Kitchen
Inspired by owner Joe Faro’s travels throughout Italy, Tuscan Kitchen’s authentic Italian cuisine makes you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the boot. Tuck into a Fichi pizza with figs, rosemary, burrata and prosciutto, or go for the traditional rigatoni alla Bolognese. Want something lighter? They also offer delicious salads and meat dishes.
Burlington, Mass.; Salem, N.H.
TuscanBrands.com/Kitchen

Irish Pub
The Irish Cottage
The Irish Cottage bills itself as Methuen’s first authentic Irish restaurant and pub and features great food, drinks and music, all served up with a heaping of traditional Irish atmosphere. Enjoy watching sporting events on their numerous TVS while you chow down on classics such as corned beef and cabbage, cottage pie and Guinness beef stew. Every Saturday night at 7 p.m., The Irish Cottage features live Irish music.
17 Branch St.  |  Methuen, Mass.
TheIrishCottagePub.com

Mexican
Cafe Azteca
Ready for some authentic Mexican food? Look no further than Cafe Azteca. The restaurant’s owners, the Guerrero family, draw inspiration from their annual trips to visit family in Mexico, bringing back new recipes and colorful Mexican decor. Enjoy their delicious selection of margaritas while awaiting your tamales and tostadas.
180 Common St.  |  Lawrence, Mass.
Cafe-Azteca.com

Middle Eastern
Jocelyn’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge
The lamb, kafta and kibbee dishes make this Salem eatery a carnivore’s paradise. Fear not, herbivores — the vegetarian combo appetizer plate is so packed with freshness and flavor that you’ll forget it’s healthy. Jocelyn’s offers Lebanese and American food, a full-service bar and even a martini lounge.
355 South Broadway  |  Salem, N.H.
JocelynsRestaurant.com

Pizza
Tripoli Bakery
It all started with Italian breads and pastries. Luckily for us, in 1944 the Zappala family started making pizza, and one of the best pizzerias around was born. Now you can enjoy beach pizza and pick up some traditional Italian cookies and cannoli for later. Tripoli also offers specialty cakes and their signature fresh breads.
Lawrence, North Andover, Methuen, Salisbury, Mass.; Seabrook, N.H.
TripoliBakery.com

 

 

 

Stop by next week for the winners in the second half of our ‘Wine & Dine’ category.

The 2019 MVMAs are sponsored by:

Filed Under: Food & Drink, MVMA Tagged With: 2019, 2019MVMAs, american, asian, bakery, Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus, Burtons Grill and Bar, Cafe Azteca, Coffee Shops & Cafes, Food, Fusion House Restaurant, Good Eats, Irish Pub, Italian, Jocelyn's Mediterranean Restaurant and Lounge, Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards, Mexican, Middle Eastern, MVMAs, Pastry Shops, Piza, Purple Carrot Bread Company, The Irish Cottage, Tripoli Bakery, Tuscan Kitchen, Wine and Dine

Wine Notes – Allegrini Vive! ( Part 1)

May 11, 2019 by Steven Goddu Leave a Comment

During New Hampshire Wine Week in January, I met with several winemakers, including Marilisa Allegrini of Allegrini Estates in Italy’s Valpolicella region. Allegrini flew from Milan to Boston and was directly escorted to the wine cellar at the Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, N.H., where we conducted our interview. This was Allegrini’s first visit to New Hampshire Wine Week and, as it turns out, I became her de facto ambassador to the “Live Free or Die” state. Hopefully I made a good impression.

Allegrini is the CEO and global brand ambassador for her family’s business. She and her brother, chief winemaker Franco Allegrini, represent the sixth generation in this family tradition. Franco’s son and Marilisa’s two daughters are also involved in the business. 

Italy is one of the most complex wine-growing countries. More than 2,000 grape varieties are produced there. Tuscany cultivates the sangiovese grape. In Piedmont, we find nebbiolo; in Valpolicella, varied expressions of the corvina grape. Dark cherries are one of the dominant flavor notes of corvina. Amarone is the premier wine produced in this region. 

Amarone is made from dried corvina grapes that are cultivated at the highest elevations of Valpolicella. Different from the plump cultivations of fruits and vegetables that we generally consume, grapes make the best wine when the plants are stressed and produce smaller berries and a lower yield. In the late 1970s, Giovanni Allegrini, Marilisa’s father, was a pioneer in changing cultivation techniques from the traditional Guyot trellising to a double pergola trellising. The Guyot method of vine training extends the vines to the left and right of the main stock along a foundation of posts and wires. The double pergola method raises the vines 6 1/2 feet on the sides of each row and extends them across a pergola, creating a canopy that shades the berries. This double pergola reduces the vine density from 2,000 vines per acre to 1,000 vines per acre. The result is half the yield and smaller berries. 

Drying grapes in the region’s high humidity can make them susceptible to infection from the botrytis fungus. Allegrini Estates has figured out a way to manage the issue. “You can make wine with botrytis, but you get this port-type flavor that sometimes reminds you of over-oxidation,” Marilissa Allegrini says. “We want an Amarone with no oxidation and also not an extremely high alcohol content. In 1998, after a few years of experiment, we built a facility where we can control the first stage of the drying process, which is the most critical one, and by doing this we prevent botrytis. The style of Amarone we make is very intense, with an alcohol content of 15%. The body and structure are in balance and we don’t have this port-like flavor.”

The Gambero Rosso, Italy’s most influential guide to Italian wines, has awarded Allegrini Amarone their highest award of “Tre Bicchieri” fifteen times since 1997. Photos by Kevin Harkins.

Allegrini continues, “We have a facility that has big windows and doors. When the humidity is at about 60%, we open the doors and let the air circulate. Even on a sunny day we can have 90% humidity. When the humidity rises to 90%-100%, then we close the windows and doors and we don’t let the humidity come in. Big fans circulate the air, along with a dehumidifier that reduces the humidity to normal. Thanks to this, I think we started a new trend in Valpolicella production because Allegrini Amarone is recognized as an Amarone that is suitable for food. It’s not a wine to drink after a meal in front of the fireplace. Instead, it is an intense wine that you can enjoy with red meat and enjoy with your meal.” 

A second-tier wine made in Valpolicella is referred to as Ripasso, which is made when the winemaker produces a regular wine and then introduces pomace, leftover Amarone grape skins, for a second fermentation. In 1990, Giovanni Allegrini modified this method for their single vineyard Palazzo Della Torre wine. Instead of using pumace to start the second fermentation, he introduced the same dried grapes used in the Amarone production. The resulting wine is an affordable yet intense “Baby Amarone” that has made Wine Spectator’s coveted top 100 wine list six times. In 2018, it was included in Wine Enthusiast’s top 100 list. Palazzo Della Torre is the only wine made with dried grapes instead of pomace, but I suspect other producers will follow.

Allegrini’s Valpolicella Classico and Valpolicella Superiore are made without the use of dried grapes. Each uses 70% corvina blended with 25%-30% percent of the rondinella varietal. These wines are similar, but the Superiore is aged for a longer time in oak. The Classico is aged in stainless steel. These are quality wines from Valpolicella that you can buy at a lower cost. I am officially a big fan of Allegrini wines, and you should look for their name when shopping. They are widely available and will be a big hit with your guests. Salute!   

[Watch for the second part of this series on Allegrini wines in the July/August issue of mvm.]

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Food & Drink Tagged With: Allegrini, Amarone, Italy, Tuscan Kitchen, Wine, winemaker

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Tuscan Kitchen

67 Main Street, Salem, NH 03079
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(603) 952-4875
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Tuscan Kitchen

At Tuscan Kitchen, diners eat and drink their way through Italy’s diverse regional cuisine. Freshly baked breads, homemade pastas and cheeses, and more, are all prepared using the best scratch ingredients and time-honored artisan techniques. Locations in Salem and Portsmouth, N.H., and Burlington, Mass., and Boston’s Seaport.
67 Main Street / Salem, N.H. / (603) 952-4875 / TuscanBrands.com 2400 District Ave. / Burlington, Mass. / (781) 229-0300 581 Lafayette Road / Portsmouth, N.H. / (603) 570-3600 64 Seaport Boulevard / Boston, Mass. / (617) 303-7300 
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(603) 952-4875
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