The Somerville Arts Council proudly presents a taste of its forthcoming book, Nibble. This book will include art essays, a restaurant and market guide, features on the local culinary landscape and recipes galore. One such recipe—and the story behind the recipe—is featured here: North Indian Dal & Roti.  Written by Shape Up Somerville’s Jill Sahai; photos by Somerby Jones.
 

My husband’s family grew up in northeast India in the ancient city of Arrah, where many families are vegetarian and dal and roti are staples. Dal is like a thick lentil soup spiced up with coriander, chili, curry powder and… Read more…

Nibble scribe Raleigh Strott chats with Alberto Cabré, co-owner and head chef of Casa B, about dessert, produce and the intersection of architecture and culinary arts. Photos by Rachel Blumenthal.
 

In many restaurants you often find the “Dessert Divide,” where chefs shy away from baking and focus on the main event: entrées. Not so with Alberto Cabré, head chef and co-owner of Casa B in the heart of Union Square. “I love baking,” he says. “It comes from my background in architecture; the careful measuring comes easily to me.” In fact, the owners of Casa B—Alberto and his wife… Read more…

“Imagine art inspired by bacon and beer. Sounds glorious, right?” So muses Aaron Cohen, Boston Bacon and Beer Festival mastermind and producer of the Arts Council’s recent Ginger Explosion event, held at Union Square’s PA’s Lounge.

If your interest is piqued and you like the idea of a bacon-beer-art trifecta, snag some of the last tickets to the bacon and beer inspired art show held tonight in Union Square, May 2nd, at PA’s Lounge. Tickets to the later showing are sold out, yet there are still a few tickets left to the 6:30-8pm showing. Once through PA’s doors,… Read more…

Union Square bartender wins recent Cocktail Finals—AND, Union Square now has its very own libation: The Union!

The results from Boston’s March Cocktail Finals are in—and the winner hails from, you guessed it, Union Square! Sam Treadway of Backbar, our new favorite speakeasy, recently won the Great Improper Bartending Competition, a contest organized by the Improper Bostostonian and judged by a quartet of experts, including Brother Cleve, a hallowed mixologist who also happens to be a musician, dj and cultural programmer (he recently hosted our Pisco Party at Machu Picchu).

Sam won with a libation dubbed “East Meets… Read more…

A Union Square culture maven dishes about where to find the best grub in the Square. By Nibble scribe Vera Vidal

“Music, dance and food are absolutely universal experiences that all cultures share and which unite us all. And yet it is the uniqueness of sound, rhythm, movement and flavor that creates a feeling of cultural identity” says Susan Robbins, owner of Third Life Studios and founder and artistic director of Libana, an ensemble that celebrates women’s creative contributions to international music.

I met with Sue at Third Life Studio, in the heart of Union Square. This venue… Read more…