On June 8th, Somerville’s vibrant restaurant community has a chance to show off.
At the 18th annual Taste of Somerville Festival, more than 60 local restaurants, breweries and wineries will present their finest to an eager crowd of foodies in Davis Square.
“We want to include restaurants that have been around forever as well as new ones,” explains Morgan Bigley, Highland Kitchen’s general manager and the organizer of this year’s event.
Though Taste of Somerville has been around for nearly two decades, Bigley notes there are some changes brewing for 2016: a new and improved VIP tent, which includes exclusive access to cocktails and grub by experimental fine-dining establishment, Tasting Counter. Taste also recruited several craft breweries to showcase their libations this year, including Somerville’s own Aeronaut Brewery and Winter Hill Brewing Company.
“The diversity of breweries is a new angle that I’m excited about,” Begley adds. “We approached the breweries to participate, but it’s really a natural extension of what’s happening in the community.” Tickets for Taste of Somerville are still available, but on track to sell out, and proceeds from the event will go towards Somerville CAN, a collective of organizations that work to combat poverty in the area. “Not only is it a chance to taste foods in Somerville, it’s supporting a good cause,” Bigley says.
Need a taste?
Redbones La Brasa
Mexican, Middle Eastern and Peruvian cuisines blend together at La Brasa. This Somerville restaurant’s name pays homage to its menu, as “a la brasa” translates to “grilled” in Spanish. “They serve really creative foods,” he adds. Tony C’s
A sports bar and grill, Tony C’s is returning to Taste of Somerville after a successful showing last year. “They brought a really popular tuna tostada last year,” Bigley recalls. “I hope they bring something like that again.”
50 Holland St, Somerville
Tickets start at $50, VIP, $75, $15, children
www.tasteofsomerville.org
In its 18th year, the Taste of Somerville remains a tempting bonanza
Provided
We asked Bigley to give us the inside scoop on some indulgent booths worth checking out:
A Somerville fixture since 1987, Redbones’ Southern-inspired barbecue is a fan favorite. “I’m always excited to see restaurants like Redbones at the festival that are the foundation of Somerville’s restaurant community,” Bigley says. Fall-off-the-bone ribs, creamy mac and cheese, and rich collard greens are among their signature items.
If you go:
June 8 at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
