| The Scene In and Around Boston . . . By Hilda M. Morrill August 29, 2008
Unbelievably, Labor Day Weekend has arrived! Where did the summer go? Everyone seems to be asking, "What did you do on your summer vacation? Where did you go? Any recommendations?" Well, we didn't go very far. But a very social event definitely stands out as a highlight. We refer to the "Arrows Restaurant 20th Anniversary Celebration." Arrows is our favorite restaurant, and it happens to be located in Ogunquit, Maine - not too far to travel from the Greater Boston Area for wonderful food in a charming setting with gracious hosts. The perfect get-away weekend! And, yes, Arrows just happens to have an adjacent magnificent garden, full of glorious herbs and vegetables, which find their way into the innovative menus. Gorgeous colorful flowers end up in spectacular arrangements throughout the restaurant. On June 29 chef/owners Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier welcomed more than 200 guests to enjoy the very special milestone. Two huge tents had been set up on the beautiful grounds to accommodate the crowd. Always unique, the dynamic duo and their staff distributed colorful packets of seeds on which the names of the guests and their assigned table numbers were calligraphied in gold ink. Each table was decorated with either herbs, vegetables or fruits, as well as pots of the corresponding plants. We were at the "Cauliflower Table." Nearby were the "Radish Table" and the "Strawberry Table," to name a few. What fun! Surrounded by family, friends and longtime staff members, the innovative duo listened as guest speakers detailed the chef/owners' rise to fame as James Beard Award-winners and their restaurant being ranked No. 14 in the nation by Gourmet Magazine. Paula Kerger, the president of PBS, recounted her first visit to Arrows 14 years ago. "You two are magic men," she said, "always making visitors feel extraordinarily special." Now a resident of Washington, D.C., Kerger read a portion of a proclamation read into the congressional record on June 24 by Senator Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, praising Frasier and Gaier "for their contribution to putting the state of Maine on the culinary map with their refined New England cuisine and attention to local and seasonal foods" as well as their "environmental stewardship." Later, noted radio personality Gene Burns (formerly of WRKO in Boston), now at San Francisco's WKGO, told of his first visit to Arrows in 1988 "when Clark and Mark did everything... the baking and the cooking... before the gardens and flowers... when there were only 8-12 tables." Burns would later note in his blog: "This restaurant's owners and I have become close friends over the years, but I was invited to speak at the Celebration as the first member of the media to review the restaurant in 1988.... a wonderful experience." The memorable 20th Anniversary Dinner menu included butter-poached lobster and diver scallops, a garden salad with a beet granite, grilled eye of beef with a fig panna cotta and braised short ribs. An ice cream sundae bar with all the fixings rounded everything off beautifully. Dancing to the music of Motown continued till the wee hours. Congratulations Mark and Clark! Well done! Here's to the next 20! Incidentally, on Sunday, September 7 Arrows is hosting a "Conde Nast Traveler Farm Harvest Dinner" beginning at 6 p.m. Guests will get enjoy a five-course dinner "al fresco" in the Arrows gardens as featured in the February 2008 "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine.
Children's Trust Fund Hosts Annual Gala and Auction on October 4 The Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund (CTF) will host its 18th annual "Voices for Children Gala and Auction" on Saturday, October 4 at The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Avenue, from 6 p.m. to midnight. The Children's Trust Fund leads statewide efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect in Massachusetts. The Black Tie optional gala, the largest fund-raiser for CTF, will be held in the Essex and American ballrooms. Philip W. Johnston, President and CEO of the public affairs consulting firm, Johnston Associates, will be the evening's honoree "for his commitment to improving the lives of children and families throughout Massachusetts." As a founding board member, Johnston "was instrumental in creating CTF 20 years ago and remains committed to supporting and strengthening families." Milton resident Suzin Bartley is Executive Director of the Children's Trust Fund, a position she has held for the past 15 years. For tickets or more information, call 617-727-8957 or visit www.mctf.org. Enjoy! |
|
|
In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." bostonevents.com bostontravel.com bostongardens.com bostonautos.com |
|
Chefs/Owners Clark Frasier and Mark Gaier, far right, welcome Brian Reddington, Paula Kerger and Joe Kerger, left to right, to the "Arrows Restaurant 20th Anniversary Celebration" in Ogunquit, Maine. (Photo by David Murray)