Special events: The 37th annual Boston Wine & Food Festival kicks off on Friday, Jan. 23, at The Boston Harbor Hotel (70 Rowes Wharf), with 43 events running through March.
Highlights: the President’s Reserve Dinner, honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, pairing beverages beloved by certain presidents. (Not all presidents loved wine, though. Did you know that John Adams reportedly started every morning with an eye-opening 4 ounces of hard cider?)
There’s also the annual Grand Cru Tasting with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, a private sommelier-guided tasting and multi-course feast in the hotel’s presidential suite, complete with overnight accommodations and an open bar. Less lavishly, learn the delicate art of espresso martini-making at a tasting session or book a Valentine’s Day champagne brunch (complete with an espresso martini station and live jazz). Assess the full lineup at www.boswineandfoodfestival.com.
Coming soon: New York-based Emmy Squared Pizza partners with Swingers Back Bay (777 Boylston St.) for its late February opening, pairing Detroit-style pie with indoor golf and carnival games. Expect fluffy, focaccia-style pizza with a signature caramelized-cheese edge (they call it “frico” crust).
Toppings transcend what you might find at an average mini-golf course: honey, pepperoni, and pickled jalapenos; pineapple and chili glaze; and burgers, well-known in New York for their heft and pretzel buns. Drinks reflect the region: Sip a Buzzards Bay Mule (brandy and cranberry liqueur) or a Masshole-in-One (tequila and hibiscus).
Pop-ups: The Connector at Winthrop Center (250 Devonshire St.) partners with Trillium Brewing Company for a winter beer garden, with rotating seasonal pours, newly introduced canned cocktails, Neapolitan-style pies from neighboring stall Gatto Pazzo, and live music. Shake off your midweek slump Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., through Thursday, March 26.
Partnerships: Boston Public Market joins with Acton-based natural winery Marzae to open Marzae Cellar + Provisions this spring. Expect a spacious retail area, plus a tasting room with wines on draft, non-alcoholic options, and locally made provisions. The Globe called the winery a “hidden gem” in a 2024 profile, praising its sulfite-free, no-sugar-added selections.
Closings: The Pearl at Dorchester’s South Bay Center (20B District Ave.), known for seasonal seafood, closes on Sunday, Jan. 25, after a five-year run. An early Globe visit hailed “tongue-tingling” crab dip and seafood Newburg atop cheese grits. Plan for a farewell celebration on Thursday, Jan. 29, with details on the restaurant’s Instagram. Fortunately, owner Mika Winder will focus on her Brighton location, The Pearl Boston Landing (67 Guest St.)
Kara Baskin can be reached at kara.baskin@globe.com. Follow her @kcbaskin.