The season of the “Taste of…” events is upon us. Each year from March through September, the Hub holds multiple events honoring the restaurants of areas small (Taste of Allston Village) and big (Taste of the Nation: Boston). Generally speaking, these events are great values, since they allow you to sample fare from dozens of (often quite high-end) restaurants. Better yet, they’re all for charity. The season kicks off next Tuesday with Taste of the South End (for which tickets are still available). Here’s a guide to the other “Taste of…”s you might want to hit up this year.
Taste of: The South End
Date: March 10
Venue: Boston Center for the Arts
Benefits: Aids Action Committee
Ticket Prices: $95 general admission; $150 VIP
Participating Restaurants: Over 40, including Oishii Boston, Mistral , and Toro.
Taste of: The Back Bay
Date: April 2
Venue: Prudential Skywalk
Benefits: Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay
Ticket Prices: $75 NABB Members; $85 non-members
Participating Restaurants: Not yet announced for 2009, but 2008’s event included L’Espalier and the Oak Room.
Taste of: The Nation: Boston
Date: April 2
Venue: Hynes Convention Center
Benefits: Share Our Strength
Ticket Prices: $85 ($95 at door) general admission; $135 ($145 at door) VIP
Participating Restaurants: Over 70, including Rialto, Hamersley’s Bistro, and Tremont 647.
Taste of: Beacon Hill
Date: May 12
Venue: The Liberty Hotel
Benefits: Taste of Beacon Hill Scholarship Fund
Ticket Prices: Not yet announced, but last year’s were $65 ($85 at door).
Featured Restaurants: Not yet announced for 2009, but 2008’s event included Bin 26, Scampo, and No. 9 Park.
Tastes of the North End, Cambridge, and more after the jump.
Note: the remaining events have not yet announced their information for 2009, so all information is based on last year’s events
Taste of: The North End
Date: Probably in May
Venue: New England Aquarium
Benefits: Casa Monte Cassino
Ticket Prices: $95
Featured Restaurants: Over 30, including Marco Cucina Romana, Mare, and Neptune Oyster.
Taste of: Allston Village
Date: Likely in June
Venue: Herter Park
Benefits: Allston Village Main Streets
Ticket Prices: $20 ($10 for children)
Featured Restaurants: Dozens, including Deep Ellum and Grain & Salt.
Taste of: Cambridge
Date: Probably in June
Venue: Technology Square
Benefits: Community Servings and Harvard Square Homeless Shelter
Ticket Prices: $50 ($60 at door) general admission; $75 VIP
Featured Restaurants: 50, including Hungry Mother, UpStairs on the Square, and Harvest.
Taste of: Roslindale
Date: Likely in September
Venue: Annunciation Church
Benefits: Jason Roberts Challenger League, Babes Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and Roslindale Village Main Streets
Ticket Prices: $40
Featured Restaurants: Sophia’s Grotto, West on Centre, and Geoffrey’s Cafe.
