Under the Roxbury Sun – an enchanted evening 2

If you changed the opening lyrics from “a lovely day” to “a lovely night” in the old  Bill Withers’ song, you’d get the feeling.  It was:
                    A lovely nighttt, lovely night, lovely night, lovely night, love-ly night…

Or you could hum, “Some Enchanted Evening” for the evening was filled with enchantment. 

Both songs were going through my head at the recent event, Under the Roxbury Sun, sponsored by Discover Roxbury.

August 20 was a balmy evening in Boston and a perfect night for outdoor dining.
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The setting – the small urban Garden Girl Farm  in Roxbury – with round tables set with lovely linens, candle light, and china.
The food – all natural, straight from  Roxbury gardens – Garden Girl Farm (a sustainable urban farm), Green Guerrila Garden Club, Paige Academy and The Food Project.
The menu –  A five course al fresco dinner )see below)
The chef – Nadine Nelson of Epicurean Studio
The wines – provided by Boisset Family Estates*
The producer – Derek Lumpkins of Discover Roxbury
The diners – wonderful people from the neighborhood and beyond!

After greetings by Patricia Moreno and Rob Spruill, owners of the farm, a tour of the garden was led by Patricia.  We were then greeted by Derek Lumpkins who talked about Discover Roxbury and its work leading themed tours of Roxbury.  Then the program was turned over to Chef Nadine Nelson who shared the meeting for the evening. 

Under the Roxbury Sun Dinner Menu
Small Bites Interactive Stations
     Make your Own Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Herbs from Patti’s Garden
    Jerk SalmonTartar and Salsa Fresca on Make your Own Tostones (Green Plantains)
    Louis Bouillot Sparkling Brut

Stationary Hors d’oeuvres   
    Provencal Chickpea Dip
    Moroccan Carrot Dip
     Oceana Reisling

Seated Soup and Salad Course
    Gazpacho
    Grilled Zucchini Salad with Mint and Pomegranate Dressing
    French Rabbit Chardonnay

Buffet
    Latin BBQ Chicken
    Basil Pasta Salad with Late Harvest Vegetables 
    Puerto Rican Red Beans and Yellow Rice
    Algerian Green Beans
    Corn and Celery Salad 
    Carrot Salad with Curry Dressing 
    French Rabbit Pinot Noir 
    Fog Mountain Merlot

Dessert 
    Peach Flambe
    Whipped Cream 
    Batasiolo Moscato Di Asti

The only thing that would have made Under the Roxbury Sun better, is if you had attended. 

I recommend you visit the Discover Roxbury website and sign up for their email newsletter which will inform you of their own themed tours and other Roxbury events. While there, sign up for their fundraiser “The Power of 10” that asks that you donate $10 to support Discover Roxbury tours and educational programs or to attend the upcoming Fall Fundraising event.   (Full-disclosure – I am a proud Board member of Discover Roxbury.)

(*Chef Nadine mentioned that she learned of Boisset Family Estates while attending the Divas Uncork the Wine & Food Festival , sponsored by Divas Uncorked on Martha’s Vineyard. August 6-9.)