Located in Newton’s swanky Hotel Indigo, BOKX 109 is modern American steakhouse that lives up to it’s rockstar reputation. Executive Chef Evan Percoco, imported from Orlando, FL’s Hard Rock Hotel, has a flair for creative dishes and stunning presentations, much to the joy of ballers and dignitaries worldwide. On a recent trip to the Boston area, it’s no surprise that renowned winemaker Robert Foley found BOKX 109 the perfect location for an exclusive wine dinner featuring his world class Napa Valley wines.
Foley began his wine making career in the Napa Valley in 1977, working at famed wineries like Pride Mountain Vineyards, where he spent 15 years as founding wine maker. He also garnered acclaim for starting Switchback Ridge, Hourglass, Paloma, School House, and Engel Family wines.
The evening’s festivities began with a spirited cocktail reception featuring his 2007 Pinot Blanc ($25), a delicious, crisp and clean summertime white, with notes of peaches, citrus and banana. The hors d’oeuvre’s, including wood grilled prawns, king oyster mushrooms and sweet breads with roasted garlic all paired perfectly, but it was the salt and pepper Monterey squid that stood out. Think of it as crispy fried calamari on a stick.
The first course paired deep fried tautog and razor clams with the 2007 Robert Foley Vineyards, Charbono ($35). The Charbono was bursting with ripe red cherries and a touch of smoke, the perfect compliment to the fried seafood with a slice of bacon on top.
The meal continued with an outstanding pairing of Hobbs prosciutto wrapped boar with honey, almonds and coffee (vegetarians beware!) and the 2006 Robert Foley Vineyards, Merlot ($52). This dish was near perfection on it’s own, but the Merlot brought out the plum, coffee and currant notes. The honey and crispy prosciutto provided the sweet and savory contrast. And when I thought the meal couldn’t get better, it did.
Round three offered a brick seared California squab with foie gras, raisins and barley, paired with the 2006 Robert Foley Vineyards Claret ($110 – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon). The perfectly gamy squab was complemented by sweet raisins, allowing the elegant Claret to shine with it’s dark berries, leather and currant.
The boldest course of the evening was the two-beef duel finale. Cacoa strip loin & poivrod spinalis went head to head with their respective pairings: the 2006 Robert Foley Petite Sirah Muscle Man ($60) and the 2006 Pepperland ($60). The names are no coincidence. Muscle Man is a powerful, brooding, inky black offering with chewy tannins and juicy berry flavors. Pepperland is spicy, rich and full of acidity, the perfect match for the pepper infused spinalis. If I had to choose a winner, I’d give the nod to the Muscle Man for the way it complemented the strip loin and chanterelle mushrooms.
Chef Percoco treated everyone to a variety of parfait style desserts, each with it’s own unique color and texture. Freshly blown cotton candy was also provided as an unexpected treat, thrilling even the most hardcore foodies.
As the wee hours of the morning approached, Robert Foley grabbed his vintage Rickenbacker and jammed out with the house band on two rockin’ blues numbers, taking the main stage for an impromptu jam session. The standing ovation was fitting. They don’t call Robert Foley a rockstar for nothing.
Photos courtesy of Hotel Indigo and Bokx 109.
