As the flowers begin to pop up, it seems every spring many new restaurants do the same. It’s been impossible to keep up with the flurry of activity around town this year – and in the world of our own restaurant reviews, we prefer to visit each new spot at least twice before giving any Final Answers about who is doing things well (or who isn’t).

This week on Wicked Local we bring to you just a quick synopsis of the Cambridge/Somerville springtime “new releases” you may want to put on your “must checkout” list. Check it out!

Have you popped in to anyone of these new spots yet? What was your impression?

Easter is a holiday that not everyone celebrates – nor in the same ways. Traditions are a bit more fluid somehow here in the United States. Maybe your family prefers a delicious Easter brunch after a morning visit to church and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kiddies. Maybe you do your own thing with your family in the morning, then visit with friends in the afternoon over a mid-afternoon dinner of baked ham or a leg of lamb. But one thing is certain: such a lack of specific tradition can cause some level of Easter week “panic.” Of course, there’s no need to stress when a little advice is at the ready. Pop over to Wicked Local today to get some ideas for your celebration!

Will wine have a place at your Easter table this year? What will you uncork?

I perused the world wide web this week to see if I could find any good juice to whet your whistle in anticipation of the  Super Bowl on Sunday, in the way of wine, anyway. For me it is a” holiday” wholly dedicated to enjoying absolutely delicious beers, as you gear up for whatever main meal you may be dishing up (for me it will be homemade pizza, with roast chicken, fresh basil, mozzarella and pineapple).  Maybe I’ll open a bottle of some exceptional vino to pair with my dinner, but more likely I’ll be digging into the Ommegang Abbey Ale – a wine lovers beer, in my humble opinion, because it offers such an intriguing, inviting nose, a round texture and layer upon layer of flavor.

What I found instead was some intriguing news about the world famous Ferran Adria, of Spain’s El Bulli. He’s taking a little break – and the “reason” up for grabs, according to the press.

I was also pleased to see some great thinking and posturing by a couple of folks I respect in the wine writing world:

Check out this post by Joe Roberts/1WineDude regarding a recent listing in the Sommelier Journal about  top picks for 2009. He makes a great point about the price tag on these recommended wines, but I disagree with his conclusion that “the pros don’t find the experience delivered by those bargains to be all that memorable”. Given the audience of the Journal in particular, I have to imagine some of these folks are posturing among their peers. In addition, top restaurants operate on a completely different buying scale. I could go on, but the bottom line is I think if you asked a broader selection of Soms around the country the same question, the outcome would be changed. We might have to revisit this topic sometime…

Last but not least, I was happy to read Dr. Vino’s article on the up-and-coming Blaufrankish varietal (aka Lemberger). Check out his musings here.

Which beverage will be in hand for you this Sunday?

Got Graham? Or have you at least tasted one (or more) of the Bonny Doon wines? What did you think? My experience tells me most winemakers are a bit bizarre – the level and specific style of bizarreness being unique to each, of course. But I do think there is something super special about the California bread of crazy winemaker. Yeah, they are brilliant; but they push The Envelope more knowingly or deliberately somehow (whereas folks from Washington or Oregon, Spain, France and the like operate as they are, just bizarre creatures making wine).

Joe Roberts, aka 1WineDude, reviewed Randall Graham’s new book Been Doon So Long and also chatted with the winemaker this week about it. Pretty freaking funny. Entertain yourself reading Robert’s blog post over lunch. Then grab a copy and report back with your opinion of  it.

By way of news this week, my old favorite Gourmet magazine is going under! I couldn’t believe the headline. I mean, yeah, wine has been less a focus for sometime, but the photos are gorgeous, the journalism interesting, and the recipes worth investigating. Plus, it is an institution! Read more at Decanter. Are you upset? Or have you found another pub to entertain you?

Last but not least, for those in the Boston area you can support a good cause while enjoying some vino. On Oct 15 hang out on the rooftop at the Taj, taste some wine and support the Visiting Nurse Association of Boston. Click here for tickets and more information.

This week has certainly been an “are we there, yet?” week.  With a perfect beach weekend on tap, I imagine I’m not the only one clamoring for the end of the work week. So entertain yourself today with these two tidbits from Wine Enthusiast Magazine, or their “UnReserved” on-line bits of juicy ramblings about this, that and the other of the wine world. Then be sure to pop back for info on a cool Greater Boston event that will make your weekend feel like a long one; it’s sure to be the icing on your (Monday) cake!

The value of food/wine combination experimentation: BBQ and… Riesling!

From the wine trail: summer get-a-ways for sipping and !@#$!?? Tasting Room Fun?

And last but certainly not least….

If you’re looking for an incredible way to prolong your weekend (at least mentally), add a “Summer Highlight” to your list and enjoy the freshest of fresh seasonal, local goodies around town, head over to Gibbet Hill on Monday night…. Check it out!

What tales from the wine trail do you have to tell this summer? Or do you have any intriguing wine pairings you care to share?