Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/514590
128 Himmel, in a navy-and-white- striped apron, darts from the kitchen's huge stone island to the hallway bar to shake up Sazerac cocktails. He's a blur of movement and laughter. Outside, Marblehead Harbor makes for a sprawling view. This is where he grew up, where he spends his summer days off, and where he loves to entertain most. That much is obvious; even as he cooks with the speed of an execu- tive chef, he tells stories about old friends and cracks jokes. "I washed my hands, I swear to God," he announces, digging them into an enormous bowl of sliced kale with cashews. "Sure you did," chides one guest, between bites of pheasant-apricot pâté from the epic charcuterie board. As Geraty thinly slices some of the plumpest, most comely day-boat scallops imagina- ble (Henderson sells them to such high-caliber New York City restau- rants as Per Se, Jean-Georges, and Daniel), Himmel is searing up per- fectly cut, gorgeously marbled A5 That may sound like some sort of Self Defense 101 course, but in reality, it couldn't be a more peace- ful exchange. It's happening in the gleaming kitchen belonging to Chris Himmel and his family—the folks who brought Greater Boston such forward-thinking, institutional res- taurants as Grill 23, Post 390, and The Harvest—and it's taking place between two of his dear friends. It also has absolutely nothing to do with stabbing anyone. They're talk- ing oysters. And not just any oysters. They're Great Island Oysters brought by Himmel's dear friends Mike Ger- aty, owner of Wulf's Fish Market in Brookline, and Matt Henderson, who owns Dayboat Fresh Seafood. Both have come tonight with their better halves—Jessica Geraty and Emily Benedict, respectively—and several other friends to work together in whipping up (and devouring) an interactive, all-hands-on-deck dinner party, wherein they all do as much cooking and bantering as eating. "IF YOU HOLD THE KNIFE WITH YOUR THUMB AND YOUR INDEX FINGER, THEN EVEN IF YOU JAB YOURSELF, YOU'LL NEVER CUT TOO DEEP."