Bridge Road Bistro in Charleston and Boathouse Bistro in Morgantown will hold Scotch and related spirits tasting dinners in October that will benefit the Appalachian Education Initiative.

A Scotch master will join guests at the Charleston restaurant Thursday, Oct. 2, and at the Morgantown restaurant Thursday, Oct. 16, as they enjoy a spirited dinner with an appetizer-to-dessert menu that features the spirits they’ll be drinking.  Both dinners begin at 6 p.m. and cost $100 per person, with a portion of that being a donation to the Appalachian Education Initiative.

“We’re excited to partner with the restaurants’ team, Amy Sue Gates and Chef Francisco “Paco” Aceves, and with Republic National Distribution Company to host these dinner events and offer people an opportunity to enjoy fine foods and spirits at these dinners,” said Lou Karas, Appalachian Education Initiative executive director.  “We think guests will have a great time discovering new dinner pairings and trying the creative menu that Chef Paco is preparing especially for these events.”

 In Charleston, the Scotch tasting will feature The MacCallan Scotch and in Morgantown, the featured Scotch will be The Balvenie. The menus for the evenings include baked Brie and pear in Bibb cup with smoke shallot vinaigrette; poached lobster and sea bean salad with ginger emulsion; honey and cumin glazed loin of antelope with foie gras, kohlrabi, orange zest and pine nuts; espresso-rubbed lamb chop with roasted garlic and cauliflower puree and blueberry jus; chocolate brownie and brioche bread pudding with spiced Scotch anglaise sauce.

The Appalachian Education Initiative focuses on advocacy, research, education and professional development activities that help to ensure quality arts education are central to the education of every public school student in West Virginia.  According to Karas, the funds raised at the dinners will support the work that AEI is doing with teachers, artists and students.

For reservations to the limited-seating events in both cities, contact Karas at 304-225-0101 or lkaras@aeiarts.org.