Tastings Owners Raise $4,250 for Jimmy Fund During 5th Anniversary Celebration at Patriot Place

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.  – Longtime Foxborough residents Bill and Patti Martin found a special way to celebrate their fifth year of ownership at Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro at Patriot Place last month, when they announced 50 percent of their Birthday Gala ticket sales and 100 percent of their silent auction proceeds would be donated to the Jimmy Fund at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

“The Jimmy Fund has always been near and dear to our hearts as we are 11-year participants in the Pan Mass Challenge,” said Tastings co-owner Bill Martin. “It was a natural charity for us to select as we were considering how we could give back to the community as part of our fifth birthday celebration at Tastings.”

This year, Tastings sponsored their 13-member “Team Tastings” PMC biking team.

The anniversary celebration, which raised $4,250 for the Jimmy Fund, featured a champagne reception, wine-themed silent auction and live music by Wayz & Means with two special musical guests: Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Gordon Chambers and Blues legend James Montgomery. 

Several current and former New England Patriots were also in attendance to help the Martins celebrate their special milestone, including safety Steve Gregory, offensive tackle Nate Solder and former linebacker Eric Alexander.

“It was very gratifying for us to reflect back on five years of memories at Tastings with so many good friends in attendance that have made our success possible,” said Martin.

The evening was topped off with an incredible birthday cake created for Tastings by Food Network star, Linkie Marais. 

“Linkie’s amazing creation really put an exclamation point on the evening,” said Tastings co-owner Patti Martin. “We were honored that such an accomplished culinary artist took the time to prepare such a beautiful cake for us.”

The Martins opened Tastings on Sept. 8, 2008 with the vision of operating a casual yet upscale restaurant that focuses on the use of fresh, seasonal ingredients that are sourced from local farmers, ranchers and fisherman who follow sustainable practices. Five years later, that vision has become a staple of Patriot Place’s restaurant lineup.

“We are so excited for Bill and Patti Martin and congratulate them on a tremendous five years at Patriot Place,” said Patriot Place General Manager Brian Earley. “Their unique and local approach to the restaurant business has made Tastings a wonderful dining option for our guests and we look forward to many more years of their award-winning wine lists that compliment their incredibly fresh dishes.”

The Martins call their farm-to-table concept, “American Haute-Farm” cuisine, which sources about 85 percent of what they serve from farms within 25 miles of the restaurant.

“We get beef, veal, chicken and pork in Norfolk,” Bill Martin said. “We have fish and lamb from Rhode Island and we get produce from all over, including on site from our Tower Garden.”

The Martins say it is important to meet their vendors, shake their hands and look them in the eyes so they know they are bringing their guests the best and freshest ingredients available.

“We believe that when you source locally you end up with a fresher product that carries the imprint of a fellow member of our community that shares our passion for fine food,” Bill Martin said. “One of New England’s treasures is our four distinct seasons. Our independence enables us to feature the best of each season through frequent menu changes that take advantage of the best that New England has to offer.”

In addition to their exceptionally fresh food, Tastings offers an award-winning wine list that features over 250 unique and interesting selections from around the world, 80 of which are available by the glass. Additionally, their cocktails and artisanal beers are all seasonally-inspired.

And while Bill and Patti Martin took a moment on Sept. 19 to celebrate five years of Tastings at 201 Patriot Pl., they are already working hard to make the next five years even better. 

“The reception of our somewhat unique concept in the local community has been humbling and we truly appreciate each and every one of our guests and can’t wait to bring them many more years of inventive hospitality,” said Patti Martin.

ABOUT PATRIOT PLACE

Patriot Place is a shopping, dining and entertainment destination located adjacent to Gillette Stadium on Route 1 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Patriot Place features large and boutique retailers, 17 casual to high-end restaurants and other nightlife venues. Among Patriot Place’s other highlights are a 14-screen Showcase Cinema De Lux, the award-winning Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, a Brigham & Women’s/Mass General Health Care Facility, and a four-star Renaissance Hotel & Spa. For more information, visit www.patriot-place.com, follow Patriot Place on Twitter (twitter.com/patriotplace) or like Patriot Place on Facebook (facebook.com/patriotplace).

About Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro

Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro, located at 201 Patriot Place in Foxborough Massachusetts, features a wine list with over 250 selections, 70 of which are available by the glass. The family-owned restaurant pairs its wines with American Haute-Farm cuisine, using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers, ranchers, fishermen and now its own Tower Garden. Learn more about Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro at www.tastingswinebarandbistro.com or call (508) 203-WINE (9463) for a reservation.