SIDETRACK
SOMMELIER SLUGGER: Red Sox legend David Ortiz was really pushing the fluids yesterday, hitting up a few local joints to promote his line of vino, Arias Wine. Big Papi did a meet, greet and drink at 110 Grill in Braintree, where he chatted with fans, Massachusetts Restaurant Association CEO Bob Luz and 110 Grill Chief Operating Officer Ryan Dion before snagging a Caesar salad with salmon for lunch at the bar. Ortiz also schmoozed and boozed at Liquor Junction in Reading and Yankee Wine & Spirits in Norwood to plug his brand of adult beverages, which is named in honor of his late mother.
ONE FOR THE ROAD: Ferrari of New England embraced la dolce vita, throwing a big bash to unveil the latest member to the Italian sports car family, the new Portofino convertible. Owner Ernie Boch Jr. was on hand to entertain, welcoming highprofile guests like Patriots offensive lineman Ted Karass and his wife, Rachael, former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield and actor Kevin Chapman.
SUMMER IN THE CITY: Throwing the perfect fete is an art form. Just ask the Museum of Fine Arts, which recently hosted its annual Summer Party in support of its exhibitions, community programs and conservation efforts. The seasonally inspired soiree welcomed blacktie-clad guests to the museum's Shapiro Family Courtyard, where they downed specialty cocktails and accompanying bites, pulled out their checkbooks for the silent auction, danced to DJ Rich DiMare's sweet beats and, for VIP party-goers, took part in an interactive art-making experience. Amongst Boston's big names gracing the guest list: Patriots players Malcolm Mitchell and Cyrus Jones, co-chairs Natalie Lemle of art_works and Gabe Boyers of Schubertiade Music & Arts and Kabinett Gallery, as well as Matthew Teitelbaum, the Ann and Graham Gund director at the MFA.