Haute Secrets Boston: Daniel Bruce of Meritage

Photo Credit: MeritageDaniel Bruce has always had a love of food and wine, so it was really no surprise when he decided to create the Boston Wine Festival 26 years ago. The longest running food and wine festival of its kind in the country. The popular fest runs annually from January to March at the Boston Harbor Hotel (where Bruce is also the executive chef at the hotel’s on-site restaurant Meritage) and showcases some of the world’s best wineries. With his unique art of pairing wine with food, Bruce has transformed the restaurant industry not only with his talent, but his creativity in culinary excellence.

Photo Credit: MeritageAt Meritage, he recently introduced a vineyard-to-table concept that showcases items like olive oils poured tableside from a different vineyard each month. The waterfront restaurant, which offers more than 750 different wines, recently underwent a three-month refresh and now offers a bar menu that includes white and red wine pairings with dishes like demi cured line caught cod loin with curry leaf, lemongrass, ginger and Bok choy.

Photo Credit: MeritageWe recently caught up with the two-time James Beard winner of one of the “Best Hotel Chefs in America” to find out where he likes to go for a romantic date with his wife, who he thinks serves up the best sushi in town and his favorite pastime.

Where were you born? Cornish, New Hampshire

How long in Boston? 26 years

Where do you live now? Jamaica Plain

Occupation? Seriously?

Favorite Pastime? Foraging anywhere in the Northeast

Favorite Restaurant: Meritage, of course

Best Sushi: Oishii

Best Italian: Sorrelina

Best dessert: Any cake my wife Julianna makes

Best place for a romantic date: Wentworth in Jackson, N.H. (The Thornycroft suites).

If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend? Boston Harbor Hotel, truly an independent-minded hotel with great staff and fantastic location

Favorite Charity Event: Pan Mass Challenge

Best Steakhouse: Chopps American Bar and Grill in Burlington Ma.

Best Pizza: J.P. House of Pizza

Best Museum/Exhibit: Anything at the M.F.A.

Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: The entire Olmsted Park and Emerald Necklace

Describe Boston in three words: Approachable, Historic, Home

All-around favorite locale in Boston, whether a neighborhood, restaurant, venue, or other: The Arnold Arboretum in J.P.

Best aspect of Boston: The harbor and waterfront