Qisqeya bakery on S. Huntington/Centre St. in Jamaica Plain offers Dominican cakes and pastries. We have particulary enjoyed their guava-filled cakes.

Blanchard's in JP offers a walnut-based liqueur. I think it's made in the Swiss Alps

Your group might also enjoy Penang, a Malay restaurant in the Chinatown environs.

chlesterol-laden, perhaps because they throw cheese on everything, even after you've replied "no cheese, thanks".
the chinese food truck in front of Vanderbilt Hall also serves a decent mix of american chinese items- the line moves quickly and everything is under $6.00

Admittedly, Chinatown wins on ambience. the second location is no more than two blocks from the Brookline Hills D-train stop....there's also a bus or two that run past it on Boylston Street.

I would definitely second Le Foyer, it's right behind St. Angela's Church off of Blue HillAve.

Fernet Branca has been available for many years in the U.S. as a digestif. Nothing naughty about it, though to some it tastes of mentholated cough syrup. Martignetti's in the North End always had a nice selction of Amaros to choose from.. not sure now.

Many CHers have posted great things about both locations. We were promptly seated at 6:00 last evening, only to wait 30+ mins or so for appetizers. I'm not a fan of large portions, but three of us were not given enough rice to even feed my 4-yr old daughter. A request for more yielded a "cereal bowl" of rice (and a charge of $4.50 for rice and beans). The arepas and pollo adobo were not bad, though the tostones were dripping in oil. We left underwhelmed.

Many CHers have posted great things about both locations. We were promptly seated at 6:00 last evening, only to wait 30+ mins or so for appetizers. I'm not a fan of large portions, but three of us were not given enough rice to even feed my 4-yr old daughter. A request for more yielded a "cereal bowl" of rice (and a charge of $4.50 for rice and beans). The arepas and pollo adobo were not bad, though the tostones were dripping in oil. We left underwhelmed.

you might try BRIX on Washington St in the South End

Not for free, though Best Cellars (Brookline or Boylston St) offers theme-based (Italian reds, non-vintage sparklers, etc.) wine tastings in your home, that you can book at a reasonable price.