So Disappointed at Italian choices on North Shore

Thanks for the shout out, Penny!

We agree 62 Restaurant + Wine Bar in Salem is excellent. A modern take on regional Italian dishes and Tony's handmade pasta is awesome. Bella Verona, also in Salem is more old school, with tasty traditional dishes and a cozy romantic atmosphere. We've also had decent, less expensive meals at Petrillo's in Peabody.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Restaurants in Salem Ma

We like the Lobster Shanty. It's tiny and dive-y but the outdoor seating is fun in the summer. The food is better than you'd expect from what looks like a dive bar. Dee Dee and Lee Wolf bought it from the original owner some years back and she's a terrific chef. I've not had the pulled pork that Fieri featured on DDD, but they know how to do a lobster roll right.

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Restaurants in Salem Ma

FYI, Speaking of Polish food, Cafe Polonia just opened a location in Salem and friends have told me that the wurst platter and the pierogi are excellent. Another one on the list!

http://cafepolonia.com/locations/salem.html

-----
Cafe Polonia
611 Dorchester Ave, Boston, MA 02127

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Restaurants in Salem Ma

Hi opinionatedchef!

Have been crazy busy and not keeping up with Chow as often as we'd like, so just saw this now.

We have heard terrific things about Adriatic, but haven't yet been. They are high on our list to check out, though, and maybe now that Salem's October crush is over we'll make our way there.

Their web site isn't up yet, but they do have a facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salem-MA/Adriatic-Restaurant-Bar/150098275006617
Have you been yet?

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

North Shore rehersal dinner ideas?

Hmmm...

Most of our favorite North Shore places aren't really big enough to accommodate a crowd. I agree that Salem has some viable options for larger spaces. Both the Hawthorne Hotel and the Lyceum can do a nice job. I had my Dad's 60th years ago at the upstairs function room at the Lyceum and they were helpful and easy to deal with. I haven't been in the upstairs at Finz, You might give Green Land Cafe in Salem a call, I think they have a private dining room available. I haven't eaten dinner there but the lunch and cocktail I did have were great.

Brutole in Danvers is in a weird location and can be expensive, but they definitely have space for large parties and the food is good. Woodman's would be fun for a casual eat-in-the rough sort of thing, and both Chianti and Wild Horse Cafe in Beverly have private dining space.

http://www.northshoredish.com

-----
Finz
910 Washington St., Dedham, MA 02026

Brutole Restaurant
65 Newbury St, Danvers, MA 01923

Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Sq Ste 1, Salem, MA 01970

Wild Horse Cafe
392 Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Recommendations for an upscale restaurant that you need to *drive* to?

If you want to head north, the Blue Ox in Lynn is wonderful, and you can walk along the ocean before or after if it's not too cold. Lynn gets a bum rap, but both Blue Ox and Turbine are great and Lynn Shore drive is beautiful to walk along.

Also, Salem's dining scene has exploded. They have plenty of new restaurants that are worth investigating, While not new, 62 Restaurant and Winebar is continually excellent. Marblehead's 5 Corners Kitchen is awesome, and just got a great review by the Globe, but it may be jam packed.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

-----
Blue Ox
191 Oxford Street, Lynn, MA 01901

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Best Pie on the North Shore?

One of our readers asks the question, "Who makes great fresh homemade pie on the north shore? I just want a piece of fresh warm pie and a cup of coffee."

Pie is one of those things we rarely buy or order out because we make it at home, so I was immediately intrigued. The only thing that comes to mind is that I've heard the Agawam Diner does good pie. True? Who makes the best pie on the North Shore? I'm thinking this is an excuse to taste more pie, which is never a bad thing.

Thanks for any and all input!

http://www.northshoredish.com

-----
Agawam Diner
166 Newburyport Tpke, Rowley, MA

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Best Chow on the North Shore. Period.

The North Shore is now home to several great chef-owned restaurants. The Market in Annisquam has excellent, locally sourced food in a beautiful relaxed setting. Both chefs are from Chez Panisse in Berkeley, CA. For a seat on the water with and terrific food, it's definitely worth the drive.

5 Corners Kitchen recently opened in Marblehead and Barry Edelman, who was previously chef at both Lumiere and Aquitaine is serving up some marvelous meals there at very reasonable prices. It's a small room, though, and can get noisy. 62 on Wharf is also quite good, and Chef Tony Bettencourt's signature is amazing hand made pasta. He has started to source locally as well and is currently using produce from First Light Farm. The Blue Ox in Lynn is always a pleasure, I haven't had a bad meal there yet.

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Best / Favorite 5 restaurants on North Shore??

5 Corners Kitchen has opened in Marblehead since this thread started, and I would definitely add them to the list. While their small dining room can get loud, the food is excellent; fresh and expertly prepared.

Another one on everybody's radar should be The Market at Lobster Cove in Annisquam. Two ex-Chez Panisse chefs have just moved into the location and are doing terrific things with super local fresh ingredients.

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Best / Favorite 5 restaurants on North Shore??

Interesting. I really did enjoy the food at 9 Elm; thought it was fresh tasting and nicely presented. Though I haven't had a chance to get back myself, friends have reported good meals there since.

I have been meaning to try I Pazzi for a while and will have to move it up on my list. Thanks for the heads up!

-----
I Pazzi
50 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Sixty2 on the Wharf-Salem

I have to echo the rest here; the homemade pasta, arancini and sticky toffee pudding are all excellent. I also like the dirty dirty martini. The menu changes quite often, and almost everything I've ever tasted there has been terrific, so don't be afraid to be adventurous. They also often post specials and photos on their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Salem-MA/Sixty2-on-Wharf/128355406972

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Any feedback on these Hamilton-area places?

Haven't been to Wenham Tea House, but I hear that they now do great meals aside from tea. Been planning to check them out.

Green Meadow has gorgeous produce in the summer, which we've gotten at local Farmer's Markets. First Light is in the area and also does a CSA: http://www.firstlightfarmcsa.com/index.html

We've been to 15 Walnut a couple of times now and have enjoyed the experience. It's not haute cuisine, but more of what you'd want in a neighborhood place; laid back atmosphere, tasty food and respectable drinks.

http://www.northshoredish.com

-----
Wenham Tea House & Shops
4 Monument St, Wenham, MA 01984

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Dog-friendly, outdoor dining on the North Shore/Cape Ann?

I believe they are open for lunch Wed - Sun for lunch at noon, but unfortunately they don't open till 4 the other days, which means the 19th and 20th.

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Dog-friendly, outdoor dining on the North Shore/Cape Ann?

FYI, I just looked at The Lobster Shanty's new website and menu today, (http://www.lobstershantysalem.com/our_menu) and they actually now provide a separate doggy menu for canine sidekicks.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Moving to Marblehead--need chow and food shopping guidance

Hey bluesjack, thanks for the mention. There are actually two of us who hang out here on occasion. :)

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Moving to Marblehead--need chow and food shopping guidance

Hey butterfat, welcome to the North Shore!

While Marblehead gets a bad rep for restaurants, there are exciting things happening all the time, and the North Shore food scene has really evolved over the past few years.

During the summer and fall there is a good farmer's market at the Veteran's middle school, and Salem has a terrific one as well. I haven't done a CSA yet, but I believe there are two different ones- one with M'head pick up and one in Salem. Cape Ann Fresh Catch does a CSF delivery to M'head.

Nothing here is going to rival Russo's, I'm afraid. :) Shubie's has a terrific wine, cheese and charcuterie selection. Their prepared foods are tasty, but expensive. Fruit of the Four Seasons does decent produce, but the prices don't seem any better than the Whole Foods in Vinnin Square, which has a better selection. Henry's Market in Beverly is terrific, too, with nice produce and a huge specialty foods selection.

Locals will swear by the old favorites as far as low-brow foods. House of Pizza is the big townie fave with greek-style pies, but Tony's wins out with the family crowd due to a big bright new dining area. Mino's is the place for roast beef. For best doughnuts I'd say Ziggy's, a hole in the wall in Salem. I think Coffey's Ice Cream is better than Terry's, but they're only open spring through fall. Manhattan Sandwich does awesome NY deli style sandwiches. Boston Hot Dog in Salem does righteous dogs.

Salem is full of excellent places to eat, as is Beverly. I could go on and on... feel free to drop me a line if you have any more specific questions, and I'll try to help you out.

Cheers,
Kristen
www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Drinks for 30-somethings before/after 62 on Wharf?

62 is terrific, and they have a nice little bar there, too. The dining room is small, and the view is of the parking lot and storefronts, so I wouldn't worry about table location.

I think it depends on what sort of atmosphere you want for a bar. The Old Spot has a warm pub feel, Strega is more clubby, the Tavern in the Hawthorne Hotel has an old-style hotel feel with an open fireplace, and the Tavern on the Square is a giant sports type bar. Finz, just across from 62, has a nice lounge-y bar area, and the other Pickering Wharf establishments, Capt's and Vic's Boathouse (at Victoria Station) are casual places with waterfront views. Murphy's tends to draw a younger crowd, with loud music and dancing. The Gulu Gulu Cafe has a laid-back coffee house atmosphere that appeals to all ages and an exceptional imported beer list.

In Beverly, the next town over, Mandrake has a terrific bar, Soma has a fun/young vibe (but can get loud on the weekends) and the bar at Tryst is lauded for their excellent bartender.

Hope this helps. I'd love to hear where you end up going, and how you like 62!

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

help!! need recs for food shop that will deliver knockout fruit platter/basket

Try Henry's! http://www.henrysofbeverly.com/ They are right in Beverly and have terrific produce and specialty foods. The staff is incredibly helpful and should be able put together just what you are looking for.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

lunch near Peabody Essex Museum

The newly re-opened Lyceum looks to be terrific, but haven't yet been. Finz is a solid choice, though some of their lunch items can be over priced. And I definitely agree that if you don't mind casual pub fare, The Old Spot has great food and they certainly will not mind you lingering. If you don't mind getting back in the car for a few minutes, Cabot St. in Beverly has some great options, too. Soma has a fun atmosphere and cocktails, Siam delight has wonderful Thai and Cielito Lindo great Mexican and margaritas.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

-----
The Old Spot
121 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970

Finz
910 Washington St., Dedham, MA 02026

Soma Restaurant
256 Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915

Cielito Lindo
150 Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915

Lyceum Restaurant
43 Church St, Salem, MA 01970

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Fall 2009 Openings and Closings

A few quick hits from the North Shore:

Edgewater Cafe and Clucky's Wings in Salem have closed.

Super Sub in Marblehead, which was around forever, has closed.

Flynnie's on Marblehead now has a new owner, no idea yet on any impending changes.

The Lyceum in Salem has undergone a major renovation and has re-opened with a new team and menu.

In Hamilton, North Shore restaurateur Jeff Cala, who founded Cala's in Manchester, Latitude 43 and Alchemy in Gloucester, and Hale Street Tavern & Oyster Bar in Beverly Farms has taken over the space previously occupied by Indigo Bar and Grill and has opened the new 15 Walnut.

In Newburyport, not one but two raw food restaurants opened in October. Grezzo, which is a second location of the upscale North End eatery, and Revitalife Cafe, a more casual place.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

-----
Edgewater Cafe
504 Edgewater Dr, Wakefield, MA 01880

Super Sub
114 Pleasant St, Marblehead, MA 01945

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Help me find a GOOD Bakery on the North Shore

Yep, I've got to concur with everyone else here. A&J King are really worth checking out, both their breads and their specialty items are top-notch.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Salem, MA recommendations

The weather is supposed to be warm, so you might want to stop the Lobster Shanty on Artist's Row. You can sit outside on the patio and they serve up some pretty tasty food at good prices. The Gulu Gulu Cafe also has outdoor seating, and a fabulous beer menu. The Old Spot is also great for inexpensive pub fare. For really cheap, try the Boston Hot Dog Co., they've got quality hot dogs, sausages and even vegetarian options.

If you're willing to spend a bit more, 62 on Wharf is one of the best restaurants around - definitely worth a visit. Bella Verona is great for Italian and Passage to India serves up terrific Indian food.

http://www.northshoredish.com

-----
Lobster Shanty
RR 6, Eastham, MA 02642

Passage To India
29 Wharf St, Portland, ME 04101

NSDishGal in General New England Archive

Best Donuts in MA

I have had terrific handmade donuts at both Gail Ann Coffee Shop in Arlington and Linda's in Belmont, but haven't been to either in a few years. Ziggy's in Salem, MA is a tiny quirky hole in the wall, but they have awesome fresh handmade donuts. I hear Marty's Donut Land in Ipswich is excellent, and am actually planning to check it out next week. I'll let you know what I find!

http://www.northshoredish.com

NSDishGal in General New England Archive

Wellfleet weekend report

Quick followup, as we just spent a couple more days in Wellfleet this weekend:

Friday night we finally checked out The Pearl in Wellfleet, and really enjoyed our dinner. Immediate delivery of hot crusty rolls with butter and well made cocktails was a great start. The local oysters, which seemed larger than usual, were excellent, and the clams casino were extremely tasty. For entrees we tried the fried shrimp, which were juicy, large (5 to the plate) nice crisp light breading, served with thin crispy fries, and the fish taco which was decent, though it had small hunks of fish as opposed to a larger piece, so a bit messier to handle.

The wait staff was terrific and the atmosphere fun - I loved the custom light fixtures featuring horseshoe crabs and schools of fish. The only drawback was that it was chilly and drafty, confirming why they close for the season after the Oyster Festival in October - the place is all windows with no insulation at all. Great for the summer, not so much the fall.

Couldn't resist breakfast at The Wicked Oyster again, even though I had heard great things about the breakfast at Devon's in P-Town, too. Terrific as always.

Saturday night we ended up at Victor's, tucked up in the west end of P-town. It was a last minute decision and we didn't call ahead. We arrived around 6:30, and though the place was less than half full, we had to sit at the bar to eat as all the tables were reserved. At 7 the patrons arrived en masse, and by 7:30 the place was jammed.

The room is nice, clean and understated with a contemporary feel, and the waitstaff efficient and friendly. The prices are quite reasonable, and while the menu says that the entrees are "small plates" we found them a decent size. The cocktails were nicely mixed and the bartender very accommodating.

We had mixed feelings about the food; while it was all certainly good, not everything stood out. The harvest salad with roasted beets was excellent, the sweet and savory combination of tastes well orchestrated, and the grilled asparagus was absolutely to die for. Really, it was marvelous. However, the sweet potato gnocchi with caramelized onion sauce was tasty, but somehow lacked zing and the herb chicken quesadilla was fairly standard.

So while not everything was knock-your-socks off, I would certainly try it again, though will definitely make reservations next time. While I generally enjoy eating in the bar area, this one has very limited space and got pretty claustrophobic by the time we left.

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in General New England Archive

Where do vegetarians like to eat on the North Shore?

While not a vegetarian, I have noticed lately while dining out that several of the more fine dining / upscale restaurants on the North Shore don't seem to offer much where vegetarian options are concerned. I was woefully uninformed on the subject until a Twitter pal put a bug in my ear about it, and now it's something I've been keeping an eye out for. He mentioned Grapevine and Passage to India in Salem, and Celito Lindo in Beverly are his faves.

Anyone else? For a weekly dinner out, or a nice meal, where are the vegetarian go-to places on the North Shore?

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Best / Favorite 5 restaurants on North Shore??

Just recently went to Nine Elm and had an excellent meal there. Cozy dining room, great service and delicious food. The PEI mussels were sooo good, and the filet mignon was terrific. I'm already planning to go back!

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area

Good eats in the Ludlow, Weston, Woodstock area of Vermont?

This may be too late to help, but a couple of places that we enjoyed were:

American Pie pizza in Ludlow served up excellent fresh handmade woodfired pizza in a funky little shop.

Baba A Louis Bakery in Chester; delicious sticky buns and pastries as well as great bread. http://www.babalouisbakery.com/

Singletons' in Proctorsville: where else can you buy guns and gourmet foods in the same shop? They smoke their own meats and the smoked salmon we bought there was unequaled. I still think about it. http://www.singletonsvt.com/index.htm

http://www.northshoredish.com/

NSDishGal in General New England Archive

Good eats in the Ludlow, Weston, Woodstock area of Vermont?

We thought the pizza from American Pie was excellent! Fresh, crispy and loaded with excellent ingredients.

NSDishGal in General New England Archive

Best Dogs North of Boston?

We met him and he was such a great guy. As well as being committed to quality and service, he even told us the best places to park when hitting the beach in Nahant!

NSDishGal in Greater Boston Area