Northshoregirl's Profile
Lineage
Was there 2 weeks ago. Great meal. I had the scallops, which were fabulous, and my husband loved the burger. I also second the lobster taco recommendation.
Cape Ann Suggestions for Memorable Meals
I agree with the other posters that you should definitely hit Sugar Magnolia's. They do a fantastic job with breakfast/brunch. There's a wait on most weekend days, but it's worth it. I'd suggest Latitude 43 in Gloucester for seafood. They've got a great menu with lots of interesting seafood dishes, plus sushi. They do local sourcing of fish and some other ingredients. Passports in Gloucester is fun and very reasonably priced, with an interesting menu.
The Market in Annisquam is certainly not a bargain, but I recommend it for two reasons. First, it's a unique experience because it's two chefs from Chez Panisse cooking in a small venue right on the water. Second, they source absolutely everything on the menu locally and concentrate on enhancing those ingredients.
I'd also recommend Woodman's in Essex for a memorable meal. Everyone on this board says Clam Box's fried clams are the best, so I imagine they're right, but Woodman's clams are no slouch, and there are tons of other choices including steamed lobsters and old-fashioned clam fritters. And you can get beer and wine.
You can find reviews, with pictures, for most of these places on our blog. Just search on Gloucester or Essex.
http://www.northshoredish.com
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Clam Box
789 Quincy Shore Dr, Quincy, MA 02170
Sugar Magnolias
112 Main St, Gloucester, MA 01930
Kaffir lime leaves?
What location? Fresh or frozen? What section of produce or freezer?
healthy/light dinner in Salem
62 is great, and I'd add Adriatic, which usually has a couple of fish options, plus a vegetarian or pescatarian risotto. I had the fish in parchment paper with olives and potatoes, and it was terrific. I am not a fan of Finz. I find them overpriced and very hit and miss in terms of preparation. I was there a few weeks ago and had crab cakes that were heavy and bland and caesar salad with a thick, gummy dressing.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Adriatic - North Shore gem - Italian/Continental - talk it up!
I agree. We ate at Adriatic about 6 weeks ago and had a terrific meal. I would definitely return. Great bar area, too. But I have to disagree that the North Shore is a dining wasteland. It WAS a dining wasteland, but in the past few years has moved away from that. Our favorite spots are the chef-owned restaurants that have opened up, including Blue Ox in Lynn, 62 Restaurant in Salem, 9 Elm in Danvers, and G Bar in Swampscott (just went for the first time last weekend). Tryst in Beverly is another favorite, and we have had great meals at 15 Walnut in Hamilton and Hale St Tavern in Beverly Farms (both part of North Shore Restaurant Group). As a resident and a food blogger, I have been very happy to see the North Shore blossom in terms of dining.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Going to The Beehive
Trish, we had a similar experience to yours this weekend. The mezze platter was quite good, with all sorts of delicious spreads. My husband had the ribeye and absolutely loved it. But I had a special that night, grouper, and it really wasn't good. The fish was cooked right, but it was spice encrusted, and it was so hot it burned my mouth (and I'm not particularly sensitive to spice). By contrast, the rice that accompanied it was completely bland. As you said, how could a professional chef make boring rice? I will say that desserts were excellent. We had a delicious cherry cheesecake that was dense but not like eating a block of cream cheese, and the chocolate pot de creme was to die for. Also, we did have a reservation and got to sit near the stage, and they did call to confirm but didn't ask for a credit card. We were only four; maybe the credit card is only for larger parties.
Any recs for Five Corners Kitchen in Marblehead?
Do not miss the frites. I'm still dreaming about them. I had the roast chicken when I was there this summer. It was fabulous--incredibly moist and flavorful.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Suggestions for late lunch/ early dinner in Salem this weekend.
I would recommend Green Land Cafe as being particularly veg-friendly. Dinner starts at 5:00, and there are several veg soups, several interesting salads, and a couple of veg entrees. Most of the restaurants in Salem have only one vegetarian entree option, and it's usually pasta. Another option, if you feel like Asian, is A Fresh Taste of Asia, which is top-notch. Both are on Washington St and near each other, so you could take a look at both before deciding.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Anyone been to Giacomo's in the North End lately?
I haven't been for about a year. But I've been many times over the last 10 years because it's reasonably priced, you can get a table unless you're there on a weekend at peak hours, and the service is great. No, it's not the best food in the North End, but it's consistently good, has lots of choices on the menu, and you get that North End experience without a huge price tag and a huge hassle. I like their veal marsala.
http:///www.northshoredish.com
Pubs North of Boston
Oh man, I really need to get there and try that pudding. You're the second or third person who has recommended it!
Pubs North of Boston
I recommend Old Spot in Salem. Huge beer selection, very congenial atmosphere, very casual, and the food is great, with the exception of the desserts. My favorite is the reuben with sweet potato fries. The steak tips are also very good.
http://www.northshoredish.com
North Shore Italian - Need Suggestions
I recommend Sixty2onWharf in Salem for great Italian. It's not inexpensive, but it's terrific. I second Bella Verona and Antique Table, and I continue to hear good things about Grapevine in Salem, although I haven't been for a few years. I also like Caffe Italia in Marblehead very much. For a full review with pics and prices of Sixty2, Bella Verona, Antique Table, and Caffe Italia, see our blog (search on the name of the restaurant).
http://www.northshoredish.com.
Good options in Beverly?
Thanks for reporting back! We went to Atomic Cafe on Cabot yesterday for lunch. If you like panini, try the pesto/goat cheese. Fantastic. I also had a cupcake—good, but probably not as good as Cupcake Cafe. The blondie was fantastic, though. (full review on our blog)
http://www.northshoredish.com.
Seafood in Salem?
It's unfortunate, but good seafood on the waterfront is not the easiest thing to find. If you must sit by the water, Finz is your best bet. The food is well prepared, and they have a large selection of seafood, it's just really overpriced. I agree with the other posters to avoid Capts. I haven't been, but consistently hear bad reports.
If you don't have to be right on the water, I recommend Lobster Shanty, which is an easy walk from the ferry, has great food, and is a lot of fun (see their site for their tongue-in-cheek motto of surly waitresses and warm beer). It's mostly outside and often has live music.
I haven't been to the Regatta Pub in the Waterfront Hotel, so I can't recommend it, but it has an outdoor patio and is right next to Pickering Wharf. I see several seafood options on the lunch/dinner menu.
One other place to stay away from is In a Pigs Eye, which is right up the street from the ferry. Terrible food.
If you want to grab an ice cream on your way back to the ferry, Captain Dusty's is right nearby on Derby St and has terrific ice cream.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Does ice cream grow in a paper cup?
I laughed when I read your line about mint ice cream made with spearmint—I made that mistake last year. It tasted like mouthwash! This year, I have a large container filled with peppermint plants just waiting to be made into proper mint ice cream!
I second Picco, think their ice cream is wonderful, as are their house-made sodas. I'm also a fan of Putnam Pantry. The ice cream is just average, but it's so much fun to overfill your cup with marshmallow and hot fudge, and it fills that ice cream parlor nostalgia craving.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Lobsters with an Ocean View
It's a bit of a drive, but how about the butter poached lobster tail at Latitude 43 in Gloucester? It's on the harbor. Another thought is lobster basilico at The Landing in Marblehead, also on the harbor. The Rudder on Rocky Neck (Gloucester) has seafood galore and is on the water, but they don't appear to have an out-of-the-shell option.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Need help for lunch on Route 1 North of Boston?
There's a Bertucci's on Rt 1 in Lynnfield near where Naked Fish used to be. Not sure what's in the Naked Fish location as there have been two or three restaurants in there since. I like the service and atmosphere at Joe's American, and there's one in Woburn right off Rt 128. Another thought is Masa Southwestern Grill in Woburn (on Rt 3 and very accessible from 128). It's in a strip mall, but once you get inside, you won't remember where you are. Soothing, very pretty decor, terrific food.
http://www.northshoredish.com
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Masa
348A Cambridge Rd, Woburn, MA 01801
Good options in Beverly?
I agree about Siam Delight on Cabot. It's terrific. Also on Cabot is Kame for Japanese, including sushi. Note that they are not open for lunch on weekends, just weekdays. Soma has some great lunch options, including wood-fired pizza. Not inexpensive, but very good. The same people own Wrapture a few blocks away, which has outstanding burrito-style wraps and rice bowls, all made fresh while you wait. There are a few seats, but it's mainly take-out. If you feel like taking a drive up to Hamilton, I highly recommend 15 Walnut. Nice atmosphere, great food, bread and many other items made on premises, and an emphasis on local. It's a bit cliched, but I like Not Your Average Joe's in North Beverly also. Their Cobb salad is wonderful. All of these restaurants except NYA Joe's have been reviewed on our blog (with pics). And by all means--go to Nick's for fabulous fast food!
http://www.northshoredish.com.
Lobster rolls, cold beer, and the World Cup on the North Shore?
I can't speak to the local beer on tap, since I'm a wine drinker. But here are some ideas.
Cala's in Manchester has a lobster roll and a bar with (I think) a TV. The Landing in Manchester also has a lobster roll and a bar with (I think) a TV. The Landing in Marblehead has a great pub side with a TV, but I can't seem to find their pub menu online, so I'm not 100% sure they have a lobster roll.
The Barnacle in Marblehead has a cozy bar with a TV, and I'm 99% sure they have lobster rolls (website seems to be in transition). It's right on the water.
The Old Spot in Salem does not have lobster rolls, but they do have a fantastic reuben and sweet potato fries, plus a huge beer selection, and most likely a crowd of serious soccer (football) fans.
The Lobster Shanty in Salem comes to mind also, but I don't know if they have a TV. Maybe someone who's been there recently can fill us in.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Cocktails in Salem (MA)?
There are quite a few places within walking distance of Sixty2. There's a cozy bar at Grapevine, an pretty but tiny bar at Cilantro (terrific margaritas, don't let the fact that it's next door to a Dunkin Donuts scare you), and a great pub experience with a huge beer selection at Old Spot. For outdoor tables, there's Finz (as mentioned, on the water), Tavern on the Square if you want to be in the thick of things, or Rockafellers one block further up Washington St. Having said that, there's a terrific bar at Sixty2 with interesting cocktails. I haven't tried them (I drink mostly wine), but my blog partner has had the dirty dirty and a seasonal gin drink with cucumber that she raves about. They are very professional and accommodating there, in my experience.
http://www.northshoredish.com
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The Old Spot
121 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
Finz
910 Washington St., Dedham, MA 02026
Recc for fish dish in Gloucester/Cape Ann?
Thanks so much! We have a serious amount of fun doing it.
Fifth Joy just posted about her visit to The Market. Also with pics. http://5thjoy.com/
Recc for fish dish in Gloucester/Cape Ann?
We were there for the grand opening. It's small and charming, right on the water. The food we sampled was top notch. A post about our visit, with pics, is on our blog (second from top).
http://www.northshoredish.com
Foodie things to do in Boston?
I second the suggestion of the North End. Lots of pastry shops, old-style American/Italian coffee shops like Cafe Vittorio, specialty food shops, and charm. Hanover St is the main drag, and Salem St, which is parallel to it, is also worth a look-see.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Best fries around???
We ate at the new 5 Corners Kitchen in Marblehead this weekend, and had some wonderful, very addictive fries with basil aioli. I also second the recommendation for Five Guys fries (there's one in Swampscott).
http://www.northshoredish.com
Along Route 1 South in Danvers Peabody Saugus--anything?
I haven't been, but I consistently hear good things about Angela's Coal Fired Pizza.
http://www.northshoredish.com
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Angela's Coal Fired Pizza
890 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906
Ithaki, Ipswich MA
Oh, dear. I'm sad to hear this, as I love Ithaki (although I went for lunch rather than dinner to avoid the crowds). Thanks for your detailed report. It's funny, we almost went there for lunch on Sunday before we remembered that it would probably be packed for mother's day. I guess I'm glad we didn't go!
http://www.northshoredish.com
CUPCAKES
Contessa, I've been meaning to try this place, as I've heard good things, and I work nearby. Can you tell me the cost of each cupcake? Also, I heard that sometimes people go in, and they are pretty much out of cupcakes. When (day/time) did you go, since it seems like they had plenty of different flavors.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Anyone been to Turbine in Lynn?
Hoping to go soon--looking mainly for food recommendations, although wine suggestions are also welcome.
http://www.northshoredish.com
Lunching in Lynn?
Here's a link to the dining posts on another Lynn blog.
http://www.downtownlynn.com/search/label/dining
Lunching in Lynn?
A Lynn-based blogger recently raved about Casa Molina. http://lynnhappens.com/?p=727
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