Mar 132015
 

Salem Rest. Week 1“What are we going to have for dinner” will be replaced for the next two weeks in Salem Ma with “where are we going to have dinner,” as the popular Salem Spring Restaurant Week is served up March 15-19 and again March 22-26.

Long noted for attractions and history, Salem is coming into its own also as a foodie destination with a diverse menu of traditional and ethnic flavors among our restaurants. And as a way of thanking regular patrons and inviting new ones, Salem restaurants are offering either a two-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $18, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $28, or both (price does not include drinks, taxes or gratuities).

Many of the prix-fixe menus include multiple choices for appetizers, entrees and desserts.

The Salem Chamber of Commerce, which serves as the voice for member businesses, represents, advocates and works to enhance the business and civic environment. To that end, it produces these restaurant weeks in March and November.

There is a Facebook page, and the Chamber also provides links to special menus for this occasion.

As of this writing, participating dining destinations for your epicurean delight are:

Salem Spring Rest. Week62 Restaurant and Wine Bar
62 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0062
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Adriatic Restaurant and Bar
155 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-1832
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Bella Verona
107 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 825-9911
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Finz Seafood & Grill
76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0000
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Firenze Trattoria
2 Lynde Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-1188
Offering a Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Koto Grill & Sushi Lounge
90 Washington Street , Salem, MA – (978) 594-8681
Offering a Three-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Naumkeag Ordinary
118 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-4968
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Opus
87 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-9600
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Regatta Pub at the Waterfront Hotel
225 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (978) 740-8788
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Rockafellas
231 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-2411
Offering both a Two-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18 and a Three Course Menu for $28

Salem Beer Works
278 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-2337
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Scratch Kitchen
245 Derby St, Salem, MA – (978) 741-2442
Offering a Two-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18

Thai Place
Museum Place Mall, Salem, MA – (978) 741-8008
Offering both a Two-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18 and a Three-Course, Menu for $28

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
43 Church Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-7665
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Victoria Station & Vic’s Boathouse
86 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-3400
Offering a Three-Course, Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu for $28

Village Tavern
168 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-2858
Offering a Three-Course, Prixe-Fixe Dinner Menu for $18 *special pricing*

You will be treated to a wide variety of delicious foods – from steak to seafood, American to ethnic, there is something for everyone. Reservations are encouraged, therefore the Chamber of Commerce advises that you contact the restaurants directly. Please mention “Restaurant Week” when making your reservations.

And don’t forget, save room for the dessert!

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Mar 052015
 

If you’ve never shopped at Salem’s scenic Pickering Wharf (hard to believe), then make March 6th your First Friday there, as the merchants have gotten together to revive the First Friday concept (and even if you have shopped there, you’ll want to make the trip this week).

First Friday is a “stay open later” theme held on the first Friday of a month to entice shoppers with bargains, entertainment and an opportunity for merchants & shoppers to get better acquainted.

Pickering WharfWhile there was no First Friday last year, in previous years it had encompassed the greater Downtown District. David Bowie of Salem Spice (one of the stores at Pickering Wharf) explains “I thought it seemed like a good vehicle to kick-start the 2015 year; so I sent a note to Pickering Wharf merchants to suggest that we start it up again as a local, rather than city-wide, initiative. It seems to be taking root. ”

Just look at all the participants this month. And note the discounts if you bring a receipt from another store on Pickering Wharf!

Clever Diva: 10% off with receipt from another Pickering Wharf merchant or restaurant!

Crafters Market Candles & Gifts: 10% off, 15% off with receipt from another PW merchant or restaurant!

Edward John Home Decor: 10% off!

Enchanted Shop: 10% off, 15% off with a receipt from another Pickering Wharf merchant or restaurant!

Finz Seafood and Grill: 10% off with a receipt from a PW merchant or restaurant! (excludes alcohol)

The Happy Sunflower: 15% off non-sale items and 50-75% off clearance items!

Hedrington’s: Sales, Snacks & SPIRITS as well as a Spring Preview!

The Joyful Artisans “Supernaturals”: 20% off original price on clothing, 10% off jewelry, a raffle for a pair of custom made earrings and FREE snacks and goodies!

Longboards Restaurant & Bar: 10% off with a receipt from a Pickering Wharf merchant or restaurant! (excludes alcohol)

Ocean Chic Boutique & Waterbar: 10% off any full price item and 20-50% off winter items!

SalemSpice: 10% off all purchases, and FREE cider for the day!

RJ Coins and Jewelry: FREE watch battery installed while you wait with any purchase of $10 or more! (limit one per person)

Adds Bowie, “Most of the merchants will offer, at a minimum, 10% off as well as in-house specials. Some merchants will also have entertainment, refreshments, and some give-aways. The restaurants have graciously offered to provide 10% off meals (no alcohol) if you show a receipt from a PW merchant. Salem Film Fest is also joining in the fun and we are offering that same 10% off if you show a receipt from Salem Film Fest.”

First Friday festivities begin at 5pm with most stores remaining open until 9 pm. Entertainment. Bargains. Actually talk to someone in a store before you purchase an item. Definitely skip driving to the mall on this Friday night.

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Feb 172015
 

PEM LumberjackCould they have planned it any better than this? In the midst of one of the most outrageous winter snow seasons we’ve ever seen, the think-tank at the Peabody Essex Museum has scheduled a Lumberjack Party as the theme for this Thursday’s PEM/PM event! This should bring people out of the woodwork (sorry, had to get one pun in there).

Seriously though, the vision is to create an experience of spending a winter night in the North Woods (something we are all feeling) while celebrating the art of trees. And that is inspired by PEM’s Art & Nature Center exhibition “Branching Out: Trees as Art.”

PEM urges you to dig deep to get into the spirit of the event: wear your boots and flannel, then get your photo taken in their Lumberjack Photobooth, complete with beards, axes and other woodsy-themed accessories.

Other highlights of the event include obviously woodworking demonstrations, a Brew Talk with Salem’s From the Tree Cider, and more “timber” related activities; local bearded band, Tigerman WOAH, will provide the perfect backdrop with their Appalachian mountain folk/bluegrass-influenced punk rock with the occasional hip-hop freak-out.

PEM/PM evening parties take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month as a way for PEM to invite, entertain, educate and interact with the local community.

In this case, the current exhibition, “Branching Out: Trees as Art,” explores ways in which contemporary artists use trees as an inspiration as well as a medium for their art. Made with bark, wood, roots, seedpods, leaves and biosignals, more than 30 varied works and a selection of hands-on interactive opportunities ask us to consider our relationship with trees as a vital natural force.

A cash bar will be available, as will a special small plate menu courtesy of the Hawthorne Hotel. Admission to PEM/PM: free of charge for members and Salem residents (bring ID); $10 for non members. The event runs from 6 – 9 pm on Feb. 19 at the Peabody Essex Museum. For more details go to www.pem.org  or call 866-745-1876.

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Feb 152015
 

Open for bizLet it snow, let is snow, let it snow. We can’t do anything about the fluffy white stuff that is falling and being blown about— but we can make sure it doesn’t diminish one of the things that makes Salem such a great place to reside in and visit: our Downtown Shopping District.

Many of our restaurants and retailers braved the weather, cleared the sidewalks, pathways, doorways and parking lots to hang their “open for business” signs today. As was said in a tweet, sure they are looking to generate income, but they are also in a sense performing a public service, giving us all a reason to get out of our houses and congregate with fellow townsfolk.

We set up a constantly updating thread on our Facebook page to share the info on who is and is not open. We thank everyone who chimed in. And we give a big frozen thumb’s up to the retailers that offered “Blizzard Specials” to the adventurous New Englanders who made the trek to their favorite Salem haunt.

(Image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

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Feb 102015
 

Salem loves a Festival. It’s our tradition to REALLY celebrate a holiday. So, it is no surprise that Valentine’s Day has been the recipient of our special magical treatment with this year’s (Feb. 6-15) Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. Saturday is Valentine’s Day and neither snow nor sleet nor ice will deny the event and the on-going Golden Ticket promotion.

Many downtown businesses are offering discounts and special offerings throughout the festival on items that will bring a special smile to your loved ones! By also picking up your Golden Ticket at any of the participating businesses during the festival, you will have a chance to win a Salem’s So Sweet gift basket. Just have the Golden Ticket validated at a minimum of 8 participating businesses (no purchase necessary) to enter.

A full list of participating businesses and promotions are available below or by stopping by the Salem Main Streets office at 265 Essex Street for a brochure. Please also check our Facebook page for updates.

SALEM304_Salem_So_Sweet_2015_Brochure_V3_Inside_001Who’s afraid of snow? Shop early. Shop late. Shop Salem!

(“Golden Ticket” image courtesy of Social Palates via Instagram)

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