Business Spotlight – Melt Ice Cream

 Business Spotlight, New Businesses, Salem Dining  1 Response »
Mar 242016
 

We’re bringing the monthly Business Spotlight back!  Every month, Salem Main Streets will highlight a business in downtown Salem that might be relatively unknown, off-the-beaten path, misunderstood, or just plain cool. This month, we took a trip with our partner Creative Salem to get a sneak peek at an older business with a new vision. Thank you to Creative Salem for the amazing photo-documentation – you can see their glossier version of this article here.

RESIZED Melt Ice Cream collaboration with Salem Main Streets and Creative Salem_0468

What: Melt Ice Cream
Where: 60 Washington Street, Salem, MA
Owner: Christiana Kroondyk

Many locals got understandably anxious this winter when they saw brown paper on the windows of The Salem Screamery, a favorite ice cream parlor, but when we got the scoop (sorry, couldn’t help ourselves), the news ended up to be better than we could have anticipated.  After a year of operating the Salem Screamery, the current owner is finally transitioning the business over to reflect her own brand and vision. The results are simply delicious.

Salem resident Christiana Kroondyk isn’t afraid to do things a little unconventionally, with flavors or with business. Kroondyk first started dreaming about her own ice cream line during a 2009 vacation, when she visited an ice cream parlor with deliciously unconventional flavors and thought, “I want to do that!” She started playing with her own combinations at home a few years later, and came up with the concept of Melt as an artisanal ice cream line. The original plan was to start as a vendor at farmers’ markets and slowly develop the product over time – but when the chance came to buy the Salem Screamery last year, it was too good to pass up.

This definitely turned Kroondyk’s timetable around a bit – instead of establishing the product until she was ready for a storefront, she suddenly had a storefront before she had established her own product!  She made the decision to keep operating as the Salem Screamery for the first year, continuing to source from Bliss Bros. Dairy while learning the ropes of running a storefront business and slowly introducing her own, unique homemade flavors.  If you noticed new options popping up last year like pumpkin, sweet potato fluff, or anise with candied fennel seeds (!), you have an idea of where this is going.

RESIZED Melt Ice Cream collaboration with Salem Main Streets and Creative Salem_0501 RESIZED Melt Ice Cream collaboration with Salem Main Streets and Creative Salem_0539RESIZED Melt Ice Cream collaboration with Salem Main Streets and Creative Salem_0597

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what makes Melt different? Kroondyk’s vision for Melt has always included a strong focus on community and locally-sourced ingredients. Current flavors feature a number of ingredients from local, regional businesses, including coffee beans from Atomic Coffee Roasters (Salem), sea-salt brownie bits from Jodi Bee Bakes (Salem), chocolate from Taza Chocolate (Somerville), tea from MEM Tea (Watertown), nuts from That Nutty Redhead (Rockport), and candies from Sweet Lydia’s (Lowell).  The interior is open and inviting, including work by local artist Scott Froeschl (keep your eyes peeled for a mural coming soon). Last but not least, all ice cream is now made on-site in Melt’s beautiful, brand-new ice cream mixer! Kroondyk has also started making additional ingredients in-house, including homemade waffle cones.

Melt Ice Cream opens its doors on Thursday, March 24th, and will be open SEVEN DAYS A WEEK: for now, 1pm – 8pm on Sunday – Thursday, 1pm – 9pm, and Friday – Saturday.  Stop in to treat yourself and support a great new local business!

RESIZED Melt Ice Cream collaboration with Salem Main Streets and Creative Salem_0458

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Prix-Fixe 2 or 3 Course Awaits You In Salem Ma

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals  No Responses »
Mar 202016
 

rest weekLest we forget with all the March Madness of the Final Four in basketball and the Final Two (or Four?) in politics, that Restaurant Week continues in Salem Ma. You have another chance to sample the best of the best in local dining for the next five days, March 20-24.

Served up as a promotion by the Salem Chamber of Commerce, participating Salem restaurants will offer either a specially priced two-course prix-fixe dinner menu, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu, or both (price will not include drinks, taxes or gratuities).

Here is a list & descriptions (subject to change) provided by the Chamber of Commerce website.

A MANO Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria – View Menu Here
62 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0062

A MANO is a brand new modern Italian trattoria and pizza kitchen serving contemporary versions of regional Italian classics in downtown Salem. Chef Antonio Bettencourt and his team are dedicated to using the best locally-sourced, all natural ingredients in season and at the peak of flavor. The cooking at A MANO shows true soul and a commitment to the true “craft” of cooking. Their cocktails and wines are chosen especially to match their distinctive cuisine.

Adriatic Restaurant and Bar – View Menu Here
155 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-1832

Adriatic is a casual dining restaurant featuring the cuisine of the regions surrounding the Adriatic sea. Fresh fish and seasonal vegetables, together with a wood burning pizza oven, create the main menu. In addition, Adriatic has a nice cocktail list, a great wine program, and a professional staff, that help guests to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with their family and friends.

Bella Verona – View Menu Here
107 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 825-9911

Chef-owner Giorgio Manzana hails from Lake Garda Italy in the Provence of Verona and has a hotel-restaurant background that goes back over 35 years. Bella Verona enjoys catering to their clients, creating new dishes and continuing the simple good and authentic home-style cooking of Manzana’s region as well as other parts of Italy. As an Italian restaurant in the heart of Salem, they will bring you back to Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet, to lose yourselves in the atmosphere and excellent food. In keeping to their traditional roots they offer creative options with homemade pastas, and great daily specials.

Cilantro – View Menu Here
282 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-9436

Cilantro features authentic, hearty, and diverse Mexican specialties in an upscale but easygoing brick-walled setting. Fresh specialties such as crispy flautas rolled around chicken, pico de gallo, guacamole, and queso fresco are breaths of fresh air. Pair your dinner with a delightful margarita or choose another delicious cocktail from their menu.

Finz Seafood & Grill – View Menu Here
76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0000

Finz Seafood & Grill has a great reputation in Salem and around New England for fresh, innovative seafood and grill fare, not to mention delicious specialty drinks. With indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, Finz is a great place to relax and enjoy outstanding food and drinks. Zagat’s rated Finz Seafood & Grill one of the Top 10 Waterfront restaurants in New England.

Firenze Trattoria – View Menu Here
2 Lynde Street, Salem, MA – (978) 219-1188

Firenze Trattoria is chef Zamir Kociaj’s way of sharing his passion for the authentic tastes of Firenze with the historic town of Salem. Merging years of experience with a neighborhood vibe, Firenze Trattoria is the perfect place to celebrate the simple moments with loved ones and friends while dining on delectable Italian fare.

In a Pig’s Eye – View Menu Here
148 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (843) 870-1105

‘In a Pig’s Eye’… your food will be gone before you know it! Now under new ownership of Jim Gaddis, In a Pig’s Eye is one of Salem’s long standing restaurants and has been voted one of Salem’s best pubs. The food focuses on authentic southern cooking including real southern BBQ, and the atmosphere is complete, with live music weekly.

Nat’s at the Hawthorne Hotel – View Menu Here
18 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 825-4300

For an unforgettable fine dining experience in Salem, enjoy the ambiance, warmth and hospitality of award-winning seasonal cuisine from Nathaniel’s restaurant. The menu features contemporary dining in a historic setting, while offering a carefully crafted wine menu and scrumptious desserts that will complete any night out or special occasion.

Opus – View Menu Here
87 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-9600

With what can only be described as a maverick kitchen, Opus’ cuisine boasts unexpected flavor combinations that simply taste amazing. The restaurant’s dynamic sushi team draws on both east and western influences to create sushi rolls that are truly unique. The upstairs dining room is centered around an oversized, glowing glass bar where guests can meet for a drink or enjoy a three-course meal. Downstairs, in Opus Underground, guests can enjoy nightly entertainment in a Moroccan-inspired space filled with cozy seating and thought-out details. Opus is a go-to destination for live music, dinner, and cocktails seven days a week.

Regatta Pub at the Waterfront Hotel – View Menu Here
225 Derby Street, Salem, MA –  (978) 740-8788

The Regatta offers casual dining with flair. Try their signature “Regatta Blue” martini with your favorite burger or fresh seafood with a glass of chilled wine. The Regatta Pub offers an eclectic choice of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and entrees in a relaxed and nautical inspired atmosphere, or chose to dine outside on their patio, weather permitting.

Rockafellas – View Menu Here
231 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-2411

Rockafellas established a new tradition in dining in the center of historic Salem in 2003. As the most delicious occupant of the renowned Daniel Low Building, Rockafellas restaurant follows several other institutions of reputation including a department store, a bank (the vault now stores wines) and one of the first churches in America. Their menu features fresh seafood and Black Angus steaks and offers everything from burgers and salads and tapas to gourmet presentations. The wait staff assures a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels at home.

Sea Level Oyster Bar – View Menu Here
94 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 741-0555

Located on Pickering Wharf, Sea Level Oyster Bar boasts two floors of fun while offering comfortable dining and great waterfront views. Sea Level also features a sit down raw bar packed with the freshest shellfish around. With an extensive beer list and creative cocktails that will quench your thirst while the kitchen cooks up fabulous seafood, gourmet pizzas and more, you are guaranteed to leave satisfied! Don’t forget to try their scrumptious desserts stamped in approval.

Thai Place – View Menu Here
Museum Place Mall, Salem, MA – (978) 741-8008

Thai Place Restaurant has been open since 1990. Being the first Thai Restaurant in the North Shore area of Massachusetts, they are proud to be one of the first establishments to present the unique taste, culture and sincerity of Thailand. Thai Place’s dedication to prepare the finest Thai food comes with experience, care for their customers and careful selection of the freshest ingredients.

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall – View Menu Here
43 Church Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-7665

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall is an authentic New England seafood house in an iconic 1843 building with noted cultural history, complementing their family’s seafood heritage spanning four generations. This is where they prepare the catch-of-the-day becoming classic appetizers, entrees and creative daily specials. Turner’s shucks and serves the finest local and regional oysters & clams in their classic raw bar. And, their seafood market, Salem’s only, offers fresh, raw and prepared seafood to enjoy at home. It’s important to get to the docks early as good fish go fast but, the best go to Turner’s… then to you….dock to table … same day!

Victoria Station & Vic’s Boathouse – View Menu Here
86 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-3400

Overlooking Salem harbor, Victorian Station has established itself as a destination for friends and family for decades and is committed to providing lasting memories for generations to come. Offering a wide variety of fine American cuisine from succulent steaks to the freshest seafood and one of the last remaining “All you can eat” salad bars, there is something for every member of the culinary community.

Village Tavern – View Menu Here
168 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-2858

“The Village”, Salem’s American Tavern, was opened way back in ‘12 by the Ingemi Clan – two brothers, Alex & Andrew, their dad, Arthur “Old Pop” Ingemi and his loving wife, “Mama Rosa”. With the love of satisfying olde time traditional foods, music, and beer (Courvoisier for Old Pop), they devised a place that would bring together people from all over to meet, drink, eat and enjoy themselves in a relaxed and fun establishment. Whether you’re here for some great BBQ ribs, scratch-made country cookin’, our famous burgers, live music, craft beer, partying in our private function room, or just strolling the streets of Olde Salem and need a rest – you are always welcome here at the Village. Cheers friend!

Please call each restaurant for specific information, prices and reservations. Then enjoy!

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New Crop of Farmers Being Sought For Salem Market

 History, Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Farmers Market, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News  No Responses »
Mar 042016
 

FarmersMarket_Salem_Logo_Large

Do you grow or produce a local food item and are looking to cultivate mass community exposure? The field is open for you to participate as a vendor at the 2016 Salem Farmers’ Market! Applications are being accepted now through March 11 by Salem Main Streets. This next session will operate in downtown Salem in Derby Square, Thursdays from 3-7 pm, June 9 – October 13, 2016.

Applications can be downloaded from www.salemfarmersmarket.org. Booth space is $30 a week for a 10’ x 10’ spot, $60 for a 10’ x 20’ spot, and $90 for a 10’ by 30’ spot. There is a discount for prepayment of the entire season.

Kylie“We are so proud of our market vendors, and we hope to see many returning, but we’re also always on the look-out for the next up and coming business,” said Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan. “This is the perfect opportunity for both newer small businesses looking to get to the next level, as well as established businesses looking to reach a new audience.”

All products must be grown or produced in New England. If a farmer is selling any items he/she did not grow, the farm of origin must be listed. Vendors may label items organic only if they are certified.

Non-farm products must be high quality, locally made, take skill and creativity, and the vendor must add at least 75% of the total value to the product. The product(s) should be complementary to a farmers’ market.

Now in its eighth year, the market welcomes an average of 2,000+ customers weekly. The market is made possible through the leadership of Salem Main Streets and the Farmers’ Market Committee, as well as the generous contributions of numerous volunteers.

For more information please contact Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan via email at kylie@salemmainstreets.org or phone at 978-744-0004 x15. To get the latest updates about the market, visit our website at www.salemfarmersmarket.org, or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SalemMAFarmersMarket) or on Twitter (@salemfarmersmarket).

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Great Meals Begin Again in Salem During March Restaurant Week

 Salem Dining, Salem Event, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping, SMS News  No Responses »
Feb 192016
 

Rest Week 2Many of us on the North Shore have friends that have visited Salem during the high traffic October season. These friends naturally enjoyed themselves but said they would like to come back when there is a little less “Salem” going on. What better time to invite them than next month during Salem Restaurant Week (March 13-17 and March 20-24)?

It’s a great way for them to sample the delights that Salem has to offer. Perhaps they’ve heard that you could eat out every night for two weeks in Salem and be able to go to a different restaurant each night? Take them for a leisurely stroll along Washington Street and up Derby and around. Your path will be dotted with choices. Pick a place, any place.

For those new to Restaurant Week, it is produced by the Salem Chamber of Commerce as a way to invite the public within the doors of neighborhood dining establishments. During the 10 days only, participating Salem restaurants will offer either a specially priced two-course prix-fixe dinner menu, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu, or both (price will not include drinks, taxes or gratuities).

March Rest. WeekThe Chamber notes on its website “Salem has become a culinary destination and people really look forward to this event. Expect a wide variety of delicious foods – from steak to seafood, American to ethnic, there is something for everyone. Restaurants offer multiple choices for appetizers, entrees as well as desserts.”

Mark your calendar now. Invite your out of town friends to Salem Restaurant Week. As the sign says, “Great Meals Begin Here.”

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BONS Balloting: Give a Warm Vote to Your Fav Biz

 Salem Dining, Salem Festivals, Salem Shopping  No Responses »
Feb 142016
 

On a brisk, minus degree feel-like day as we’re having, the options on activities could be limited. While there are still plenty of things to do and see in Salem, if you don’t want to go outside, but still wish to be in a “Salem state of mind” then may we suggest voting for 2016 BONS Readers’ Choice Awards (which began February 1st and ends May 1st).

BONS 2016

Winners will be listed in the annual BONS issue of Northshore Magazine (to be distributed in July), alongside Editors’ Choice for the same categories. But, note, online voting is for Readers’ Choice only; Northshore editors and the BONS committee select Editors’ Choice BONS winners separately from the Readers’ Choice winners.

The top vote recipients in the survey and eligible write-in nominees from 2015 voting are used to populate the drop-down menus. This is your opportunity to share with others why you frequent – may we say “haunt” – restaurants as well as general and specialty small businesses in Salem.

If you’ve never voted or haven’t recently, a few things of which to be aware:

  • Previously, regional or national chains were allowed to qualify as nominees. But beginning in 2015, that privilege was restricted to only local organizations and locally owned franchises
  • Traded votes for services or discounts is cause for disqualification. In other words, retailers are not allowed to produce a marketing mailer, website ad, social media post, etc., that offers a discount or free service with proof of a vote.
  • Businesses with multiple locations are to be recognized by the specific location. For example, if a business has locations in Salem, Peabody, and Andover, each location will have its own nomination.

Votes are tallied by the amount of unique votes each business receives. You are not allowed to vote for the same subcategory more than once; to ensure that all votes for each category are unique, their system requires a verifiable email address for each vote.

This year, more than a dozen new sub-categories, including Cookies and Distillery, and an entirely new category: Mingle have been added. Check them out.

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