Uncategorized – Page 10 – Salem Main Streets

The Holiday Spirit Stays Strong in Salem

Nov 192018

Santa Arrives at the Hawthorne! Photo Credit – John Andrews / Creative Collective

The holiday season is known for spending quality time with friends and family, giving to others, and celebrating the holiday spirit. The town of Salem takes great pride in celebrating the holiday season. Every year Salem Main Streets celebrates by hosting events for community members to ring in the holiday season together.

The first event that will be kick off the celebration will be Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting. This event will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 23 at the Hawthorne Hotel/Salem Common and Lappin Park. This beloved annual tradition begins with Santa Claus arriving at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel at 18 Washington Square. If you are afraid that Santa will get stuck on the top of the hotel, don’t be, Santa will luckily be accompanied by the Salem Fire Department. Santa is known for being very timely, so we encourage everyone to arrive at the Common by 5:45 p.m. at the latest.

As if Santa’s arrival wasn’t exciting enough, it will be followed by a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, where Santa will be joined by Mayor Kimberley Driscoll for the annual lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree at Lappin Park. The destination is fairly easy to get to, with it being located next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street. Participants are encouraged to bring lanterns (store-bought or homemade) to carry in the procession. Safety first, though – electric candles are highly recommended (and available for $1 at the event)!

Once at the tree, you can look forward to hot cocoa thanks to Gulu-Gulu Cafe, Victorian carolers thanks to History Alive, and of course, lots of photo op time with Santa after the Tree Lighting!

There is little question that the people of Salem take a lot of pride in celebrating with one another over the holidays. The coming months are filled with events and activities that the whole community can truly enjoy. These annual local holiday traditions help maintain the bonds between community members and businesses strong. These bonds are the foundation that has built Salem into a thriving community, and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Happy holidays everyone!

Why Locals Love November

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Nov 092018

It is no secret that October in Salem is commonly referred to as our “fifth season” – it’s just drastically different than any other month of the year. The weeks leading up in September can feel equally intense at times, and even the first week of November is often still buzzing. Add Election Day to that, and it usually takes over a week after Halloween for the downtown energy to feel back to “normal.”

That’s when the real local love kicks in. There is just something special about November in Salem. We asked around a bit, and here are just a few reasons why #localslovenovember!

– Getting back to your favorite local businesses – sometimes, with the high foot traffic in October, it can be hard to get into your favorite restaurant, or grab that quick cup of coffee you’re used to, or check in with your favorite shopowner. November means being able to catch your favorite table that’s always available at 11 am, or having time to chat with a salesperson about new products they got in.

Pro tip: October is a great time for our businesses, but it can be tough on their social media reviews. Our downtown businesses traditionally get lower ratings in October than any time of year, due to long lines, tired servers, and an increase in visitors who may have unrealistic expectations (this is true for many communities during their busiest times, not taking a dig at our October visitors here!). Take a tip from Octocog’s Five Star Fridays and fight back by leaving positive reviews on social media for your favorite businesses.

– Time to reflect – a number of locals noted how much they love having the time to slow down and truly enjoy the beauty of Salem during November. Beautiful foliage frames the harbor, the parks, and the streets. Take time out in the morning on the Custom House steps with a cup of coffee to soak it all in.

– Traffic and parking – this almost goes without saying, and it’s not like every traffic or parking problem is solved the second the Halloween fireworks end. But things become infinitely more predictable, and your usual shortcuts and secret parking spots are there waiting for you.

– Sales galore – a lot of our retailers are swiftly trying to off-load their Halloween merchandise to make more room for their holiday merchandise. This is great news for you! Visit any of our local shops this time of year and you’re likely to find lots of great deals, AND maybe get a scoop on the new holiday goods. And speaking of…

– The holidays are here! – November also means that we start hauling out the holly and the good cheer. Some residents told us that they love watching the winter greenery pop up on historic homes, others love the big community events like Santas Arrival and the Holiday Tree Lighting, and others love smaller less-official community traditions, like grabbing a drink with friends at The Lobster Shanty on Thanksgiving Day. Which leads us to…

– Community spirit – consistently, the thing Salemites seem to love the most about November is the chance to spend time with each other. From bumping into each other on the street, to making time to catch a movie, to showing up to light the tree on Lappin Park with your neighbors, on of the very best things about downtown Salem in November and all year round are the people who call it home.

To celebrate November, we are bringing back our #localslovenovember social media challenge for this long weekend. Between Friday, Nov. 9 and Monday, Nov. 12th, just post a pic of yourself, a storeowner, or an item you are purchasing while at a downtown shop or service (dentist, salon, etc.) with the tag #localslovenovember. Two lucky winners will be selected to win a whole roll of quarters to help with that still-existing parking 😉

Register online for this year’s Howl-o-ween Pet Parade!

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Oct 062018

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Salem is going to the dogs (and cats, and lizards, and pigs, and…)! Salem Main Streets is very pleased to produce the fourth annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade, to be held on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 pm on Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

The event will include an area with information about the National Park Service Bark Ranger Program, local rescues and pet-focused downtown businesses, and most importantly, a parade and costume contest with prizes. Pets of all species are welcome, but should be well-behaved and comfortable at a busy event where there are likely to be many dogs. The parade is rain or shine.

This year, Salem Main Streets is asking all parade participants to register online in advance and have added a small donation of $5. All proceeds go directly to Salem Main Streets in support of special community programs all year round.

“This started as a very casual little event, and every year we grow more and more,” says Kylie Sullivan, Executive Director of Salem Main Streets. “I am so excited to move down to the Wharf this year, where we will have more room to spread out and the great backdrop of Salem Harbor. Salem is such a pet-friendly city; it seemed like a no-brainer that we needed a community pet parade during Haunted Happenings. It’s such a special way to engage our residents, appeal to our visitors, and celebrate our local business community.”

Spectators are encouraged to join us on Derby Wharf or along the loop on Pickering Wharf, perhaps even “tail”-gaiting on Longboards’ dog-friendly patio.

Salem’s Best of the North Shore Winners – 2018

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Aug 142018

In case you missed it, the annual Best of the North Shore (BONS) awards have been announced by North Shore Magazine for 2018! As usual, Salem businesses gave a strong showing among the awardees – listed below are all the winners located in Salem. Are your favorites included? Maybe a few that you’d never considered trying? Congratulations to all the 2018 winners!

DINE

Bacon – Back Alley Bacon (Readers’ Choice)

Bakery/Bread – A&J King (Editors’ and Readers’ Choice)

Brunch – Ledger

Fish & Chips – Turners Seafood at Lyceum Hall (Readers’)

Gluten-Free – Jodi Bee Bakes (Readers’)

Indian – Passage to India (Editors’ and Readers’)

Mexican – Howling Wolf Taqueria (Editors’ and Readers’)

Mussels – Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

Pizza – Bambolina

Ramen – Kokeshi (Editors’ and Readers’)

Raw Bar – Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

Seafood – Turners Seafood at Lyceum Hall (Readers’)

Sushi – Koto (Readers’, tie)

Tacos – Howling Wolf (Readers’)

Vegetarian – Life Alive (Editors’ and Readers’)

DRINK

Bar – Opus (Readers’)

Beer Garden – Notch (Readers’)

Beer Menu – Gulu Gulu Café (Readers’)

Cocktail – Opus (Readers’)

Distillery – Rumson’s Rum

Hard Cider – Far From the Tree (Editors’ and Readers’)

Juice Bar – Life Alive (Readers’)

Tap Room – Notch (Readers’)

Winery – Mill River Winery (Editors’ and Readers’) – Rowley business, sells at Salem Farmers’ Market

INDULGE

Bake Shop – Caramel Patisserie (Editors’, tie), A&J King (Readers’)

Candies – Ye Olde Pepper Companie (Editors’), Harbor Sweets (Readers’, tie)

Chocolate – Harbor Sweets

Cookies – Goodnight Fatty

Dessert – Counter at Hotel Salem

Ice Cream – Melt (tie)

RENEW

Yoga – Yoga Sakti

PLAY

Dance Studio – Dance Enthusiasm (Readers’)

Family Hangout, Indoor – Peabody Essex Museum (Editors’ and Readers’)

Festival (Fall) – Haunted Happenings (Editors’ and Readers’)

Festival (Spring) – Salem Film Fest

Museum – Peabody Essex Museum (Editors’ and Readers’)

Tourist Attraction – House of the Seven Gables (Readers’)

SHOP

Books – Wicked Good Books (Readers’)

Cheese Shop – Cheese Shop of Salem (Editors’ and Readers’)

Clothing, Women’s Upscale – J. Mode (Readers’)

Makeup Selection – Rouge (tie)

Yoga Apparel – Yoga Sakti (Readers’)

LIVE

Gourmet Market – The Cheese Shop of Salem (plus tie for Readers’)

Personal Chef Service – Fine Food and Cooking by J. Ricardo Sanchez

MINGLE

Billiards – Village Tavern (Readers’)

Date Night – Opus (Readers’)

First Date – Bit Bar (Readers’)

Girls’ Night Out – Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

Guys’ Night Out – Bit Bar

Why Restaurants are a Hot Ticket in Salem Ma for Next Two Weeks

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Mar 182018

Are you hungry? And we mean not only hungry for something to eat but hungry to try something new? Then you have come to the right place. For 10 exciting days, Salem’s diverse dining venues literally throw open the doors and invite you to enjoy some of their best offerings at unbeatable prices. The occasion? Well, of course, it is Salem Spring Restaurant Week. Runs Sunday, March 18 – Thursday, March 22 and then again Sunday, March 25 – Thursday, March 29.

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.

If you go to a different establishment each night during Salem Spring Restaurant Week, you still won’t see them all! Please note the list of restaurants below is not final, they are subject to change.

Adriatic Restaurant and Bar – Click here for menu
155 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-1832
Click here to make a reservation.

A warm interior and excellent cuisine—a winning combination that defines the Adriatic Restaurant & Bar. The brick oven pizzas are always a hit, and imaginative libations entice customers to come back time and again. Excellent market-fresh fish dishes inspired by regions surrounding the Adriatic Sea give this Mediterranean eatery something to boast about. A lengthy wine list featuring imported varietals and blends bring every meal’s flavors to fore and make patrons hunger for more.

Beerworks No. 2 Salem – click here for menu
Offering 2 course menu for $20
278 Derby Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-2337

Located in Historic Downtown Salem since 1996, Salem Beer Works has something for everyone. With 15 freshly brewed beers on tap each day, guests enjoy the seasonal patio (weather permitting) and proximity to the Salem waterfront. Whether you’re visiting from out of town, or live in the area, Salem Beer Works is the place to go for good food, good beer and good times.

Bella Verona – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30
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.

BonChon – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $20
299 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 594-8256

“Bonchon” means “my hometown” in Korean. True to their original roots, Bonchon Downtown Salem is a family friendly establishment, offering an affordable casual dining experience along with lively atmosphere. Enjoy the flavorful chicken wings that are their signature dish and then wash that down with a local Notch brew.

Finz Seafood & Grill – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30
76 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 744-0000
Click here to make a reservation.

Innovative and inspired menus, fresh raw bar, and a carefully chosen wine list all lead to an extraordinary dining experience at Finz. Our menu emphasizes creatively prepared fresh seasonal seafood. Our raw bar offers the freshest local oysters, clams, chilled lobster, colossal crab and jumbo shrimp. 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 – different selections nightly!
Offering 3 course menu for $30
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.

Jami’s Kitchen – click here for menu
Offering 2 course menu for $20
2 Bridge Street, Salem, MA – (978) 740-4619

Located on the line between beautiful Beverly and Salem, Massachusetts, on the sunny side of the Salem bridge, Jami’s Kitchen serves its patrons in the New England tradition; presenting great food, fine beer and entertainment for locals and visitors alike. Our outdoor bar has spectacular views of the waterfront and offers harbor breezes, cool drinks and spirited conversation. We’re proud to welcome you, your friends, and your family of our comfortable kitchen!

Ledger Restaurant & Bar – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30
125 Washington Street Salem, MA – (978) 594-1908
Click here to make reservations on Open Table.

Ledger, located in the former Salem Savings Bank building (circa 1818), opened just this year by chef-owner Matt O’Neil and is already being touted by Zagat as one of the six sexiest new restaurants in Boston! Ledger is known for its progressive New England concept of traditional 19th-century dishes, cocktails, and techniques that are elevated with 21st-century resources. This is high-style cuisine, whether it’s the artful plating of each colorful dish or the creative take on wood-fired dishes, house-made charcuterie, and raw bar items.

Life Alive – click here for menu
Offering 4 course menu for $20
281 Essex Street, Salem, MA – (978) 677-8518

Want to enjoy a healthy meal that will make you feel good about eating? Look no further than Life Alive! Life Alive is devoted to making nourishing and delicious meals that are full of pleasure. Take pleasure and comfort in knowing that they are devoted to the vitality of our bodies, communities, and earth.

Longboards Restaurant & Bar – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $20
72 Wharf St, Salem, MA – (978) 745-6659

Located on Pickering Wharf, Longboards Restaurant & Bar serves up award-winning sandwiches, lobster rolls and their new signature flatbreads, all with the promise that you won’t leave hungry. Longboards is your staple neighborhood bar with a full bar and a great list of local beers – check them out during your favorite game or come grab a drink and dinner with some friends!

Nat’s at the Hawthorne Hotel – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30
18 Washington Street, Salem, MA – (978) 825-4300
Click here to make reservations on Yelp.

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 – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30
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
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 – click here for menu
Offering both 2 course menu for $20 and 3 course menu for $30
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 – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30
94 Wharf Street, Salem, MA – (978) 741-0555
Click here to make reservations.

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 – click here for menu
Offering both 2 course menu for $20, and 3 course menu for $30
Witch City 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 – click here for menu
Offering 3 course menu for $30 (March 18-22 only)
43 Church Street, Salem, MA – (978) 745-7665
Click here to make reservations on Open Table.

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!

Salem has become a culinary destination, in addition to its other notoriety; people along the North Shore and beyond eagerly look forward to Salem Spring Restaurant Week. Reservations are encouraged; be advised to contact the restaurants directly. Please mention “Restaurant Week” when making your reservations.

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