festivals – Page 10 – Salem Main Streets

Salem Spring Restaurant Week Serves Up Delightful Dining

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Mar 132015

“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:

62 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!

March Meatball Madness — Where Else But Salem!

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Mar 062015

Meatballs are globally loved as local author Adeline Lutts Myers discovered and uncovered for her new cookbook Global Meatballs. In celebration of her work, several of Salem’s finest restaurants are cooking up a foodie event Meatball Fest, March 5-12.

Meatballs get a slot in the Salem festival calendar? Those simple things where you take ground beef, add some spices, roll it and cook it? Yes, but what kind of meat and which spices? And can you substitute anything else for beef? Do you fry or bake, or use another method? As the author learned, each country rolls differently with its native recipes.

“In writing the book,” she reveals in her blog, Kitchen Roots, “we wanted a representative group of meatballs from around the globe. I ended up with recipes from over 40 countries and cultures. In doing the research some were easier to nail down than others.”

Here in Salem on March 5-12 you will find these special meatball related recipes/offerings at:

Adriatic Restaurant and Bar (call for specific menu offering)
Bella Verona (the delicious PolpiteVeal Meatballs baked with penne as well as Lasagne w/polpettine small meatballs)
Cilantro (Albondigas al Chipotle – Cheese stuffed meatballs cooked in a spicy smoked chipotle sauce)
Finz Seafood & Grill (traditional style meatballs using ground beef, pork, and turkey; roasted, then smothered and baked with marinara sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese)
Firenze (call for specific menu offering)
Nathaniel’s at the Hawthorne Hotel (assorted meatballs, with appropriate sauces and or garnishes such as roasted chicken‬ & spinach meatball; beef, arugula & portabella meatballs; and chicken with ‪chorizo‬ sausage, Jalapeño-jack cheese, ‪bacon‬ and cilantro)
Opus (call for specific menu offering)
Peabody Essex Museum’s Garden Restaurant (Greek-style lamb meatball with feta cheese, spinach, tomato, mint, oregano and olives, served with a roasted pepper and tomato chutney)
The Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel (Appetizer‬: ‪‎Buffalo chicken‬ meatballs, stuffed with blue cheese, served with hot sauce and sour cream dips with blue cheese stuffed celery. ‎Entrée‬: Fresh ‪‎mozzarella‬ and basil stuffed meatballs, spaghetti, marinara sauce and shredded parmesan cheese)

In addition, there will be a book signing with the author on Sunday, March 8th from 1 – 3 pm at Wicked Good Books, 215 Essex Street, here in Salem. You’ll get the chance to ask for her favorites, and share your thoughts.

Whether you favor a spicy meatball, a soft or bread crumb encrusted type, swimming in a sauce or standing alone, or even meatless, Global Meatballs by Adeline Lutts Myers will tantalize your literary tastes, while Salem’s restaurants will do the same for your taste buds.

And the Nominees for the Best Salem Film Fest Windows Are…

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Feb 242015

With the Oscars out of the way, you can now focus up close and personal on the Salem Film Fest (March 5-12). Entering its eighth year, Salem Film Fest is one of New England’s largest documentary film festivals; it attracts submissions and attendees from all over the world.

We’ll have more on the SFF in an upcoming blog, but if you want a sampling of SFF, Creative Salem produced an Oscar worthy profile page. But there is a visual problem with being the home of SFF, and we’ve come up with a solution that requires your assistance.

“The only drawback of a festival like Salem Film Fest,” explains Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Manager, “is that, by necessity, the vast majority of the action happens behind closed doors. The Film Fest gets bigger and better every year, but sometimes it’s hard to see that if you’re just walking down the street.”

She continues, “Therefore, we started the Film Fest window decorations last year because we wanted people to walk into town and KNOW that there was a film festival in town! In addition, we have many filmmakers and guests from out of town who are exploring the city for the first time during the festival. The Salem community gets so excited for this festival, and we wanted to have a visual representation of that excitement to welcome our visitors.”

Merchants, if you’ve got a downtown storefront window, we want to see your best film-inspired window! While the festival focuses on documentaries, your window does not have to be documentary-specific (windows inspired by Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, or The Avengers are absolutely encouraged).

This year, we will have a jury select a winning window. The winner of the competition will become the underwriter of a single film for the 2016 Salem Film Fest ($300 value)!

As a sign that this is indeed a group effort, if you need some inspiration or materials, Paul Van Ness of CinemaSalem will again be donating old celluloid film and film reels (and popcorn!) to anyone who wants to decorate a window. Stop by the Main Streets / Chamber offices at 265 Essex any time after 12:30 pm for film, popcorn, and Salem Film Fest posters (while they last)!

Participating businesses must notify Salem Main Streets of their interest and have window decorations completed by Friday, Feb. 27. So don’t delay. Any questions should be sent to kylie@salemmainstreets.org or go old school and call 978-744-0004.

(Photo courtesy of Social Palates)

Festival & Golden Ticket Promotion Continue Despite Snow

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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.

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

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

Ice Is Nice – Especially Here in Salem

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Feb 072015

Salem has been invaded by ice creatures, but worry not, as they are friendly. Early morning joggers and breakfast attendees were greeted throughout downtown Salem by workers gently unloading and placing ice sculptures in per-determined sites as part of the Salem‘s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival.

This year there will be more than 15 large sculptures around downtown Salem, with themes including a mermaid, ruby slippers, a rocking horse, and many more! A map of sculptures and locations is available here and on brochures distributed around town.

Take the kids out and see how many you can find. Make a day of it in Salem.

Many downtown businesses will offer discounts and special offerings throughout the festival! Pick up your Golden Ticket at any of the participating businesses during the festival, have it validated at participating businesses (no purchase necessary), then enter to win a Salem’s So Sweet gift basket. A full list of participating businesses and promotions can be found here.

NOTE: due to the historical amounts of snow we have received, the Salem Trolley will not be running its route on Feb. 7 and 8 as initially planned.

After all the ice on the sidewalks and streets we’ve had to endure and groan about recently, it’s nice to see ice in a way to make you smile. The Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival runs Feb. 6-15th.

(Hint: Pikachu and Charizard in front of Harrison’s Comics & Pop Culture)

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