Local Tap Takeover at Vic's Boathouse!

Vic's Boathouse at Victoria Station is hosting a celebration of the amazing breweries and craft beer that Massachusetts has to offer, and you are invited!

Join the gang at Vic's Boathouse to hear from representatives from some of the best breweries in Massachusetts, who will be pouring samples of their craft creations.  Kyle, Vic's craft beer specialist, will be discussing the state of craft beer in 2012. There will be buffet of classic New England Fare, and ( (But, wait! There's more!) resident Open Mic host Nick Consone will be putting on a special performance with some of the areas most talented musicians!

The featured brews will include:

• Cambridge Brewing Co. Audacity
• Wandering Star Berkshire Hills 01201 Saison
• Cisco Brewery Blonde Lady
• Fishermans Ale
• Cody Brewing Honey Ginger Ale
• Mayflower IPA
• Notch Cerne Pivo
• Pretty Things Baby Tree
• Berkshire Brewing Steel Rail Extra Pail Ale

Craft Beer, Great Food, Live Music - all local - and all for $20.  What's not to love? 

Visit Facebook or VictoriaStationSalem.com to learn more about the event.

Painting Salem Yellow

Join the Yellow Umbrella Organization for Cervical Cancer Prevention Week in Salem next week!

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month, and from January 8th, 2012 to January 15th, 2012 the city of Salem will join together to raise awareness of cervical cancer and its prevention during the annual, “Painting Salem Yellow” event.  Participating Salem restaurants, businesses, politicians and local celebrities will partner with the “Yellow Umbrella Organization” to empower and educate women about HPV and cervical cancer prevention.

The “Yellow Umbrella Organization” was founded by Salem resident, musician and cervical cancer survivor, Christine Baze, as a means to bring hope and raise awareness for cervical cancer. Since 2002, Christine, with the “Yellow Umbrella Tour” has made over 100 stops across the United States and Canada, and now she’s bringing the cause back home with “Painting Salem Yellow.”  

Throughout each performance the message is clear:  cervical cancer is preventable IF we use the tools - the HPV test (women 30+), the Pap test and the HPV vaccine (boys AND girls 9-26).

Once called “The Next Best Thing to Come Out of Boston” by mp3Boston.com, Baze will be performing eight different shows (with the help of many friends), sharing her music, story and message with all of Salem. The week will be filled with many fun and educational activities, such as Baze's one-woman show One Story, a special Comedy Club, and musical performances by Baze and other local musicians including Qwill, Erinn Brown, Ross Livermore and 80’s cover band, Safety. There will also be “yellow” markings through Salem that will guide you to local retailers who are showing their support for “Yellow Umbrella” and cervical cancer prevention.

Baze will start the week on Sunday, January 8th with a special matinee performance of One Story at the Griffen Theatre - sharing her story in full through classical piano, cover songs, and original Baze tunes.  On January 9th, 2012 “Painting Salem Yellow” will officially kick off with a press conference and luncheon at FINZ Restaurant with a special appearance by Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who will be reading a Proclamation for Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, with Baze sharing her music and message. In addition to several musical performances throughout the week, the week will close with a very special brunch on Sunday January 15th at the award-winning 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar as they host “Classical Christine's Yellow Brunch”, featuring celebrity make-up artist Debra Macki, and Salem’s unique clothing boutique, Glitterati. Chef Antonio Bettencourt is hosting the brunch to show support for cervical cancer prevention.  While Baze performs Bach, Beethoven and other classical favorites, guests can browse Glitterati’s newest yellow fashions, get their makeup done by celebrity make-up artist Debra Macki, and enter to win make-up, accessories and other fun prizes!

Schedule of Events

Sunday, January 8th, 2012
4:00PM-5:30PM - ONE STORY at The Griffen Theatre
Baze will share her story through classical piano, cover songs, and original tunes.
$20 - ALL proceeds go to The Yellow Umbrella Organization
Call 978.317.1169 for reservations

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
8:00PM-12:00AM Guys for the Hooch! at Seaport Cafe
Qwill, Christopher Keating, Ross Livermore, HDJ, Jeff Buckridge, and David Bailin step up and sing for the cervix

Thursday, January 12th, 2012
9:00PM-11:30PM Girls for the Hooch! at In a Pig's Eye
Sarah Seminski, Erinn Brown, and special guest Jacyn from JADA will join Baze as sirens singing to save the cervix

Friday, January 13th, 2012
9:30PM-12:30AM BAZE BAND at Vic's Boathouse
The BAZE BAND rocks lots of your favorite chick cover songs for the Hooch

Saturday, January 14th, 2012
9:30PM-12:30AM SAFETY, an 80’s cover band will play for Yellow at Rockafellas with special guest Christine Baze

Sunday, January 15th, 2012
11:00AM - 2:00PM Classical Christine's Yellow Brunch at 62 Restaurant & Wine Bar
Hear a one-of-a-kind special performance by Christine Baze as she revisits her classical roots, have your makeup done by celebrity makeup artist Debra Macki and shop the latest fashion from Glitterati

Visit TheYellowUmbrella.org for more information. 

Restaurant Week Menu from Victoria Station

Salem Restaurant Week menus continue to woo the senses. Make your reservations today!  Restaurant Week continues through Thursday night of this week, and picks up again on Sunday, November 13, through the 17th.

Victoria Station Restaurant Week

Starters(Choose One)Butternut Apple Brandy Soup with Cinnamon Crouton
Or
Autumnal Farro Salad– Cider braised Farro served on baby arugula dressed in a maple vinaigrette  with chopped apples, candied pecans and sliced red onion
 

Entrees(Choose One)Sage Seared Pork Loin– Boneless pork loin butter seared with sage and slow roasted served with Celeriac Chips and roasted apples
Or
Pan Seared Salmon– Pan seared salmon brushed with fresh basil pesto plated on parmesan, pine nut risotto with sundried tomato crisps
Or
Octoberfest Marinated Skirt Steak– Skirt Steak marinated in   Octoberfest, Garlic and Orange served with Pomme Frites, housemade ketchup and grilled vegetable medley
 

Dessert(Choose One)Pumpkin Mousse with  Ginger Snap Dust
Or
Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream

Victoria Station is on Pickering Wharf, and you can find more information on the historic restaurant and its spiffy new menu at VictoriaStationSalem.com. 

MS Fundraiser at Vic's Boathouse

On Monday June 13, 2011, Victoria Station / Vic’s Boathouse staff and friends will join together to raise money for the research of Multiple Sclerosis. Your support is greatly appreciated to fight this disabling disease! 

Your donation of $10 will enter you into raffles and drawings for cash prizes.  There will be light food and a cash bar. 

Why Vic's?
One of their servers has recently been diagnosed with MS. Her dedication to the restaurant, positive attitude, and unparalleled work ethic are an inspiration. The fundraiser will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Celebrity Line-up

• Mr. Ross Livermore will be performing with special guests including Nick Consone as well as an Ocean Side Dance Party with the one and only Dj KOKO P.  
• There will be local celebrity Bartenders from Majors, The Witches Brew, Finz, The Lobster Shanty, The Depot and More!!
• Billy Costa from NECN's TV Diner will be a celebrity bartender!
  Food stations will be provided by Finz, Victoria Station and The Lobster Shanty.
• Prizes!  Prizes!  Prizes!  Local favorite shops including Boston Bead Company, J.Mode, Cinema Salem, The Lyceum, Finz, The Witches Brew, and more are donating prizes.

So, head down to Pickering Wharf on Monday, June 13th to support a great cause and have a great time.

More Info

Visit the event page on Facebook for more information.

Exploring the North of Boston Seafood Trail in Salem

There's a new trail to explore north of Boston, and you won't need for fat tires or hiking boots to get from point A to point B.  This fabulous trail is all about fresh seafood, so bring your appetite and a taste for culinary adventure!

The Escapes North Seafood Trail features the best in fresh fish in 54 restaurants in 18 communities north of Boston, including nine restaurants in Salem.  Travel writer Andree Lebel from La Presse in Montreal recently visited Salem to explore the Seafood Trail, and I got to tag along and sample sumptuous seafood at four of the featured restaurants, and I'm here today to tempt your palate!

Victoria Station

The first stop on our tour was Victoria Station on Pickering Wharf.  Known as more of a prime-rib-and-salad-bar joint, it's time to challenge your assumptions about Victoria Station!  Executive Chef John Andrews blew us away with his Sweet Chili Shrimp Martini with Asian Pears and Plums.  The chili was very subtle, adding a gentle kick to the sweetness of the fruit.  Also worth noting was Chef Andrews' interesting twist on a lobster roll slider - serving it on a soft pretzel.

Capt's

Just up the Wharf a bit is Capt.'s, where more lobster awaited.  Capt.'s served creamy, never-too-heavy Clam Chowder, followed by Fish & Chips, traditional lobster rolls, and their signature, and perfectly cooked, Grilled Lobster. In addition to fantastic fish, Capt.'s has one of the best views in Salem, overlooking Salem Harbor, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, and the tall ship Friendship.  Sitting on Capt.'s deck overlooking the harbor with a lobster roll and cold beverage is one of the finest places to be on a warm summer day,

Finz

Any Seafood Trail stop in Salem should include Finz, with its hip blue fish out front, and its waterfront deck.  Owner George Carey joined us to talk about the seafood on the menu at Finz, especially the Oysters.  As we ate fantastic Wasabi Stoli Oysters, George explained that horseradish and cocktail sauce is traditionally served with oysters on the half-shell to mask the gamy taste that old oysters acquire.  As you can imagine, oysters at Finz are fresh and plump, so I ate mine with just a squeeze of lemon.
 

Lobster Shanty

On to The Lobster Shanty in Artist's Row.  Chef Diane Wolf makes a fantastic lobster roll, and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives made the Shanty's Lobster Martini famous, but this year there are two notable additions to the Shanty's menu: Pan-seared  Scallops and their new Seafood Stew.  The scallops were a lovely appetizer, with an Asian flair, and the Seafood Stew had a lovely tomato-bouillabaisse.

Other Salem restaurants on the Seafood Trail include The Lyceum (the chowder is fantastic!), Dube's, and the Black Lobster at Stromberg's Cove.  Navigating the trail will be particularly easy for iPhone users when an App for iPhone is released later this spring.  I'll let you know when that App comes out, and in the meantime, happy eating!


Here's a summary of what the four restaurants featured today served during our La Presse Seafood Trail excursion:

Capt.'s

• Lobster Rolls 
• Grilled Lobster 
• Traditional Fish & Chips
• Clam Chowder

Finz Seafood 

• Wasabi-Stoli Oysters
• Shucked Oysters with Saki, Ginger & Cucumber
• Furikake Seared "Rare" Tuna with Green Soba Noods & Ginger SEsame Vinaigrette
• Grilled Swordfish

Lobster Shanty

• Pan-seared Scallops
• Seafood Stew

Victoria Station

• Fish Tacos
• Sweet Chili Shrimp Martini with Asian Pears & Plums
• Notch Ale Steamed Mussels with Bacon, Apples and Carmelized Shallots 
• Lobster Salad Sliders 

For more information on the Escapes North Seafood Trail, and their other trails, which include architecture, art, literature, and festivals, visit EscapesNorth.com.

Easter Sunday at Victoria Station

Easter is only two weeks away!  Many of Salem's restaurants have special menus planned, and I am going to start sharing the menus via the blog.

Remember, you can search the blog (and all of its hundreds of posts) by entering your search topic in the search box in the top left corner of your screen.  Enter Easter (or Victoria Station or Witch Trials or Restaurants) and see what comes up! 

Here is the scrumptious Easter Menu from Victoria Station on Pickering Wharf.  Yum!

A Festival where Roman dress is encouraged!

On Saturday, April 2^nd from 6 – 9pm , Salem Massachusetts will host the fourth annual SALEM SPRING FLING: A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS presented by Pamplemousse at Old Town Hall. The Festival, which is fashioned after the Bacchanalia - a religious festival in honor of the god of wine, Bacchus - will kick New Englanders out of a long hibernation and jumpstart Spring by celebrating the Arts and indulging in craft beer, fine wine, and mouth watering food from North Shore restaurateurs.

Historically, the Bacchanalia was held in the Spring and priests and priestesses adorned with garlands of ivy would carry wine, honey, and cakes throughout Rome, celebrating and expressing themselves freely through music and pleasure.

This modern day version - Spring Fling - will feature a tasting of craft beers and beautiful wines from around the world. Truly a party fit for Bacchus! Guests will sample fine wines from Pamplemousse and Market Wine & Spirits and craft beer from Magic Hat, Harpoon, Cape Ann, Mayflower, Cody, Narragansett, Ipswich, Stone Cat, Clown Shoes, Notch Session Brewing and Left Hand Brewing.

Spring Fling will kick off Salem’s Restaurant Week with tastings from Sixty2 on Wharf, Gulu-Gulu Café, Café Polonia, Greenland Café, Tavern In the Square, Victoria Station, The Lobster Shanty, Upper Crust Pizzeria, Comida, Lakay Island and Rockafellas. Enjoy coffee and ice cream from Café Valverde and Ben & Jerry’s. Salem Arts Association members will be on hand with fabulous hand crafted works and Art Throb will be launching their new art magazine!   Groove to the Beantown funk of Big Ol' Dirty Bucket and their unique blend of Funk, Rock, R&B, Soul, Jam Grooves, Trip Hop, Latin Step, and Blues.

Meet familiar characters from myth and legend and enjoy the goddesses and nymphs that wander the "Garden of Earthly Delights." Seek out The Oracle of Delphi to hear your fortune. Roman attire is encouraged! Experience the intoxicating power of this celebration on April 2nd from 6 - 9pm at Old Town Hall on the Pedestrian Mall in Salem, MA.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door and are available at salemspringfling.com, in person at Pamplemousse, Salem Cycle, Roost and The Picklepot or by calling 978-745-2900.

Salem Spring Fling is presented by Pamplemousse (Purveyor of Fine Wines, Beer, Kitchen and Homegoods) in association with Magic Hat Brewing, Salem Chamber of Commerce, the Salem Arts Association and Art Throb.

The History of Victoria Station

I'm lifting today's blog post right off of Victoria Station's new web site. I'm doing so because I didn't know all of the back story (for instance, Johnny Cash) for this landmark restaurant. It is the oldest restaurant on Pickering Wharf, and as Salem's restaurant scene booms, Victoria Station remains a cornerstone of the city's myriad dining options.

And, I must add, they serve beets in the salad bar. Like having a fresh salad bar isn't great enough!

So, here it is, the Story of Victoria Station:

As many of you that have visited Victoria Station in the last 30 years know, its story is a long winding one.

It was 1970 when three graduates from Cornell Hotel School created an exciting new theme restaurant Victoria Station. They were inspired by the world famous Victoria Station. The style was historic and nostalgic utilizing a bright red phone booth, English taxi cabs, historic train memorabilia and authentic train cars turned into dining cars creating a nostalgic, warm and fun atmosphere.

The first Victoria Station was opened in San Francisco to great accolades and success. The chain quickly became one of the fastest growing corporations in America. By the 1980's the company had grown to over 100 restaurants across the globe with thousands of employees and famous singer Johnny Cash as their spokesperson. (It was his inspiration for his song Destination Victoria Station). Victoria Station also has its own autobiography written by historian Tom Blake called Prime Rib and Boxcars. Once Victoria Station came to New England, Victoria Station on Pickering Wharf began to create its own architectural style utilizing the train station inspiration of the original restaurant and the famous train station with touches of the historic Pickering Wharf in Salem, MA. where it is located. Victoria Station Salem created its own specific style while honoring the traditions and standards that became synonymous with the chain.

Trains Keep a Rollin'

Victoria Station Salem is now the last remaining one in the United States. It is proud to continue the Victoria Station name and restaurant management continues to pay close attention to the historic and nostalgic atmosphere with a new approach and even higher standards than today's customers demand. They specialize in classic New England cuisine with a fusion of the once great Steakhouse and still offer Victoria Station's signature slow roasted Angus Prime Rib and "All you can eat" Salad Bar. Today they are proud to use as many fresh local ingredients as possible and receive their seafood direct from local vendors on a daily basis.

Today

Last year Vic's Boathouse opened, serving an even greater number of patrons with a brand new full service Oceanside bar and lounge, serving delectable cuisine and featuring live free local entertainment every weekend. This year the Boathouse has been improved with a fantastic selection local brews, spirits and an ever changing extensive wine and cocktail selection.

A combination of a passion to serve and satisfy along with storied traditions make Victoria Station and Vic's Boathouse a staple in the Salem culinary scene, making it a premier destination for friends and family to make life long memories.

Fundraiser for Haiti at Victoria Station

Victoria Station on Pickering Wharf is holding a fundraiser on January 27 for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

The event will start at 4:00 PM and include live entertainment and a buffet featuring authentic Caribbean food. Admission is $20.00.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Partners in Development. A representative from Partners in Development will be on hand to accept donations and answer any questions.

If you have any questions about the event, call Victoria Station at 978-745-3400.