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.

Lunch at Capt.'s

I had a lovely lunch at Capt's today! Just look at the pictures...

If you haven't been to Capt.'s, it is located on Pickering Wharf overlooking the marina, Central and Derby Wharves. That's the tall ship Friendship on the left. A lovelier view you could not have in Salem!


We ordered salads, and they were absolutely lovely! (So I had to take pictures...) Above is the garden salad with steak tips and balsamic dressing.

Below is Capt's Special Salad with lemon thyme dressing. I should have taken a side view - it's all wrapped up in cucumber strips.


A beautiful and yummy lunch, indeed! And, if the view is luring you in, the forecast all week is great.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at The House of the Seven Gables

The House of the Seven Gables is celebrating the legendary love shared by Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife Sophia this Valentine’s Day. Warm up from the cold with a theatrical performance of Dearest Dove: The Courtship of Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne written exclusively for The House of the Seven Gables by actress and Marblehead resident Anne Lucas. Witness this historic romance in a 30 minute production featuring the fabled love letters exchanged by the Hawthornes in the 19th Century.

This event will take place at The House of the Seven Gables on Saturday, February 14th, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Tickets for this special evening are $15 for members of The House of the Seven Gables and $20 for non-members. To purchase tickets, please call Heidi Webb at 978-744-0991, ext. 104.

A reception, featuring traditional wedding music performed by “The Quintessential Quartet” a string quartet from Salem High School’s music program and hors d’oeuvres graciously provided by Capt’s Waterfront Grill, will follow the performance.

Finish your romantic evening with a delicious meal and view of Salem Harbor at Capt’s Waterfront Grill on Pickering Wharf. Attendees of this event will receive a 15% discount on their Valentine’s Day dinner. Reservations at Capt’s can be made in advance by calling the restaurant at 978-741-0555.

It's Cold Outside...

Which makes me want to retreat to a warm corner, preferably by a fire. Here three of my favorite fireside retreats in Salem:

• The Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel (pictured at left). When the weather outside is frightful, there's no better retreat than this cozy room with an excellent menu.


• Finz on Pickering Wharf. Grab your favorite 'tini concoction at the bar and get comfy by the fire. You may never want to get up!


• Capt's Bar & Grill on Pickering Wharf. For winter retreats, I like to sneak into the bar & grill, which is below the formal dining room. The ambiance is cozy and dim - if you're with the right someone, it would be romantic. And the view is one of Salem's best.

Spring isn't too far off. Take advantage of these cozy corners soon. Before too long I'll be writing about dining alfresco and how to keep cool on hot New England evenings!