Tom Duggan: 1/23
Because the pointless COVID lockdowns our Valley Patriot restaurant reviewers have discovered that lots of the locations we used to like are not offering good meals or good service, or each. So, we simply don’t go anymore.
Nonetheless, now we have additionally discovered that some eating places we used to dislike, have stepped up their sport and grow to be one of the best go-to eateries. Due to this fact, we’re updating our “Greatest Eating places” record for our readers. If you happen to do go to any of those locations inform them we beneficial them. Take pleasure in!
MEXICAN
It’s laborious to discover a actually good Mexican Restaurant within the Valley however we discovered a couple of which can be price visiting.
CASA BLANCA – 2 Essex Street, HAVERHILL – (978) 891-3889
Owned by the identical household because the Casa Blanca in North Andover, the meals choice, high quality of meals and high quality of service is much better than any Mexican restaurant within the Valley. Whereas most eating places are utilizing child shrimps of their fajitas and different dishes, Casa Blanca in Haverhill remains to be utilizing bigger sized shrimps. We additionally favored the truth that their salsa dip was truly spicy scorching.
The waiters and waitresses are very attentive however not overbearing and so they don’t attempt to rush you out the door the minute you’re executed along with your meals. In 2022 we couldn’t discover one other Mexican eatery that was pretty much as good and as nice as Casa Blanca in Haverhill. The opposite factor we favored about it was the worth. We didn’t pay any extra right here than we did at some other Mexican Restaurant of comparable high quality with one exception. See our subsequent overview beneath.
MI MEXICO LINDO – 5 Pleasant St., METHUEN – 978-682-2271
It’s our go-to place due to the placement in downtown Methuen and the truth that now we have by no means ever needed to watch for a desk. We additionally love Mi Mexico Lindo for the costs. They’ve distinctive service by the wait employees, cheap drinks, and an in cheap menu ($2 to $5 lower than different locations). We suggest the Steak and Shrimp Scorching Fajita, or the Carne Asada Steak dinner. You’ll be able to’t go mistaken it doesn’t matter what you order.
PLAZA AZTECA – 552 Broadway – METHUEN, – 978-794-0908
We actually don’t like chain eating places as a result of the meals high quality isn’t at all times as much as par and they’re always altering their menu decisions as a gimmick to get new prospects. However, the meals and repair at Plaza Azteca is so good it’s definitely worth the revolving menu objects and there’s often a ten-minute wait for those who go throughout lunch or dinner.
The costs are similar to different Mexican Eating places, however not like others we didn’t must ask for warm sauce to boost any of their dishes. One of the crucial irritating issues about going to a Mexican restaurant is that what they name spicy often isn’t spicy sufficient for us. That was not an issue at Plaza Azteca. There’s loads of parking and it’s centrally situated proper off Rt. 213/Rt. 93 on the Salem NH border.
FINE DINING
It’s one factor to exit to a restaurant for a fast chew, nevertheless it’s fairly one other to exit to a restaurant for a date, a enterprise dinner, taking out the household, or only a good night time out. Listed here are our suggestions of one of the best high-quality eating eating places within the Valley.
KITTY’S – 123 Main St., North Reading 978-664-4541
or 781-944-7448
It had been a minimum of 20 years since we went to Kitty’s in North Studying, principally as a result of it’s not in an space we frequent. However once I took a date to Kitty’s final summer season we had been truly thrilled by the expertise. First, the waitress knew each single menu merchandise and each facet dish off the highest of her head. We even quizzed her for enjoyable, asking what facet dishes went with what important dish and she or he was spot on each single time. That’s not straightforward to do given the truth that Kitty’s has, by far, essentially the most in depth menu decisions of any restaurant now we have been to. What’s extra, I’m always pissed off by cooks who don’t perceive what “effectively executed” means once I order my steak.
However the cooks at Kitty’s did. It was completely cooked. Essentially the most spectacular a part of our dinner had been the exceptionally massive parts. You would need to order two or three meals at one other restaurant to get the quantity of meals you get in a single dinner plate at Kitty’s. And for those who like scorching wings which can be actually spicy, Kitty’s has the most popular scorching wings round. My date obtained the seafood plate and she or he took residence extra meals than she ate within the restaurant. NO STICKER SHOCK!
The menu costs at Kitty’s is similar to some other high-quality eating household restaurant you’ll go to. As a facet bonus there was ample parking and the salads had been higher (and greater)than anyplace else. Since we had been there final summer season, now we have been again 4 or 5 instances and I can attest that there’s actually nothing on the menu to keep away from.
SALVATORE’S RESTAURANT 354 Merrimack St, Lawrence,
(978) 234-7053
With a extremely spacious eating space and one of the best service within the Merrimack Valley, Salvatore’s Restaurant is certainly one of our go-to locations to eat as a result of they’ve a really top quality of meals. Positioned on the Sal’s Riverwalk advanced, you will get take out in addition to dine in and whereas the standard of Sal’s Pizza is second to none, you’re paying lower than at most pizza outlets within the space. If you happen to’ve had the takeout you actually need to dine in along with your important different or your loved ones. And for those who go to any time however winter, you need to dine on the deck which overlooks the Merrimack River.
BEST DISHES: Since we eat right here so typically, now we have tried every thing on the menu and have some nice suggestions. First, it’s a must to strive the butternut squash ravioli (topped with a gorgonzola cream sauce). Order a couple of appetizers although, as a result of the parts are somewhat mild. Not the case with Brief Rib Stroganoff, (topped with wealthy mushroom cream demi-glace over pappardelle), or the shrimp scampi, or the Clams and linguini. By far our favourite dish is the veal marsala (with with chef’s potato and blended greens or asparagus).
For you salad lovers strive the steak and blue, it’s marinated steak ideas over a salad with blue cheese dressing and it’s superb. In case you have a household birthday developing your finest wager is a Salvatore’s present certificates!
THE PHOENICIAN – 12 Alpha St. Haverhill (978) 337-1714
A lot of you might keep in mind how superb the meals and repair was at Bishop’s on Hampshire and Lowell Road in Lawrence. There actually hasn’t been a restaurant within the space that may examine, however the Phoenician does it splendidly. French fries such as you keep in mind at Bishop’s and Lebanese meals that rivals any eatery within the outdated nation.
Recent kibbe, stuffed clams that may make any seaside restaurant envious, and an assortment platter of Lebanese objects that’s so good, for those who shut your eyes you’ll be able to virtually really feel like you’re again at Bishop’s.
You’ll pay high-quality eating costs however it’s effectively price each penny with massive parts to your take residence bag, the luxurious ambiance {and professional} service.
LORETTA – 15 Pleasant St., Newburyport – (978) 463-0000
Whereas there are a whole lot of nice locations to eat in Newburyport we had been searching for dinner one night time and stumbled upon, maybe one of the best restaurant on the coast.
Loretta is correct within the downtown space close to the publish workplace the place road parking was an issue, however the meals was so good it didn’t matter.
Now, these of you who like blackened swordfish know that everybody does it in a different way and most locations don’t make it very effectively. It’s both too dry and too small, or worst of all too robust. So, once I ordered the swordfish at Loretta my expectations had been fairly low. In spite of everything, it’s been a couple of years since I had a swordfish dinner that was good, it’s been for much longer since I’ve had one which was distinctive.
Loretta modified that. Sitting on prime of mashed potatoes with a caramelized onion gravy and a facet of asparagus, it was blackened completely and the dimensions of the swordfish steak turned out to be excellent, although I believed it is likely to be too small once they first introduced it out. Costs had been similar to different eating places and the service was distinctive!
Loretta is open for lunch from 11-3 (3-5pm meals not served) and dinner from 5-9pm and Thursday by Saturday till 9:30. The bar is open from 11 AM till 11 PM.
SEAFOOD
It’s laborious to discover a good seafood restaurant within the Merrimack Valley with first rate costs with out going to the seaside. Nonetheless, we discovered a couple of locations price spending your cash.
NEW ENGLAND SEAFOOD – 225 Merrimack St, Methuen
(978) 686-7494
Whereas the majority of their enterprise is take out, there are a couple of tables for patrons to eat there. New England Seafood has among the freshest seafood within the space, with distinctive costs. Our restaurant reviewers had been very upset when native seafood locations began scaling again on deep sea scallops, however after we went to New England Seafood they weren’t attempting to move off child scallops as deep sea like so many different native eating places. Whereas some eating places have decreased their meals parts to economize, New England Seafood provides you a loaded plate for a similar worth as earlier than the lockdowns and one of the best half, nice french fries!
We suggest the deep sea scallops, fish and chips (far superior to others) or the blackened swordfish which is tough to search out in most seafood locations.
BOSTON CHOWDA – 109 Main St. North Andover
(978) 685-9610
They shut early and principally service a lunch crowd however Boston Chowda appears to have discovered a solution to make clam chowder and lobster bisque higher than any excessive priced restaurant you’ll be able to patronize.
The parts of lobster and scallops within the lobster and scallop pies are very beneficiant and so they have day by day specials which can be at all times good.
On Fridays you’ll do your self a favor by ordering the fish and chips however keep in mind, they shut at 7pm, apart from Fridays when the shut at 8pm.
THAI FOOD
LOTS OF EATS 1211 Osgood St. North Andover,
(978) 682-8888 or (978) 682-8889
We’ve by no means favored the Thai place in Andover that everybody raves about, and we’ve tried a number of different Thai locations north of Boston however discovered them to be lower than pleasurable. However, there’s a tiny little restaurant in North Andover on Route 125 that outdoes any Thai place now we have ever been to. Whereas the eating area is barely cramped, the meals and repair make this a go-to lunch or dinner selection.
Our suggestion is the Ginger caramelized Shrimp (battered and deep-fried shrimps sautéed in Prik Pao sauce with contemporary ginger, palm sugar, and scallion and comes with steamed broccoli on the facet), and the Mango Curry (Scallops, shrimp, snap peas, onions, cherry tomatoes in Yellow curry sauce and mango cubes). We additionally suggest the Honey Crispy Duck (Pan-seared half duck with honey sauce and steamed broccoli).
In our subsequent restaurant overview we’ll concentrate on the distinctive meals and repair on the Loft on Osgood St. in North Andover, Shadi’s Lebanese meals on Osgood St. in North Andover, or Tomo’s Japanese Steak Home on Rt. 28 in Salem N.H., Shaking Seafood and Scola’s Seafood in Dracut.
In case you have any suggestions for a restaurant overview, be at liberty to e mail us at valleypatriot@aol.com ◊
