Food & Drink in Beverly

Restaurant Spotlight: Union Oyster House

Boston is steeped in history, and so are its restaurants. By way of example, consider Union Oyster House. The seriously old-school eatery is located directly on the Freedom Trail, just minutes from Faneuil Hall. Not only is this tourist destination still serving fresh seafood, it offers several nationwide distinctions: it’s the oldest continually operating restaurant in the entire United States, and it’s the birthplace of the toothpick as a post-dinner teeth-cleaning tool. President John F. Kennedy himself was a long time regular, where he would linger over a bowl of lobster stew every Sunday evening as a state senator. Not much has really changed inside this historic restaurant since it opened its doors in 1826. The colonial décor includes old wooden booths and a semi-circle oyster bar with wooden seats, where friendly shuckers enjoy telling diners the tale of Daniel Webster, a daily customer, who used to sit at the bar with a brandy and half dozen oysters. Listen long enough and you may hear other tales of former customers, some of whom went on to do great things. For anyone looking to experience a little Kennedy nostalgia, head upstairs, where a simple wooden booth comes adorned with a plaque dedicated to the former President, reading simply “Kennedy Booth.” Curious diners can request a cozy seat in this booth year–round. As for the food, come here expecting – what else – oysters. Look for the half-shelled bivalves to arrive grilled, fried or freshly briny and still sitting on the half shell. Hearty diners receive a complimentary basket of corn bread, which pairs up even better with a cup of creamy clam chowder. For a true taste of Boston, try the New England feast, which brings together clam chowder, steamers, boiled lobster and Indian pudding. The bold flavors may surprise you, especially for a restaurant that opened fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Off the Beaten Path: North End

I love the North End area in Boston. Sure, tourist flock there, the streets are always jammed, and it’s tough to find a table at the restaurants most nights, but the North End is special. It’s sometimes referred to as Little Italy, referencing the fact that it is inhabited largely by Italian Americans and the neighborhood is strongly influenced by their presence. However the beauty of the North End, to me, lies in its history. Birthed as a unique community in 1646, the North End has been welcoming residents since, housing the famed Paul Revere in its midst. Almost fittingly, in the 1800’s, the North End became the first home for waves of immigrants beginning with the Irish, and when they moved on, Eastern European Jews and then the Italians. The Italians stayed for the long haul, opening markets and restaurants, but if you look carefully, evidence of their predecessors still exist in former Temples and meeting spaces. Of course, exploring all of that history is bound to build up an appetite. Luckily, the area is chock full of tasty bites just ripe for the picking, the trick is finding the ones without crazy lines. Hidden throughout the area there are little gems where incredible food is found. My first pick is Monica’s Mercato located on Salem Street. Recently expanded, Monica’s is the place to stop by for everything from specialty cured meats, imported cheeses, olives, fresh breads, as well as made to order sandwiches, and ready prepared meats and vegetables for a quick take home dinner. Monica’s is designed as the ultimate market, with every inch of their space reserved for their authentic Italian products, and leaving no room for a table and chairs. Their staff is friendly and helpful, ready to answer your questions and guide you to the best fit for your needs. Also, they sell wine and beer. A quick walk down Salem Street will bring you to my other favorite market in the North End- Polcari’s Coffee. While they serve deli meats and similar, Polcari’s transports me back in time to what I picture a dry good store in colonial times would be like. Containers of coffee beans, teas, beans, unique spices, and candies burst out of this small space. Here is where I know I can find fresh citron from my mom’s Easter bread. Pounds of good almond paste are ready for baking, and items like Saffron and real Cinnamon are found plentiful. When I’m looking to prepare a recipe my ancestors have passed down, this is my go to spot for the ingredients I need for it. Just off of Hanover Street, the often jam packed main drag, lies one of my very favorite North End full service restaurants, Gennaro’s 5 North Square. Just steps from Paul Revere’s home sits this two story eatery whose executive chef hails direct from Italy and has made extreme efforts to ensure that the product she serves is as authentic as possible. She found a cheese maker who emigrated from Italy a few years ago to supply the mozzarella for the restaurant. She has worked with a local bakery to ensure that the bread baskets Gennaro’s serves before a meal are made in the style of her ancestors. Her restaurant is like sitting in your Italian grandmother’s kitchen, where the food is warm and comforting, unique to your family and expertly prepared. This is the spot for classic Italian American cooking. When most people think of the North End, they don’t normally think of sports bars. Somehow the two rarely go hand in hand- unless, of course, you know about my favorite sports bar in the city- the Waterfront Café on Commercial Street. Doesn’t sound right does it? A Café? In the North End? This little restaurant has TV’s a plenty, mounting several to a single wall, with local sports paraphernalia providing relief in between. The food is solid pub fair, with piping hot pizza, an Italian Sub to write home about and trusty buffalo wings. The staff is what shines here above all. A true neighborhood spot, they know their regulars - greeting you with your preferred drink as you walk in. Their allegiance is to the local teams, so don’t go rebel rousing there, but instead enjoy their incredible hospitality, and their trusty pub grub. The North End will delight you no matter where you go. Cobbled streets, infinite charm and more restaurants than you can imagine, the neighborhood is favorite among locals and visitors alike. Just remember, step off the main drag and wander through the neighborhood- you’ll find a bounty of fantastic spots without the crowds!

Venturing Off the Beaten Paths into Exotic Meats

The past few years, especially here in Boston, have seen the rise of the abnormal. Menus throughout the city are now featuring dishes designed outside the “box”, incorporating proteins from exotic animals and using every edible piece of those animals. The idea that is being utilized, to let nothing to go to waste, is not new. Countries all over the world have been making use of the “less desirable” cuts of meat (think tongue, brain, etc) for centuries, while the US remained largely mainstream. However, as we began to look more at the idea of farm to table, the imaginations of our chefs opened up and started incorporating more nose to tail dishes, and exotic, unexpected meats on their menus. Trying some of these dishes can be incredibly intimidating at first. Heart, tail, kangaroo…there are some very understandable nerves that may pop up when ordering. Have no fear though, Boston’s chefs have been doing an incredible job of creating dishes that are both approachable and delicious. Barbara Lynch is widely known throughout the city for her incredible mastery of refined Italian and French cuisine. She has a unique knack for blending both styles into artistic and beautiful dishes that are both simple and distinctive. Her work at Sportello, located in the Seaport district combines her classic refinement with the comfort of a classic diner. Here you’ll find true Italian dishes like gnocchi and agnoletti paired with more exotic accompaniments such as rabbit, or veal cheeks. My favorite here though is a small plate featuring slices of toasted baguette, topped simply with lardo and candied walnuts. Lardo is an incredible treat, richer than butter, harvested from pigs who feasted on apples and walnuts. Sweet, nutty, and paired perfectly with the crunchy walnuts – it makes an incredible snack on its own or to awaken the palate before a big meal. Ken Oringer and Jaime Bissonette together run two of the most well known small plate restaurants in the city: Toro, and Coppa, both with a concentration on preparing incredible dishes utilizing as much of each animal as possible. My personal favorites are the Pig’s Tail at Coppa (Ossa di Maiale) and the Asado Huesos at Toro. The pig’s tail combines the tail with other bones from the pig and roasts them with a mustard glaze. The result is a deeply smoky, salty, sweet and tangy dish that takes the best parts of ham and the best parts of bacon and marries them together. The Asado Huesos concentrates on the insides of the bones, pairing the Marrow with a tart citrus and radish salad and a sweet oxtail marmalade. A decadent dish, but when combined with the refreshing salad it has a perfectly “light” feeling. Of course we wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the king of the exotic meats, Brian Poe who runs the kitchen at the Tip Tap room. First perusals of the menu show a concentration on classic menu items like steak tips or turkey tips and burgers, but if you look deeper, specifically at the specials board, the real beauty comes alive. Chef Poe finds incredible proteins like Kangaroo, Yak and Wild Boar and creates classic dishes out of them. Kangaroo burgers hit the spot frequently, and a Wild Boar Osso Bucco recently dominated my plate. If you have a hankering to walk on the wild side, The Tip Tap Room is the place to do it, Chef Poe will gladly lead your way calmly and safely. Explore more Boston restaurants.

Food & Drink in Beverly

Categories

The Wild Horse

$45 for Locally Sourced New American Cuisine for Two at The Wild Horse (Up to $84 Value)

Select Local Merchants

Groupon Guide

Restaurant Spotlight: Union Oyster House

Off the Beaten Path: North End

Venturing Off the Beaten Paths into Exotic Meats

Popular Categories in Beverly

Food & Drink Deals in Nearby Places

Save 50% to 90% in Boston

Get the Daily Deal for:

Categories

The Wild Horse

$45 for Locally Sourced New American Cuisine for Two at The Wild Horse (Up to $84 Value)

Restaurant Spotlight: Union Oyster House

Off the Beaten Path: North End

Venturing Off the Beaten Paths into Exotic Meats

Related Reads