Portside Waterfront Kitchen & Bar, Salisbury

Formerly known as The Farm Bar and Grille, Local Kitchen and Tap's rustic wood furniture and floors and exposed brick walls inform the eatery's comforting vibe. To craft a menu of comforting Southern-style fare, the kitchen team doesn't skimp by pulling ingredients from the freezer. Instead, they put together entrees from all-fresh components, including some of the vegetables they grow themselves in the on-site garden and the 90-acre cornfield they fit in their endless broom closet. As baby back ribs bask in the smoke from a hardwood fire, the kitchen crew bastes them every half-hour, in between searing burgers made from fresh Angus chuck. Starters such as fresh beer-battered jalapeño poppers are made to order. The staff also pours a large selection of draft beers and specialty cocktails.