Category Archives: Cuisine – Seafood

Cuisine - American, Cuisine - Seafood, Places - Massachusetts, Places - New England

Review: Woodman’s of Essex

Woodman's of Essex ExteriorBefore I went to Woodman’s of Litchfield (New Hampshire) last year, I had no idea, until doing a little followup research for a blog post, that its parent restaurant Woodman’s of Essex (Massachusetts) was the birthplace of the fried clam.

But, back in 1916 this little roadside seafood shack started the craze that goes up and down New England’s shores with a frenzy. Today, the restaurant is run by the third and fourth generations of the Woodman family. The lines are still long, the clams are still hot, juicy and oh-so-good.

So, let’s take a closer look at this Massachusetts mainstay…

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Cuisine - American, Cuisine - Desserts, Cuisine - Japanese, Cuisine - Seafood, Foodie Firsts, Places - Boston, Places - Massachusetts, Places - New England

Check-in: 6 New England Things to Try

Shortly after we moved back to New England I made a list “6 New England Things to Try,” that was comprised of some of the region’s most beloved items. In the little over a half a year since we have been year (where has 2011 gone!?), I am 2/3 of the way through my list.

Here’s a little bit of a check-in with my progress and some thoughts:

Lobster Roll

Inspired by Adam Richman’s trip to Maine on an episode of “Man v. Food,” one of the must-try items on my list was the lobster roll. Chunks of fresh lobster mixed with a little bit of mayo and piled high on a roll.

Being one of the top things I needed to try, I had been asking around for recommendations since moving back to Mass., which garnered some great tips from long-time locals. One weekend, Brett and I ended up at The Beach Plum’s Portsmouth, NH location delving into a huge sandwich.

Lobster roll at the Beach Plum in Portsmouth, NH Continue reading →

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Cuisine - American, Cuisine - Seafood, Places - Massachusetts, Places - New England

Caption Challenge: Woodman’s of Litchfield

I have to admit that I was really amused by some of the caption creations from the first “Write the Caption Challenge” for the following picture:

Clams from Woodman's of LitchfieldWhile this pile of fried goodness isn’t octopus tentacles or pork loins, it is a pile of what “Yankee Magazine” has dubbed the “Best Fried Clams” for 2011.

At the unassuming Mel’s Funway Park in Litchfield, NH, you will find Woodman’s of Litchfield, an offshoot of Woodman’s of Essex (Massachusetts), a New England staple that has laid claim to inventing fried clams in 1916.

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Cuisine - Italian, Cuisine - Seafood, Places - Massachusetts, Places - New England

Review: The Great Escape

The Great Escape ExteriorIf I ever happen to be imprisoned for any reason in the near future, please let jail be like The Great Escape in Salem, Mass. This new eatery, which opened its doors in September 2010, gives Italian favorites a spectacular pardon.

Now through April 14, it’s Salem Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants like The Great Escape are offering three-course, prix-fixe meals for only $25. Some also have a two-course option for just $15. Who can beat those prices…and you get top notch cuisine in historic Salem.

The Great Escape is housed in what was once the country’s oldest active jail – built in 1813 and operating until 1991, a portion of the old building has been converted into apartment units (not sure if I’d want to live there.) And, while I’m sure there are some grisly stories from inmates’ stays in the jail, according to our waiter – Matthew – some of the restaurant’s staff do believe the building to be haunted. However, he doesn’t believe in those things.

The building is old brick and sits on the corner of Saint Peter Street and Bridge Street, right across from the Salem Depot Commuter Rail Station. Parking is the biggest issue in getting to the restaurant. We happened to find a short-term lot a block away behind the court house. But, with a lack of parking and rainy weather, the crowds weren’t piling into the restaurant – even with a cost-effective deal like Restaurant Week.

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Cuisine - American, Cuisine - Seafood, Places - Boston

Review: Kelly’s Roast Beef

Kelly's in MedfordSince 1951, Kelly’s Roast Beef has been slicing up tender pieces of beef and piling it high on soft buns from their original Revere Beach location to their five other suburban Boston locations. Each year, about 1 million roast beef sandwiches are sold and that’s why they say they’re the “Creator of the Original Roast Beef Sandwich.”

Of course you can get that famous roast beef sandwich, but they also serve up fish and chips, lobster rolls and even soups and salads.

A few weeks ago, we stopped at the Medford, Mass. location that is at Station Landing near the T’s Orange Line. Just after noon, the restaurant was packed with families, couples and individuals. A line snaked around the building for the drive-thru.

But, it was well worth it for that sandwich.

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