Fall food news from delicious #SalemMA

by | Nov 3, 2015 | Blog, News

Local Food News

Welcome new Tour Partners! 

As Salem’s food scene continues to grow and thrive, we are delighted to welcome our newest Food Tour Partners: A MANO,  Bambolina, The Cheese Shop of Salem, Jodi Bee Bakes, Koto, and The Naumkeag Ordinary.   We’ll have more info on these outstanding shops and restaurants soon.  To view all of our wonderfulTour Partners, please click here.

  Clockwise, top left  A MANO, crafting pasta by hand on Pickering Wharf; top right, Bambolina on Derby Street creating Neapolitan pizzas; bottom left Koto on Washington Street featuring fresh sushi and Asian inspired cuisine; and the Naumkeag Ordinary, farm-to-table fresh local ingredients on the menu which changes weekly.

Restaurant Week is here!

November 8-12 & 15-19

For 10 days participating Salem restaurants offer either a two-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $18, or a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $28.

It’s a great chance to enjoy a fantastic meal at that Salem restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, or to revisit some much-loved places.  For more information click here.

Photo: sushi at award-winning Opus in Salem; below house made desserts at Olde Main Street Pub, two of the many wonderful Tour Partners participating in Fall Restaurant Week. 
 

Join us! Fall Food Tours

Delicious excursions all season

A reminder that we run Food Tours and AM Coffee Walks all year – including through the winter months.  There is nothing better than strolling our pretty streets, and warming up while enjoying amazing food and wine while meeting the hard-working folks at our incredible local shops and restaurants.   Join us on an upcoming Tour – we’ve got open spots this week!  Visit our Reservations page to learn more and to book your tickets.  Visiting guests? Tours make a memorable excursion for private or corporate groups.
 
Photo left: warm and yummy fall squash soup at Scratch Kitchen; right: outstanding pumpkin cheesecake at Gulu Gulu Cafe. 

Christmas in Salem 2015

Returns to the historic McIntire District

Salem Food Tours is excited to once again be a part of this year’sChristmas in Salem. The annual event, now in it’s 36th year, features about a dozen historic Salem homes dressed for the holidays. If you’ve never experienced Christmas in Salem, we can’t recommend this amazing stroll enough (an annual tradition in our family!)  Besides the Candlelight Tours making the Friday opening night special, Salem Food Tours will be offering mini tour “From 1st Church to Church Street.” Information click here.
Photo: grab a cup of homemade “Le Chocolate Chaud” at Melita Fiore on Washington Street when doing your holiday shopping.  #Shoplocal #eatlocal 

8th Annual Grand Wine Tasting

Friday, November 13th, 2015 at the Salem Hawthorne Hotel 6.30pm. Presented by Salem Wine Imports. Featuring over 100 different wines, hors d’oeuvres, and jazz music by Trent Austin.  Proceeds from this charitable event fund several historical societies: the Salem Athenaeum, Historic Salem, Inc., Historic New England, and Hamilton Hall. This year the event will also feature tastings of many premiere wines of over $50 per bottle. “We are excited for everyone to come together once again and enjoy so many fantastic wines and varietals – including some high end wines that are really special”, says Salem Wine Imports owner, Kathy Genis.  “Most importantly, it’s an enjoyable way to support these amazing institutions that play such an integral part of keeping our local history alive.”
The evening will also include a silent auction that includes bottled wine and a Gift Certificate for two for a Salem Food Tour.   $35 (member tickets $25) and can be purchased at Salem Wine Imports or by calling 978-741-9463. Online at www.localwineevents.com ($1.40 fee, note discounted $25 tickets not available online.) FB event page click here.

Best Chef Salem! 

November 7th from 6:30-9:30pm
at Ames Hall in the Salem YMCA –
the second annual “Salem’s Best Chef”
fundraising event for the Salem YMCA!
The event will include local Salem chefs
facing off to see who reigns supreme.
Each chef will create three dishes utilizing
ingredients from our local vendors
that participate in the Salem Farmers Market.
Included in the event will also be a “Taste of Salem” featuring local restaurants, brewers,
and cider masters. Tickets are $35 or $50 for VIP access
Get full information here 
Photo courtesy Creative Salem 

‘Tis the season

For warm meals with family.  As we begin to plan our holiday meals, you may want to consider donating money or canned food items to these local charities:  Joseph’s Storehouse;Salvation Army Salem;The Salem Pantry.

Photo: Warm Chicken Pot Pie at Brodies Seaport. 

From the Pens of our Guests

“Five stars”  “Fabulous Tour – A Must-Do in Salem”  “Our Favorite Salem Tour”   “Full of flavor!” 
We are honored by the reviews of our guests,thank you so much for your positive feedback! We share the news of two awards we’ve won this year: the 2015 Certificate of Excellence, and Flipkey “Best Food Tour 2015 Massachusetts.”   Trip Advisor

Gift Certificates! 

Holidays or special occasions, our Gift Certificates are PERFECT for any occasion for the food and wine lover in your life. For more info or to order, click here.

Salem Winter Market

The Salem Winter Market returns for two dates – mark your calendars for Sunday November 22nd and Saturday December 19th.  The Winter Market will include produce and more from local farms, baked goods, jewelry, wreaths, and more. All items are grown or produced in New England.  It’s a great way to keep your fall table delicious and LOCAL! 🙂

Fall Kitchen Prep Time

Early November is a great time to step into your pantry and revitalize…

Pamplemousse has a fantastic selection of kitchen wares… replace that peeling skillet or finally get that baking pan you know your casserole is going to cook perfectly in.

Salem Spice (photo above) has over 200  fresh spices and herbs, as well as finishing salts, chilis, outstanding teas, and more!  Your cooking and baking this holiday season will shine – there is nothing better than fresh spices.

Milk and Honey is now carrying Grant Family Farm eggs! Local, fresh and flavorful.  They will also be stocking up on their fresh on their amazing house made fresh PIES – order by November 23rd:  pumpkin, pecan and apple.  And they are fuly stocked with Salem’s own Maitland Mountain Farmpickles and kimchi.

Jean Louis Pasta Shop  is featuring delicious fall flavors like squash, pumpkin, and mushroom.  Keep a few bags in the freezer handy for last minute guests.

AM Coffee Walks 

We’re booking our AM Coffee Walks daily by appointment. These 1.5 hour excursions are perfect for locals and for visiting guests or for company holiday outings – visit ourreservations page for more information.

Don’t be dull

Get your knives sharpened.  Sharp knives not only work better, they are actually safer!  🙂
And for those who live on the North Shore, we recommend Ceramaloy Carbide Sharpening on Bridge Street.  We stopped in to see Sharon last year, capturing the benefits of keeping blades in good working order.  Check out our visit on YouTube.  Photo: finished knives wrapped in newspaper ready for pick-up.