Author: Pat D

We are SO fortunate at 44 Main St to have so many wonderful lunch choices within easy walking distance so I thought it was time to feature some of them. I’ll start with Virgilios on Main St. They’ve really upped their game with provisions. I strongly recommend you check out the freezer for frozen entrees, soups, pizza and more! I like to get my sandwich on a roll. The filling isn’t the important part…..it’s all about the roll! Delicious. Their Italian Ice is a daily favorite during the summer months, but I’ll bet you already knew that. The bread, the sandwiches, the cookies and sweet treats……it’s all there for you.

With my little eye. I spied this marine work being carried out in the harbor recently. I have no idea what they were working on, but I applaud them being out in the wind and cold getting it done! I couldn’t stay out there long enough myself to figure it out, so kudos to you all (probably you are thinking “just another day” for these guys and you are right but still….it was stinking cold and blustery).

The mighty Schooner Adventure appears to be underwraps at the Marine Railways. I hope her “spa treatment” is going well!

As I have noted, we plan to get to each of the 9 Serentitee group restaurants this winter. We are featuring Cala’s on Beach St in Manchester By The Sea this time. We visited with our friends Susan and Leo. We had originally planned to go to a different restaurant but that one was unexpectedly (temporarily) closed that evening and Cala’s was Susan’s suggestion. The bar area was full of a lively Friday night crowd and we were seated in the smallish dining area. It’s small but cozy and our server Kelley was informed and friendly.

Susan ordered one of the specials, shrimp scampi appetizer and Leo ordered another menu special chicken and broccoli alfredo. I got the taco salad and Jim ordered fish tacos. In addition, we ordered the edamame and you see it was a large portion with plenty leftover to take home. There was nothing left of the meals as they were delicious and well-portioned. Apple crisp finished up the night for dessert. We all enjoyed our experience and as we sat there, the restaurant continued to fill up so clearly it’s popular with a wide range of customers. Thank you Kelley and Cala’s! Another Serenitee win.

We noticed new signage at Farnham’s on Essex Ave in Essex. The March 1 opening date is coming up fast, but maybe not fast enough for some of us.

We were surprised to realize that we hadn’t been to the Azorean on Washington St in quite a while so off we went on a recent winter weekday evening. The restaurant was pretty full given it was a weekday which I always love to experience. We took note that they have re-opened on Mondays again in case that was information you didn’t have. We requested bread which arrived warm and ready for the oil dip. I ordered my favorite pizza in town…the Italian and Jim got Azorean salad with shrimp. The menu has changed a bit since the last time we were there so we were happy to find the old favorites and some new items.

We were very pleased with our selections and had enough to bring home for another meal. My dessert was a peppermint patty martini…kind of a perfect ending to a delicous and enjoyable dining experience.

I noticed this update on where to locate Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana as of February 1 and thought you might be interested too. We definitely need to know where to find these guys! From their Facebook page:

From the Annisquam Village Players regarding the annual Cabaret event:

What a great idea from Tonno Gloucester on Main St! From their Facebook page:

Fred Shrigley announced the winners of the 2025 Chili Cookoff. I don’t know who gets photo credit on this as I just borrowed it from Fred’s Facebook page, but it’s not my photo. Fred says: “Sunday was so much fun with so many great variations of chili. Pictured here are the top three.1st Place Chris Silva 2nd place Susan Gould Coviello and 3rd place Eve Favalora and the customers voted for Chris #1, Paul McDermont 2nd and Brenda Leahy 3rd” We got there late but were able to congratulate some of the winners. Well done once again Rhumb Line, participants and customers.

I don’t know anything more than what is presented here from the Farm Bar and Grille on Western Ave in Essex but perhaps if you are available, stop this Thurs Feb 6 by to support.

I noticed this announcement from The James in Essex (formerly the Village) and thought it might be of interest. We have enjoyed every meal we’ve had at The James and are very happy to see this new special offer. If you see us there, say hello!

Minglewood Monday has become our favorite night of the week so I thought it would be appropriate to continue my Winter Serenitee series by highlighting a recent visit. Minglewood on Rogers St is one of 9 establishments in the Serenitee group and has weekday specials. Mondays in buy one sushi, get one half off (dine in). **ALSO late breaking news that Wing Night Wednesdays have returned for 50 cent wings (also dine in)**

I got the teriyaki wings for the first time, love them! Jim ordered the bolognese which he enjoyed very much on that chilly evening. Super happy to see Minglewood now has my favorite wine available..thank you Zach and Ryan!!! I know it’s not fancy, but my go-to wine is white zinfandel and most places don’t serve it….but Minglewood does! Thank you!!!

Tune in Sunday at 9 while the Castaways try another podcast while Joey is away. GloucesterCast 770 from the Beauport (if all goes well with the technology!!) at 9 AM. Be there or be square. If you happen to be on site, stop by and say hello.

The Clam Box of Ipswich recently announced the opening date Feb 13 for the 2025 season. I know many people will be glad when the doors re-open! Take note all you clam lovers.

We decided to go to 1640 Hart House on Linebrook Road in Ispwich for dinner on a recent cold winter evening. This old house has been adapted for restaurant and event use. The minute you walk onto those wide plank wood floors, you know you’re experiencing part of history. The ceilings in the dining rooms is low and the lighting is dim (the way it would have been in pre-electricity days) but the service is attentive and friendly. We found it to be quite full for a weekday dinner which is a good sign!

We were seated in the Keepers Room which was intimate and cozy. I had the Fish and Chips (which you can see was HUGE) and Jim ordered Chicken Milanese. Warm bread preceded our drinks which were generously poured. We finished with a classic (for the sake of this post only haha) apple crisp. It was a nice little excursion to Ipswich and we’ll plan to go again sooner than later.

Our friend David Calvo shares the following workshop info for Febrary. A day with a teacher is indeed worth a thousand pages as he notes here.

Beyoncé asked “Freedom Where are you?”. Should we tell her it’s in East Gloucester?

I’ve made it a goal for us to get to each of the 10 Serenitee group restaurants over the course of the winter. First up is the Hale St Tavern on Hale St (surprise) in Beverly Farms. We met our friends Susan and Leo there. Susan celebrates a January birthday AND has a Serenitee Rewards account so she was entitled to a free entree and dessert. **If you don’t have a Serenitee Rewards account, I highly recommend it. It’s easy to enroll and it’s a very generous reward program. ** The atmosphere is easy going and warm. They have several daily specials and the food was very good.

We ordered fried pickle chips, Sushi, Birria Melt, Reuben and blackened haddock tacos and finished our meal off with the chocolate chip skillet cookie as the birthday dessert. Everything was delivered as expected, delicious and freshly made. Our server was helpful with suggestions and patient while we figured things out. It was a delightful experience and I look forward to my next Winter Serenitee experience.

I’m probably a little late to the game with this news, but I noticed this update at Stop and Shop at our last visit there. Thank you Stop and Shop for taking the stress out of remembering my reusable bags.