Author: Pat D

Seaport Grille with the win for a Monday evening meal in February. You may be aware several of our area restaurants are closed for the season or for brief winter breaks. Therefore it can be a little tricky to find someplace open especially on a Monday in February. We landed at the Seaport Grille on Rogers St recently and we were very glad we did. As always, the service was friendly and accommodating to my request to go “off the menu” just a little. Jim had the shrimp platter and I had the filet (done to perfection). We were so full we needed to take the key lime pie as take out for dessert. That key lime deliciousness gave us at least 2 lovely desserts at home. I just love the Seaport coffee to top off my meal when we go there. It was a lovely way to have a Monday evening meal! **I suspect you may see a similar post upcoming from Joey, so you know if Seaport Grille pleases a foodie such as himself and an ordinary palate such as mine, you’re good to go.

I don’t know much about this older building along Washington St in the Bay View area, but it’s character and position up a slight hill along the roadway intrigues me. I’ve long wanted to stop and take a few shots of this. It is apparently a former church which has become residential. What stories the walls could tell!

Joey and I got our Irish Sweepstakes ticket as offered by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. I am pretty sure this is the winning number, but there are several other prizes so get yours right at their office at 24 Harbor Loop. If the $100 buy in seems intimidating, split it with others like we do! Adds to the fun of the event.

The tides had been running pretty high last week, so we went down to Lane’s Cove to check it out. It was just about high tide under a sunny sky and quite striking.

Some of our seal friends were thermo-regulating on the exposed rocks at Brace Cove during a recent low tide. It had been a while since I stopped over to check on them, so it was a sight for sore eyes. A great job has been done along the berm between Niles Pond and Brace Cove to repair the January storm damage.

From our friends Susan Gould Coviello regarding an upcoming opportunity to help Cape Ann Plein Air:

Morning! Cape Ann Plein Air is hosting monthly Palate to Palette artist dinners at various Cape Ann restaurants on Cape Ann. The next one is at Oak to Ember on Feb 22 from 5-8PM. An artist will be set up painting inside while diners watch, ask questions and learn. These are very popular! Please see the attached info and please help us spread the word!

Please join us on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 5pm-8pm for Cape Ann Plein Air’s next Palate to Palette at Oak to Ember in Gloucester MA!  It’s like having a front-row seat to creativity, with plein air artist, Peter Bain, where the canvas comes alive in front of you.Watch him work and ask him questions about his art and techniques. Visit his website: pbainart.com

This event is perfect for anyone who loves art and food.

Located on Harbor Cove, Oak to Ember offers a variety of Coastal American cuisine dishes sourced from the Gloucester docks. A wood-fired grill and 500-gallon smoker add unique flavors to selected seafood and meat dishes. Homemade pastas and seasonal vegetarian offerings complement Oak to Ember’s menu. Join us for an unforgettable dining experience!

Reservations are strongly recommended.Visit oaktoember.com to view the menu and make your reservations.Watch for more information on upcoming monthly Palate to Palettes capeannpleinair.org/palate-to-palette

Cape Ann Plein Air, New England’s Premier Outdoor Painting Festival, is being held

October 5 – 13, 2024!  Artists are applying NOW and this spring we will be announcing our artists for 2024!

7 Days • 35 Artists • $20,000 in Awards

capeannpleinair.org#capeannpleinair #capa2024 #capeanncreates #pleinairpainter#capeann #pleinair #rockportma #gloucesterma #ipswichma #essexma #manchesterbythesea #essexcountycreates #palatetopallete #35beach #dineandpaint

In the calm before the expected storm, we went over to the Paint Factory on Rocky Neck for a look-around. Without fail, I find something intriguing over there and thought you might enjoy my POV (point of view).

Do you know why we LOVE to go to Cape Ann Pizza on Eastern Ave in Essex?? It’s not the GREAT food, the convenient location with easy parking or the wide range of menu options. All those are wonderful, but they are the friendliest staff on the most consistent basis EVAH. It’s like being greeted at Cheers. Often you will be called by name, they genuinely seem to care about their customers. It’s quite a pleasure to stop in. Jim got the 2 slice special and I got a large sub. I intended to take half home for later, but there was nothing left! There is nothing wrong at most of the other pizza/sub shops around, but their friendliness is outstanding every single time and we appreciate that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day. Gotta love a holiday like this especially when it falls in the middle of the week in the middle of February! We appreciate all the followers, commenters and friendships we have gained through Good Morning Gloucester. If you should happen to need anything, I will be in the store today and tomorrow 11-5. Stop by and say hello! We’d love to see you.

Although the storm didn’t produce much snow, there were significant winds and waves. This was the situation at Bearskin Neck in Rockport this afternoon about 2 hours after high tide. Pat and her iPhone got a little saltwater shower.

We went down to the Marine Railways on Rocky Neck for a look around in the calm before the expected storm and found it to be quite busy down there. It appeared our beloved schooner Adventure was preparing to leave the railways while the Meridian was getting work done. Thanks for the tip Liza! It’s ALWAYS interesting to see what’s happening there.

Sharing information from the City regarding an update on the trash collection schedule this week.

We had not been to Common Crow on Eastern Ave in a LONG time, but I needed a couple of items I thought they might have so we stopped by recently. And once again, I found myself a little gobsmacked by the depth and breadth of the offerings available. The staff was ready to assist with the questions I had and while I did not find exactly what I went in for, I left with a couple of treasures for the apartment. If you haven’t been there, it’s worth a stop even if you don’t think you’re “into” natural organic products. There’s something for almost everyone there.

Grover Tree Spa is now open at 28 Washington St (located in 7-11 plaza next to Midori). It’s a lovely relaxing space offering things like facial or body massage; tattoo removal; waxing, microdermabrasion; lash lift and much more. The owner/operator Flavia Ryan is trained and certified to consult with you on your specific needs so stop by or give a call!

We had a such a great day at the store today for Glosta So Schweeeet that I’m going to extend my special offer through tomorrow. We will be at the store 11-3 tomorrow Sunday Feb 11 and Pat D’s Photos will give you a free notecard of your choice with a $20 minimum purchase! If you couldn’t stop by today, please stop in Sunday before you settle in for the Big Game. Here are some of the notecards available for you to choose from.

Along the shore at Long Beach, the sea foam seemed to be playing bumper cars.

We went to Manchester By The Sea for dinner recently and it was very pretty downtown.

We were very happy to be able to attend the Tequila Dinner at Machaca on Rogers St last night. This special ticketed event featured Volans and G4 tastings paired with a 5 course dinner. We were treated to some tequila education and advice, which we both sorely needed as we are not tequila fanciers at all. We enjoyed the food offerings especially the Gordita and the Shrimp Aguachile. The Tres Leche cake was outstanding.

The courses were served to a full house at a nice pace for conversation and food enjoyment. We were joined by Chris L., Jamie M, Nichole W., and Donna R. Luis, Joe and his staff did an outstanding job. I understand they are planning another for April. If you are the least bit intrigued, I recommend you consider it. We know nothing useful about tequila but now we do. It was easy to pace the tastings and I did not feel completely done in by the tequila. That kind of surprised me and might be useful for you to know. ** thanks to Nichole Wadsworth for the assist with the food photos***

We thought it would be fun to take Bravo By The Sea in Manchester up on the offer to provide one free beverage with a dine in experience Mon-Thursday, so we stopped by Monday evening. We were greeted by our friendly server Sari and comfortably seated in the separate side room on Beach St in Manchester. There were a moderate number of other diners enjoying a Monday meal. We ordered a BLT and a meatball sub. The bread and sauce on the meatball sub were just perfectly suited to my tastes and Jim ate every bit of his BLT. Sari was attentive and efficient and let us know early on that we could take advantage of the special offer, which was welcome news. We enjoyed the meal and the atmosphere. and encourage you to consider it especially on a Monday when many places are closed.

Thank you Sclafanis (Washington St) for offering DIY cannoli kits! Even this Irish girl could make a passable plate of treats for Jim. Rachel Ray has nothing to worry about but I can easily assure anyone out there who might be intimidated that this kit made it super easy and fun. Not to mention delicious…….they are available at the store or by preorder in kits of 6 ($24) or 12 ($42).