My View of Life on the Dock
2018 Gourmet Gala North Shore Medical Center benefit for North Shore Cancer Walk held at Acura of Peabody. Great food, worthy cause, quite a crowd. Live auction featured Gloucester’s Beauport Hotel Getaway. Auctioneer was Kiss 108FM Billy Costa.
(scenes from the Gala – click to enlarge, and again for full size)
To follow up on where to purchase straws not made of plastic, Ainsley Smith shared that craft stores carry paper straws, and that Common Crow and REI have metal straws. Megan Wolf has found paper straws multiple times at Marshalls.
Ainsley sent a link to 100 percent biodegradable rainbow straws on Amazon and also a five piece metal rainbow straw set from Kleen Kanteen. She writes, “also check out @CleanGloucester on Saturday’s for#StrawFreeSaturday tips.
Megan shares the following, ” I wasn’t served a single straw on my entire 28 day tour throughout Europe. I have since been very mindful not to use any and am sure to ask my server “no straw, please.” I’ve noticed a lot more establishments have become aware of this issue and are incorporating alternatives.” She included the video. Love this idea-pasta straws are the way to go!
My friend Briar Fandetti Forsythe is building a luxurious country inn estate in Rowley, on the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway. The grand opening for Briar Barn Inn is scheduled for November. Last week I toured the Inn with Briar, while it is still under construction.
Set against a bucolic background, everything about Briar Barn Inn embodies relaxation, luxury, and comfort, from the full service restaurant to the art gallery, spa, and swimming pool. Designed by architect Gerald Fandetti, with interiors by artist Charlotte Forsythe, stunning and elegant architectural details abound.
Each wing of the Inn has a unique theme, and design to suit the theme–an elegant silo turned library for example–and each wing has a common area with gorgeous soaring vaulted ceilings. The guest rooms surround an inner courtyard; every guest room is actually a suite, with beautiful arching entryways leading from bedroom to living area, and every room has its own fireplace!
Construction photos of the Inn ~
The restaurant at the Inn is a beautifully designed post and beam barn, and will not only be open year round, but the rustically elegant decor also makes the perfect setting for weddings and special events. Ben Lightbody, Willowdale Estate’s renowned executive chef, partners with local farms, including Cedar Rock Gardens and Aprilla Farm, to offer the freshest seasonal produce and seafood. The full service restaurant will be open to hotel guests and the community, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week, the year round.
Briar Barn Inn is located in Rowley on the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway at 101 Main Street (Route 1). For more information about the Inn visit the Briar Barn Inn website here. To book your stay call 978-653-5323.
Artists renderings of Briar Barn Inn ~
Cape Ann has a wealth of restaurants from which to choose, and we love our favorites passionately. Occasionally though we enjoy trying new places off Cape. One of my husbands’s oldest and nicest friends, Bob Vallis, has opened a fabulous pub in downtown Ipswich. Located at the former Zabaglione address, The Brown Dog serves the best of wonderfully fresh and hearty American cuisine/comfort food within a casually inviting and cozy atmosphere.
Gloucester residents may recall that Bob formerly owned the Blackburn Tavern. Chef Doug Papaws, also from Gloucester, is working his magic in the kitchen. I had without a doubt the best fried oysters I have ever had in my life. They tasted on the inside as sweetly plump and succulent as freshly shucked oysters, but with a light touch of deeply golden fried crusty deliciousness on the outside. Tom tried the chili and baked chicken, also both stellar, and the key lime pie was the perfect touch of creamy citrusy fresh sweetness. We loved our waitress–I think her name is Eleanor, and her mom, also known as the local librarian, helps out on weekends with hostessing.
Thanks to Bob and Doug and our lovely waitress for a great night out!
Cell phone photos don’t do the fabulous fare justice–so just go and check it out for your self!
The Brown Dog is located at 14 Central Street in Ipswich. Phone 978-312-6362 and visit The Brown Dog website here.
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here.
Cinnamon bun, grilled ofcourse
Spinach and asparagus omelette with stone of the best cheddar I’ve ever had
Good ole classic breakfast eggs and bacon with grilled english
Got to give Sherry’s Corner Cafe a try! Went this morning with Mr.E and we will definately be back. Located in the quaint, happening Magnolia. Find them on Facebook!
7 Central , 7 Central St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 978.526.7494
Entertainment and Special events information — like kids under 10 (1 per adult) eat free every day and SUNDAY BRUNCH from 11am to 2pm. “On the 1st and 3rdSundays of the month, the popular CELTIC SESSION delivers Cape Ann’s finest Irish Music upstairs in the 7UP Room. 5 to 8pm. This is always a popular evening, so reservations are suggested.”
Every damn bite.
2 Main St, Gloucester, MA 01930
So many joy-filled faces filling their plates with Saint Joseph Day feast fare, prepared by Nina, Franco, and a tremendous circle of family and friends. The special meatless feast dishes are prepared during the weeks prior to Saint Joseph Day and everyone lends a hand, from the very youngest to the very oldest.
To name just some of the wonderfully delicious and much anticipated traditional foods– bowls of handmade tender pasta, fish and shrimp baked with bread crumbs (the breadcrumbs symbolize sawdust), batter-dipped and fried artichokes and cauliflower, Saint Joseph bread, panellle, platters of smoked and freshly caught cod, octopus salad, minestrone with fava beans, fresh fruit, sfinci, cassata cake, and zeppole.
In honor of the spirit of Saint Joseph and the values of compassion and kindness that He represents, the Groppo Family opens their home to all who wish to celebrate at the table of San Giuseppe. ❤
Click any photo to view slide show and view the images larger.
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Saturday Saint patties day @FarmBarGrille in Essex started extra early this year (officially 9:30 AM to 11 AM) with a superb Irish Breakfast, LIVE Irish music from Mike O’Leary & friends, festive beverages, amazing coffee & famous Irish soda bread. They’re serving a great menu ALL day. Get over there while it lasts! (And mark your calendars next year!)
Farm Bar and Grille, 233 Western Avenue, Essex, (978)768-0000 Facebook – @FarmEssex
MENU and scenes from early this morning
Mike O’Leary played with David de La Barre (Irish whistle and voice) and Linda Swicker (voice). Fiona Warner lilting voice accompanied the trio, and with Maeve, too.
tail end of mountain dew
bonus (one of Michael O’Leary’s favorite St. Patrick’s Day tunes) do you know it?
Their restaurant En Fuego will feature some creative St Patrick’s Day specials, too.
As Saint Joseph Day is just around the corner (March 19th), mother and daughter Nina and Maria are creating beautiful and wonderfully delicious treats for the feast day–the special San Giuseppe altar bread, cassata cakes, sfinci, zeppole, and much, much more. It is not too late to place your order! Call Maria at 978-283-7345 today. Caffe Sicilia is located at 40 Main Street.
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REPOSTING FROM 2015 AS THE POST IS GETTING LOTS OF INTEREST THIS WEEK 🙂
Joe Virgilio Makes Saint Joseph Rolls is a wonderful addition to Gloucester’s Feast of Saint Joseph Community Film Project. So many thanks to Joe for taking time from his busy work day to allow filming! Highlights include Joe sharing stories about the early days working alongside his grandfather and cousins, when the thousands of rolls needed for Saint Joseph’s Day were made by hand.
For store hours and menu visit Virgilio’s Facebook page here.
Read more about Virgilio’s Saint Joseph rolls here.
We had another great breakfast in the Riverview Dining Room at Mile Marker One at Cape Ann’s Marina Resort. If you haven’t dined there recently, put it on your list.
Check out their dining options HERE
SENA= Seafood Expo North America, Boston, MA 2018
Article Oldest Fishing Port Shows How It’s Done by Jason Huffman
“BOSTON, Massachusetts, US — Sefatia Romeo Theken, the mayor of nearby Gloucester, Massachusetts, warns the roughly 70 Seafood Expos North America (SENA) attendees who jam into an upstairs room for her group’s tasting reception that she is hard to say “no” to. Then she proves it by telling everyone to try the monkfish-stuffed rice balls known as arancini…”
Early morning and friends and family gather at the Groppo home. Nina has laid out trays of warm bread and pastries, a medley of fresh fruit, and vats of homemade ricotta steaming on the stovetop to greet the pasta-makers. Everyone pitches in, from the very youngest to the very oldest, men and women, boys and girls. The house is overflowing with helpers. The time goes by way too fast and in a few short hours, racks and racks of pasta are drying, in preparation for the March 19th Feast of San Giuseppe.
At another pasta-making station, Grace and Frank Sciortino made a special batch of maccarruna pasta, just for the helpers. After all the pasta-making mess was cleaned up, Nina served heaping bowls of maccarruna topped with homemade canned tomato sauce, from tomatoes grown in her garden last summer. A delicious lunch was had by all and as I looked around the room at the many generations gathered around the table, I thought of the memories being created from this very special community tradition of honoring Saint Joseph each year at the welcoming home of the Groppo Family. Happy San Giuseppe Pasta-making Day!
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I know there are more than a few of you out there. Just saying–DUCKWORTH’S BISTROT is now serving crème brûlée!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nicole’s Blood Orange Crème Brûlée is beyond fantastic. My darling husband took me to our fabulous neighborhood French bistrot, and favorite hangout, for a divine Valentine’s dinner. Tom had his very favorite, the chicken schnitzel and I ordered two half-portion dinners–the always to-die-for lobster and vegetable risotto, and steak with an exquisite Bernaise sauce. Of course it was one dinner too many, with their very generous portions, and the lobster made for the greatest lunch the following day. Michelle, and all the staff at Duckworth’s, make every dining experience there a wonderful treat, with their warm, welcoming ways. Thank you Nicole and Ken Duckworth for the best Valentine’s dinner date ever!
Only a cell phone photo, next time bringing my good camera!
The lengths foodies will go to. My kids ‘donut cosy’ to maintain that maximum fresh from the oven goodness on a Brothers Brew Coffee Shop run. Donut news: NEW donut flavor unveiled today- chocolate chip was scrumptious. They scored an elusive deadly maple bacon.
Last night we had dinner at the fabulous Franklin and were delighted at how beautiful (and lively) was Main Street. The restaurants were bustling, the roads relatively easy to travel, and parking was without problem. Don’t be reluctant to venture out and dine at any one of your favorite Main Street Gloucester restaurants on these bitterly cold nights, you won’t be disappointed!
Main Street looks beautiful at night in the snow, straight out of a scene from a Charles Dickens novel.
Tom and I love having diner at the bar at the Franklin. Grace, all the crew, and the waitstaff are always so welcoming, and Stefano D’Amico is one of our very favorite bartenders around town.
Stefano not only works at the Franklin Cape Ann, he also does commercial and residential duct and vent cleaning. You can reach him at 978-281-3398 or 978-479-4231.
Usually I have the Franklin’s wonderfully flavorful marinated and grilled calamari for dinner–but panko crusted sea scallops were one of the specials last night–I tried it and you must, too. I don’t think I’ve ever had scallops cooked as perfectly!
When you go to the Franklin you MUST try their desserts–I can’t go there without having the orange crème caramel. You will love it, I promise. ❤
The Franklin Cape Ann is located at 118 Main Street and opens daily at 5:00pm. Sunday through Thursday dinner is served until 10:30; on Friday and Saturday evenings until 11:30.
Good Morning Gloucester 