My husband Tom and I had the most unexpectedly wonderful and fantastic dining experience last Saturday night. We have our very favorite Cape Ann restaurants (that we adore), but were wanting to try something new. The menu posted online at Allie’s Beach Street Cafe, located in Manchester, looked very French and very inviting, so we gave it a try. It’s not everyday you discover a restaurant that hits all the right notes and we were beyond delighted. So much so, we are returning tomorrow!

Allie and Glenn Varga

Readers may recognize Allie. She has owned and operated Pleasant Street Tea company for over a decade. Husband Glenn has been a sommelier and server at the Four Seasons for more than nineteen years. Both are wonderfully welcoming towards guests, and the waitstaff are just as friendly.

Manchester’s former Beach Street Cafe has been transformed, with chic, Provencal-inspired decor. Sunlight pours through big picture windows warming the white-washed walls and wide-planked wooden floors. The dining room feels relaxed, fun, and elegant, all at the same time. Primarily a classic French bistro, the menu also features dishes from around the world where French cooking has been highly influential, including Louisiana Creole, French Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and North Africa.

The most amazing thing is, Allie’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as Saturday and Sunday brunch, all day! And, too, you can stop in casually for specialty drinks, coffee, pastries, or order from their online menu.

We happened in on a ‘Three Course Tasting,’ night, which takes place every Friday and Saturday evening. You can either order from the menu or partake in the tasting. Tom had the Weiner Schnitzel from the menu and Loved it. I tried the ‘Tasting’ offering and it was simply fabulous.

The first course was a sublime mixture of duxelles and goat cheese served in a puff pastry shell. In between courses, Glenn brought out a zippy sizzling hot pan of Shishito peppers. What a treat! Next course served was the fresh and warm baby spinach salad, dressed with a super tasty bacon balsamic vinaigrette. The final course was a perfectly cooked and tender medium rare steak, served with yummy truffle fries and a lovely arugula salad. We were waaaaay toooo filled to try dessert, but I did catch a photo of a gorgeous blackberry ombre layer cake, topped with blueberry compote, and it looked WOW!

I wasn’t expecting to take any photos and plan to return during the day with my real camera, but here are some cell phone snaps to give you an idea.

Allie’s Beach Street Cafe is located at 35 Beach Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea

For reservations, call 978-704-9571

Allie’s Beach Street Cafe Hours

Monday 6:30am to 3pm

Tuesday 6:30am to 3pm

Wednesday 6:30 to 9pm

Thursday 6:30 to 9pm

Friday 6:30 to 9pm

Saturday 8am to 9pm

Sunday 8am to 3pm

The menu changes seasonally and the following are the current postings.

Breakfast Menu

House Specialties

Croque Madame*: Grilled ham and swiss topped with a fried egg and bechamel $7

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich*: on an english muffin or bulkie  $5.5

Quiche Du Jour*:  made fresh daily $8

Ful Mudammas*: chickpeas fritters,  marrakesh harissa, eggs  in a wrap $7.5

Breakfast Burrito*: eggs, black beans, salsa,  and rice in a wheat wrap $6.5

Pancakes or Waffles: with nutella & whip cream or maple syrup $8

Smoked Salmon* on a  bagel with herb cream cheese $10

Monte Cristo: Fried Belgian Waffle stuffed with ham, cheese, turkey  and  jalapeno jam $9

Stuffed French Toast* : Banana & Nutella   or  Sweet Cream & Berries $8

Eggs Benedict*: two poached eggs served on english muffin with fresh hollandaise and herb potato

                              choices:  ham $12, florentine $12, avocado $13, smoked salmon $14,

Avocado Toast: Texas Toast w/ Avocado, pickled onions, pico de gallo, chimichurri $8

Omelettes or Scrambles*   $12

 Served w/ toast and herb roasted potatoes,  or beans & greens

Jardin: “garden”:  shallots, herbs,  veggies and swiss cheese

Petit Cochon: “little pig” bacon, ham and sausage peppers onions and cheddar

Champignon: “mushroom”  truffled mushrooms, herbs, and goat cheese

Fumee du Mer: “Sea Smoke” smoked salmon, capers, chives, and boursin cheese

Grecque: “Greek” spinach, peppers,onion, olives, feta and, oregano

Le Duc:  “John Wayne”  ham, peppers,onions, and of course American cheese

 A La Carte

Cinnamon Roll  $3.75

Scone w/ clotted cream  $3.5

Plain Croissant $3

Chocolate Croissant  $3.5

Two Eggs any style $5

 Side bacon, ham, or sausage    $3

 ½ Avocado    $3

Oatmeal your way $7

Side Toast $2: Brioche, white, wheat,  marble rye, english Muffin / Gluten free toast $3

Smoothie $6

Lunch Menu

Soups   &   Salads

French Onion Soup:  Steaming hot sweet onions in a rich broth loaded with cheese    $7

Poisson Rouge: (Redfish Soup) local haddock &  vegetables in a lightly spiced tomato broth  $8

Seasonal Greens: Fresh greens, roasted root veg, and pumpkin seeds Winter citrus vinaigrette $8

Arugula:  Peppery rocket greens, shaved Parmesan, and lemon zest   $9

Butter Lettuce Wedge: Great Hill Blue, Applewood Bacon, egg, sunflower seeds, Fig glaze $14

Ancient Grains: Quinoa, Heirloom rices and grains(gluten free) with greens and harissa dressing  $9

Caesar: Kale tossed in Chef’s caesar dressing with garlic croutons  $10

Add on to any Salad:    Falafel  $4, Chicken Salad  $4,  2 Eggs* $4 Sirloin Tips $7  Beach Street Lobster Salad $15

 Sandwiches & Wraps

Croque Madame*:Grilled Ham and Swiss Topped with a fried egg and Bechamel $9

Crispy Fish: Tempura battered fish with wasabi mayo and coleslaw $12

Veggie Quinoa  Wrap: Hummus, veggies, and whole grains, in a wheat wrap          $8

Vegetarian Sweet Potato BBQ : Vegetarian BBQ Sweet Potato on a Bulkie          $7.5

Smoked Salmon Plate :Toasted Bagel w/ Avocado, Hard Boiled Egg, Onions, Cucumbers, Capers  $13

Beach Street Smashburger*:  60z ground chuck on a bulkie with secret sauce#5 & pickled veg  $8.5

Chicken Banh Mi: Cilantro Veggie slaw on a baguette  with chicken   $9.5  or Lobster $22

Ham & Swiss: Black Forest Ham piled high on rye w/ horseradish Dijon         $7.5

Beach Street Club: Turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on thick sliced Brioche   $12

Falafel Shawarma: Falafel with Tzatziki, mix greens, and harissa in a grilled wrap  $9.5

Burrito all the Way: Chicken with beans, rice, cheddar, pico de gallo.   Do you like it hot or mild ?   $9

Philly Cheese Steak*:  Shaved Sirloin, Mushrooms, Onions, & yes, cheese wiz 🙂   $12.50

Turkey & Pesto: w/ prosciutto, arugula, pickled onions & provolone served on Italian Bread   $9

Add on to any Sandwich: Mixed Veggies $4 , Falafel $4, Chicken $4, 2 Hard Boiled Eggs $4, Smoked Salmon $4

All sandwiches & wraps served with Chips or Cilantro Veg Slaw.  Add fries $4  Soup du Jour $3   Salad $4  Cilantro Veg Slaw $3

Allie’s is located at 35 Beach Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea

For reservations, call 978-704-9571