Is it Lobster Roll season yet? If not, it’s gosh darn close. Here’s a few Lobster Rolls that we’ve featured over the last few years. In order they are.

Village Tavern Salem
The Anchor Pub & Grille
Turner’s Seafood Salem
Brodies Seaport
The Lobster Shanty
Clam Shack Salem Massachusetts
Sea Level Oyster Bar & Kitchen
E.W. Hobbs
Longboards Restaurant & Bar
Finz Seafood & Grill
Joe’s on A ROLL
Manhattan Sandwich Company
Olde Main Street Pub
99 Restaurants Salem

Wher, oh where will you find your Lobster Roll this summer?

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Salem Digest took a short walk this morning from Olde Main Street Pub up to Fountain Place Restaurant.

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This weekend is a good time to spend a few hours at the Peabody Essex Museum. The tourist crowd will be sparse, although if last weekend is any indication that will be changing very soon.

Cocktails at Village Tavern Salem are a good way to prepare to check out the https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/the-great-animal-orchestra-bernie-krause-and-united-visual-artists. Bernie Krause
has created an “immersive audio-visual experience that celebrates our planet’s rich biodiversity. Over the course of nearly fifty years, Bernie Krause collected more than 5,000 hours of recordings of natural environments, including at least 15,000 terrestrial and marine species from around the world.” See this exhibition now before it ends in May. Afterwards a meal of Prime Rib or the Fish & Chips at Village Tavern would be a good way to wind down for the walk home.

Tomorrow a late Breakfast or a timely lunch at Red’s Sandwich Shop and then a return to the PEM https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/the-salem-witch-trials-reckoning-and-reclaiming is recommended. This exhibit ends next month. Spend some time with it, and then maybe check out some of the permanent features at PEM while you’re there. C’mon, when’s the last time that you said hello to the baby bison or that big Leatherback Turtle? Rumor says the turtle is no longer dripping oil.

When you’ve had enough museum time then take a short walk down to Olde Main Street Pub for food and refreshment. Korean Duck Wings and Gouda & Goat Cheese Fritters await.

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Yes it’s true once again. #TheBaldOne had breakfast at Fountain Place Restaurant in Salem’s Town House Square.

He’s been behaving himself lately and avoiding the heavy sauces. Well, with the exception of the Duck Stroganoff at Olde Main Street Pub last week. But this morning found him recommending the house made Fountain Crab Cakes to another guest. Sooooo…. needless to say, he decided that it was a day for the Maryland Crab Cake Benedict. Yes he did indeed ask for an extra egg.

The Hollandaise Sauce at Fountain is a good one. It’s thicker than many, more buttery than lemony, and covers the eggs well without running off. The eggs were cooked properly so that you could dip the house home fries into the yolk. The house Crab Cakes did not disappoint. They also make for a great sandwich at lunchtime.
#JumpIntoFountainPlace

https://www.fountainplacerestaurant.com/

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A Scottish Ale by Belhaven Brewery, Caesar Salad, and Charred Broccoli Mac & Cheese is a unique dinner combination. To our knowledge there is only local spot that can put these three items on the table for your evening meal. That spot is Olde Main Street Pub. It’s also the only place where the sultry Stephanie pours your beer.

Belhaven Brewery is on the coast of the North Sea in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland birthplace of naturalist John Muir. It is the oldest working brewery in Scotland. This Ale is smooth and delicious. #TheBaldOne found that it pairs well with cheesy, scrumptious goodness.

Put the Main Street Caesar on your list of things to do. It features a smoky, and subtly peppery Chipotle dressing, crisp romaine, and smaller, crunchy croutons. This salad is #BaldOneApproved.

The Charred Broccoli Mac & Cheese is a generous portion, with very creamy cheese bathing the pasta and broccoli. It comes out very hot, wonderfully gooey, and is sure to satisfy a hearty appetite.

A good guest experience is the daily objective of the team at OMSP.

https://oldemainstpub.com/

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Just before the skies opened in a torrential downpour the other evening #TheBaldOne grabbed a patio seat Olde Main Street Pub. He knew the storm was coming, but had faith that he could relax with a Guinness and enjoy this wonderful Roasted Half-Chicken with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and crispy ale-battered onions.

The meal was a great one first bite to last and by the time the rains poured from above our man was safe and dry reading a book from the shelves in the lobby of the Hawthorne Hotel.

https://oldemainstpub.com/

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When #TheBaldOne heard that Olde Main Street Pub was serving Chef Ian’s Meatballs over the past weekend, he just had to make the time to visit. For lunch they offered a Sandwich and for dinner they had Spaghetti with Meatballs. There are only a few ways to get to the heart of our HungryHero, and Meatballs are clearly one of them.

The experience began with a pull of the tap handle and a crisp Kölsch by Gaffel Kölsch of Cologne, Germany. Cologne is the only city where Kölsch can be brewed per the German Purity Law of 1516. It’s a tasty cold lagered brew with just a little bit of hop to it.

The Caesar Salad really hit the spot perfectly on a very warm and humid day. Cool, crisp with a smoky chipotle dressing it features a light touch of the peppery.

On to the Meatballs, oh my. One large meatball, covered in melted provolone, bathed in a nice sauce, and squished down a bit to fit the bun perfectly hit all of the expected high points. Excellent flavor, a good texture, and visually appealing on first sight. What can on one say except to ask that this Meatball make a return to the Specials menu again.

Here’s a question. Does the Chef have a Meatloaf in his magic kitchen bag?

Oh, and the Fries. No ketchup needed here. Good stuff.

https://oldemainstpub.com/

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A fresh pour of Guinness at Olde Main Street Pub. The crest on the glass combines the family crests of our good friend Kierans Mothers and Fathers family.

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Olde Main Street Pub continues in excellence across the board. With a cozy space, selective menu, and outstanding staff. A nicely poured Guinness, a beautiful Sea Bass Ceviche, and a fresh, delicious Guinness Stew made #TheBaldOne very happy.

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Lunch? Dinner?

This Portuguese Fish Stew by Chef Ian Olde Main Street Pub is just what you need.

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Easter Brunch on Sunday? Check out Olde Main Street Pub, Longboards Restaurant & Bar, Rockafellas Salem.

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It was a House Burger at Olde Main Street Pub that fed #TheBaldOne for dinner last night. It’s unusual to be able to walk into this spot on a Thursday night and find an open seat at this small, but mighty bar. But luck and timing came together for a moment of true Burger greatness.

The experience began with a fresh Salem Lager by Notch Brewing. This Bavarian style Helles is a true, full-bodied lager with a good mix of malt and hops that pair very well with a Burger, or even a chop or a steak.

Before we get to the Burger let’s share a few words about the Fries. Cut in house, and fried lightly, but not too lightly, these Fries are seasoned perfectly. Our man prefers a Fry that doesn’t need to be bathed in ketchup, or catsup if you prefer. A good Fry should be able to stand on it’s own merit. These do.

The Burger? This spot has always featured a small, but excellent menu. The OMSP kitchen is laser focused on what they do, and they do it well, very well. It’s a 1/2 pound patty made with a house blend of short rib, brisket, and ground beef. Whatever ratio of these meats the kitchen has developed, you can rest assured that the math works. Bazinga! Topped with a bacon jam and cheddar cheese, and cooked rare as requested, this was, and is an outstanding Salem Burger.

OMSP is also a sponsor of this weekend’s Salem Film Fest. Walk in before or after you check out a documentary film or two.

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Shepherd’s Pie. Olde Main Street Pub.

#TheBaldOne stopped in the other night for a proper pint of Guinness. His plan did NOT include a meal. However he did look at a menu, and a quiet debate began in his head. The menu here is small, but well conceived. The Fish & Chips, battered with ale easily fit into any conversation about “the best.” If Bangers & Mash are your thing, OMSP serves one that you need to try.

But on this occasion it was the Shepherd’s Pie. For you purists out there we’ll get the big question out of the way. They use a mixture of beef and lamb. The lamb can be picked out on the palate with the very first bite. Smooth, even creamy potatoes are topped with plenty of cheese, and supplemented with peas, carrots, and a savory broth. Each individual bite was anticipated, appreciated and just goshdarned awesome.

Chef Ian appeared without notice to check with our Old BaldDude any they engaged in a short back and forth on Shepherd’s Pie and where they each have found their favorites over the years. There was agreement that a Pie once served in Salem, that today can only be found #OverTheBridge was a clear favorite. The good Chef then went on his way and sent out a small sample of his freshly made Guinness Beef Stew. Oh my. Our guy will be in to enjoy a full bowl very soon.

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Where was your Guinness today? Olde Main Street Pub

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St. Patrick’s Day is nigh. Soon the Irish, the almost Irish, and the wannabe Irish will be celebrating a long four day weekend. Where will your first Guinness of the weekend be poured?

Olde Main Street Pub awaits you.

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Buffalo Wings at Olde Main Street Pub

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This afternoon brought a quick stop at Olde Main Street Pub for a Guinness, ok maybe two Guinness, and an order of Buffalo Chicken Wings.

Let it be known far and wide that these meaty Wings are the real goshdarn deal. Eight Wings bathed in a thin, moderately spicy sauce served as a good snack. These Wings are as good, if not better than any Chicken Wings in Salem. Nuf ced.

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Hey Guinness fans! Look what Olde Main Street Pub has done.

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This Half-Chicken plate at Olde Main Street Pub should be on your list of things to do.

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Here are three things at three downtown spots that we intend to enjoy once the #HalloweenHordes have gone back from where ever they call home.

The Sirloin and root vegetables at Rockafellas Salem.

A Meatloaf Sandwich at Village Tavern Salem.

The Burger at Olde Main Street Pub.

Where will you make your triumphant, post Halloween return?

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