Tastes Worth the Drive

Focus on All Things New England! [New England Focus Logo]( Tastes Worth a Drive Are you in a restaurant rut? Get on the road and wake up your taste buds at these delicious destinations just north of Boston. [Logo]( Sponsored by: [North of Boston]( and [Greater Merrimack]( These delectable eats are all worth putting 50 miles on your car… maybe even more. [Town Meeting Bistro] Hearty New England dishes reflect the season and the locale at Town Meeting Bistro, a destination restaurant in Lexington. Tastes from the Sea [Surf Seafood](: If it’s been a while since seafood truly wowed ya, Woburn’s your surprise destination for new twists on New England classics (native lobster… meet cognac), plus sushi and playful creations like lobster fries piled high with fresh Maine lobster meat and slathered in bisque. Bring friends and dive into the three-tier Ultimate Sampler of raw-bar classics and mouthwatering departures including pastrami-smoked salmon and Alaskan king crab. [Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall](: Salem’s Lyceum Hall, dating back to 1831, is home to perhaps the biggest, busiest, best seafood emporium on Boston’s North Shore. There’s abundant indoor and outdoor seating, an oyster bar, and a menu that covers all seafood possibilities from New England and beyond. The friendly, well-trained staff delivers a memorable dining experience. [Turner's Bar] The convivial oyster bar at Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall in Salem keeps fans of fresh shellfish satisfied [The Landing](: Situated on scenic, historic Marblehead Harbor, this eatery offers excellent shellfish appetizers and finned-fish entrees along with splendid small plates of seafood-oriented pastas. Large picture windows look out directly on the working waterfront, and the outdoor deck’s the place to be the moment the weather warms. [Woodman’s of Essex](: This year-round seafood shack is where the fried clam was invented in 1916—and where some of the best fried seafood in the region may be procured. The Woodman family still runs this walk-up-and-order operation in Essex, and they still use lard in their deep fryers, to delicious effect. Be sure to try the deep-fried whole-belly clams, the hand-cut onion rings, and their made-from-scratch clam chowder. [The Clam Box](: Housed in a two-story replica of an open-topped cardboard carryout container, the Clam Box of Ipswich has been serving up scrumptious seafood since 1935. This place has staked its reputation on its carefully procured, lovingly prepared seafood, especially its deep-fried whole belly clams. Each order goes through an exacting method of breading and frying that guarantees crispy, golden goodness. Tastes from Afar [Panela](: Panela is raw, unrefined cane sugar, a staple of Colombian cooking. It’s also the name of this lively Colombian restaurant in downtown Lowell. In addition to popular empanadas and arepas, sample a wide variety of chicken, pork, rice, bean, and plantain dishes. The Instagram sensation here’s a gooey cheeseburger (or veggie burger) sandwiched between arepas. Colorful murals grace the walls. [Just North of Boston]( This MA region contains all that New England offers. From the seashore, ski mountains, to cities and farmland to historic landmarks. This guide will give you a reason to visit any time of the year. [READ NOW]( SPONSORED [Eggroll Cafe] Meet friends for a tasting adventure at Lowell’s Eggroll Cafe, where more than a dozen eggroll fillings await [Eggroll Cafe](: In the heart of the UMass Lowell campus, this Asian specialty shop shines when it comes to its namesake dish. There are 16 different eggroll fillings, including mac and cheese, taco, crab Rangoon, and Buffalo chicken. The rolls are served in boat-shaped wire baskets with dipping sauces and are best washed down with handcrafted bubble tea. [El Potro Mexican Bar and Grill](: This cheerful Mexican storefront eatery on downtown Lowell’s Merrimack Street is the place to go for south-of-the-border cuisine. And fun. The dining room, with its festively painted furniture, serves up a straightforward menu of well-executed Mexican standards. Locals favor the fajitas. Tastes from the Farm [Russell Orchards](: This working farm in Ipswich that dates back to the 1920s is renowned for its irresistible cider donuts. These tasty morsels are made from scratch daily, using apples and other ingredients harvested from nearby fields. The farm store where the donuts are baked and sold is a sight to behold—a cavernous barn filled with fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, and a vast inventory of fruit-based wines. Visit through the end of November. [Cider Hill Farm](: Apples take center stage at this sprawling farm and market in Amesbury. The barn-sized store is open through early December and stocked with all sorts of seasonal goodies including freshly pressed apple cider and their famed hot, sugar-sprinkled cider donuts. Watch them being made before your eyes. [Verrill Farm](: If you’re in Concord and feeling peckish, drive out to this wonderful farm stand that sells an array of produce from Verrill’s nearby farms and fields. In addition to the copious freshly harvested greens, there’s a bakery that’s best known for its homemade pies including wintertime favorites apple, pecan, and Kentucky bourbon. The deli offers homemade sandwiches and soups. Classic Comforts [Four Sisters Owl Diner](: This is the destination for breakfast in Lowell. Housed in a vintage 1940 Worcester diner car with an add-on dining room, the Owl offers an array of egg, pancake, and waffle plates tricked out with crispy bacon, spicy sausage, and golden-brown home fries, plus flavorful coffee. Be sure to check out the original tilework, counter, booths, and stools. [The Chateau](: Just a stone’s throw from the Merrimack River in Andover, this outpost of the locally famous Chateau Kitchen and Bar chain serves up heaping portions of tasty red-sauce Italian dishes and much more. Try the “Pasta Tossed Your Way” and choose from six different noodles and five different sauces for your custom lunch or dinner. [The Modern Butcher] The cured meats at the Modern Butcher begin with animals raised locally by farms committed to ethical, sustainable practices [The Modern Butcher](: This expansive storefront operation on Maple Street in downtown Danvers doubles as a butcher shop and sandwich emporium offering some of the best lunchtime treats in the region. Using only locally sourced meats, Modern offers a full case of fresh pork, chicken, and beef butchery. And the highly curated sandwich menu is headlined by Modern’s Saturday-only Roast Beef 3-Way. [Lord Hobo Brewing Company](: Woburn’s own mega-brewery accommodates up to 400 beer lovers. Inside two massive taprooms, there are as many as 40 libations available, most of them home-brewed Lord Hobo lagers and ales. [Holiday Memories]( Make your holidays merry and bright North of Boston! With festivals, food and family fun, you’ll make memories that last a lifetime! [LEARN MORE]( SPONSORED [Lord Hobo Brewing] Whatever you’re toasting, Lord Hobo Brewing Company in Woburn has the appropriate beverage Fine Fare [Nightshade Noodle Bar](: In Lynn, a transportive experience awaits at notable chef Rachel Miller’s exotic eatery. Invite your foodiest friends, and savor the night’s tasting menu—your only option. Vietnamese and French influences shape each night’s seven, nine, 12, or 14 courses. You do get to decide how deeply (and expensively) to indulge. [Town Meeting Bistro](: Housed in Lexington’s stately Inn at Hastings Park, this upscale yet relaxed eatery offers a lunchtime menu of New England favorites, such as clam chowder and lobster rolls. Dinner specialties range from Arctic char to honey-brushed duck. High tea is served midday Saturdays with finger sandwiches and fresh-baked pastries. [Fuse Bistro](: This corner restaurant in downtown Lowell resides in a converted brick firehouse with a lovely wraparound patio out front. Korean-barbecue chicken tenders are a great opener, followed by a burger or steak from Fuse’s beef-centric menu. Fuse is also a great place to gather for drinks with cool peeps. [Cobblestones of Lowell](: Dine in historic splendor at Cobblestones in the 1859 Yorick building, formerly a gentlemen’s club. The restored interior offers several different dining areas, and the menu covers the gamut when it comes to regional American cuisine. Your choices include tasty tavern snacks, meaty burgers, roasted haddock, eggplant parmigiana, and more than a dozen locally crafted beers. [Moonstones](: You can’t miss the striking exterior of this upscale eatery just off I-495 in Chelmsford with its two-story, multicolored façade and triangular cloth sculptures. Inside are varied dining spaces ranging from white tablecloth to space-age lounge. The equally varied menu leans toward seafood as well as Asian plates. For the Sweet Tooth [Harbor Sweets](: This homespun operation makes all its chocolates in a former Salem warehouse. You may view the candy-making operation while perusing the shelves filled with delights in the adjacent retail store. There are fun, holiday-themed gift boxes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to try the bestselling, sailboat-shaped Sweet Sloops chocolates, a local favorite. [Virgilio’s Bakery & Deli](: This beloved storefront institution in Gloucester has been baking up Italian pastries since 1961. There are display cases packed with cookies and cannolis, along with loaves of Italian breads and rolls. The bakery is best known for its Saint Joseph sandwich: Genoa salami, German bologna, mortadella, provolone cheese, oil, and oregano. Not sweet, but… sweet. [Cherry Farm Creamery](: This modest roadside ice-cream stand in Danvers draws crowds from dozens of miles distant, offering some of the finest frozen confections to be found just outside Boston. There are more than 30 flavors of homemade ice cream (four are vegan), along with soft serve and frozen yogurt. Mike Urban is the author of six books on New England cuisine. He is a frequent contributor to Yankee Magazine and NewEngland.com. 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