Merrimack Valley Magazine

2020 MVMA Winners – Good Eats (Part 2)

July 21, 2020 by Terry Suzuki

We are happy to present the winners of the 2020 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners.

Butcher
Alpine Butcher
Alpine Butcher, a fourth-generation butcher shop, has remained in the Doyle family since its start in 1913. All of the beef is USDA Prime, their pork and chicken are humanely raised as well as antibiotic-free and hormone-free, and their seafood comes directly from the docks of Boston.
963 Chelmsford St. | Lowell, Mass.
AlpineButcher.com

Wine Shop
Drum Hill Liquors
Drum Hill Liquors offers a wide selection of fine wine, rare cordials, liquors, tequila, whiskies, scotches and domestic and imported beer, as well as craft beer and unique spirits. They host many weekend tastings to showcase seasonal and new products and pride themselves on warm, friendly customer service.
83 Parkhurst Rd. | Chelmsford, Mass.
DrumHillLiquors.com

World Cuisine
Moonstones
Moonstones, the younger sister of Cobblestones of Lowell, delivers on variety with their globally inspired menu. Stop in for brunch, lunch or dinner and enjoy Turkish mezze, a croque madame, or Korean pork belly with a few of their signature cocktails. For less adventurous diners, there are plenty of American options. Need to translate a foreign word? Check out the global glossary at the bottom of their menu. Want to enjoy their dishes on your own time in the privacy of your home? Their new menu features prepared meals perfect for a family of ’stones fans.
185 Chelmsford St. | Chelmsford, Mass.
Moonstones110.com

New Restaurant
Panela
Panela offers a modern take on the traditional flavors of Colombian cuisine. Chef and co-owner Viviana Acevedo was born and raised in the city of Medellin, Colombia, and attended Lowell High School before studying at Le Cordon Bleu. Her restaurant is independently owned and family operated, its name inspired by panela — raw sugar cane — a staple of Colombian cooking.
7 Hanover St. | Lowell, Mass.
PanelaRestaurant.com

Diner
Four Sisters Owl Diner
Breakfast at this historic diner is guaranteed to start your day off right. Old favorites are given new life in Owl’s savory steak and eggs, homemade corned beef hash and creamed chipped beef on toast. Soups, salads and sandwiches make up the lunch menu. Wake up and fuel up at the Owl Diner, a Lowell landmark since 1982.
244 Appleton St. | Lowell, Mass.
TheOwlDiner.com

Frozen Treats
Sullivan Farms Ice Cream
Sullivan Farms offers an array of homemade ice cream flavors, including standout offerings such as Jen’s Cookie Dough and White Chocolate Caramel Latte. They also sponsor the annual John Carson annual road race, named after a much-loved Chelmsford High School track star who died tragically during team practice in 1987.
176 Middlesex Rd. | Tyngsborough, Mass.
SullivanFarmsIceCream.com

Alfresco Dining
Grazie Italian Restaurant at Four Oaks Country Club
Prominently situated at the Four Oaks Country Club, an 18-hole championship golf course, you can’t miss Grazie unless the incredible views distract you. Their wood-burning oven was imported from Naples, Italy — it produces pizzas with a fire-kissed crust. Traditional Italian appetizers such as calamari fritti and prosciutto di parma and entrees such as pappardelle with braised boar and porcini mushroom ragu are perfect for outdoor dining.
80 Meadow Creek Dr. | Dracut, Mass.
Grazie.Restaurant

Caterer
Lenzi’s Catering
You may have heard of their famous baked chicken pot pie and maybe even the zucchini bread, the virtues of which are extolled even by those who otherwise hate zucchini bread. The wedding packages are a Merrimack Valley institution. Want to really wow your guests? Ask about the Champagne waterfall. Suitably, the establishment looks out over our namesake river.
810 Merrimack Ave. | Dracut, Mass.
LenziCatering.com

Seafood
Fishbones
Since 2006, Fishbones has set the standard for fresh seafood. From steamers to herb halibut, this is the place for lovers of the grand New England culinary tradition. Their shellfish are harvested in Elliot, Maine, and the smoky, silky clam chowder regularly shows up on local “best of” lists. Find out why.
34 Central Sq. | Chelmsford, Mass.
FishbonesOfChelmsford.com

Stop by next week for the winners in the ‘Health & Beauty’ category.

The 2020 MVMAs are sponsored by:

Diner Classics

August 9, 2019 by Paul Richardson Leave a Comment

The diner: it’s a uniquely American tradition. While other cultures have their own take on providing quick and simple traditional foods in a commercial setting, the American diner is set apart by the way in which it is steeped in history and a sense of nostalgia for bygone times. The heyday of diners occurred during the 1930s and ’40s in the wake of the Great Depression and at a time when a new appreciation of simplicity became ingrained across a large segment of the culture.

In today’s diners there is often a deliberate nod to that bygone era, as evinced by the memorabilia on walls and the ’50s and ’60s oldies music often played as an auditory homage to times gone by. The atmosphere is one of comfort and reassurance that perfectly pairs with the reassuringly familiar foods that are served by the uniformed waitresses. You won’t find much in the way of culinary exotica in most diners — it’s usually the standard fare of bacon and eggs, club sandwiches, and the ubiquitous sides of hash browns, bacon, and homemade beans. These are foods that, like the music piped in from another era, harken back to a time long ago.

And diner patrons wouldn’t have it any other way …

The Dream Diner has quickly become a local favorite in the Merrimack Valley. Located in Tyngsboro, it opened in 1999 and features classic diner fare served in a 1950s retro atmosphere replete with original signage from the era. It’s open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Top: A busy Sunday morning. Lower left: three generations of Merrimack Valley diner history: Bridget Trepsas, owner Marybeth Shanahan, and daughters Mya and Molly Shanahan. Lower right: Eggs Benedict, a perennial favorite. Photos by Paul Richardson.

Stepping into Arthur’s Paradise Diner is like crossing a portal to a bygone era. Originally opened in 1936, it retains much of the character of pre-World War II diner culture, including ceiling fans and a working original icebox. Located in Lowell and open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. until noon. Top right image: Arthur’s famous Boott Mill sandwich, a staple menu item unchanged for decades. Left: Ross Delisle, manager and son of current owner Paul Delisle. Lower right: The exterior of Arthur’s, located in the shadow of the mills. A Worcester Diner Car, it is one of the last examples of a disappearing architectural style. Photos by Paul Richardson.

The venerable Four Sisters Owl Diner, located in Lowell, has been a landmark since its original incarnation as the Monarch Diner in 1951. Another original Worcester Diner Car, it was purchased by Tom and Mary Beth Shanahan in 1982 and is open daily from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Bottom: One of Owl’s signature waffle dishes. Lower right: Melissa Melesky, co-owner Tom Shanahan, Stephanie Shanahan and Beverly Thomas. Photos by Paul Richardson.

Located in Amherst, N.H., Joey’s Diner is a modern take on the classic diner theme. Owned and operated by Frank Tampasis and David Raptis, it evokes memories of both the classic diner and car hop generations of the ’50s. Open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Joey’s serves traditional diner fare as well as classic Greek dishes such as spanakopita and moussaka. Top right: Joey’s exterior, a study in electric silver and red that stands out from surrounding businesses. Top left image: Waitress Tammy Martin and co-owner Frank Tampasis. Bottom: One of Joey’s most popular dishes: chicken and strawberry summer salad. Photos by Paul Richardson.

2019 MVMA Winners – Wine & Dine (Part 2)

July 30, 2019 by Merrimack Valley Magazine Leave a Comment

We are happy to present the winners of the 2019 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards. This spring, the top picks in all categories were chosen by our readers via our online voting platform. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote and congratulations to all the winners.

Specialty Market
Butcher Boy Market
Break out the grill and grab an apron. Butcher Boy Market’s 60-foot meat counter has all the poultry, beef, lamb, veal, pork and homemade sausages you need. Not sure what you want? Their experienced butchers are happy to help you decide. Pick up some fresh fruit and beer for the perfect summer spread.
1077 Osgood St. | North Andover, Mass.
ButcherBoyMarket.com

Wine Shop
Andover Classic Wines
Whether you’re throwing a party or need to pick up wine for dinner, Andover Classic Wines can help. Shop your favorite style or vintner, or browse by country. Find a cabernet from Argentina, a riesling from Germany or a pinot from New Zealand. International beers and spirits are also on hand at this well-versed shop.
Andover, Mass.
AndoverClassicWines.com

World Cuisine
Fuse Bistro
Chef-owned Fuse prides itself on making its food from scratch, right down to the ice cream and chipotle ketchup. The creativity of the seasonal and locally-sourced menu is matched by the easygoing ambience — for many locals, the outdoor seating evokes lazy summers sipping ice-cold craft cocktails with friends.
45 Palmer St. | Lowell, Mass.
FuseBistro.com

New Restaurant
The Keep
The Keep has quickly rose to prominence as a go-to spot in downtown Lowell for craft beer, dinner with the family or cocktails with friends after work. Featuring beer from award-winning breweries both near and far, signature cocktails and fresh, locally sourced food served in an approachable atmosphere. The Keep also boasts an extensive whiskey and bourbon selection.
110 Gorham St. | Lowell, Mass.
TheKeepLowell.com

Frozen Treats
Kimball Farm
Kimball Farm has been making ice cream for more than 75 years. With a variety of sherbet, sorbet and frozen yogurt, in addition to more than 50 flavors of ice cream, there’s something for everyone. Vanilla ice cream is a traditional crowd favorite, particularly in hot fudge sundaes, banana splits, and the Kimball Special — three softball-size scoops of ice cream, three toppings, marshmallow, whipped cream and nuts.
Carlisle, Lancaster and Westford, Mass.; Jaffrey, N.H.
KimballFarm.com

Alfresco Dining
The Deck
The Deck is located at historic Bridge Marina, the oldest marina on the Merrimack River, and offers delicious drinks and a simple, refined menu. The food is freshly prepared each day from scratch to deliver a unique and tasty experience and the waterview is one of the best in the region. After a recent expansion, there is now a second-floor roofed lounge area.
179R Bridge Rd. | Salisbury, Mass.
TheDeckSalisbury.com

Caterers
Two Chefs Are Better Than One
Two Chefs Are Better Than One Catering can create an ideal menu for any wedding or celebration, whether it’s a quaint family gathering or an extravagant gala with hundreds of guests. Let Two Chefs worry about the details while you enjoy your special day. Work with their event coordinators to customize a list of options that meets all your needs and desires.
Lowell, Mass.
TwoChefsFood.com

Seafood
Seaglass Restaurant and Lounge
The panoramic ocean views at this casual upscale restaurant make it an ideal destination for a simple night out or a big celebration. Seaglass offers a wide selection of surf and turf entrees and local seasonal specials. Stop by Sundays for Seaglass’s Brunch by the Sea and enjoy a bloody mary with your water view.
4 Oceanfront North | Salisbury, Mass.
SeaglassOceanside.com

Stop by next week for the winners in the second half of our ‘Wine & Dine’ category.

The 2019 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2020 MVMA Winners – Good Eats (Part 2)

Diner Classics

2019 MVMA Winners – Wine & Dine (Part 2)

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