Merrimack Valley Magazine

2019 MVMA Winners – Wine & Dine (Part 1)

July 23, 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.

American
Burtons Grill & Bar
Burton’s Grill is the place to go for cuisine from the traditional to the innovative. Perfect for power lunches, after-work socializing and fine wine, Burton’s offers paleo, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as classic American cuisine. Takeout is always available and several locations feature seasonal outdoor patios.
North Andover, Peabody, Burlington, Westford and Hingham, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.
BurtonsGrill.com

Asian
Fusion House Restaurant
The emphasis in on fusion at this cozy Methuen eatery. The scope of the dishes is wide: the many choices include sushi, pad thai, and Polynesian-style Chinese favorites. Wash it all down with one of their classic cocktails.
301 Merrimack St. | Methuen, Mass.
FusionHouseRestaurant.com

Pastry Shops/Bakery
Purple Carrot Bread Company
In April 2018, Purple Carrot Bread Co. opened its doors as a cafe and eatery on Merrimack Street in downtown Lowell. Every item on the menu is made from scratch, from hearty stews to salad dressings and condiments. Rustic breads are the heart of Purple Carrot’s menu: Country Blonde, Kalamata olive, rosemary and garlic ciabatta are among the more popular offerings.
107 Merrimack St. | Lowell, Mass.
PurpleCarrotBreadCo.com

Coffee Shops & Cafes
Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus
With free WiFi, compostable cups, outdoor seating and custom-roasted beans, what more could you ask for in a local coffee shop? Find all this and more at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. Offering Equal Exchange fair trade coffees and three in-house roasts, Brew’d Awakening is a great place to do some work, chat with friends or just sit and sip.
61 Market St. | Lowell, Mass.
BrewdAwakening.com

Italian
Tuscan Kitchen
Inspired by owner Joe Faro’s travels throughout Italy, Tuscan Kitchen’s authentic Italian cuisine makes you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the boot. Tuck into a Fichi pizza with figs, rosemary, burrata and prosciutto, or go for the traditional rigatoni alla Bolognese. Want something lighter? They also offer delicious salads and meat dishes.
Burlington, Mass.; Salem, N.H.
TuscanBrands.com/Kitchen

Irish Pub
The Irish Cottage
The Irish Cottage bills itself as Methuen’s first authentic Irish restaurant and pub and features great food, drinks and music, all served up with a heaping of traditional Irish atmosphere. Enjoy watching sporting events on their numerous TVS while you chow down on classics such as corned beef and cabbage, cottage pie and Guinness beef stew. Every Saturday night at 7 p.m., The Irish Cottage features live Irish music.
17 Branch St. | Methuen, Mass.
TheIrishCottagePub.com

Mexican
Cafe Azteca
Ready for some authentic Mexican food? Look no further than Cafe Azteca. The restaurant’s owners, the Guerrero family, draw inspiration from their annual trips to visit family in Mexico, bringing back new recipes and colorful Mexican decor. Enjoy their delicious selection of margaritas while awaiting your tamales and tostadas.
180 Common St. | Lawrence, Mass.
Cafe-Azteca.com

Middle Eastern
Jocelyn’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge
The lamb, kafta and kibbee dishes make this Salem eatery a carnivore’s paradise. Fear not, herbivores — the vegetarian combo appetizer plate is so packed with freshness and flavor that you’ll forget it’s healthy. Jocelyn’s offers Lebanese and American food, a full-service bar and even a martini lounge.
355 South Broadway | Salem, N.H.
JocelynsRestaurant.com

Pizza
Tripoli Bakery
It all started with Italian breads and pastries. Luckily for us, in 1944 the Zappala family started making pizza, and one of the best pizzerias around was born. Now you can enjoy beach pizza and pick up some traditional Italian cookies and cannoli for later. Tripoli also offers specialty cakes and their signature fresh breads.
Lawrence, North Andover, Methuen, Salisbury, Mass.; Seabrook, N.H.
TripoliBakery.com

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

The 2019 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2018 MVMA Winners – Good Eats, Part 1

July 31, 2018 by Doug Sparks 1 Comment

Thousands of ballots have been cast, the results tabulated, and now we present the winners of the 2018 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!

American
Burtons Grill & Bar
Burtons Grill is the place to go for cuisine from the traditional to the innovative. Perfect for power lunches, after work socializing and fine wine, Burtons offers paleo, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as classic American cuisine. Takeout is always available and several locations feature seasonal outdoor patios.
North Andover, Peabody, Burlington, Westford and Hingham, Mass.; Nashua, N.H.
BurtonsGrill.com

Asian
Feng Shui
With fun and unusual sushi offerings such as the Red Sox Maki roll (scallop tempura, spicy mayo, tuna and avocado) and the lobster tempura roll, Feng Shui’s extensive menu offers a playful spin on Chinese and Japanese cuisine. The chefs who work the hibachi grills put on a great show with their onion volcanos and knife wizardry.
Chelmsford, Cohasset, Tyngsborough and Waltham Mass.
GoFengShui.com

Pastry Shops / Bakery
Piro’s Bakery & Pizzeria
Third-generation bakers the Piro brothers opened Piro’s Bakery in 1985 and soon made a name for themselves with their family-recipe baked goods. Their creamy cannoli, lobster tails, and butter cookies are much-beloved, and those in the know say their strawberry shortcake is the region’s best.
300 Merrimack St.
Methuen, Mass.
PirosBakery.com

Coffee Shop
Frobie’s Cafe
This family friendly cafe is relatively new to the Merrimack Valley scene. The pleasant staff and tasty food and coffee have earned Frobie’s a loyal following since it opened in 2014.
101 Broadway Road
Dracut, Mass.
Frobies.com

Italian
Tuscan Kitchen
Inspired by owner Joe Faro’s travels throughout Italy, Tuscan Kitchen’s authentic Italian cuisine makes you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the boot. Tuck into a Fichi pizza with figs, rosemary, burrata and prosciutto, or go for the traditional rigatoni alla Bolognese. Want something lighter? They also offer delicious salads and meat dishes.
Boston and Burlington, Mass.; Portsmouth and Salem, N.H.
TuscanBrands.com/Kitchen

Mexican
Casa Blanca
In 2006, the first Casa Blanca opened in North Andover. Its authentic Mexican food appealed to locals, and soon the Vargas family opened more locations throughout the Merrimack Valley. The atmosphere is inviting, the food is fresh, and the margaritas may be the best in the region. The tamales de pollo alone make Casa Blanca worth a visit, and with five MV locations, one shouldn’t be far away.
Andover, Haverhill, Methuen, North Andover and North Billerica, Mass.
CasaBlancaMexican.com

Middle Eastern
Jocelyn’s Mediterranean Restaurant & Lounge
The lamb, kafta and kibbee dishes make this Salem eatery a carnivore’s paradise. But fear not, herbivores — the vegetarian combo appetizer plate is so packed with freshness and flavor that you’ll forget it’s healthy. Jocelyn’s offers Lebanese and American food, a full-service bar and a martini lounge.
355 South Broadway
Salem, N.H.
JocelynsRestaurant.com

Pizza
Tripoli Bakery
It all started with Italian breads and pastries. Luckily for us, in 1944 the Zappala family started making pizza, and one of the best pizzerias around was born.
Now you can enjoy old-style beach pizza and pick up some traditional Italian cookies and cannoli for later. Tripoli also offers specialty cakes and their signature fresh breads.
Lawrence, North Andover, Methuen, Salisbury, Mass.; Seabrook, N.H.
TripoliBakery.com

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

Water View
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 ‘Good Eats’ category.

The 2018 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2017 MVMA Winners – Wine and Dine, Part 1

July 17, 2017 by Doug Sparks Leave a Comment

Thousands of ballots have been cast, the results tabulated, and now we present the winners of the 2017 Merrimack Valley Magazine Awards ( MVMA ). 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!

American
Cobblestones of Lowell
Cobblestones has brought creative American dining to downtown Lowell since 1994. While their dinner and lunch menus feature an unrivaled selection of craft brews and oysters, don’t overlook their legendary Sunday brunch offerings. A fried chicken and bacon waffle with maple honey butter? Cookie butter-stuffed French toast? Zucchini and goat cheese strata? What are you waiting for?
91 Dutton St.
Lowell, Mass.
CobblestonesofLowell.com

Asian
Tokyo Steakhouse
Tokyo Steakhouse is an area go-to for Japanese cuisine. Diners at hibachi tables can watch chefs prepare their meals from start to finish, while other visitors can indulge in the extensive sushi menu. Not a sushi fan? Tokyo Steakhouse offers a variety of salads, soups, and meat and noodle dishes.
291 South Broadway (RT 28)
Salem, N.H
TokyoSteakhousesalem.com

Pastry Shops / Bakery
Tripoli Bakery
It all started with Italian breads and pastries. Now renowned for beach pizza as well, they remain the standard bearer for traditional Italian cookies and cannoli as well as offering specialty cakes and their signature fresh breads. Their cannoli is filled to order at all locations with their signature ricotta filling.
Lawrence, North Andover, Methuen, Salisbury, Mass.; Seabrook, N.H.
TripoliBakery.com

Coffee Shop
Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus
With free WiFi, compostable cups, outdoor seating and custom-roasted beans, what more could you ask for in a local coffee shop? Find all this and more at Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus. Offering Equal Exchange fair trade coffees and three in-house roasts, Brew’d Awakening is a great place to do some work, chat with friends or just sit and sip.
61 Market St.
Lowell, Mass.
BrewdAwakening.com

Italian
Tuscan Kitchen
Inspired by owner Joe Faro’s travels throughout Italy, Tuscan Kitchen’s authentic regional Italian cuisine makes you feel as though you’ve stepped right into the boot. Tuck into a Fichi pizza with figs, rosemary, burrata and prosciutto, or go for the traditional rigatoni alla Bolognese. Want something lighter? They also offer delicious salads and meat dishes.
Burlington, Mass.; Salem & Portsmouth N.H.
TuscanBrands.com

Mexican
Café Azteca
Ready for some authentic Mexican food? Look no further than Café Azteca. The restaurant’s owners, the Guerrero family, draw inspiration from their annual trips to visit family in Mexico, bringing back new recipes and colorful Mexican decor. Enjoy their delicious selection of margaritas while awaiting your tamales and tostadas and relaxing in the newly renovated dining room.
180 Common St.
Lawrence, Mass.
Café-Azteca.com

Middle Eastern
Phoenician Restaurant
The Phoenician offers traditional Lebanese cuisine along with American favorites such as seafood and steaks. The Geha family, who worked for decades at the legendary Bishop’s Restaurant in Lawrence, continue in that storied tradition. Their hand-cut fries, lamb chops and baba ghannouj draw aficionados of Lebanese cuisine from all parts of the valley and beyond.
12 Alpha St.
Haverhill, Mass.
PhoenicianRestaurant.com

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

The 2017 MVMAs are sponsored by:

2019 MVMA Winners – Wine & Dine (Part 1)

2018 MVMA Winners – Good Eats, Part 1

2017 MVMA Winners – Wine and Dine, Part 1

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