NNTP-Posting-Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 11:10:21 EDT Organization: Shore.Net/Eco Software, Inc; ([email removed]) Xref: pale-rider.INS.CWRU.Edu ne.food:5193 A bunch of changes to the North shore (of Boston) dining scene lately. The biggest development was the auctioning of Weylu's, the huge building on route 1 in Saugus. I assume the restaurant is closed, but sometimes they stay open as a debtor in possession. The buyer of the real estate was the Bank of China which I guess held a mortgage. They paid 4.5 million which I understand is about 1/3 of what it cost to build the place a decade or so ago. The brew pub of Danvers on Route 1 is ready to open. this place was also auctioned off and the new owners have gutted the place though they have kept the brewing equipment. It's in the northbound lane of route 1 in what was at one time a HoJo's. I understand they are planning an ambitious menu, along the lines of the very successful Brew Moon chain which is just a few miles south in Saugus. Vinny Testa's has opened their first North Shore location in the Liberty Tree Mall. I would guess this place will also do very well, as are their other locations in Mass. I've never been to one but people seem to enjoy the large portions, reasonable prices and a cross between fine dining and casual dining. I drove by the new Vinnie's Friday which is next door to the new Best Buy store (which was so packed with people you'd have thought they were giving away big screen TV's---the opening of Best Buy is definitely not good news for Circuit City as BB looks far superior to me). Luisian Grille in Danvers, near Liberty Tree Mall, is packed every night with their Tex Mex concept. Interestingly, the Lone Star Steak House right nearby was pretty empty at 6pm, while the other places were packed. HHHMMM... I had a real good meal at Passports in Gloucester recently. Very intriguing international/eclectic menu, and quite reasonably priced. It's worth a drive up to Fishtown for this place. Other good meals I had in recent months: Red Haven Havana in Salem, Jerry Pelonzi's Hearthside in Essex, Casa de luca in Beverly, and the Wild Horse also in Beverly which is pretty hip/cool, etc. The old Harborside in Manchester by the Sea is gone...sadly. It's been through a few owners in recent years. Too bad. It had a lot of character with the view of the harbor and the trains to Boston and Rockport rumbling by. Likewise the old Surf in Magnolia which also sits dark. One of my favorite places is Black Cow in Hamilton which recently opened a new location in Newburyport, adjacent to Michael's Harborside. In fact, I think I'll check it out this weekend. John Gallagher
Massachusetts