Dined Saturday night with spouse and another couple at the small, yet elegant Joseph's Winter Street Cafe in Newburyport. Italian cuisine with a difference. This is not a red sauce with garlic joint. More Northern Italian with a French influence in cream sauces. Very colorful presentation, knowledgeable efficient service, Solo live piano for atmosphere, a bracing large martini, a small, yet balanced wine list, all contributed to a positive experience. One person ordered duckling, one Scallops, one had a Pene pasta dish with a spicy sort of Putanesca style with capers, black olives. The reviewer ordered linguine with white clam sauce although the sauce contained fresh tomatoes and four or five whole steamed sea clams, it was just the right balance of garlic and minced clams. These foods were preceded by a true Caesar salad with anchovies and a homemade dressing with egg and olive oil. A featured soup was first course being Cream of Portabello, slightly earthy wild flavor that all parties sampled. Entrees averaged $15 to $20, bill with house wine, four cocktails, no desserts, came to $140 but was a positive dining experience. Joseph's takes all cards, is located parallel to the Rt 1 bridge over the Merrimac river in a residential neighborhood. Parking is available only on side streets down from where Donahue Chrysler Plymouth was formerly located.
Massachusetts