Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1272086
Ceia Kitchen + Bar has made a name for itself as a destination for creative, farm-to-table dining and award-winning wine lists in a cozy yet charming atmosphere. In other words: a great place for a first date. When the pandemic upended the restaurant industry, however, owner Nancy Batista-Caswell decided it was time to evolve. In early days, when takeout service was the only option for restaurants, the Ceia team decided to replace the regular menu with a series of concept-driven weekly menus. There was a Mexican-themed week featuring shrimp tacos with rhubarb salsa and a pork burrito with pineapple refried beans, and an Asian noodle week including spicy dan dan noodles and a vegetarian udon soup. California cuisine, pasta, and charcuterie boards have all made appearances. The goal, Batista-Caswell says, was to maximize the experience for customers by planning menus that would travel well and use ingredients the kitchen could procure. She also wanted, in a trying time, to provide customers the flavors and foods they craved, so the restaurant uses email and social media surveys to collect feedback on what theme the menu should adopt each week. When outdoor and then indoor dining opened back up, the takeout concept remained, but there was a major change: Ceia moved its operations to its original location at 25 State Street, to best accommodate the reopening guidelines. New menus are released on Wednesday mornings, and diners can call for take- out or make reservations for the patio garden or the intimate seven-table inside dining area. There was also a community element in Batista-Caswell's approach. She raised funds so she could provide hundreds of meals to Anna Jaques Hospital's frontline workers—nurses, doctors, and hospital cleaning crews— delivered right to the hospital. PA N D E M I C P I VO T Ceia Kitchen + Bar NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 182 AUGUST 2020 feel good in their bodies: They promise you'll leave feeling sexier and more confident. 135 Elm St., Salisbury, 978-206-1007, thecurestudios.com Guys' Night Out E D I T O R S ' C H O I C E TE R E SA'S G R I LLE 1 9 NORTH READING Dig into pulled pork tacos or a juicy burger topped with jack cheddar onion rings and sip a local draft, while keeping up with the game on the big screens hanging above the bar. The chill, casual atmosphere and welcoming staff will ensure the drinks and conversation keep flowing. 20 Elm Street., North Reading, 978-276-0044, teresasgrille19.com R E A D E R S ' C H O I C E TH E G RO G NEWBURYPORT A menu stacked with New England–style pub food favorites, dozens of beers from Bud Light to microbrews on tap, and an unpretentious style have long made The Grog a local institution. Add in live music every weekend and you have an unparalleled destination for a night with the guys. 13 Middle St., Newburyport, 978-465-8008, thegrog.com Late Night Nosh E D I T O R S ' C H O I C E E LM S Q UA R E OYSTE R CO. ANDOVER Promising new New England cuisine, the menu here is heavy on fresh and inventive seafood dishes (burgers topped with crispy clams, anyone?), classic favorites made completely from scratch, and, of course, oysters. With food available until 10, it's the ideal spot for a late dinner or a seafood snack. 2 Elm Square, Andover, 978-470-2228, elm- squareoysterco.com R E A D E R S ' C H O I C E TAV E R N O N TH E G R E E N SALEM Oak-paneled walls, working fireplaces, and upholstered seating make this tavern inside the Hawthorne Hotel the ideal spot to relax at the end of a long day. And a menu of hearty pub- food options like spicy nachos, crab cake sliders, and gourmet grilled cheese makes it easy to feed those late-night cravings. 18 Washington Square W., Salem, 978-744-4080, hawthornehotel. com/the-tavern Live Music E D I T O R S ' C H O I C E S H A LI N LI U ROCKPORT There are two major reasons to attend a show at the Shalin Liu. First, is the music, an eclectic schedule of performances ranging from classical quartets to blue- grass to American Idol winners. Second, is the sheer beauty of the space, where soaring, wood- beamed ceilings, stone facings, and stunning coastline views create an unbeatable experience that merges music and nature. 37 Main St., Rockport, 978-546-7391,