Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/555185
22 | SEPTEMBER 2015 nshoremag.com photographs by Anthony Tieuli Drink Cucumber Celery Rita $9 Appetizers Oysters $2.50 each Popcorn Shrimp $12 PEI Mussels $12 Main Courses Baked Seafood Pie $21 Fish Tacos $15 Dessert Doughboys $8 THE MENU Sea Level Oyster Bar feels like it's been sitting on Salem Harbor forev- er. From the artfully rusted sign out front to the custom lighting made from old oyster cans and corrugated tin, everything works together to evoke a casual seaside shanty. The décor is the only thing that's time- worn, though. The menu is playful and modern, breathing new life into classic New England fare. Hell's Kitchen alum Jennifer Nor- mant exhibits impressive culinary finesse, fearlessly putting her own spin on classic seafood. The pop- corn shrimp, for instance, is lightly breaded, perfectly cooked, and served spilling out of a paper bag onto newsprint, comingling with ac- tual pieces of popcorn flavored with Old Bay seasoning. It's the perfect dish to enjoy at the central indoor- outdoor bar with a Cucumber Celery Rita, a nicely balanced mix of grape- fruit and tequila, slightly salty with a hint of celery. Or grab a table on one of the two floors, done in shades of gray and blue, with great water views from every seat. Owner George Carey ex- tensively renovated the former Dry Dock and Captain's Waterfront Grill, reorienting it toward the water and opening the space up to Salem Harbor, the Friendship of Salem ship, and surrounding national park land. Clear garage doors roll down to keep bad weather at bay. The sound system keeps the party go- ing with a mix of vacation-themed music from the likes of Bob Marley and the Beach Boys, while waitstaff don T-shirts printed with tongue-in- cheek expressions like "Wanna see my mussels?" Of course, Sea Level Oyster Bar offers an impressive array of freshly shucked oysters (be sure to try the Clockwise from below, fish tacos, signature cocktail, doughboys, alfresco dining, Sea Level burger, and baked seafood pie CONTACT Sea Level Oyster Bar 94 Wharf St. Salem 978-741-0555 sealeveloysterbar.com D I N E