Okea Grill & Sushi

A small piece of Japan in Salem

By : Chelsea Fish

For fans of Japanese food, Okea Grill & Sushi is the freshest spot in Salem.  The tiny restaurant, located a mere ten steps from the Sullivan building at Salem State University, is perfect for students and locals alike.  The first time I walked up to the restaurant, I’ll admit that I was skeptical.

From the outside, it looks small enough to have a take-out window. It is camouflaged by the convenience store and nail salon  on each side in the fading, old plaza on Lafayette Street. The food, however, will stun the skeptical side of any food critic.  The staff is friendly and the vibe is contemporary and laid back with  a great mix of 90’s tunes and classic rock, and  funky collectible wall art . It’s definitely an exciting spot to eat.

The menu is very reasonable, making it appealing to students.  There are lunch and dinner specials that combine a mix of traditional Chinese and Japanese foods with sushi or sashimi.  They also make a killer wonton soup.  Being in Salem, Okea makes dishes inspired by the history of the city.  The “Green Witch Roll”, the “Clippers Roll” and the “Salem Maki” are a couple of examples.

Having been a sushi fan for years, I love that there are unique Maki rolls that I’ve never seen anywhere else, like the “Rodrigo roll”.  This masterpiece contains salmon, crabmeat, cream cheese, and avocado and  is wrapped in thinly sliced cucumber.   My boyfriend and I go about once a week and we always try a new roll.  Last time we went, we got the “Green Witch Roll” which is made of eel, cucumber, and cooked shrimp.  It was delicious and filling, perfect for the daring sushi-lover.  We also have our favorite rolls that we order every time, like the “Crazy Maki” which is made of perfectly crisp shrimp tempura with the long tails towering out of the ends of the roll.  Everything is fresh and I always leave feeling slightly more culturally experienced!

This year, Okea won the Best of the North Shore award for the second consecutive year.  For travelers, tourists, and residents who are dying to be refreshed, go to Okea Grill & Sushi.  Order the bubble tea and stay a while; you will be pleasantly surprised. Check out their large assorted menu at okeagrill.com

Tags: Okea Grill & Sushi, Salem, sushi

Fran & Diane’s Kitchen: Little Place, Big Flavor

By Tashima Gallant

 

Walking down Lafayette Street, hurried students hardly have time to stop and take a breath while rushing to class, never mind stopping to eat. However, when that familiar mid-day stomach rumble occurs, we must submit to our mortal nutritional needs. Many probably pass by333 Lafayette Streetevery day, not knowing the vast variety of delicious and affordable Italian eats they are missing out on.

Fran & Diane’s Kitchen is sandwiched between Okea Sushi Grill and Jade House Chinese Food right across from SSU’s North Campus. The establishment is small, inhabiting the space that was once Niko’s Pizza. There are a few tables to sit and eat at, where you can actually see your pizza or sandwich being made in the large open kitchen behind the counter. They offer everything from pizza to Paninis to usual sub shop fare. This pizza joint, however, boasts incredible homemade Italian gravy, homemade meatballs and their own Caesar dressing. The shop also offers a few unique items; such as their fried ravioli, fried zucchini and cinnamon pillows.

Diane herself, taking a break from cooking to say hello to Red Skies!

Unlike chain establishments named after their owners, Diane herself was actually in the kitchen, bright eyed and smiling. She began cooking well before they opened at 11am. The rest of the hardworking staff seemed genuinely happy to be there as well. I’ve never met a more chipper delivery driver than my friend Chris. He happily posed for a picture at the counter, as did the pizza chef, Jay. Jay took it a step further and agreed to an action shot, tossing the fresh dough expertly into the air. Diane laughed and kept a smile on her face the entire time. The dynamic of the eatery seems to be more of a family than a business. Chris urged Diane to pose for a picture herself, shoeing her to the front counter.

The wall of the pizzeria is covered with thank you letters from local organizations and various area awards for “Best Pizza” and “Local Favorite.”

Pizza chef Jay working on some dough in the open kitchen.

Diane answered my questions about one of the thank you letters on the wall from the Horace Man School. Diane explained that they had donated pizzas, and that this was not a seldom occurrence. “We usually donate to Salem State’s Hockey team dinner and to the Theatre Department when they wrap for the year. We also provide pizzas for the PhoenixSchool every Friday morning,” Diane stated matter-of-factly, not an inkling of boastfulness to her tone. Not many local businesses keep up such a great rapport with their community, but this little pizzeria does big things.

This eatery does have its own bold statement of confidence on the wall that is so full with praise from others: A simple sign, written in chalk, simply saying “It’s All Good!” And it is. The meatballs and pasta are authentic and fairly priced. The sandwich selection is extensive and creative, featuring everything from smashed meatballs to a Reuben-inspired Panini, and the unique appetizers are flavorful and filling. The F & D Basket, for just $7.95, allows you to sample four of their delicious fried apps.

Diane's delicious pepperoni pizza, just before it was enjoyed at a Red Skies meeting, in fact.

The pizza is perfect; not too greasy, with a crust just thin enough, and the right amount of sauce to compliment the cheese. The next time you get out of class a few minutes early, head over to Fran & Diane’s for a bite.

 

 

 

Fran & Diane’s Kitchen
333 Lafayette Street
978-745-YUMM (9866)
Mon-Fri 11:00am – 9:00pm
Sat 11:00am – 8:00pm
Sun 12:30pm – 7:00pm
http://frananddianeskitchen.com/

Tashima Gallant is Editor Emeritus of Red Skies.

The Salem Diner: After a long night…

The Salem Diner

By: John O’Keefe III

Let’s assume you had a good time last night. Last night may have even been epic for you. Waking up after the festivities, though, could leave you feeling a little, worn down and hungry. You need something more substantial and tasty for breakfast.  Students living on Central ampus have the best option: hitting the Salem Diner. 

 This old diner is good stop for a quick bite between classes.  The diner shows its age in the carving table depressions, and years of abuse in the dents in its metal walls.But staff show a reverence for their workplace, keeping everything clean and in good working order. The line-cook maneuvers in tight quarters behind the counter, helping servers by taking orders. The seat covers appear old, but are not torn or ripped.

Even though it’s two in the afternoon, an Eggs Benedict sounds like a good choice after class. The cook makes everything grill related up front, allowing the customer to see their food being made. A prep cook behind the wall with the griddle prepared the sauce. Canadian bacon was cooked to preference, poached eggs had runny yolks (most excellent) to be mixed with the Hollandaise sauce. Mixing the sauce and yolk made a delightful combo to soak up the hash browns, served as part of the meal. Even though the place closes in an hour, the coffee is served fresh. The meal is filling, and a nice change of pace from other options on campus. 

There is no need for  a sales pitch here, as the diner is closer to those living on Central Campus then the main chow hall on North Campus. It’s also something closer to a home cooked meal, with a vast amount of breakfast dishes served all day: subs, salads, hot/cold sandwiches, daily specials, and desserts. It also beats driving to IHOP when you can walk to the diner. Another bonus, they accept the Clipper Card. The atmosphere is simple and free of any frills. Everyone is friendly, and chatty with all the regular customers. 

Another perk is not waiting long for food to be served. And when you get a check, servers bring a couple pieces of candy before you hit the road. The diner is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Sundays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. So after your epic night, nurse your wounds at the Salem Diner.

John O’Keefe supports Greek life coming to campus and looks forward to future development…

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day: The Wild Rover

The Wild Rover

by John O’Keefe III

It’s time to grab your shillelagh (walking stick) and paddy cap, your Guinness and your sweet lass – It’s St. Patrick’s Day! To celebrate the holiday and get your Irish on, you need only to step into a pub. Over the bridge and to the birthplace of the American Navy, are a few Irish pubs that will be celebrating March 17th with a boiled dinner and festivities. Make sure to hit a true pub; if you get a blank look when ordering a Black Velvet or a Black  and Tan, RUN!

The Pickled Onion

First stop on the pub crawl is The Pickled Onion located at 355 Rantoul St. in Beverly. This simple, stripped down pub offers a friendly atmosphere run by a courteous staff. The menu is varied, with daily specials. The corned beef quesadilla is simple and filling, if you have the opportunity it comes highly recommended; especially when with a Black Velvet. One staff member reports The Pickled Onion as a popular spot for fellow students over at Endicott and Gordon College. There are specials throughout the week on pizza, wings, and appetizers; along with karaoke on Tuesdays and live entertainment throughout the week.

Next stop on our journey is Kitty O’Sheas on 298 Cabot St. This cozy pub is warm and welcoming, like that friend in high school with the basement every one hung out in. It’s comfortable and secure – the perfect place for you and your friends. The Galway burger hits the spot with sautéed onions and mushrooms served on a bulky role; with Kilkenny Irish Ale to wash down the burger, this makse for a great meal. Listening to the bartender and patrons speak in an Irish brogue about the Kilkenny football team makes for an enriching experience.

Kitty O'Sheas

Kitty O’Sheas offers plenty of entertainment throughout the week; with bar trivia on Sundays, karaoke on Tuesdays, and plenty of bands the rest of the week.

Planning on hitting more bars tonight? Let us know what YOU recommend!

Here are a couple of suggestions to get you started:

Murphy’s, 300 Derby St., Salem

O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 120 Washington St., Salem

Have fun and stay safe!

 

Coven Cafe

Coven Cafe
by Courtney Saba

A “coven” is defined as a gathering of witches, especially a group of thirteen. It certainly makes sense that an establishment by that name would be here in Salem. Upon entering The Coven you discover that the name represents far more than its dictionary definition.

This small café and dessert bar is newly owned by Rob and Jennifer, a couple who have a love for desserts, as well as vintage, old horror, and 50’s retro pin up. The word “coven” is derived from the word “convene,” which means “to gather,” creating the atmosphere that the couple had been hoping to build. “Not just a gathering of people, but a gathering of different artisan foods and ideas,” Jennifer said. She also mentioned how the name Coven was a silly play on the word ‘Oven’ when you remove the ‘C‘. That is why the signature sign is designed to have the ‘C’ in red and the word ‘Oven’ in black.

Aside from the clever name, The Coven’s interior has a comforting and fascinating charm. The interesting décor on the walls and shelves is eye-catching. Many of the decorations are old toys from the couple’s childhood, as well as other vintage items they’ve come across. The customers can’t help but add their own childhood memorabilia to the collection. In addition, the rest of The Coven is decorated with local art work.

The interior is just a perk of consuming the delicious food. The Coven has a large variety of drinks and foods of all sorts. Salads, sandwiches, desserts, soup, and coffee – you name it.  A large glass display case holds an assortment of homemade dishes made by Jeanna, Jennifer’s mother. Love salad? You have the option to build your own! The Coven is especially great if you have a sweet tooth, considering that it is a dessert bar. There are cupcakes, cookies, brownies – anything you can imagine – even gluten free desserts. Beer and wine are also served, plus a wide variety of coffee and teas.

Rob and Jen have created the ideal atmosphere in this small café – a place where one feels welcome, relaxed, and happy. When I discovered The Coven, it became my place to go when I needed to relax. I go there with my friends quite a bit and we order coffee and food, then sit down and talk, or find a game to play from the massive game shelf. If we feel like watching a movie while we eat there is always something playing on the flat screen television.  The Coven has wireless internet, so it is a great place to bring your laptop to and get your work done while enjoying a hot cup of coffee. It is very peaceful.

This café has a unique and exciting charm.  For anyone who needs a change of scenery or something delicious to eat, one can find The Coven on Essex Street, near Harrison’s comics and Sovereign Bank. Salem State Students receive a 15% discount with their Student I.D. – now there is no excuse not to try it. 

Coven Cafe
281 Essex St
http://covensalem.com/
978-741-0500
Closed Mon
Tues-Thurs 8:00AM – 6:00PM
Fri and Sat 8:00AM – 9:00PM
Sun 9:00AM – 9:00PM

Harbor Sweets

Harbor Sweets
by Kayla Sorey

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and it may be difficult to decide what to get friends and significant others. Harbor Sweets located in downtown Salem may be just what you are looking for. Chocolate lovers of the North Shore know that this is the only place for any chocolate-related holiday delicacies. Upon entering, customers are greeted with a friendly smile and a tray of free chocolate samples. The walls are stocked with an array of chocolates. Name your poison – dark, white, and milk chocolate, either way you will not be displeased. Employees are kept busy at various stations; wrapping and packing by hand – a scene right out of I Love Lucy.

Harbor Sweets is located off of Lafayette Street, at 85 Leavitt Street.  What started out as a hobby in the basement of founder Ben Strohecker in 1973 soon transformed into a thriving chocolate empire. Current owner Phyllis LeBlanc gained rights to Harbor Sweets in 1998 when Strohecker decided he wanted to step down, and eventually step back altogether. LeBlanc started as a chocolate dipper trying to earn money while she attended Salem State College.

Harbor Sweet’s signature item is the Sweet Sloops, which were created in the image of a sail, although they are commonly mistaken for a shark tooth. Sweet Sloops were created when Strohecker had a surplus of white chocolate available. Sloops are an almond butter crunch covered in white chocolate and then dipped in dark chocolate and pecans. Their creative themes do not end there. LeBlanc’s passion for riding contributed to the making of the Dark Horse Chocolate line. Clever names like Sea Biscuits and Grand Prix Jumpers are part of this selection. Another item, known as the Marblehead Mint, is a shout out to the town where Strohecker first began his business.

If you want to get really creative, you can customize your own chocolates for a pretty penny. Creating monogrammed chocolates for colleges and businesses are very popular with Harbor Sweets. They offer discounts after spending $500.00, which can be beneficial for events. Unfortunately, there are no discounts available to students and these delicious chocolates can be pricey, and are best saved for special occasions.

Whether this Valentine’s Day you are looking to spend money on yourself or someone else, you cannot go wrong with Harbor Sweets.

Harbor Sweets
Palmer Cove
85 Leavitt Street
http://www.harborsweets.com/
1-800-243-2115
Mon-Fri 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Sat 9:00AM – 3:00PM

Howling Wolf

Howling Wolf
By Lydia Gravell

Howling Wolf is a new restaurant in Salem that lovers of Mexican food need to visit. It’s located in the heart of downtown, easy to find and a gem of a place. This eatery is across from the Salem Central Fire Department on Derby Street with plenty of street parking nearby, as well as being within short walking distance from the downtown bus stop. They have a sensuous atmosphere perfect for relaxing with friends over great food. I’m personally not the biggest fan of spicy food, but this place has enough delicious varieties to please everyone.

Photo Credit: Jarred Stanley

The chefs create your food right behind the counter using fresh ingredients that add another dimension of flavor to their food. I tried a grilled chicken burrito that was stuffed to the brim with all the toppings: fresh diced tomato, seasoned rice and beans, melted cheese, and of course big slices of grilled chicken. For the more adventurous taste seekers, there are 20 other options to try out, including traditional Mexican soups if tacos, burritos, and quesadillas aren’t for you. They also offer various degrees of heat in four homemade salsa options. Those who enjoy spicy food should add salsa to crank up the heat. To accompany the meal, Howling Wolf offers Mexican sodas or, for older guests, a bar featuring homemade sangria.

Prices are very reasonable for the amount of food they give and definitely something college students should take advantage of. For Salem State students in particular, Howling Wolf offers 10% off meals with a valid student ID. This also goes for faculty members.

Looking for fresh Mexican food within a reasonable distance and price range? Howling Wolf Taqueria is an establishment you have to check out!

Howling Wolf Taqueria
76 Lafayette Street
www.feedyourwolf.com
978-744-WOLF(9653)
Mon.- Sat. 11:00AM-11:00PM
Sun 11:00AM-10:00PM

Tags: discount, Howling Wolf, restaurant, review, Salem, Salem State, students