If you find yourself in the Lynn area, call Nightshade and see if you can nab a seat for yourself…read moresolo or a party of 2. I read online that you need advanced reservations to dine, but decided to call and see if they had an opening since I was in nearby Salem. They did, and I had tremendous experience starting around 7pm on a late-August Friday evening. Caveat: October tends to be the busiest month, so advanced reservations are advised. The mantra to enter into the multicourse journey is "Trust the Process" and "Take Your Time." The chef and her team will curate a unique medley of dishes. After familiarizing myself to the "menu map," I knew there were some ingredients (duck tongue and caviar, for example) that I normally wouldn't order ad hoc, so jumped in with a deep breath. This was one of those instances where the risk taken paid off in spades! I opted for the seven-course experience. The staff are knowledgable, food-passionate, attentive, and expert at creating an atmosphere of ease and genuine hospitality. They were quick to refill my water, make sure I had everything I needed, and inquire about my take on the dishes. The pacing overall was solid, and I was intentional about tasting and allowing the mouth feel of each dish to register: this helped my brain clock that the tasting menu left me satiated, despite the 1-to-2 bite portion sizes of a few of the courses. As you can see from my photos (not in chronological order), each dish is a work of art for the eye and the palate. My favorites were the uni brulee and the "dragon's blood" aloe vera gel: the latter was technically a chef's gift (palate cleanser) vs an actual course, but I loved the play on a vibrant childhood icee flavor and the "pop" of the tangy/tart/sweet lime sugar. Actual order: choupique caviar service (chips), grilled coconut sticky rice pop w/pork floss, habotcha squash bot chien, uni brulee, collard greens, garlic noodles with crab cake, "dragon's blood" aloe vera gel, and lemon custard "trifle" (deconstructed lemon merengue pie). Note: if you are sensitive to spicy, certain dishes may not suit you. They include the habotcha squash bot chien and uni brulee, which both have a decent kick. Everything was memorable in delivery, gorgeous presentation, and symphony of flavors. I've been fortunate to enjoy a Michelin-rated prix fixe in Paris, and Nightshade was on par with that meal. I'm already looking forward to my next visit, and will highly recommend to friends for a special meal. Trust me, it's worth it! Bonus: Nightshade is a stone's throw from the Lynn MBTA Station.

I went here last night with a group of six (three couples), several of whom had been before and…read moreraved about their experience. They're people whose opinions we trust when it comes to fine dining, so I was genuinely excited to try the nine-course tasting menu. I'll start by saying that I suspect the restaurant may simply have had an off night. They seemed short-staffed, and the service never quite found its rhythm, so I want to be fair and acknowledge that our experience may not have been representative of what they normally deliver. That said, at roughly $350 per couple for the 9 course tasting menu plus about two drinks each, expectations are understandably high. At that price point, you expect excellent service and a menu where perhaps one or two dishes miss the mark, but the vast majority are memorable. For us, unfortunately, the evening was much more hit-or-miss. The opening course, potato chips with eggspuma dip and caviar, was underwhelming. The dip was flavorless, the chips needed more seasoning, and the combination itself felt fairly familiar. The Portuguese goose barnacles were certainly interesting and something I hadn't experienced before, but ultimately felt more novel than satisfying. The server boasted that the restaurant was one of only three in the US that serves the barnacles, and after eating them I thought to myself "maybe there should be zero." I'm sure live seafood shipped from Portugal doesn't come cheap, so the ROI just doesn't feel there on this item. The pork floss dish was excellent and the highlight --flavorful with depth and memorable. Of the two noodle dishes, which we understood to be among the highlights of the menu, one was good but not particularly remarkable (with squid), while the other was considerably overseasoned and noodles way too firm. The two desserts also didn't leave much of an impression - other than "chocolate" and "lemon." Where the evening fell shortest, though, was the service. On at least three occasions, dishes arrived at the table without the plates and/or utensils we needed to eat them. At one point I just took matters into my own hands - I happened to be seated next to the service station and ultimately grabbed chopsticks and forks for the table myself. At a more casual restaurant, I probably wouldn't think much of it, but at this price point and with a tasting-menu format, those details matter. To the restaurant's credit, the kitchen also sent out a few complimentary items, including a crisp pre-dinner wine and a beef and tofu-skin dish. We appreciated the gesture, even if the tofu-skin dish wasn't a favorite at our table. Overall, I came away disappointed, particularly given the price, the drive from our home, and the amount of time involved in a nine-course experience. I know an enormous amount of thought, creativity, and work goes into putting together a tasting menu like this, and I don't take that lightly. Based on our friends' previous experience, I'm inclined to believe we may simply have caught the restaurant on an unusually difficult night.There were some very good moments, but unfortunately not enough of them to make the evening feel worth the investment. Of course the investment of quality time spent with good friends is always worth it, which was the ultimate highlight.

This was our third time visiting this restaurant with my family, and since it's right here in…read moreSwampscott, we've really grown to enjoy the intimate and cozy atmosphere of the place. One of my favorite touches is that you can always see the chef hustling in the kitchen--it gives the restaurant such a personal and authentic feel. The ambience is lovely, and the staff is consistently attentive and professional. The service has always been excellent. As someone with a background in restaurant management, I do sometimes feel that the restaurant may be slightly overstaffed and could possibly benefit from a little more operational strategy. That being said, it never negatively affects the guest experience--the service is always seamless. We love the variety of the food, the coziness of the space, and the overall experience. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, and we will absolutely keep coming back!

Njord Haven is amazing! I had my doubts before arriving; two vastly different categories of cuisine…read moreon the same menu and somewhat blended? However, I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised with everything we had. The National Dish of Denmark (stegt flæsk) was incredible, the dumplings were jam packed with meat, and the Chinese Churros hit the spot. We came in about 50 minutes before closing and stayed long after, but the service was fantastic the whole time. We were thanked by the owner for coming in and were told that staying late was expected and well welcomed. The restaurant itself is gorgeous and the music was a lot of fun. The restaurant faces the shore, so expect lovely views, especially around the golden hour. Overall, this place is an absolute gem. It's worth the trip from Boston or anywhere within a 50 mile radius, honestly.

While it's not a vegan restaurant, this place is noted for its extensive and delicious vegan menu…read more I loved everything I've ever ordered from here. A big five stars for the Lynn location. If you love American Chinese food and you're tired of having to settle for Buddha/Vegetable Delight and white rice from other places, go here. I promise it's great. The Lynnfield only has two or three vegan options and they once sent me real chicken kung pao when I ordered vegan beef kung pao. The Lynn location always gets it right, however.

On your way home from work don't feel like cooking. Try this the new style Asian food. The food is…read moredelicious there and they'll cook it too perfection the people are very friendly. The parking is right in front of the. Establishment give it a try.

Wow this place was a life saver on MLK Day since it was sooo cold lol. This spot is located inside…read moreBambolima which is an Italian spot serving pizza which is a win for us since I got ramen and my daughter order cheese pizza. The service was great and our server was amazing. The ambiance was a little bar feeling with lots of wood tables which I liked. Now let's get to the food.. Pork buns: the pork was cooked perfectly and the bun was nice and soft. The sauce went well everything and it's a great starter dish. Spicy Kimchi Ramen- this consists of pork belly, pickled mushrooms, kimchi and fried garlic. The ramen was really good and had a lot of flavor with just the right amount of spice from the kimchi. Perfect for a cold day! Colonel Sanders Ramen- this had a pork broth with fried chicken and was delicious and moist. Also had corn with Vermont butter which you can taste through the bowl. This dish was the highlight for me and I'll definitely be back again. If you're in Salem, MA and are craving ramen then be sure to give this place a try.

This place was SOO good. It was very interesting because it's a combination of Asian and Italian…read morefood. I only got the ramen and the fried dumplings, but I absolutely loved it. Had the pleasure of having the owner as one of the waiters and he was so sweet and passionate about his store. I would absolutely love to come back here and eat here again.

Really good food (especially the ShushImi Deluxe). Good and…read morefriendly service in a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

i had a nice little meal on a wednesday evening at chi modern asian cuisine. a friend took me here,…read moreit's easy to miss in the plaza but worth trying! it's very spacious with comfortable, modern decor. alan & rachel provided excellent service all night til closing. i loved their sashimi which was fresh, their edamame was delicious + spicy, and their egg rolls were really good, slightly overcooked. the only thing i wasn't a fan of was their chicken lettuce wraps, they had ground chicken rather than pieces, but their menu is so big so i'll try something else next time. the best mistake ever was delicious, i had two! sashimi 8.5/10 edamame 10/10 egg rolls 8/10 chicken lettuce wraps 2/10 best mistake ever (drink) 10/10 green tea shots 10/10 overall they have so many options, it would be hard to not find something you like here! ambiance 4.5/5 food: 3.6/5 drinks: 5/5 service: 5/5 chi modern asian cuisine: 4.5/5

I've come here several times and had a wonderful meal every time - definitely a hidden gem! Located…read morein an awkward spot, there is plenty of parking and the entrance is pretty clear. Space is small but homey - a little drafty by the door though so if you come during the winter, try to sit away! The menu has a great selection of dishes from appetizers to sharables to entrees. I highly recommend the full fish - fried and delicious. The hot pot soup is also super flavorful and great to split with a friend. Their papaya salad is also EXTREMELY spicy, be warned! Overall, I happily will return to this spot whenever craving Thai food. Good portions, friendly staff, and tasty food!

Fighting Fish Thai Cuisine is a small restaurant located in an industrial area near Encore Resort…read more Despite its modest size, the restaurant is cozy and air-conditioned, making it a comfortable place to enjoy a meal even on a hot day. We started with the pork jowls appetizer. They were flavorful on their own, but the accompanying dipping sauce added an extra layer of bold flavor for those who want it. For our main dishes, we ordered the Tom Yum noodle soup with chicken and the Pad See Ew at a medium spice level. Both dishes were delicious and perfectly seasoned. A word of caution: their spice levels are definitely on an authentic Thai or Asian scale. If you're accustomed to typical American spice levels, medium here may feel quite hot. I love spicy food, so the medium level provided a great balance of heat and chili flavor. My husband, however, found it too spicy. The Tum Yum noodle soup featured a rich, savory broth with just the right amount of sourness. While I really enjoyed the dish, I noticed that many of the noodles were broken into shorter strands. We also shared the Thai Chili Fish, which came with two large deep-fried fish fillets and a generous bowl of sweet and savory chili sauce. The sauce reminded me of sweet-and-sour sauce but with a stronger chili kick. The flavors were fantastic, although the presentation could have been better. The host/servers consisted of just two people, but both were friendly and welcoming. The woman serving us was especially funny and entertaining, which added to the overall experience. Overall, I had a great meal and would definitely return whenever I'm in Boston. There are several other dishes on the menu that I'm eager to try.

Very nice vegan selection and everything is always delicious + nice staff. Can't go wrong here!read more

Order beef noodle soup, duck entree , everything is Too sweet! Feeling intake lot is sugar!…read more Service is just ok

Amazing server! Our first time eating here and it was very chill for a busy day in Salem. We tried…read morethe Sotteok skewer which was crispy and delicious. My sister had the Chicken Katsu and I had the K Chix Sandwich. Not bad for the pricing but it was very good and crispy. So was the katsu. I recommend the garlic sauce on the sandwich. Would come back!

I was visiting the area with my family. My son and I was peckish and walked past the Bonchon store…read more& thought we'd give it a try. I made the mistake of not reading the reviews, and gave it shot, My son and I love Korean chicken, so hoped for the best. We ordered the 10-piece with spicy sauce, and they said 10 to 15 minutes, so I thought perfect, and they are coming it fresh. We came back after 10 mins, and the food was brought out a few minutes after. First red flag, the guy bringing us the food was coughing his lungs out, so I immediately felt uncomfortable, as he wasn't really coughing into his elbow, so not a good sign. Then we thought, better to just eat there, and asked the question, which was denied, with the lady at the desk saying 'it's clearly written at the desk' so ok no issues there. We went outside, and found a bench ... we were with other family members who were not eating, so that's why we didn't initially get a table. Both my son and I both chomped into our first chicken wing and we looked at each other with raised eyebrows. The chicken was overly crispy, and hard to swallow, making each bite a task. The seasoning was acceptable, but I was thinking 'is this refried, a little stale or both'. We continued to chew through each one and I swear my jaw was starting to hurt, the feeling you get when you chew gum too long. After we finished, I went online to read the reviews, and low and behold, I read a few reviews complaining about the same thing. Refrying food for me is a no no, and it's not a good way to keep customers. I would make sure you ask them to cook fresh chicken only, not reheated or refried.

Koto is a Salem staple. They have a ton of vegan options that are clearly labeled, and some are…read moresuper unique. For instance, they just added sushi rolls with vegan spam & a pizza bao bun. My go-to is the orange tofu. Their late-nite weekend menu always hits the spot: try the spicy ramen or bulgogi fried rice! Koto also routinely hosts events like a monthly goth night, metal trivia, and 80s night.

One of my favorite meals during our time in Salem. As a vegetarian, finding food in Salem was a bit…read moredifficult. However, this place had so many options for me. We got so much food... The highlight was the veggie gyoza for me! The sushi was amazing, the apps were amazing, the tofu was amazing. The soju flight was amazing. I was surprised we hadn't heard about it at all online, it was a place we walked by and decided to give a try. Let me be the one to influence you to make time for this spot! The vibes were chill yet elevated. We sat in a super comfy both and enjoyed our last meal in Salem. The waitress was super funny and welcoming. Overall a great way to end our trip in Salem.