Best Lunch Restaurants in Salem

To be honest, I was unsure what to expect. Several (about 5) years ago the experience had not been pleasant. So decided to try again; I’m very glad I did - it was an awesome experience. The drinks, their specials, were superb. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu, great recommendations. The meal came quickly, everything that should have been hot was, I had a beet salad with feta cheese that was to die for. We splurged on a very nice bottle of wine, my wife’s roasted chicken she said was delicious and while there were two lobster selections, the waitress helped me make a good decision - the result was fantastic, both in size, appearance & taste. Admittedly we spent more than I intended, however it was worth every dollar! Oh I should mention the small but nice raw bar; I have some familiarity with oysters and the NB selection was excellent. I rarely leave this long or detailed review, however, we will definitely return to the Milwaukee Harbor House and strongly recommend it to anyone who wants a great restaurant experience!!

Service & seating was quick. Coffee came equally quick and menus. Ordering went well , however the hash browns were a minimal portion and cold, the ham/cheese omelet excellent, but the English muffin I asked to be well buttered was anything but!! Was also a bit surprised to hear the wait staff make a rather racist comment to a customer (as part of a conversation) that was easily overheard . In any case, the experience was definitely mixed, which is distinctly different from our prior experiences at the Cafe. I should also say my wife expressed that her food was ok.

This was our 2nd time here at the Bistro and as before, everything was superb! Service was 1st class, quick, excellent explanations and recommendations if we asked. I have a particular food allergy and the staff bent over backwards to help avoid that and insure my meal was exquisite and safe. The drinks were excellent, the food awesome and we swore we would make it for a 3rd time. I suppose a warning is due, the restaurant is top-drawer, meaning it’s not cheap - either in price or in the quality of the food and the service. There’s an old expression that you get what you pay for, I think the Bistro exceeds that !!! We strongly recommend also getting there early and enjoying the bar!!

I like that they switched the menu back to the old format! Hot honey BBQ chicken and the short rib are so good!

We had been looking for the perfect opportunity to try this restaurant for years. When we planned to attend a show downtown, we decided it was finally time. We made a reservation and were promptly seated upon arrival. Our reservation was a bit early to accommodate the timing of the show, but it worked out perfectly. Although the restaurant is relatively new, it exudes the timeless charm of a classic steakhouse, complete with elegant dining booths and low lighting that creates a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere. The menu is well-curated--not overwhelmingly extensive but offering a variety of options. While we didn't receive a separate wine or cocktail menu, there were several appealing choices integrated into the main menu. Given the impressive wine cellar visible near our table, we assume a dedicated wine list might typically be available. For those not in the mood for steak, there's a decent selection of alternative entrees, though we opted for the steakhouse staples. We began our meal with soup--lobster bisque for me and French onion soup for my husband--both of which were excellent. For our main course, we chose steaks accompanied by sautéed mushrooms and truffle butter. Before our meal arrived, we were served warm, flaky popovers with maple butter, which were absolutely delicious. The lobster bisque was rich and flavorful, and the steaks were perfectly cooked and juicy. Every bite was a delight. The staff was attentive and thoughtful, ensuring we stayed on schedule for our show without feeling rushed. Though we briefly considered dessert, we decided against it since we didn't think we'd be able to finish. Still, the options sounded tempting. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience--the ambiance, service, and food exceeded our expectations. We'll definitely return!