Cooking meat can be an art. Marinating, heating and timing are all aspects of cooking meat that make the process more difficult than other kitchen tasks. This is why many of us opt to leave it to the pros when the craving for a great steak or some juicy tips arises. Luckily, the Merrimack Valley is home to a couple of places that grill, bake, and fry their meat to perfection. Butcher Boy in North Andover is the obvious choice that comes to many minds, famous for its top grade meat. Whether it's filet mignon, kabobs, grilled chicken or whatever kind of meat you're craving, the chances are high…

How do you like your meat? Grilled or fried? The battle rages on between health conscious carnivores and the guilt-free fried fans. The truth is, no sides need to be taken in this war of protein preparation. Both styles of meat are appetizing in moderation, but today we look towards the grilled side of the sizzling debate. Chicken on the grill is a beautiful thing, as many of you may know. When grilled chicken is prepared with unique and flavorful ingredients, a warm bliss overwhelms the taste buds. When those ingredients are combined with the comforting and finger friendly confines of a …

Hide the eggs! Easter is here again, and the popular tradition of Easter Sunday brunch is ready to be renewed. There are plenty of local restaurants that are serving Easter brunch. Be sure to call and make a reservation because these joints will be busy! 1. Burton's Grill North Andover's popular grill on 114 will be opening up at 11am for its Easter brunch. Burton's will be debuting a new children's menu this weekend to add to the festivities. 2. Palmers Restaurant and Tavern Palmers in Andover serves up one of the most popular Easter brunches. They are accepting reservations now; call 978-…

Snowy Saturdays in winter are perfect for a tepid, thick, and hearty soup. With temperatures expected to drop over the weekend and into the week ahead, today we focus on some splendid soups that you can find locally. 1. Rasam Soup Bollywood Grill in North Andover has a soup that can cure the winter blues and maybe even your winter cold. The Rasam Soup, for only $4.95 is a South Indian delicacy made from lentils. It is very spicy, warm, and tangy. Mustard seeds and tamarind are part of the soup’s unique composition. 2. Japanese Miso Soup At Tokyo Steakhouse in Andover, the Japanese Miso Soup …

The hype has mounted, swelled, and nearly exploded. The Patriots and Giants are probably ready to play the Super Bowl at this very moment, but they have to wait, and so do we. Let’s take advantage of the preparation time between now and Sunday to ensure that your viewing experience of the Super Bowl is enhanced by a memorable meal. Today we look at some of the area’s best appetizers that can be sitting on your living room table come Sunday. 1. Peking Platter #2 Variety is great when people come together for an event. Peking Garden in Andover has exactly what the Super Bowl demands: different …

The Green Bay Packers have their cheese heads and New England has its Chowderheads. New England is synonymous with both the Patriots and clam chowder, and in case you need a reminder, the Patriots are in the Super Bowl against the New York Giants on Sun., Feb. 5. Today we celebrate our New England Chowderhead roots with five local places to get your clam chowder fix. 1. Boston Chowda In downtown North Andover, Boston Chowda has a pair of chowders worth trying out. The Plymouth Corn Chowda and Nantucket Seafood Chowda are both available. Prices range from $3.29 for an eight ounce container to …

New Englanders like us have been fortunate enough to witness the local football team’s recent success week after week throughout the season and in past years. This Sunday, the Patriots will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game. The winner moves on to the Super Bowl. You may be having friends over for the game or you may be visiting a friend. Either way, a lot of delicious food will be consumed. Consider picking up one of these five local feasts on the way to your game time destination or consider having one waiting for your guests. 1. South of the Border Specialty Pizza …

Some of us may still be experiencing a holiday hangover. Some of us just enjoy entrée salads. Either way, you have come to the right place. This week, Andovers A La Cart offers you five interesting salads that you will enjoy ordering whether you are trying to improve your diet or not. Remember, it is always okay to order a salad, regardless of how your fellow restaurant-goers react. You’ll be the envy of the table after ordering one of these unique creations. 1. Salad Vivaldi con Pollo & Bello This one’s for the mushroom lovers. Conveniently located in both Andover and North Andover, Bertucci…

Perhaps you have some new gift cards, received a holiday bonus, or are just itching to get out of the house, but one thing is for sure, it’s time to go out to eat! The holidays have come and gone and many of us are succumbing to the annual new year’s resolution of getting fitter and becoming healthier. Or, perhaps you are a person who needs no excuse to eat healthily when eating at a restaurant. Whatever be your situation, this week we’ll tour the Andovers with a focus on health. 1. Grilled Rainbow Trout Having Joe Fish nearby is a luxury that Merrimack Valley residents should take advantage …

Comfort food is comforting for many reasons. They have sentimental value to us, they are easy to digest, and they certainly taste magnificent. Perhaps they remind you of your childhood. Maybe the strike the perfect chord with your taste buds as the thermometer drops. Whatever be your reasons, head out and try one of these five local comfort foods. 1. Paul Revere Chili Available in small, medium, large, bread bowls, and quarts, the Paul Revere Chili will have you scream “The flavors are coming!” Boston Chowda in North Andover is home to many comfort foods such as the lobster bisque and chicken…

The holiday season is upon us and many people enjoy roasting a turkey or some prime rib around this time of year. Some of us, however, abstain from eating meat. Be it for religious, personal, or health reasons, not all of us consume meat. This edition of Andovers A La Carte is for those of you who are vegetarian or just in the mood for something without meat. Check out these five vegetarian dishes you can find locally: 1. Roasted Vegetable Pappardelle Yella Grille is tucked into downtown Andover and features a Mediterranean menu with Lebanese flair. The Roasted Vegetable Pappardelle is a …

Pasta is a staple that is over 2,000 years old. Today we integrate it into many dishes we eat. Pasta seemingly collaborates with anything from seafood to cheddar cheese. There are hundreds of different pasta varieties meant to match with various sauces and meats. The Merrimack Valley is home to some of the most clever pasta dishes. Check out this list of five unique pasta dishes that you can find right around town. 1. Shrimp Venezia Orzo Trattoria on Osgood Street in North Andover describes seafood pasta as the dish most representative of its restaurant. The great thing about Orzo is that …

The holidays are a time of indulgence and with indulgence comes dessert. Be it famous fruitcake or coveted cookies, everyone has a treat this time of year they would like you to try, savor, and enjoy. Here are five desserts that you can find locally; enjoy them this holiday season with your friends and family. 1. Apricot Granola Cookies Frederick’s Pastries in North Andover has “A Tradition of Excellence.” Located on Main Street, this local pastry shop has a little something for everyone. The apricot granola cookies are homemade and mixed with real chunks of apricot. A dozen of these …

Okay, so fried food may not be the healthiest option on the menu, but when you treat yourself to a night out, a fried item is always on the radar. Be it onions, seafood, or beloved potatoes, anything can be fried. You might be surprised what some local restaurants have done to spice up an already popular meal choice. Here are five fried favorites that you can find in the Andovers: 1. Fried Zucchini Sticks Good things happen when healthy food is fried. Find out for yourself at Grassfields on route 28 in Andover. One of their most popular appetizers is their lightly breaded fried zucchini …

Beef. What would we do without it? When it is time to treat yourself or entertain guests, we pull out all the stops and opt for a hearty steak. Your Thanksgiving turkey ritual is inevitable. However, if you are entertaining guests or enjoying some precious time off, you will need another option at some point. That’s where Patch comes in! Today, we have compiled for you five succulent steaks that you can enjoy as a precursor to your Thanksgiving feast. 1. Filet Mignon Some people can pronounce it correctly and some cannot, but considering the deliciousness of this popular dish, who really …

Most New Englanders bask in the glory of being arguably the seafood capital of the world. Our restaurants serve some of the freshest, most unique, and most demanded seafood dishes in the world. This week's installment of Andovers a la Carte features three seafood dishes nearby that embody the seafood spirit of New England. 1. Ahi Tuna At Jaime's Restaurant in North Andover, the Ahi Tuna dish is listed on the menu as an appetizer, but many restaurant goers will be content with it as an entrée. The tuna is pan seared and crusted with sesame. It comes rare and served with cucumber onion slaw. It…

Welcome to Andovers a la Carte! Every week in this column we explore dining experiences in Andover and North Andover that you must know about. Every Thursday morning, as you begin to plan your weekend, you will learn about the best kept secrets, local favorites, and even the best of what the big chains have to offer. This week we look at the Andovers’ best options for pizza and sub shops. These three lunchtime destinations that have options, flavor, and character.  What is your favorite pizza or sub shop around town? Let us know in the comments. Here are ours. 1. My Brothers Pizza Place This …

Too Hot To Cook? How About Chinese Takeout? North AndoverAt Shunju, you can choose from a variety of Chinese and Japanese plates. "I think our Chinese is more popular," said Hector Yu, manager, "but our sushi is definitely very good. The most popular plates are the basil dish or the black pepper dish. Both come with your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp. Among the Japanese platters they serve grilled salmon, quick seared tuna, dragon rolls and dragon maki. To celebrate the region they offer Red Sox maki and Bruins maki. The Bruins maki comes with eel, sweet potato, tempura cooked shrimp and …

Fourth of July weekend is just about here, and that means many people will be out firing up the grill. If it's meat you're looking for, look no further. At Butcher Boy a person can find restaurant style steaks, sirloin, filet mignon and homemade sausages. "We have a very friendly staff that'll help them with any questions," said Joseph Maroon, meat manager at Butcher Boy. Maroon said that if you want your steaks well done, you should leave them on the grill for six or seven minutes on each side. According to Maroon, when grilling meat, remember to use marinades to get a great, juicy piece of …

Summer officially started Wednesday, and the temperature is going to continue to rise. Why not cool off with some ice cream?Whether it’s a reprieve from the heat you’re in search of or just to boost your mood, check some of these ice cream parlours out. Mad Maggie'sAddress: 1025 Osgood St., North AndoverPhone: 978-685-2814Web site: www.madmaggies.comTo celebrate the end of the school year Mad Maggie's will give anyone - kid and adult - who wears pajamas between 6 and 9 p.m. a free kiddie cone with their choice of ice cream. Each week they serve different flavors of ice cream. This week they …