Settler is exactly the kind of restaurant I built this site for. Tucked into Salem, it's the type of place you walk into and immediately feel like you've been missing out for years. The atmosphere is candlelit, warm, and intimate — without being pretentious about it.

Let's start with the service, because it genuinely elevated the whole experience. Our waiter knew the menu inside out, steered us toward the right dishes, kept our waters full without being asked, and checked in at exactly the right moments. That kind of attentiveness is rarer than it should be.

For appetizers, we went with the whipped ricotta — served with incredible house bread — the mussels, and the tartare. All three were flawless. The whipped ricotta especially; light, creamy, and the bread it came with was the kind you end up rationing so you don't run out.

For entrees, the steak with brussels sprouts was the standout. Cooked perfectly, full of flavor, the kind of bite that makes you put your fork down for a second just to appreciate it. The gnocchi with mushrooms was rich, pillowy, and deeply satisfying. And the crispy potatoes with lemon aioli and parmesan as a side? Underrated. Do not skip those.

Settler earns every bit of its 9. This is a must-visit if you're ever in Salem.

Some restaurants try to reinvent the wheel. Seaport Grille doesn't — and that's exactly why it works. This is a place that does one thing better than almost anywhere else: the New England lobster roll. And it does it every single time.

There's something deeply satisfying about a restaurant you can rely on. No surprises, no off nights, no "it depends on who's cooking." You show up, you order the lobster roll, and it delivers. Every time. The lobster is generous, cold, and perfectly dressed. The roll is fluffy and buttered just right. The french fries on the side are exactly what fries should be — crispy, hot, and impossible to stop eating.

This is the standard for New England seafood. If you're in the area and you haven't been, fix that.

Baleia is the kind of restaurant that makes you realize how underrepresented Portuguese food is in Boston — and how much we've been missing. Tucked into downtown, it's doing something genuinely special.

We started with the Portuguese sweet rolls and the octopus carpaccio. The rolls were pillowy, warm, and dangerous to have on the table — you will eat too many before your entree arrives. The octopus carpaccio was the real showstopper though. Cooked to absolute perfection, thin-sliced, and seasoned with precision. This is a dish you order, then immediately think about ordering again.

For entrees, the duck rice and the seared cod. Both were cooked to perfection and portioned right — satisfying without being overwhelming. The duck rice was rich and deeply flavored. The cod was clean, well-seasoned, and executed with care. And the espresso martini here is very solid — better than most places charging the same price.

Baleia is a must-try in Boston. Don't sleep on this one.