Tuscan Market – Salem, NH – What a meal!

May 29, 2015

Sometimes you have a great dinner or lunch. Sometimes you taste a perfect culinary item or get enthralled by a cooking technique and its result. And sometimes you get hit with the trifecta – or perfecta – of food, atmosphere and experience.

That’s what happened to me May 19 when I was a guest of Tuscan Market and Kitchen and opened my mind and my palate to the concept of a Tuscan-style store and restaurant in Salem, NH. The Tuscan Kitchen, with locations in Burlington, MA and Salem, NH has been serving delightful meals for a while. The sister establishment – Tuscan Market – is just across the parking lot from the Tuscan Kitchen Restaurant and is much more my style.

As you might know, I like to graze and try a bunch of different foods all the time. From charcuterie to candy, I’m excited by the origins of food and by bold flavors. Tuscan Market didn’t disappoint.

I won’t drag you through the descriptions of ever morsel that arrived at the table. I’ll just provide the menu they served us – a bunch of food writers and bloggers as their guests – and you can decide what sounds good to you – because it was all delicious to me.

ANTIPASTI

Assaggi &  Salumi e Formaggi

Roasted Tomatoes in Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Lemon & Extra Virgin Roasted Peppers

Wood Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

Tuscan Olives, Toasted Garlic, Lemon Zest

Roasted Balsamic Onions

Wine Braised Artichoke

Grand Tasting of Artisan Cured Meats and Specialty Cheeses,

Tuscan Market Daily Chef Selections

Prosciutto di Parma, Sopresata, Parmigiano Reggiano, Burrata, Truffle Honey

PANINI

New York Italian “Grinder”
Sopressata, Spicy Coppa, Prosciutto di Parma, Mozzarella Fresca, Hot Pepper

Caprese
Oven Dried Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil 

Chicken Parmigiano
San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella 

Pollo
Grilled Chicken, Rucola, Fire Roasted Pepper, Aged Provolone, Lemon Garlic Aioli 

Porchetta
Sliced Pork, Seasoned Mascarpone, Pear Mostarda, Roasted Onion, Rucola 

PRIMI

Rigatoni alla Bolognese

Signature Dish from Emilia Romagna

Giant Rigatoni, Braised Sauce of Beef and Veal, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano

Ravioli ai Quattro Formaggi

Parmigiano Reggiano, Burrata, Fontina and Fresh Ricotta
San Marzano “Alla Vodka” Sauce

Truffled Mascarpone Gnocchi

Mushroom Mista, Fava Beans, Shaved Pecorino Tartufo

Roasted Butternut Squash Cappellacci

Sage Brown Butter Sauce, Shaved Parmigiano Reggiano 

DOLCI

TIRAMISU   

Ladyfingers Soaked in Espresso & Rum,

Mascarpone Crema, Caramel &

Chocolate Sauce Drizzle

GELATO E Sorbetto Fatto in Casa    

House Made Artisan Gelato & Sorbetto Tasting

Sound like a lot? It was. We even missed out on a dish because of time. They had planned to also give us a Maine Lobster Ravioli featuring Fresh Maine Lobster Meat and Hand Dipped Ricotta, Meyer Lemon, Wilted Spinach, Burro Fuso. While I didn’t have room to fit everything they did provide, I’m kinda glad they left that off so I can try it on my next visit.

To make the experience complete, here are some photos of the tour and the dishes as well as the embedded video playlist I created of the tour and tasting.

If you’re thinking Italian food and have a yearning to sample Tuscan specialties, do it at one of the Tuscan Kitchen & Market locations. The one in Salem, NH is at 63 Main Street. The location in Burlington, MA is at 24 New England Executive Park. Here’s a link to their Website.

Tweet at me if you’re going. I’d gladly go again! Where have eaten recently that made you swoon and smile?