Editors’ Choice
Duckworth’s Bistrot, Gloucester
Standout Qualities: In the heart of East Gloucester Square sits this French-inspired café serving up imaginative, locally sourced dishes that utilize the local waters and New England farms.
Insider Tip: Diners can choose any one of the restaurant’s entrees as an appetizer to further expand chef Ken Duckworth’s theme of variety.
Fun Fact: Twenty wines are available in half (3 oz.) or full (6 oz.) glasses.
197 E. Main St., Gloucester, 978-282-4426, duckworthsbistrot.com
Readers’ Choice
Bit Bar, Salem
Standout Qualities: The Greater Boston area’s first bar-arcade, featuring classic games from the 1980s and ’90s, craft beers, and creative food—the perfect setting to break the ice.
What’s Unique: Bit Bar offers a creative menu that includes such items as the elk burger served on a doughssant (a donut + croissant).
Fun Fact: Specialty cocktails are named after video game characters. Try the Princess Peach or the Ecto Chaser, or any number of the local brews and ciders on tap.
What’s New: Bit Bar’s beer garden is open seven days a week from June through October.
50 St. Peter St., Salem, 978-594-4838, bit.bar