North Shore Outdoor Dining Survives In Dead Of Winter

SALEM, MA — George Carey has always had winter outdoor dining at Finz Seafood Bar and Grill on Pickering Wharf.

This year, he's seen a much more resilient crew than most as those who might be averse to indoor dining during the coronavirus health crisis opt to sit on the deck or under the gazebo for a meal and a cocktail.

Carey told Patch Friday afternoon he will be especially impressed if anyone takes that option this weekend with temperatures plummeting below freezing.

"Anyone who comes out and dines (this weekend) really deserve accolades because that is above and beyond anything a restauranteur can ask," he said.

Yet, while he doesn't necessarily expect many outdoor diners in this deep freeze — even though the option will be open with a windshield to provide some protection from the bitter winds — he said the unusually warm January has validated the decision to bring in extra heaters this year.

"A lot of our diners have become very creative with what they wear to come out and dine," he said. "And we are providing as much heat from heaters as we can. This weekend is extreme and very rare. But we've had people all along. A lot of people are dressing like ski season."

He compared it to the apres-ski scene at mountain resorts where people finish their runs and grab a bite and a beer outside in their full gear amid the January cold. He said Finz has seated people outside every weekend in 2021 and was one of several Salem spots that had strong outdoor dining all the way through November and December this year.

(If you are a North Shore restaurant offering winter outdoor dining this year, or have a spot to recommend, feel free to add it in the comments section of this article so visitors and residents know where they can go.)

Notch Brewing, Longboards and Bambolina are other locations in Salem that have continued the "streetery" feel the city embraced in the summer and early fall year-round when the weather cooperates at least a little bit.

"We've always done it, and there have always been a fair amount of places who have done it, but now there is a huge amount," he said. "The city did a nice job allowing people to do that. Salem went from having a pretty good-sized dining al fresco option to now where it's really grown.

"Anyone who visits has a lot more choices. The guests win when they have more choices."

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As the 25 percent capacity limit because of the holiday coronavirus surge lasts at least into the start of February, the outdoor dining option is one small way spots are making the most of this winter until warmer weather — and hopefully more activity — return this spring and summer.

"Really up until this weekend we had a number of days that got up into the 40s and 50s," Carey said. "Now we're into February so you have four weeks left of real winter before you're approaching March.

"In the past, it was a couple of days each month (in the winter) and it was unique. It's no longer unique. But it's where some people feel comfortable. We respect that.

"We want people to be comfortable and at ease at the whole idea of dining out regardless of how they do it."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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