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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

New Openings

Posted by Salem Man
Without the fanfare of French Press a couple of businesses have quietly opened along Commercial St. in SE Salem. The first is a local coffee stand called Toaddaly Coffee in the parking lot of the new strip mall next to Papa de Vino. They've been open for at least a couple of weeks and their logo is of all things a toad. A google search of "toaddaly coffee" this morning, turned up nothing. The other opening is the Half Penny Bar and Grill located in the building which once housed the Sapphire lounge and before that the Oasis. I'm told their well known bartender has worked in Salem for awhile including a stint at Moonbaker. The Half Penny has been advertising $7 lunch specials on their sign out front. Might be worth checking out. Do you know of any other local opening happening around town? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
at 7:59 AM
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15 comments:

  1. I saw a pho place was opening on Lancaster. They may be open by now. I saw the sign last month. Its called Super Pho. I can't remember where exactly it is though...looks like my mom already wrote something about it on the 2007 new places post http://eatsalem.com/2007/10/salem-restaurant-inventory.html. Thanks mom!

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  2. this town could use some more pho options.

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  3. What is this pho phenomenon I keep hearing about? People on the net seem to rave over the stuff.

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  4. the pho place is going in the old Sesame Donuts in that same area as Kyoto (please review that place soon!).

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  5. Oh! Is Super Pho open already or does anyone know the date? I'd love to review it. I had a bad experience with pho and would like the chance for it to redeem itself.
    laina: I think this pho phenom is due to the fact that pho is the lunch item of choice for the Vietnamese, just as the Japanese have bento and the Mexicans have burritos and we have our sub sandwiches/hamburgers.

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  6. Thanks, Lisa Anne. It seems to be a brothy soup- is there anything special about it, or is it just super tasty?

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  7. we went to Kyoto a few years ago and it was pretty good but the price was too high for the amount of meat you get. My FIL and cousin got the big combo which was around $25 per and the amount of meat didn't fill either one of them up. We haven't gone back because it's not worth the price.

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  8. I heard that Super Pho is going to have their grand opening beginning of April, i can't Wait!!!

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  9. 'laina: I've seen many Pho places and the large bowls of broth with skinny noodles looked very tasty. It appears to be quite an experience. You have your soup spoon in one hand, your chopsticks in the other and occasionally you grab some additional toppings like sprouts from a plate nearby. I finally tried it once and ordered the wrong item from the menu. There were types of fungi in the bowl I've only seen on trees, new seaweeds I've not thought of eating, and cuts of meat I wouldn't normally put in soup. It was a bit too authentic for a first-timer.

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  10. I was pulling out of Lancaster Mall this afternoon, on the Center side (closest to Lancaster Rd.), and noticed a new restaurant directly across Center called The Boom Restaurant. What could this be? Anyone know?

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  11. http://www.myspace.com/boomsrestaurant

    http://www.boomsrestaurant.com/

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  12. I wonder how we get so far afield in these threads. The following comment is about the Half Penny Bar and Grill.

    I walked out........after sitting for 10 minutes and was never even acknowledged! My past experiences here have been pleasant, so I will not write The Half Penny off without another chance. Two strikes and you're out, is my usual rule. This was strike one.

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  13. Chuck this thread "New Openings" clearly says, "The other opening is the Half Penny Bar and Grill located in the building which once housed the Sapphire lounge and before that the Oasis. I'm told their well known bartender has worked in Salem for awhile including a stint at Moonbaker. The Half Penny has been advertising $7 lunch specials on their sign out front. Might be worth checking out." Perhaps that's why the poster mentioned the bad experience at the HP?

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  14. The Half Penny has redeemed itself. Tonight I stopped in to see what Happy Hour snack bargains were to be had. The button pusher among them was Battered Jumbo Prawns for $4. Six large deep fried shrimp with a wedge of lemon and a generous helping of red seafood sauce. My server (Tory) was all over prompt greeting like a fat kid on a cupcake! He was quick and attentive without overdoing it. This guy is definitely a positive addition to their wait staff. I'm delighted to say, this was a polar reversal from my last visit.

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  15. Thai E-San Cuisine is now open in the old Thai Fusion and Bigfoot Bar & Grill location at 3330 Commercial ST SE. New ownership, management and chef are present, according to a helpful young man named Alex, with whom I spoke. They’re open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Alex says they will be bringing back the Burgers which were so popular at Big Foot but, sadly, not the other sandwiches.

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What do you think? Please keep your comments civil. Personal attacks are not welcome and do not lead to constructive or even interesting discussion. If you believe a restaurant is in violation of county ordinances please bring that matter to the county health department at (503) 588-5346

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