Discovering The Salt Marsh Winery

The Salt Marsh Winery is exactly what the South Shore (MA) needed…elevated comfort food that sparkles with “special occasion” delicacy and pays homage to the local harvest and Chef/Owner Doug Rodrigues’ local roots. Whether you are in the mood for a decadent brunch, a hearty, whimsical mid-day sandwich, or craving something inspired & satisfying for dinner, The Salt Marsh Winery is the place to experience it all.

The Salt Marsh Winery Sunday Bruch menu is everything you love about a classic weekend mix of sweet & savory – with a twist. Nothing on this menu is “ordinary” yet, everything reminds you exactly why you love this indulgent tradition of slowing down, filling up, and spending time with friends. The French Omelette is perfectly fluffy and delicate with a kiss of gruyere cheese and chives. The Lobster and Oxtail Hash is a decadent as it sounds and features a poached egg alongside melt-in-your-mouth braised oxtail and giant pieces of freshly shucked lobster.

If you are in the mood for something on the sweeter side, the housemade doughnuts and Cinnamon Twist Roll are the perfect accompaniment to your morning coffee or Espresso Martini. You should absolutely order the Double Stack Pancakes for the table and watch everyone stare in awe at the tower of gorgeous fluffy carbs topped whipped miso butter and swimming in chamomile-blueberry syrup.

My favorite cocktail on the extensive list created by Bar Manager (and insane mixologist), David Alexander, is the Whiskey Apple. Think “healthy green juice meets a warm sip of bourbon”. It’s light & refreshing with freshly juiced-to-order green apple, yuzu liquor, lime, Ancho Reyes, and Four Roses bourbon served in a highball glass over ice. The Whiskey Apple pairs perfectly with brunch, a mid day sandwich, or as a gentle start to an evening spent winding your way through the creative, fun list of classic and innovative cocktails on this menu.

If you find yourself with a mid-week craving that isn’t quite brunch but, isn’t quite lunch or dinner, the Early Bird Sandwich Special at The Salt Marsh Winery is exactly what you need. Available between 4pm and 6pm Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, this creative offering ranges from everything from a classic Cheese Burger to the insanely delicious (and unexpected) Vietnamese Eggplant Bahn Mi. The Snap-O-Razzo Hot Dog is a beef & pork hot dog topped with ketchup, mustard, relish and onion which is just another example that Chef Doug really has thought of everything.

Photo by Kate Bowler

Photo by Kate Bowler

While the Sunday Brunch and mid-day menus at The Salt Marsh Winery are amazing, my personal favorite menu to experience is the carefully crafted, visually stunning, and absolutely delicious dinner menu. Start with a few insanely fresh Scituate Oysters or the beautiful Tuna Crudo before diving into the Housemade Parker House Rolls (with that miso maple butter that we fell in love with at brunch) and a bright and crisp Garden Salad.

The French Onion Soup Gratinee and the Portuguese Kale Soup (a recipe created by Chef Doug’s mother) offer a delicious opportunity to warm up as the temperatures drop. Slow simmered with a deep, rich flavor profile, each soup has layers of complexity and a subtle herbaceous hint of the seasonal harvest and carefully selected spices.

Photo by Zoe Stoner Photography

The beautiful pasta menu, Lobster Roll, Fish & Chips and Tuna Casserole are all stunning but, my favorite representation of everything I have learned about Chef Doug is the show-stopper Chicken Pot Pie. This “upside down” presentation is layered with a flaky, buttery crust and roasted chicken in a silky, comforting homemade gravy and topped with an explosion of fresh vegetables that says “we are a star of this show, too”. This is not your typical little peas and carrots – chunks of roasted butternut squash, sweet corn, peas, fresh herbs and heirloom carrots. It’s such a pretty dish that sounds heavy and filling but, in reality, is actually quite light and bright.

My advice is to grab your friends and head to The Salt Marsh Winery very, very hungry. Order a collection of menu items for the table and try it all. I love that the team will even plate your “sharing portions” individually so you can experience the complete presentation and create your own perfect bites all while leaving enough room to sample a little more.

Everything from the innovative (and classic) cocktail menu, to the homemade desserts, and everything up and down each menu is the answer to the question “where do you want to go tonight?”. Don’t forget to add a Sunday Brunch to your fall agenda and pop by for a sandwich if you are out and about mid-week. It’s a true pleasure to welcome The Salt Marsh Winery to the South Shore neighborhood.

Photography credits: Kate Bowler (Cheese Burger, Vietnamese Eggplant Bahn Mi, French Onion Soup), Zoe Stoner Photography (Moules Frites, Garden Salad)

The Salt Marsh Winery is located at 17 New Driftway in Scituate MA | www.thesaltmarshwinery.com | @thesaltmarshwinery