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Salem Top Recommendations:
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Long-time Salem fixture with "Americanized" Italian food. Impressive art collection in an historic bldg.
7/13/08 GJ: Family owned and run restaurant. The food is excellent and the prices are reasonable. You will most likely be taking food home. They make their food fresh, so if you have special requests they are able to make the adjustments. The crab wonton is excellent: light and crispy. All of their dishes can be ordered to the heat level that you like. My favorites: Curry Beef and Garlic Chicken. They also have vegetarian choices. Because of it being a family restaurant, the children have a study area. You may be entertained with lessons, or sibling squabbles. I have been eating at this restaurant for over 12 years. I hope to continue for many more years of happy eating.
1/30/09 RK: My fiance and I have gone to Christo's many times... it is one of our favorite places in Salem to eat! Being tucked away in the corner of a building we feel as if it is our own hidden little gem. It has a great atmosphere that is quaint and laid-back. Their pizzas are amazing... toppings ranging from traditional like pepperoni and sausage to more "gourmet" like artichoke hearts. They offer wine as well and have a cute little corner with wine bottles stacked up. It's a small place and can get busy, but worth the wait for the food! Definitely highly recommended!
Has closed
10/17/08 IS: J Bella's Ristorante - A very good italian/american restaurant comparable in pri ce and quality to Ragin' River. They serve a lot of pasta and italian-style dis hes and I've never had a bad one. They serve a great lunch for the price ($8-$12). They opened a couple years ago in another historic building downtown - corner of Main and B Streets. Nice light, open setting with a good wine selection. Apparently they have a bloody mary bar on saturday mornings. This was my favorite restaurant out of Albany, Corvallis, Independence before Ragin River opened.
A nice setting overlooking Pringle Park Plaza. Food is very high quality, and the owners are some of the nicest you'll meet. They pride themselves on using impeccably fresh ingredients and being able to adapt to any food restrictions. For example they actually have a separate Gluten-free menu and notes for Vegan/Vegetarian dishes.
10/16/08 IS: Ragin' River opened over the July 4th weekend this year (2008) in a historic building on Main Street. Really nice exposed brick, open floor plan with a wine shop attached. Big, tall windows give a great view of the amphitheater and willamette river across the street - apparently you can easily see the fire works from inside the restaurant. I think the food here is as good as anything I've had - including several places in Albany/Corvallis that cost more. Average per plate cost is $10-$15 although the steaks get expensive in a hurry. It's steakhouse and seafood dishes with some twists like salmon fish and chips (great) and an awesome pesto ravioli. I only had the steak once, but thought it was very well done. There's a few standard dishes and the rest changes. I've loved what I ordered all of the 4 or 5 times I've eaten there. The service can be a bit slow, but they're working on that and they have great waitstaff. I always think the portions look small when they arrive, but I always seem to be full by the time I'm done. Nice little martini bar in the back and a great patio. Great desserts too - the fried cheesecake is an artery clogger, but you will die happy. I don't know what the address is, but it's on Main Street between C and B Streets.
Was formerly the Old Europe Inn
Good Thai food
This place has been getting informal positive reviews
1/25/09 GT: Willamette Noodle Company on Broadway in Salem is a WONDERFUL place to eat. I always have the chicken with spaghetti and pesto and tomatoes and even tho' it's no longer on the menu, they still make it up for me. Be sure to order cheesy garlic bread and DO NOT leave without tiramasu, even if you have to take it to go. It is yummy! This place is really small and once in a while you hafta wait for a table (no longer than 15 minutes or so) but call ahead and get it to go. Caesar salad is very good as well and I've always wanted to try the mac and cheese. Very much recommended.