Cleveland Room

Here is a snapshot of another of the Hawthorne Hotel's guest rooms. This one is called a Cleveland Room. It has one queen-sized bed, a sitting area, and a bathroom that has a stall shower. It overlooks the inside of the building.

Juli 

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week, February 27 -- March 5, 2006

Monday , February 27 ~~ Indonesia and New Hampshire
Tuesday , February 28 ~~ Iran and New Jersey
Wednesday , March 1 ~~ Iraq and New Mexico
Thursday , March 2 ~~ Ireland and New York
Friday , March 3 ~~ Israel and North Carolina
Saturday , March 4 ~~ Italy and North Dakota
Sunday , March 5 ~~ Jamaica and Ohio

Kay Raymo of Topsfield celebrates 90 Years!

Nathaniel's Restaurant at the Hawthorne Hotel was the setting for a 90th birthday bash for Kay Raymo of Topsfield yesterday.

This is the second year that she and her family have celebrated with us. This is music to my ears, because we know when our guests return that they were most satisfied with their prior visit. In the restaurant business we know that we are only as good as the last meal we serve, so having guests return again and again is a great testimony to the abilities of our culinary and service staffs.

We look forward to wishing you many more happy returns, Kay!

Juli 

Nathaniel's Restaurant is the setting for a 90th Birthday Party. 

Romantic Private Dining and Overnight Getaway Package

Are you a true romantic? Or do you need Help with a capital H? You know your sweetie wishes you were? We are here to help!

This is the package for you.

We'll customize an evening that is all about you and your special someone. Our chefs will tailor a menu just for you, accompanied by a bottle of wine or bubbly, a dozen roses and a waiter assigned exclusively to you in your private dining room. Enjoy a quiet evening in deluxe accommodations with a complimentary food and beverage amenity.

If you have other personal touches you'd like to add, just ask-- we will do our best to accommodate you.

All this for just $399 plus tax and gratuity.

For this one, please call us directly at 978-744-4080, or toll-free at 1-800-729-7829 (1-800-SAY-STAY).

I look forward to seeing you at the Hawthorne Hotel.

Juli

Is thinking about Halloween in February normal?

It is if you manage a historic hotel in the middle of downtown Salem.

For those of you who are 'with it' and thinking the same way, I am happy to announce to you that tickets for our 2006 Halloween Ball are now officially on sale at www.ticketweb.com .

Here are some photos from our last ball, just in case you are wondering what in the world it might be like:

Stake your claim on a great steak at the Hawthorne Hotel

If you are a meat and potatoes kind of person, but perhaps have thought of Nathaniel's as a restaurant that serves fancy food, I want you to know that you can get a GREAT steak, right here in the Hawthorne Hotel.

No need to drive to a big-name steak house in Boston, we have you covered right here. Unlike those places with "steak house" in their names, we include your side orders right in the main dish, so you don't have to pay extra for them.

Here is our grilled New York Sirloin Steak with horseradish mashed potatoes, grilled onions and fresh asparagus. It doesn't get much better than this!

In addition, we offer "demi" portions of two steaks, so if you have a lighter appetite, but still want your steak, Nathaniel's is the place for you.

I hope to see you in Nathaniel's. Reservations are not required, but we welcome them. Please call us at 978-825-4311.

Juli 

Packages That Make Travel Easy!

The Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, Massachusetts is happy to make your travel easy, and fun at the same time. Here is one of our packages.

Family Fun Package
Looking for a Family Getaway? Try the Family Fun Package. Bring the family to Salem and celebrate our rich history.
The package includes overnight accommodations, full American breakfast, passes to the Salem Witch Museum, and passes to the Salem YMCA. The Sail Thru Salem Pass, included in the package, offers discounts to area attractions. Children also enjoy sweet welcome treats and a complimentary activity or coloring book.
Just $160, plus tax, per night.
(Rates based on a family of 4)

You may easily book this package on-line by going to our website, www.HawthorneHotel.com and clicking on the link to reservations. This package and others are available right there. A few clicks and you are done, with an e-mailed confirmation sent right to you.

I hope to see you soon.

Juli

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

Nathaniel's Restaurant at the Hawthorne Hotel Presents an Evening of Wines and Fine Dining Featuring Dinner Selections from The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Cookbook.

This is an EXTRA food and wine event, which we have added to our calendar of dinners hosted by the Hawthorne Hotel's Nathaniel's Restaurant.

It is made EXTRA-SPECIAL by the fact that we have chosen a very affordable menu and wines, so that you can easily fit this into your budget. Only $35 per person, for all of the food, the wine, the tax and the gratuity.

Here is the menu and some details about the event:

Reception
Bruschetta
Broccoli and Cauliflower Puffs
Stuffed Sundried Tomatoes
2004 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, Trentino

Appetizer
Insalata Campagnola
Potatoes, string beans, tomatoes and red onion
with a light oregano dressing
2004 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio, Trentino

Entree
Fricassea Di Pollo
Chicken thighs and drumsticks served with Porcini mushrooms,
peas and artichoke hearts in a white wine sauce, accompanied with boiled baby potatoes
2003 DaVinci Chianti Classico, Toscano

Dessert
Tiramisu Toffee Trifle Pie
Coffee scented pound cake filled with a blend of Mascarpone cheese,
chocolate and sugar, then drizzled with crumbled English toffee candy

Coffee, Tea and Decaffeinated Coffee

Wednesday March 22, 2006 at 7:00pm
$35 Per Person including tax and gratuity
For ticket information please call (978) 825-4311

The Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Association was founded in 1969 and has been a major force in the conservation of precious fishing grounds and heritage. The Wives have also helped improve safety standards on US vessels; created the first subsidized health plan for fishermen; established a marine sanctuary at Stellwagen Bank; protected the health of the oceans and the future of the fisheries that feed us all.

This menu was planned using recipes from the Gloucester Fishermen’s Wives Cookbook, and copies will be available for purchase this evening to help support this organization.

At the Hawthorne Hotel we feel it is especially important to do what we can to help to support the good works of others in Essex County. By hosting this dinner we can accomplish that, while offering you a wonderful evening of good food, wine and conviviality.

I will be there, and I hope to see you there.

Juli

Denise and Bobby Zwicker being introduced into the Ballroom.

The Lady in Red

Our special bride, as she is about to be given away. 

The wedding party gets ready to enter the Ballroom for our "red-dress" wedding! 

Lining up the wedding party to enter the Ballroom for the Wedding.

Flags of the Week -- February 20 - 26, 2996

Here are this week's flags, for your edification and enlightenment:

Monday , February 20 ~~ Guinea-Bissau and Michigan
Tuesday , February 21 ~~ Guyana and Minnesota
Wednesday , February 22 ~~ Haiti and Mississippi
Thursday , February 23 ~~ Hondouras and Missouri
Friday , February 24 ~~ Hungary and Montana
Saturday , February 25 ~~ Iceland and Nebraska
Sunday , February 26 ~~ India and Nevada

Juli

A Beautiful Bride in an Unusual Red Wedding Dress

When Christine Turner, Hawthorne Hotel's Assistant Director of Catering, learned that one of 'her' brides, Denise Scribner of Woburn, was getting married in a red wedding dress, she was immediately intrigued.

Denise sent Christine an e-mailed version of the photo of the dress so she could see it. Christine then told Denise about our BLOG, and asked Denise if we could have her permission to post her photo in the now-famous RED wedding dress. Denise was happy to oblige, so now you can join the rest of her friends and family in seeing an unusual dress on a beautiful bride.

The dress is indeed a true wedding dress, and it is very beautiful.

Congratulations to Denise and Bobby Zwicker!

Juli

 

 

Hawthorne Hotel's Part-time Employee of the Month for January

Munir Hussain, shown here in the center of his colleagues who are, left to right: Mike O'Meara, Scott O'Meara, Sandy Sinagra, Joe Scappichio, Cheryl Ennis and Danny Matias, was awarded the part-time employee of the month award for January.

Cited for being a solid performer who always goes above and beyond, Munir was selected by acclamation at the managers' meeting several weeks ago.

Congratulations and Thank You, Munir!

Juli

Computer for Our Guests

If you are anything like me, and cannot imagine being away from your email and the Internet for even a day, you will be happy to know that we have a computer set up just for you to use.

It is conveniently located right off the lobby, and available 24-hours each day. To register to use it, you need only stop by the front desk.

There is a small fee for its use, but that includes the printing of any documents that you need to print from the computer.

Standard programs available on it are Microsoft WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, and of course, AOL is available through Explorer. It is connected to wired high-speed internet access, and since we do not allow anything to be downloaded onto the computer, it is very fast.

If you do need to download something, you should bring a memory stick or floppy disk.

As a reminder, we also have WI-FI throughout the Hawthorne Hotel, and it is available free of charge if your computer is already WI-FI enabled. If you need help connecting, simply ask at the desk.

So, you have several options here at the Hawthorne Hotel if you want to use the technology which we have all come to know and expect.

Juli

A Very Special Wedding Cake

This past weekend we played a part in a wedding that had an unusual wedding cake. We thought you might like to see it.

Juli

Save the Date ~~ Wednesday April 19 ~~ Nathaniel's Wine Dinner

An Evening of Fine Foods and Wines from
McWilliam’s, in the Forefront of Australian Winemakers

“Uncommon Food and Wine, on the Common in Salem, MA”


Reception
Barbecued Asian Shrimp
skewered shrimp, lemongrass and mango hot off the barbie

Emu Carpaccio and Grilled Portobello Carpaccio
extra virgin olive oil, capers, onion and fresh ground black pepper

Sesame Seared Big Eye Tuna
wrapped in phyllo with sea beans and blood orange ponzo dipping sauce

2005 Mc William’s Hanwood Estate Riesling
2004 Mc William’s Hanwood Estate Shiraz

Dinner
Grilled Tasmanian Salmon
Garlic beurre blanc with New Zealand mussels and wilted rocket

2004 Mc William’s Hanwood Estate Chardonnay

Pepper Seared Ostrich Filet
Ground berry and onion relish, bacon and scallion mashed potatoes and

tomato demi gastrique

2000 Mc William’s Shiraz, Coonawarra

Rosemary Roasted Aussie Lamb Loin
Stoneground grits and goat cheese popovers, lamb demi glace,
garnished with baby herb salad

2000 Mc William’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

Vintage Cheddar and Roaring 40’s Cheese Plate
Sliced Artisan Breads

1999 Stentiford’s Reserve Old Vines Shiraz

Dessert
Bramble Berry Cobbler, Coconut Ice Cream

Special Dessert Wine to be announced


Coffee, Tea and Decaffeinated Coffee

Wednesday April 19, 2006 at 6:30 pm
$75 Per Person including tax and gratuity
For ticket information please call (978) 825-4311

A Romantic Evening in Nathaniel's at the Hawthorne Hotel

Nathaniel's Offers Two Dinners for a Very Reasonable Price

Did you miss celebrating Valentine's Day on THE DAY? Perhaps you made a happy error. For today you can take your sweetie to dinner in Nathaniel's for a very reasonable price, and enjoy our beautiful surroundings on a quieter day.


Here is the menu for our Dinner-for-Two Specials for the Month of February:

Caesar Salad
topped with Parmesan cheese and garlic croutons

Pan Seared Duck Breast
drizzled with dried cranberry demi-glace,
with garlic spinach and wild rice timbale
(Top photo)

Entree Choices
Grilled Lamb Steak
marinated with oregano, rosemary and garlic, grilled and sliced,

served with Italian couscous,
grilled vegetables and caramelized onions

(Bottom photo)

Dessert
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bread Pudding
topped with whipped cream

Both three-course meals for a total price of only $50

For reservations, please call Nathaniel's directly at 978-825-4311. This special menu is offered each Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night for the month of February.

We hope to see you here.

Juli

Chicken Parmesan at the Tavern

This is one of the three entrees offered on our Two-For Dinner Specials in the Tavern this month.

I hope to see you there.

Juli 

Tavern Specials for February

Each Sunday through Wednesday evening from 5 to 10 pm we are offering two complete three-course dinners for a total of $26.

Here are February's menu choices:

Butternut Squash Ravioli, sage cream with Parmesan and pine nuts

~~~~

Grilled Chicken Parmesan
A good for you Italian classic! Made with penne pasta, extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic and herbs

~~~~

Baked Stuffed Sole in lemon butter sauce, with red bliss potatoes and broccoli

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Served with a mixed green salad
Rolls and Butter
Chef's Choice Dessert of the Day

Flag Change for this Week

Due to a special request, we will be flying the Chinese flag this coming Saturday and Sunday, February 18 and 19.

Juli

Hawthorne Hotel's Flags of the Week ~~ February 13-19, 2006

Monday , February 13 ~~ Georgia and Iowa
Tuesday , February 14 ~~ Germany and Kansas
Wednesday , February 15 ~~ Ghana and Kentucky
Thursday , February 16 ~~ Greece and Louisianna
Friday , February 17 ~~ Grenada and Maine
Saturday , February 18 ~~ Guatemala and Maryland
Sunday , February 19 ~~ Guinea and Massachusetts

If you are looking for an interesting game to play with your children that will help them learn more about the United States, while still being a game that is FUN, try the game called Scrambled States of America.

If you already know how to play it, tell me what about this week's flags is significant in that game and I'll buy you and your child lunch!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Juli

Lovely Shower at the Hawthorne Hotel

Okay, not THAT kind of shower.

On Sunday February 5, this bridal shower was held at the Hawthorne Hotel. We really enjoyed the different centerpieces and favors, so we thought we would share these photos with you.

Being in a position to see how others celebrate their special occasions is certainly one of the most appealing aspects of the work that we do.

We thought, as regular readers of this Blog, that you might enjoy sharing in these delightful moments as well.

Juli

A Very Satisfied Wedding Couple Writes to Us!

After every event at the Hawthorne Hotel we send out evaluation forms so we can learn how we did, and what we might do better in the future. We received one back in the mail recently, and I wanted to share with you the comments that were written in by our guests.

Liz was incredible the night of our wedding. . . She handled every detail, including helping us organize an Elvis appearance. During a night of festivities and celebration she was a beacon of calm that we truly appreciated. Liz dealt with requests from scallops & bacon to gin & tonics, and smiled the whole night through. I can't imagine how we appeared to her as the night progressed and our drinking increased! Thank you Liz!

Christine was professional and friendly, with an eye for every detail. She kept us focused and feeling secure.

Overall guests raved about the service, noting how much they enjoyed the servers at each table. People asked how their meals were, if they needed anything, etc. That may seem standard, but it is really not all that common at weddings (that are not held at the Hawthorne Hotel of course!)

While it is clear by the perfection of the night that the staff at the Hawthorne are pros at hosting weddings, we were made to feel so special, as if we were the only ones every to celebrate there. We truly cannot thank you all enough.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Amy and Daniel

Belgian Endive and Goat Cheese Salad

This entire weekend, and Tuesday February 14, we are serving a very special Valentine's Day menu in our Nathaniel's Restaurant.

Please see the post on this blog earlier this week for the entire menu.

Happy Sweetheart's Weekend!

Juli 

Artichoke Heart Tart for Valentine's Day Weekend at Nathaniel's in the Hawthorne Hotel

 

Heart-shaped Ravioli for Valentine's Day Weekend at the Hawthorne Hotel

 

Salad of Roasted Beets and Haricots Verts

A special salad for Valentine's Day Weekend at the Hawthorne Hotel, Nathaniel's Restaurant.