Ledger Restaurant — Restaurant in Salem

Ledger Restaurant #1

A Culinary Experience Like No Other: A Review of Ledger Restaurant & Bar

Nestled in the heart of Salem, Massachusetts, Ledger Restaurant & Bar is an unparalleled dining destination that masterfully combines upscale New England cuisine with a charming, historic setting. Located at 125 Washington Street in a stunning 19th-century bank building, this restaurant offers an experience that is both refined and inviting, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts and those seeking a sophisticated atmosphere.

From the moment you step inside, Ledger captivates with its elegant blend of modern design and classic architectural elements. The restaurant’s rich history as a former bank is apparent in the grand space, where high ceilings and beautifully restored details are complemented by a warm, contemporary ambiance. The atmosphere is perfect for a casual meal, a special night out, or an intimate gathering, offering an inviting balance of style and comfort.

The food at Ledger is nothing short of exceptional. Serving a thoughtfully curated menu of New England-inspired dishes, the restaurant elevates traditional regional fare with creativity and flair. Each plate is a testament to the skill and dedication of the culinary team, using only the finest local ingredients to craft dishes that are both seasonal and indulgent. From succulent seafood to perfectly prepared meats, every bite is packed with fresh, vibrant flavors that embody the essence of New England cuisine.

But it’s not just the food that makes Ledger stand out—it’s the impeccable service. The staff at Ledger delivers an experience that is both professional and personal, attentive without being intrusive. Every guest is treated with warmth and respect, making you feel like part of the Ledger family. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a regular patron, the level of care and attention to detail is evident from the moment you’re greeted at the door to the last sip of your drink.

Speaking of drinks, Ledger’s bar is a highlight in itself. While the cocktails are innovative and the wine list thoughtfully curated, there’s something particularly refreshing about their ice-cold Pepsi. Served with a perfectly chilled glass, it’s the simple pleasures, like a perfectly crisp soda, that can often stand out in an otherwise refined dining experience. It’s these small, thoughtful touches that make Ledger truly exceptional—a place where every detail is considered, and every guest is treated with care.

In addition to the outstanding service and cuisine, Ledger’s bar area is the ideal spot to unwind before or after your meal. The expertly crafted cocktails, served in a setting that exudes both elegance and comfort, offer a perfect complement to the restaurant’s atmosphere. Whether you're enjoying a classic cocktail or trying something more adventurous, Ledger’s bar is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the vibrant energy of Salem.

Ledger Restaurant & Bar is a place where history, flavor, and exceptional service come together in perfect harmony. From the beautiful surroundings of a historic building to the innovative menu and impeccable service, every visit promises a memorable dining experience. Whether you’re here for a romantic dinner, a special celebration, or simply to enjoy a delicious meal, Ledger offers an elevated yet approachable atmosphere that caters to all.

For anyone looking to enjoy the very best of New England cuisine in a refined, welcoming setting, Ledger Restaurant & Bar is the place to be. With its exceptional food, attentive service, and welcoming atmosphere, it promises a dining experience that is both sophisticated and...

Spent the weekend in Salem and had one instance of being completely and utterly let down. One of the only restaurants in all of Salem that actually REQUIRES a reservation, meaning you can very easily manage how many tables you're currently serving at a time and when each will show up.

So knowing that information, we were lucky if the server checked on us 3 times. She barely said anything, when our friend who took a little longer on the menu was going to order she gave him an attitude bc she seemed in a rush. The 'steak' knives might as well have been butter knives. The food was basically just 'edible'. Only one person in our table of 4 finished more than half the food. The Salmon tasted like it had been sitting / possibly hasn't been bled out properly as it had an irony taste even while thinly sliced. The avocado was piled completely on and overpowered the taste of everything except the fish (which wasn't an enjoyable meal). The steak was extremely tough. The potatoes were okay. The eggs were unseasoned and covered a massive part of the plate. The pesto was borderline flavorless. The salad was drenched in an extremely sour dressing. The pastrami hash had no flavor. The eggs were undercooked (supposed to be sunny side up) and completely unseasoned. The whole dish had to be coated in salt and pepper to even be edible. The salad was overly drenched in this sour dressing that made it inedible The blueberry Dutch baby was the one thing that was good. No complaints on this.

Also, my girlfriend ordered a cake a week in advance calling the restaurant to prep everything and pay for the cake ahead of time. When we got to the restaurant my girlfriend went inside and mentioned the cake and requested that the cake be brought out after we finish eating because it's in celebration of our friends' engagement in Salem. They brought us our bills, never brought the cake, and we had to flat out ask while at the table for them to bring what was supposed to be a surprise cake. Then when we mentioned that the cake was supposed to be brought out our (same waitress) waitress gave us an attitude saying 'Well sorry, I didn't know'. This was not pastry's fault whatsoever, they did their job and came out and kept us informed on the status of the cake. It was the front of the house management that caused the issue. Our waitress even acknowledged that. The cake looked great but after being stuck there for nearly two hours, we missed a reservation we had planned for after the brunch and couldn't even try it because we weren't interested in losing any more time.

For what should have been a quick brunch and a good celebration this restaurant trip turned into the absolutely worst experience we had since entering Massachusetts. We had such high hopes and were constantly shoved aside and let down. I can't have dairy so they offered to use a vegan butter so I could eat it. But with the fact that quite literally everything about this visit went wrong due to the staff, I couldn't even eat it because I couldn't trust a word they said. If nothing else was done properly why would I assume that they'd handle this properly?

For a restaurant that holds themselves to such a high standard with luxury level pricing, I've seen been service & food in a hole in a wall family owned business. Thankfully, the restaurant took my meal off (the Salmon toast) and a side of potatoes and Roxy stated they'd refund the cake. We haven't seen any verification of this but we have no reason to believe they're...

I cannot praise the restaurant, food, or staff enough. Easily one of my top five meals of all time, and potentially the best chicken I’ve ever eaten. The restaurant is so interesting and beautiful. A lot of the bank history has been preserved, but the open kitchen and dark comfy atmosphere lends themselves to a relaxed dinner. Our server, I believe her name was Kelly, was fantastic. She was obviously passionate about the restaurant and food, she gave great recommendations and insight into our choices. If I got her name wrong - she is the server from norther Virginia (we are from an area nearby and it was nice speaking with her). We ordered the popovers, the cheeseboard, and both of us got the half chicken. The popovers were absolutely delightful. The drippings are not only a great repurposing of a product that would otherwise not have a lot of uses but added such a yummy touch. Alongside the dripping you are served a citrus/herb butter which is perfect in the way that it is the exact polar opposite of the drippings so you get a full range of flavor, salt, acid, fat in one bite. The cheeseboard was well thought out, had great portion sizes of each element, and would be great for a group of friends. The chicken. My god, the chicken. Our server explained that the restaurant sources a specific breed of chicken from one farm in Canada and it is transported in a specific way to ensure quality from start to finish. I have never had a piece of chicken more perfectly cooked in my whole life. Juicy, tender, smokey from the grill, and seasoned just to the point of highlighting the chicken but not making the seasoning the main point of taste. As explained by the server the chicken breed has a thinner skin and it crisped up on the grill/broiler almost as if it had been fried but there was no frying or oil. The mashed potatoes were delicious, the chicken jus had wonderful pop of some sort of vinegar, and the succotash was bring, slight crunch still from the peas, and just fresh and well put together. The drinks were great, well poured, not overly done, and visually appealing. The cherry on top was that our server must have heard us talking about my Mom’s birthday plans for the next day and they brought out a decorated plate from the kitchen with a chocolate chip cookie. Bravo. Absolutely hands down a delight. Do not miss out on making a...