8/19/11 TRYST in Beverly: Chef Lost His Muse?

[opinionatedchef]

I'm confused. This chef/owner's menus used to be interesting. Mediterranean, Latin and Asian influences, interesting starches and vegetables and some innovative treatments. Along with 62 on Wharf and 5 Corners, this was the only Salem/Marblehead dinner spot that impressed us.What happened?

After a beautiful afternoon in Marblehead (btw, 5 Corners still closed from their fire)we stopped by tonight, a Friday in mid August. While most chefs are reveling in local produce and seafood, Tryst's menu reads like it could have come from November. Steak, pork milanese,roast chicken?(yes, there was a lobster roll and a swordfish special, but fish tacos of tilApia? in August? (and $21 at that, for, hrrrrumph, tilApia.) There were two loosely 'innovative' apps and everything else was standard/boring. What the hey? When we tried to go there last year, we encountered this kind of menu and, after some delving, found out that the chef was on vaca. But that was off-season. We returned tonight and this is high season, so I just don't get it, and we're bummed. Is he ill, or has he just changed his course altogether/been beaten by the economy/ lost his muse/ burned out?>> anyone know?

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Sixty2 on Wharf
62 Wharf Street, Salem, MA 01970

Tryst Restaurant
282A Cabot St, Beverly, MA 01915

five corners kitchen
2 School St, Marblehead, MA 01945

[okra]

This is NOT to be confused with the Tryst in Arlington, right? (How / why are there two restaurants with the same name that close to each other)?

[opinionatedchef]

correct. but i am guessing 'tryst' beverly is no more; however, no one up there has replied about its current status so i have no firm knowledge there.

[Cathleen02]

Tryst Beverly is closed. EJ Cabots recently opened in that location. It looks to be a little more casual/pub like, but I haven't been there. They are on facebook

[AngerHeSmiles]

this is a place I've wanted to try for the last 5 years and never got around to it....and now it looks like I never will. oh well

[opinionatedchef]

well, one never knows. maybe it will be excellent? be sure to post here if you hear anything about its new incarnation!

[opinionatedchef]

have you been to five corners kitchen yet? exc. place, and love their brunch.

[Chris VR]

I was speaking with a friend who lives in Marblehead last night and she giae Five Corners a really big thumbs down. She said her dinner was inedibly salty. Have you been there for dinner yet or just brunch? It might b different chefs.

[opinionatedchef]

hi chris, same chef/owner> barry.we've only been for brunch so far this season.

[AngerHeSmiles]

I have not...wife's on bed rest for the past month so haven't been able to make it any further than the Salem Diner. Definitely plan on going at my first opportunity.

[opinionatedchef]

interesting no one responded to this . just found out that Tryst was recently sold because the owner had lost interest. he certainly put out a lot of excellent food for alot of yrs; i hope the new place will be excellent but i'm not putting down any bets..............

[croutonweb]

I heard that the chef from Tryst was going to the Wenham Tea House.

[opinionatedchef]

really? that seems so weird, to go from inventive chef/owner to that kind of menu!