Cooking meat can be an art. Marinating, heating and timing are all aspects of cooking meat that make the process more difficult than other kitchen tasks. This is why many of us opt to leave it to the pros when the craving for a great steak or some juicy tips arises. Luckily, the Merrimack Valley is home to a couple of places that grill, bake, and fry their meat to perfection. On The Bone, located at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover, has one of the largest selections of tender and juicy meats around. The Churrascos are a favorite dish consisting of skewered meats cooked with a Latin style. Skirt …

Comfort food is comforting for many reasons. They have sentimental value to us, they are easy to digest, and they certainly taste magnificent. Perhaps they remind you of your childhood. Maybe the strike the perfect chord with your taste buds as the thermometer drops. Whatever be your reasons, head out and try one of these five local comfort foods. 1. Paul Revere Chili Available in small, medium, large, bread bowls, and quarts, the Paul Revere Chili will have you scream “The flavors are coming!” Boston Chowda in North Andover is home to many comfort foods such as the lobster bisque and chicken…

Okay, so fried food may not be the healthiest option on the menu, but when you treat yourself to a night out, a fried item is always on the radar. Be it onions, seafood, or beloved potatoes, anything can be fried. You might be surprised what some local restaurants have done to spice up an already popular meal choice. Here are five fried favorites that you can find in the Andovers: 1. Fried Zucchini Sticks Good things happen when healthy food is fried. Find out for yourself at Grassfields on route 28 in Andover. One of their most popular appetizers is their lightly breaded fried zucchini …

Beef. What would we do without it? When it is time to treat yourself or entertain guests, we pull out all the stops and opt for a hearty steak. Your Thanksgiving turkey ritual is inevitable. However, if you are entertaining guests or enjoying some precious time off, you will need another option at some point. That’s where Patch comes in. Today, we have compiled for you five succulent steaks that you can enjoy as a precursor to your Thanksgiving feast. 1. Filet Mignon Some people can pronounce it correctly and some cannot, but considering the deliciousness of this popular dish, who really …

Most New Englanders bask in the glory of being arguably the seafood capital of the world. Our restaurants serve some of the freshest, most unique, and most demanded seafood dishes in the world. This week's installment of Andovers a la Carte features three seafood dishes nearby that embody the seafood spirit of New England. 1. Ahi Tuna At Jaime's Restaurant in North Andover, the Ahi Tuna dish is listed on the menu as an appetizer, but many restaurant goers will be content with it as an entrée. The tuna is pan seared and crusted with sesame. It comes rare and served with cucumber onion slaw. It…

Boston King Cafe, 16 North Main Street, Andover, specializes in breakfast and gourmet sandwiches, as well as corporate and private catering. Owned by Andover resident Sun Son since 2008, it is located in the Butler Bank building.  Manager Rory Linn said that people should dine there for the ambience, as well as the wide variety of breakfast, lunch and beverage items. "It is spacious, modern and artfully decorated," he explained. Breakfast items include omelettes, eggs, pancakes, french toast and bagels. A BKC American breakfast includes 2 eggs any style, choice of bacon, sausage or ham, home …

Andover Open for 20 years, Peking Garden has many regulars. Joyce Xu, cashier, believes that most people prefer the General Gao chicken dish or the seafood combination platter that comes with shrimp, scallops and lobster. To start, most customer order chicken wings, chicken fingers, chicken teriyaki or fried wontons, he said. Ingredients are local, said Xu. This restaurant is only open for delivery and take out. North Andover At Shunju, you can choose from a variety of Chinese and Japanese plates. "I think our Chinese is more popular," said Hector Yu, manager, "but our sushi is definitely …

In Andover you can enjoy Italian food at Bertucci’s and people watch at the same time. There are five tables outside during the summer months when the snow has finally melted. Mike Staffieri, manager at Bertucci’s said he thinks people like to have the opportunity to enjoy the outsides because of the weather. “It’s more scenic,” he said. During the evening at Dylan’s in Andover it gets pretty busy said Jill Cantarella, manager. They have six tables outside on their patio. To keep safe from the sun they have canopy umbrellas. Located right in downtown Andover, there’s a lot of people walking …

The Fourth of July is here and that means many people will be out firing up the grill. If it's meat you're looking for, look no further. At Butcher Boy a person can find restaurant style steaks, sirloin, filet mignon and homemade sausages. "We have a very friendly staff that'll help them with any questions," said Joseph Maroon, meat manager at Butcher Boy. Maroon said that if you want your steaks well done, you should leave them on the grill for six or seven minutes on each side. According to Maroon, when grilling meat, remember to use marinades to get a great, juicy piece of steak. He said …

With the summer solstice occurring Wednesday, the temperature is going to continue to rise.Why not cool off with some ice cream?Whether it’s a reprieve from the heat you’re in search of or just to boost your mood, check some of these ice cream parlours out. Dairy Queen Address: 286 Main St., North Reading Phone: 978-664-2277 The Dairy Queen has cones and dipped cones, ice cream sandwiches, waffle bowl sundaes, and of course, Blizzards. They are open seasonally and only provide take-out. Mad Maggie's Address: 1025 Osgood Street North Andover, MA 01845 Phone: 978-685-2814 Website: www.…

There's probably a long list of things your father has taught you to do. It may have been a nice game of catch underneath a sunny sky, or a simple task like tying your shoes. Or for others, the monumental moment you sat behind the wheel of a car for the first time. For these reasons and more you should show your dad how grateful you are.  On Sunday, Father's Day, celebrate your father's greatness with one of these specials. AndoverChateau131 River Rd Andover, MA 01810-1005978-687-2442www.chateaurestaurant.com/andover/andover.aspAppetizer Rhode Island style calamari half order for 4.50, full …