Cala'S

Arriving in Manchester-by-the-sea, we had lunch near the Commuter Rail station. This restaurant was recommended by ChatGPT, but it was just okay; perhaps the town is too small, with limited options. New England Clam Chowder: Rich, flavorful, and delicate, but unfortunately a bit too salty. Mussels: A classic New England preparation, with a strong wine aroma, but the acidity wasn't prominent. A touch of tomato added umami and balanced the richness of the butter, which was quite good. However, the mussels were a bit small, slightly affecting the overall experience. Baked Local Haddock: The haddock was quite fresh, but it was overcooked even than I usually do – does that make sense? The asparagus was simply blanched and completely tasteless. Surprisingly, the best dish was the mashed potatoes. House Greens Salad: Delicious! The vegetables were very fresh, the vinaigrette's acidity was crisp and refreshing, with a slightly sweet aftertaste that balanced it out, preventing it from being too overpowering. House Fried Rice: This fried rice was absolutely awful, a contender for the worst I've ever eaten. It was both overwhelmingly sour and salty, completely inedible, and tasted like the vinaigrette in our salad. Don't ask why I ordered fried rice in a small American town; my parents wanted it… However, after complaining to the waiter, the dish was served for free, which was a pretty good outcome.