This may be stating the obvious but Marblehead has been waiting a long time for this combination: great innovative chef Barry Edelman, ex of Aquitaine Boston, superb staff, beautifully renovated location ... oh and wonderfully presented food at reasonable prices. Having had the pleasure of eating here twice in the past 2 weeks, it is time to share the love! Albeit reluctantly as on the one hand we love this gem and kind of want to keep it for us locals, but on the other, Barry and the team deserve all the success that is surely coming their way. Make a reservation if you want to eat in the dining room, and if you have not then sit with Mike at the bar and relax and enjoy. Expect it to be busy.... as a lot of repeat customers like us are coming back for more. To the food. It is challenging not to want to eat the whole menu so pace it, especially with entrees under $20, which is quite frankly amazing for Marblehead pockets! Hand cut French Fries served with the unbelievable aioli to start, add 6 oysters purely to marry them with the best minuette sauce I have ever had - Barry, need that recipe! The entree debate was salmon or chicken so we did both over the course of 2 visits - and a shout out to our dear friend Meg on the first go around: she refused to share her chicken, asked for bread to taste all the juices and had to be physically restrained from licking the plate clean! We had to have both desserts, the chocolate parfait being ridiculously decadent. Mike on the bar was a pleasure, icing Limoncello to perfection and taking care of " his ladies": Stephanie, our server on the second visit, spoilt us with her charm, humor and love of what she does .... and yes she really did describe that aioli as " like crack". The wine list has some hidden gems at competitive prices: the Chateauneuf du Pape could be $20 more and we would still think this an unbelievable bargain. Our debate this morning is whether we can hold out a week before eating the rest of the menu. 5 Corners is opening for brunch this weekend, and we may need a direct deposit per month from here on in. Great addition to the neighborhood, expect it to be jumping through the Summer, but treat yourself. read more

I spent a weekend in Marblehead visiting a friend from college who had been raving about the newly opened 5 Corners Kitchen. I have to say, he couldn't have been more correct. We arrived at around 9:15 on a Wednesday night and figured we would have our choice of tables. However, the place was entirely full and we chose to sat at a high-top table in the bar area rather than wait for a table. I was pleasantly surprised by the comfort of the tables in the bar area, which at other restaurants typically are rickety tables with uncomfortable stools. These tables were just like the ones in the dining room only higher up and the chairs were big and comfortable with back support. The decoration of the place feels like a chic restaurant in New York or Boston with a beautiful granite bar with white brick behind it. Our server John couldn't have been more helpful, leading us through the menu and suggesting a well-priced wine pairing. We started off with the escargot and the chicken liver mousse. I never would have ordered either but John assured us that they were delicious. He was spot on, the chicken liver mousse is one of the best things I've eaten in my life. For our entrees we had the Skate which was devine. The fish was flakey and moist and had a great flavor especially when mixed with the potato underneath it. We also had the squid ink pasta which was fantastic although slightly out-shined by the skate. Dessert was also surprisingly good. We were given a sampling of gelato including honey and olive oil. Definitely worth a try. The place was so good that I insisted we go back the next night for dinner to try another part of the menu. This time Tamara served us in the main dining room and was equally spot-on in making our selections. She directed us toward the homemade sausage (to die for) to start and the chicken and dogfish for our entrees. Both of which were fantastic. I will definitely be back for another visit to 5 Corners. read more

I've been a long-time patron of "5CK," and have been sad to witness its progressive decline. The establishment reeks of desperation. Clearly, it's undergoing an identity crisis, as I no longer recognize a a single face on the waitstaff. For the prices they charge, I should be entitled to a leisurely dinner. On my most recent visit, my pregnant wife and I were led to our table by a garishly-outfitted woman where we were packed in like sardines, our table two inches away from the next couple, barely able to hear each other over the blaring, monotonous music. When the owner's girlfriend is seating tables, it's clear they've lost all sense of propriety. The food. What can I say about the culinary abomination masquerading as a salad that I received this evening? Fingerprints on the plate, uninspired presentation, flaccid lettuce, and the whole thing collapsing when the non-English speaking busser unceremoniously plopped it on my table without comment. And what exactly was on my cheese plate? I guess I shall never know, since neither my server, nor the manger whom I tried unsuccessfully to flag down several times during the course of our meal, took enough pride to properly present the dish that their own chef had prepared. The menu hasn't changed in EONS. Yes, the chicken was good...the first time, but after 4 years of the same thing it seems more than a little uninspired. Besides, with the amount of butter and salt that they use to cook their food, my shoe would taste like French gourmet. Plus, that screeching, unhinged lunatic purporting to be a master chef, hurling obscenities at the poor kitchen staff completely fouled what remaining tact there was in our service. Clearly, all the worthwhile staff is seeking greener pastures, and if my salad is any kind of bellwether, so, too, is the kitchen staff. At the rate this place is declining, I'll be shocked if we can say the words "5CK" and "2015" in the same sentence. read more

What can I say? I am new to the area and have recently hit a few places and will be posting on a few restaurants today and out of them all, this was the biggest let down. a big part of that was because of expectations. Everyone in town talks about this place like it is the best restaurant around for miles including Boston and I will say they do back it up since the place was packed.. but my experience wasn't as positive. Walking up on Washington Street (we had parked in a lot that we later found out was actually another restaurant which we tried on another night and I will be going to review - I won't mention on this page since I do not think that would be appropriate). as we came up the street, we saw a group of people dressed in black smoking outside which looked to be most of the kitchen staff and then at a later time saw one of this was our bartender Mike - and I know smoking is an addiction, so I get it and that people are entitled to their brakes, but when they end up serving me and I can smell it, I take issue. Next, lets move on to the food. it was good. but not life changing as I had been lead to believe it would be. I didn't find the food there of any better quality (whether fresher sourced or prepared better) than other restaurants I have tried in the area. what I did find that stood out was the pricing. I mean a burger that was almost $14 as basically the cheapest thing on the menu??!! Only thing I can say is OUCH!!! Service was lack-luster at best. you get the feeling that the servers feel like they are working at the number 1 destination so that you are lucky they are fitting you in to their schedule. So all that being said, I can't say we'll be going back any time soon. I do think that if things weren't so hyped up and were priced appropriately I wouldn't have had such a negative response, but when paying top dollar, you expect to get value or that! read more

Hands down best dinner on the north shore!!! My wife and I had dinner here last night. It was start to finish amazing. We started at the bar with two glasses of a nice Cava rose brut while we waited for our table. The clean decor and light fixtures were accented by the subdued lighting. The atmosphere was lively with a packed dining area consisting of a dozen tables and a banquet running along the back wall. Our menus arrived on wooden clipboards along with a wine list and cocktails. Our server Stephanie was proficient with the various items on the menu and made some excellent wine suggestions! We started with the mussels and the country pork terrine. The mussels were sauted in white wine, fennel, garlic and, tomatoes. They came with a giant grilled slice of French country bread spread with a generous dollop of garlic aioli. The shellfish tasted briney and fresh fork tender. We slurped up every last drop. The pork terrine was rich and savory. Unlike most local terrines it was dense and air pocket free. The presentation was very clean with a spoonful of whole grain mustard and some pickled leeks. For dinner we had the skate wing and the steak frites. The skate wing was served Piccata style with pungent caper berries and a citrus type butter sauce. The fish itself was crispy and moist. Over all a great experience!!! read more

I want to love 5 Corners more than we do. The atmosphere is A+. The service is OK, but not as attentive as it should be considering it is on the higher end of a restaurant, w/prices that reflect. Slow out of the starting gate, and you have to flag staff down for water refills - that's weak. The location perfect. Although the menu just has items we just don't eat - grade fish (ie: Skate) - cooked fabulously if you're willing to eat it. A steak we find chewy and mediocre. Chicken Livers? Really? We'd love to see a Swordfish, a Halibut, Filet Mignon, more creative and changing salads and apps. Moreover, the menu rarely changes. Since it's inception the bulk of the items have not changed. Pretty boring. We instead head to "G" in Swampscott - WOW, Blue Ox in Lynn, The Market Restaurant in Annisquam, Cygnet in Beverly Farms, Passport in Gloucester. For the $$$ we always walk out much happier w/our night out. Their brunch - MOST excellent! read more

Hands down the best restaurant in the north shore and maybe even in all of Boston! We are recent transplants from NYC and have been spoiled at some of the finest restaurants in the country. This place does not disappoint! We have been here 6-7 times in the two months we've been living in Salem, either at the bar for wine/cocktails, apps ($1 oysters 5-6pm 7 days a week!) or for date night in the dining room. If you're not hooked after trying the tuna tartare, chicken liver mousse or escargot, the steak frites, half chicken and house-made pasta will seal the deal... Save room for the gelato (also made fresh) and the sticky toffee pudding. HEAVEN. The service is friendly and genuine. The lighting is perfect - hides the bags under my eyes after a long day commuting from Boston... Seriously, why do so many restaurants get the lighting all wrong? Kudos to your lighting people! Can't wait to try brunch! read more

I have had the absolute pleasure of dining here a few times and it was truly one of the culinary highlights of my life! It is refreshing to see that someone is not only dedicated but also creative. The oysters are fresh and they have a decent selection. They make their own sausage and cured meats, that make up a rather impressive charcuterie plater. The entrees were cutting edge and mouth watering. Don't forget the Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert, its to die for. The room is open, clean and very comfortable, sometimes too comfortable because I always stay too long. Service is knowledgable and friendly but not overwhelming and the manager was a sharp dressed southern gentleman that made us feel welcome and invited us back as we were leaving, I can't wait to take them up on that. Really a must see!! read more

Just had a delicious brunch here and I must say it was the best breakfast I've had in this area. I had the Eggs Benny with smoked Canadian bacon, home fries, fresh greens and it was delicious. Eggs were cooked perfectly and a lot of care and attention was devoted to the presentation and accompanying flavors. Very well balanced and showed great originally. My wife had the arepas con huevos (their take on huevos rancheros) and as a Spaniard I was pleasantly surprised by this version. The corn and cheese cakes were the perfect addition to the dish and the stewed picó de Gallo made a perfect combination with the eggs. Both dishes are definitely must haves if you get the opportunity to have your Sunday brunch here. Service was impeccable and the atmosphere was perfect for a Sunday morning. Well done! read more

Contrary to the past review, I applaud 5 corners kitchen for their (re)opening.... I too was there the night the restaurant opened to the public and I was happy to see/ hear the staff was tasting the food right before opening. What better way to be able to understand the menu and to convey ingredients and favorite dishes to guests!? My service was Great! Our server was personal and enthusiastic. The food blew me away. I got the beet salad and skate Wing while My friend enjoyed escargot followed by the tender pork chop with a smokey red sauce. The wine selection was out of this world. Where else can you get an amazing underpriced cotes du rhone!? I will be back for sure. Welcome back 5ck! read more

Thoughtful use of a tiny room. Beautiful décor, a very welcoming owner and employees. Considering how upscale the food looks and tastes, the prices are very fair. We had dinner there and could not have had a more fun time. The owner used to work at Aquitaine in Boston, his passion for food demonstrates in the high-quality ingredients and well-crafted dishes. He buys fresh and local ones right down to the wonderful fresh mushrooms and spinach in the omelet. It's not easy to find this tasty and thoughtful dinner on the North Shore, so we're excited and will be back for dinner. The food could be much more costly and the price could still be well worth it! read more

The other night we had a nice meal here. Nice environment, polite and warm eclectic cocktail range, and our server was excellent. By having his preference, the bartender ensured we had the right wine to go with our meal and it was great. The cook also gave us an old-fashioned recipe that my husband enjoyed. The skate melts well in your mouth! The restaurant is small, so when the tables fill up, it gets a little noisy. But overall my stay here was great. Hoping to drop by here soon. read more

A + across the board. I only wish ... they would change their menu. There have been little to no changes since their doors opened for the first time. The menu isn't particularly items I personally eat, so instead of going there all the time, I almost never go for dinner, but spend my money out of town eating places where the food is as good and they change things up. Want a 10 brunch? Go to 5 Corners Kitchen !!! read more

A lively local spot with the best French bistro food outside of Boston. Try the mussels which are in a heavenly garlic and fresh herb sauce, and the steak frites. Prices are reasonable for this type of food - but the wines by the glass are a bit pricey! Try the Belgian Lemonade with St. Germain, champagne and lemon juice. Delicious! read more

This restaurant is "Superb" I got the Halibut fish which was perhaps the best dish I had ever eaten... makes my mouth water thinking about it. I'll be back! The pricing was a bit up there but like the old adage: "You get what you pay for" you really do at 5 Corners. read more

You will not find a better burger anywhere ever. We have tried to find comparable, untouchable. But beyond the burger is the excellent menu, the fabulous gals at the bar, the excellent drinks across the board and the amazing Ambiance. read more

Wonderful... damned near devastated they took the mushroom appetizer off the menu. I would go there several times a week versus a few times a month if that still existed. As a vegetarian that was my go to. read more

Ambiance amazing. If you are however a vegan or vegetarian, options are limited. Hence, we tend to go elsewhere. Disappointing because we love this place. read more

Great food, staff, wine, etc. I've never experienced anything but great meals at 5CK!