Ledger’s New Brunch Menu Makes Fall Visits to Salem Less Scary

Brave an autumnal visit to the Witch City to for banana bread "foie-ster," house-cured pastrami hash, and more.

A decadent Sunday brunch spread at Ledger in Salem

A decadent Sunday brunch spread at Ledger in Salem. / Photo provided

If you’re anything like me, you avoid Salem in the fall like the Wicked Witch avoids water. No disrespect to the beautiful Witch City—draws like Notch Brewing, new restaurants like Kokeshi, and cool exhibits at the Peabody Essex Museum are very appealing. It’s the crowds that freak me out.

But an over-the-top new Sunday brunch menu at chef Matt O’Neil’s Ledger is worth checking out. Executive chef Daniel Gursha, chef de cuisine Craig White, and pastry chef Michelle Boland have collaborated on a mean menu of indulgent riffs on American classics.

Start with the doughnut of the day, or perhaps a Department Store blueberry muffin for a taste of nostalgia. But make sure to save room for Banana Bread “Foie-ster” (griddled banana bread, rum caramel sauce, seared bananas, and house-made foie gras butter), Fluffernutter French toast, or Red Flannel hash with smoked beets. There are a couple lighter options, like a farm salad, with local lettuce, fennel, radish, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Green Goddess dressing.

And of course, there are brunch drinks to wash everything down, including an apple pie mimosa. I can see the perfect fall Instagram now.

Check out the brunch menu below, and plan your trip to the Place to Be in October. Brunch at Ledger happens every Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Ledger, 125 Washington St., Salem, 978-594-1908, ledgersalem.com.