The Ledger Opens in Salem on June 20 [Updated]

A chef and owner of a popular Lynn restaurant is on the verge of opening his second restaurant, this time in Salem. Matt O’Neil of The Blue Ox is on track to debut The Ledger in early June (see update below), and he has brought in Daniel Gursha (formerly of Bambara in Cambridge and A Voce and Bouley in New York) to serve as executive chef.

The pair will collaborate on the menu for The Ledger, which is located inside the former Salem Savings Bank building in the heart of downtown Salem (125 Washington St.) Renovations have been underway for several months, as previously reported, and it’s almost time for O’Neil’s vision for the restaurant to come to life.

The Ledger has a custom-made wood-fired grill, which will play an essential role in the menu, as will local partnerships with farms and producers. Expect to see plenty of wood-fired dishes, house-made charcuterie, and raw bar items, plus pasta and seafood. One feature of the menu will be “suppers for two,” with options including a spit-roasted whole chicken with potatoes and gravy and a wood-fired 32-ounce steak with herb sauce.

The bank building was built in 1818, and The Ledger will retain some historical design elements of the space, including high ceilings and exposed brick. The old bank vault has been converted into a walk-in refrigerator, according to Zagat. The Ledger will seat 200 people and will be open for dinner seven nights a week to start, before expanding to offer lunch and brunch service. There will also be beer, wine, and cocktails available.

Update, 6/15/17: The Ledger will open on June 20, per a Facebook post, and reservations are now being accepted by phone at (978) 594-1908 (online reservations coming soon). Head to Facebook to take a sneak peek at the space and at some menu testing, from tartare and crudo to sherbet and charcuterie.

• The Blue Ox Chef Matt O’Neil Will Bring The Ledger to Salem [EBOS]
• Ledger Restaurant [Facebook]