Community Outreach

Being able to help is a part our human responsibility.

Blistered Shishito Peppers and Soy Citrus Ponzu Sauce, Togarashi Spiced Scallops with Summer Succotash and Rustic Little Neck Chowder with Crispy Tempura Haddock… just a few of  the items you will find on the menu at Allie’s Beach Street Cafe located at 35 Beach Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea.  Family owned & operated, the full-service restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring French Bistro inspired cuisine. Allie’s is (newly) owned and operated by New Jersey natives Glenn and Allie Varga who discovered  the north shore while Allie attended graduate school at Northeastern twenty years ago.  A former Sommelier at the Four Season, Glen especially is thrilled to impart his 18 years experience at Allie’s Beach Street Cafe, the couple’s second north shore culinary endeavor, a sister restaurant to the popular Pleasant Street Tea Company in historic downtown Gloucester.

Glenn and Allie will be sharing some of their culinary talents as Family Services of the Merrimack Valley welcomes Allie’s Beach Street Cafe  to our First Annual A TASTE OF THE REGION, a fundraiser for our Essex County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program.  The evening will feature the signature cuisine of some of the north shore’s top chefs as well as a silent auction and a special guest speaker.  The goal for the A TASTE OF THE REGION is to raise crucial funding to recruit and train volunteer advocates so that all child victims in Essex County have a strong, dedicated volunteer to advocate for them in court.  The evening of wonderful food and community will also offer guests the chance to learn more about the important work our CASA advocates do in the service of children and families of Essex County.  Tickets are $25, per person.  We caught up with the couple in the height of their busy summer season to learn more about why they give back…

How did the Café begin?
Since 2007, Glenn and I had been proudly serving the Gloucester community organic coffee, hundreds of teas from all over the globe, and food offerings ranging from decadent chocolate cake to wholesome veggie wraps at Pleasant Street Tea Company.  All the while, Glenn has been interested in opening a full-scale restaurant in the north shore.  The opportunity to purchase Beach Street came about last summer, and we opened in November.  In addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner Allie’s Beach Street Cafe also offers a full Espresso & Tea Bar, fresh-baked items, quick counter breakfast and lunch service and a full bar featuring an all French wine list, Craft Cocktails and Beer.  Centrally located in historic downtown Gloucester, our Pleasant Street Tea remains a twice daily stop and chat cafe for everyone.

Three kitchen utensils you are never without?
Good wine, Good music, and an imagination!

Can you speak a little about the importance of giving back to the community?
I enjoy opportunities to give back to my community. A large part of Pleasant Street Tea Company has been community involvement. Having raised our two children here, this community is very important to us and being able to help is a part our human responsibility. I am happy to have my restaurants be part of the community and using them as part of an outreach means a lot to me.

Essex County CASA is a program of Family Services of the Merrimack Valley.  We recruit, train and supervise volunteers from the community to advocate for children removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, in the Lawrence, Newburyport, Salem and soon the Lynn Juvenile Courts.  For additional information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please contact CASA Director Sylvia Struss at 978-744-3000, or e-mail Sylvia at [email protected].  Family Services of the Merrimack Valley and CASA are extremely grateful for the community support of friends like Allie’s Beach Street Cafe.  We could not deliver the programs and services to children and families without their continued generosity.  Please come out and join us on Thursday evening September 27 for A TASTE OF THE REGION!  Purchase tickets here…