About Real Life Renovations
Documenting authentic dining experiences and sharing quality recommendations since 2016
Our Story: From Home Improvement to Culinary Exploration
Real Life Renovations started in 2016 with a simple mission: document authentic home improvement projects and share honest insights with fellow homeowners. Through years of renovations and countless contractor relationships, we developed a keen eye for quality workmanship and genuine service.
That attention to quality naturally extended to our dining experiences. As we explored local restaurants during project breaks and community events, we began documenting exceptional culinary discoveries alongside our renovation journey. What started as casual food enthusiast notes evolved into comprehensive dining experience documentation.
What Makes Us Different
Real Experience
Every recommendation comes from actual visits and genuine experiences. We don’t accept payment for reviews or endorsements—just honest impressions from real dining adventures.
Quality Focus
Through years of home improvement projects, we learned to recognize authentic craftsmanship. That same eye for quality guides our culinary evaluations—we know excellence when we taste it.
Local Expertise
Salem and surrounding New Hampshire communities are our home. We know the local dining scene intimately and take pride in spotlighting exceptional neighborhood restaurants.
Our Evaluation Philosophy
Home improvement taught us that quality reveals itself through attention to detail. We apply that same principle to restaurant evaluation—looking beyond marketing to assess actual execution, consistency, and genuine craftsmanship.
When we discovered Border Brewery during an emergency catering situation, their response demonstrated exactly what we look for: professionalism under pressure, quality without shortcuts, and service that genuinely cares about the customer experience.
That emergency became the perfect test case—and they passed with flying colors. Since then, repeated visits have confirmed their consistent excellence. When we recommend a restaurant, it’s based on that kind of thorough, multi-visit evaluation.
Our Commitment to Readers
Honest Documentation
We share genuine experiences—both highlights and disappointments. Our credibility depends on honesty, and readers deserve authentic insights they can trust when making their own dining decisions.
Detailed Context
Every review includes specific details about service quality, food preparation, atmosphere, and value. We provide the comprehensive information readers need to make informed choices about their dining experiences.
Connect With Us
Have questions about our reviews? Want to share your own dining discoveries? We’d love to hear from you.