Concord's Best Restaurants and Food Secrets

Having dined out in Concord for many years we know as much as anybody regarding food in the Capital region. Yes, there are other lists but these seem to us to be more of a popularity contest. We have put together some of our favorites and a few surprises in the list below to help you cut through the baloney.

Lavinia's in Center Harbor

Since fall is well under way in New Hampshire, it was time for us to enjoy the foliage. As we headed to the North Conway/Jackson area in search of spectacular color, I couldn’t help but notice Lavinia’s as we drove through Center Harbor. It intrigued us so much that we decided to try it for dinner later that evening.

Richardson's Farm worth a trip to Boscawen

It saddens us every year when ice cream season begins to wind down as we watch all of our favorite stands closing. Because of the arrival of Fall, this will probably be the last post about ice cream for a little while - please no tears. As we wait through the dreary cold winter, I have found a new option that is open year round that you may want to check out. Don’t forget the list of places that are also open during the winter.

Pickety Place in Mason

Nestled on a hill in the quiet town of Mason, NH is the setting for an unlikely destination but one that brings people far and wide to experience the beautiful gardens and the food inspired by the herbs grown right on the premises. Here you will find Pickity Place.

Salt at the Wentworth by The Sea in New Castle

We recently celebrated a special day and the choice of venue was the Salt Kitchen and Bar at the Wentworth by The Sea in New Castle. For several weeks leading up to the event, there were many details that needed to be finalized and it was my wife’s responsibility to make sure that everything went smoothly. I was confident that all would be fine but she was wringing her hands with worry up until the very end.

The Union Diner in Laconia

What could be more New England than a diner? You may have your own definition but for me these historic treasures are in an old railroad car where breakfast and homemade dinners are the focus. You are a regular, known by name and when they see your car arrive in the parking lot, the eggs are already on the grill and by the time you sit at the counter, the coffee is poured and your breakfast is ready. Sadly there are no diners in Concord so we decided to find one nearby and headed north to the City of Laconia and the Union Diner.

Pleasant stop for travelers at Welcome Center in Hooksett

After the old man crumbled to the ground so many years ago all seemed bleak for the New Hampshire travel industry. Our state icon was gone and there wasn't much that anybody could do about it. Additionally, the state rest areas seemed to be sorely in need of updating. There was some recent good news with the completion of the welcome center in Hooksett but is this new rest area something granite staters can be proud of?

SunShui in Bedford

This week brings us to the town of Bedford and the SunShui, an Asian restaurant located in a strip mall on South River Road. They provide both Chinese and Japanese food in a small comfortable environment. Our experience over the years with this type of cuisine has been a mixed bag of frequent poor service and mediocre food but we are always on the lookout for something new. Here is what we found at SunShui.

When Pigs Fly Pizzeria in Kittery, Maine

If pigs could fly and make pizza they would probably land in Kittery, Maine at When Pigs Fly Pizzeria. Having already been familiar with their freshly made breads, I found it curious that they would open a restaurant. So, as we passed by the pizzeria on Route 1 a number of times, we never took the time to sample the goods. I couldn’t help but wonder if this would be more of a tourist trap or a restaurant that served fantastic pizza? Seeming to always have a full parking lot my wife finally said that it was time to give them a try.

The Mile Away in Milford

Because we eat out so much there is bound to be some restaurants that we have visited multiple times. Every now and then I pick one that is deserving of a review and that brings us to The Mile Away in Milford. It seems that this restaurant has been around forever. It sits in a very pretty country setting with an old barn that gives off a New England vibe.

The Deck at Poco's in Portsmouth

One of our favorite summertime activities is to enjoy a beautiful sunny day dining oceanfront. We recently found ourselves in Portsmouth on such a day and decided to head over to Bow Street to enjoy some drinks and lunch on the deck at Poco's Bow Street Cantina. We’ve visited this restaurant before and there is no doubt that they have a beautiful location. We look forward to sharing our experience with our readers.

Red Blazer to Remodel

A local Concord favorite restaurant, The Red Blazer is going through a remodel. They will be closed from June 29th to July 8th, 2015 and plan to reopen for lunch and dinner on July 9th, 2015. The entire project is ongoing thereafter with an expected completion by the end of July, 2016.

Rogan's Bakery & Restaurant in Exeter

Since we are so busy during the week, my wife and I look forward to enjoying a delicious breakfast on the weekends. We are regulars at a number of places and like to find something new every now and then which brings us to our next review, Rogan's Bakery and Restaurant in Exeter. Located on Portsmouth Avenue and in business for over 20 years it took us a long time to sample this one.

The Kellerhaus in Laconia

Nothing says summer like ice cream and one of our favorite ways to enjoy it is with a make your own sundae bar. However, like a lot of very good things these days, it’s difficult to find many options to do this. Not to worry because there is a place in New Hampshire. All you need to do is drive north to Weirs Beach and stop in at the Kellerhaus.