Long tenure not enough to save Tapeo

Whether for recreation or work most of us from the Granite State visit Boston. We found ourselves in the city and decided to try Tapeo, a tapas focused establishment on Newbury Street. It’s worth noting that the restaurant has been in business for thirteen years which is impressive given that so many close after a short time.

Will aggressive growth plans be too much for Wahlburgers?

Finally an excuse to talk about Wahlburgers, the fast growing restaurant chain run by the Wahlberg family. The brothers had visited the International Speedway in the Granite State where they had been invited to a race that was shown on a recent episode of their TV show. Having watched the series in the past we haven't seen an episode in some time but their aggressive growth plans are everywhere and according to an article in the Boston Globe adding 110 new restaurants is a real possibility over the next several years. The Wahlburgers think it is time to celebrate but I think the company should take a step back.

Chipotle to open in Concord

There is good news for all of the Chipotle fans in the Concord area. They are opening a new restaurant on Loudon Road.

Funway burger a good fit for Mel's

Running a successful restaurant at Mel's Funway Park in Litchfield is a major challenge. The last attempt, Naticook Fish & Grill didn't work out. Not because it wasn't a good place to eat as we had previously written but it probably wasn't the best fit for Mel's. The prices were high for the area and it did not have the appeal of a younger crowd and families who are more likely to visit Mel's. Now, the same owner, Marco, is giving it another try with Funway Burger.

You will get a kick out of Shira Kiku

Shira Kiku is a small Japanese and Korean restaurant in Nashua that has a fun lively feel that makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door. From the give and take banter with the waitresses to the odd decor and the healthy foods they give their all and it works for them and their customers. The menu is large and everyone can find something that will please their palates.

Try Market Basket Donuts

With the new Market Basket documentary set to be released in mid-April it got me thinking about the company. Long ago my wife mentioned that she was at an event where they served donuts from Market Basket and that they were surprisingly delicious. I thought you might like to hear about their sweet treats. Her take was that there would be of very little interest in this post and that it would turn out to be a yawner. Please help us figure out who was right by liking the post on Facebook or commenting below.

Portofino deserves a chance to earn your business

When the news broke late last year that Florence's in Merrimack was closing, I couldn't help but wonder what would move into the existing space. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait too long as Portofino opened several weeks ago. For those of you familiar with the Italian restaurants in southern New Hampshire, you might be surprised to see that the former owners of Pastamore in Amherst opened Portofino.

Corner View lives on at Veano's ll

After the Cornerview restaurant in Concord closed recently, its customers including us wondered where they would now go for breakfast. There is good news for anyone who liked the restaurant as it lives on in a strange place.

Boxty at Kathleen's Cottage

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it seemed like an ideal time to visit an Irish pub and our pick was Kathleen's Cottage in Bristol. They usually rate very high among the best in the state on WMURs viewer’s choice and we wanted to explore what they had to offer. However, the main reason for our interest is that they are one of the only pubs in the Granite State that serves something we love to eat and that is boxty. For those of you who are not familiar with this Irish dish, it’s a potato pancake with various fillings and sauce served on top.

Find Grassfield's no matter how difficult

Looking for something new to try, my wife suggested Grassfield’s in Andover, Massachusetts based on a recommendation made to her. Located just a short 20 minute drive from the New Hampshire border, it is an easy stop for those returning from a trip to Boston. On North Main Street in front of a mall with no sign identifying the location from the road, the restaurant is easy to miss. After originally driving past it, we turned around and entered into the turn for a shopping plaza. Looking around for a minute, we finally spied the building. A couple next to us at the bar had lived in town for years and didn't even know the place existed!

Objectives achieved with Row 34 expansion

You may notice something very familiar about Row 34 if you have visited Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston. Apparently, both establishments have the same owners who decided to bring their restaurant success out of Massachusetts to the Granite State. The first Row 34 was opened in the Boston’s Seaport area and now they are attempting to gain traction on the New Hampshire Seacoast with their new restaurant in Portsmouth.

Bennett's Sandwich Shop

Who among us doesn't love a great sandwich? If you live in the Portsmouth area, Bennett's opened a new downtown shop back in June. On a recent visit, my wife and I were excited to see the new addition. We are familiar with their other location in Kennebunkport, Maine and looked forward to finding out if the Portsmouth shop would be as good.

Copper Door worth a second look

Opening a new restaurant is fraught with challenges including training wait staff, completing inspections and all this while trying to get the food quality right. Our goal is to be fair but also honest when reviewing these establishments. Thinking about the initial few weeks when they are completely mobbed with everyone in the area visiting, it seems only right to revisit. With that in mind my wife and I decided to take another look at the Copper Door in Bedford. After they opened in the spring of 2012 our opinion was one of disappointment. Let's see how they did when we stopped in a few weeks back.

A taste of Italy at the Tuscan Market

Before the holidays crept upon us, we went to the Tuscan Kitchen to pick up a gift card for my in laws. In case you don’t remember, this is a place that I had reviewed back in 2014 and we loved the food. On our way out of the parking lot, we were passing by the Tuscan Market and my wife commented on how busy they were with so many cars. Usually this is a good sign and a signal to at least check a place out and we promised to visit the next time we were in Salem.