Bavaria German Restaurant Hidden Gem

My experience with German culture has been limited over the years other than learning a little of the language and partaking in sampling delicious pastries made by the mother of a high school friend. Fast forward to present day and we decided to try the Bavaria German Restaurant in Hooksett where I hoped to revisit my youth.

Small plates won't leave you blue at Stella Blu

Upon walking into Stella Blu something hits you that is unique in terms of a restaurant experience. Looking around you see guests chatting away with each other, smiles everywhere whether from our own waitress or at their large focal point bar where the bartenders greet customers like they are happy to have them in for a visit. This feeling of being made to feel welcome is difficult to find but when you are there in the moment there is nothing more valuable with all the doom and gloom that sometimes surrounds us.

Go to Bubby's you'll be glad you did

Our first review of the New Year brings us to Portsmouth and the delicatessen Bubby's. Having seen their sign on a few prior visits to the area we thought about going but it never worked out. After mulling it over and wanting to find a new place for breakfast, I finally convinced my wife the time had come for us to check them out.

Revival Kitchen and Bar to open in Concord

After several years in downtown Concord, Sunny’s Table has gone out of business. As is the trend to provide farm to table items, a new restaurant focused on this model will be opening in its place called Revival Kitchen & Bar.

At Gale Motor Company Eatery food not cars are the special of the day

Over the years, there have been a number of very good restaurants located at 36 Lowell Street in Manchester. You may remember Richard's Bistro and after that 11 Eleven Bistro that we wrote about in 2013.  Now, sits the Gale Motor Company with a slightly misleading name where food not cars are the special of the day. Given that we’ve enjoyed the previous establishments we hoped this would continue at the newest restaurant.

Friday night fish fry at The Bagg Lunch

There is nothing better than finding a local restaurant where simple but home cooked foods wait. And so it is with the The Bagg Lunch, a small business located in on Mast Road in Goffstown. Here you will instantly know that this is a family affair. With recipes used from years ago, our waitress (whom I believe is the owner) explains that it’s food that her late father used to enjoy. Her niece is the pastry chef. Having heard on a prior breakfast visit about their Friday night fish special this was our time to check it out.

Our take on Guy Fieri's visit to Tuckaway Tavern

The Tuckaway Tavern in Raymond was recently featured on an episode of Diners Drive-ins and Dives. We occasionally watch this show featuring Guy Fieri visiting restaurants that are many times in unusual locations all over the US. Since they are just down the road, we decided to head for Raymond to discover for ourselves if Guy was right about the grub.

Aroma Joe’s continuing to expand in NH and Maine

While driving around this summer, I couldn't help but notice all the Aroma Joe’s everywhere we went. This coffee chain has been building new stores all over the place and they now have grown to somewhere between 40 and 50 locations in NH and Maine with the most recent opening in Greenland, NH. To give you an idea of the layout, these are small drive through and walk up stores. Because of this they can be constructed faster which gives them a competitive advantage. One had also gone up in Hooksett and that was my stop to sample their coffee.

New bistro a welcome addition to Applecrest Farm

With the fall weather here and beautiful scenery everywhere you look, we decided to revisit Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls. Back in September 2015, we enjoyed one of their harvest festivals which featured music, food, apple picking and more fun fall activities for all ages. When we arrived we were greeted with a noticeable addition, a large new building. We walked over as quickly as our legs would take us to find out what was inside.

Polly's Pancake Parlor improves after renovations

It’s been a couple of years since our last visit to Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill. We decided that too much time had passed and headed to Polly’s to enjoy both the breakfast and some of the best foliage we’ve had in years.

Take a break from leaf peeping at Moat Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery

With leaf peeping around the corner many tourists will be wondering where to go for decent food in the North Country. We attempted to visit Moat Mountain Smokehouse and Brewery in North Conway last fall and as we were walking into the entrance we were told that their computer system was down which meant no cash registers and no electronic orders for the kitchen. Needless to say they closed for the day. So, we decided to try it again a few weeks ago.

Artistry on the Green our best restaurant of the year

When my wife was searching for a nice restaurant to take her parents for their anniversary, she came upon Artistry on the Green. Located inside the Inn at Hastings Park this jewel is a venue that many of you are probably unfamiliar with in Lexington, Massachusetts. Only a half hour from the New Hampshire border this one is definitely worth a short drive.

Half way to St. Patrick's Day at the Holy Grail

With the half way point to St. Patrick’s Day on September 17th, we stopped in at the Holy Grail in Epping. Not strangers to the establishment we usually go to the bar to watch a ball game and we are always treated very well.

Timing not the best for new Giorgio's

For anyone passing through Manchester on Route 293 south, you may have noticed a building under construction that could be seen from the highway. There is also a large sign visible in the distance with the name Giorgio's, the third and newest location for this Mediterranean/Italian restaurant chain. Always on the lookout for something different it had been at least 10 years since our last visit to the Giorgio's in Merrimack. Having just recently opened it was time to see how they are doing present day in Manchester.