Zampa in Epping, New Hampshire has a recipe for success

For those who travel route 101 between Manchester and Portsmouth, you have a good reason to stop in Epping if you are hungry. A recent visit to Zampa left us impressed.


As we arrived on a recent Saturday night for dinner and drove into their parking lot, I couldn't help but think that the restaurant looked small from the outside:

Sweets, Bacon and Pumpkin People, Polly's Pancake Parlor, Sugar Hill, New Hampshire

For our next excursion, we are sending you on a joy ride to the small town of Sugar Hill for unbelievable bacon and pancakes at Polly's Pancake Parlor. You see, even if you are like me and only eat pancakes a few times per year this place is a must for the casual pancake eater or for loyal fans.

Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery, North Woodstock, New Hampshire, try the ale

Once a year we head up to the White Mountains as do thousands of others to partake in the fall ritual -- leaf peeping. While the weather wasn't the best, we figured this would be a good time to sample some food from a place we have yet to check out -- the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery.

Decent breakfast haunt Maddie's in Salem, New Hampshire should consider expansion

One of the ways we determine if a restaurant is good is to look to see if people are waiting to be seated. If it is mobbed the thought is that it must be good and so it is with Maddie's Bagel & Eatery. Every time we visit Maddie's it is that busy but I have to tell you that the wait is becoming too long even for their decent breakfast.

Restaurant Review, Caffé ll Cipresso, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, quality Italian food over the border

Just over the border from Nashua, in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, sits an Italian restaurant that you may have never heard of and wish you had -- Caffé ll Cipresso. It has been awhile since we last visited and we are pleased to report that the food is just as good as we remember.

Restaurant Review,The Puritan Backroom Restaurant, Manchester, New Hampshire, a great value with large portions

Seeing that the Puritan Backroom is an institution in the Manchester area, I thought it would be worth a visit. What makes this establishment so popular? Well, the famous chicken tenders of course. Rumor has it that when Adam Sandler comes back to Manchester for a visit he heads for the Backroom for the tenders. Not only are they delicious, they are also a great value. Portion size is large so you can enjoy them for a second meal. Since our first taste of tenders many years ago, we have been to the Puritan Backroom a number of times and it has always been a great experience.

At Hart's in Meredith, New Hampshire it's Thanksgiving all year long

Maybe you're like me and Thanksgiving is one of your favorite times of year. The family, friends and of course the food remind us all of how wonderful life can be. Little factoid: the holiday has even more meaning to me as my wife was born on Thanksgiving. So when you feel nostalgic for the holiday but see by the calendar that you are still a few months early, head to Harts Turkey Farm Restaurant in Meredith, NH.

Moritomo vs Ichiban, which is the best Japanese restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire?

There are two very good Japanese restaurants in Concord, New Hampshire and you will not be disappointed with either the Moritomo Japanese Restaurant or the Ichiban Japanese Steak House. Moritomo had been one of our favorite local restaurants for many years. After the Cat and the Fiddle closed on Manchester Street several years ago, Ichiban was born and has become a strong competitor. We have gone to these restaurants many times and they each have their own unique qualities and specialties. I will compare each in different categories and then announce the one that I think is best.

Restaurant Review, Tavern in The Square, Burlington, Massachusetts, A disaster

Frequently, my wife and I take a drive down to Burlington, Massachusetts to shop at the Burlington Mall. Those who live in the area are probably familiar with the dining establishments close by and we've found there's not a whole lot to choose from. We aren't a fan of most of the options in the mall so a few months ago we were excited to see the sign for a new tavern that was opening soon.

Restaurant Review: Cafe Espresso, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, exceptional service makes the difference

My wife and I have been to Cafe Espresso in Portsmouth a number of times over the years. After our most recent experience we will probably add it to our list of regular breakfast joints. The food was very good but the service is what impressed me the most.

The Fresh Market, Bedford, New Hampshire, So long Shaw's

Recently, The Fresh Market, a new specialty food store opened at the Bedford mall and we decided to check it out. Fresh Market is a chain with locations spread throughout the Eastern United States. As far as I can tell there are only a few in New England including Avon and Westport, Connecticut and Hingham, Massachusetts.

Restaurant Review, Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant, Lebanon, New Hampshire, Irvine works his magic

Restaurant Impossible and Robert Irvine are back in an attempt to fix another New Hampshire Restaurant, that is Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant in Lebanon. After their visit to the Chatterbox Cafe in Windham last year, we were excited to find out how the changes would turn out this time so we recently took a trip to find out.

Restaurant Review, Roundabout Diner, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, not worthy of high accolades

This is my third trip to the Roundabout Diner at the traffic circle in Portsmouth. I was not impressed either of the other times and was reluctant to try the diner again. However, my wife wanted to give them another chance and so reluctantly, I agreed and we headed over for breakfast.

Restaurant Review, Surf, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Buckley hits another home run

Michael Buckley continues to prove that he is one of the leading restauranteurs in New Hampshire. With Surf, he has done it right again, a seafood restaurant on the harbor in Portsmouth. The hits just keep coming and Surf joins a list of exceptional dining establishments for Buckley including the other Surf Seafood in Nashua, MTS Local also in Nashua and Buckley's (see my review here) in Merrimack. What is impressive is that he has been able to own more than one successful restaurant and is not afraid to make changes or additions that will benefit his customers.