Best Breakfasts in New Hampshire

Love the photo essay! Why is it that I'm now craving eggs and hash browns at 9PM?? ;-)

Dave B in Northern New England

Best Breakfasts in New Hampshire

Rizzo already tagged two of my NH breakfast/brunch favorites:

- Country Kitchen in Hollis (For pancakes)

- Midfield Cafe at the Nashua airport (For unique atmosphere and vibe, with good, solid breakfast acumen. I'm addicted to the hash browns.)

And, you should add....... Riverhouse Cafe in Milford (For local ingredients, lots of hot sauces available, beer at breakfast, and some really interesting variations on the traditional breakfast offerings.)

Dave B in Northern New England

Manchester , New Hampshire

Based on the recommendations here for the fish tacos at Hooked, I could not resist as I was in the area at lunch time this week. Quite yummy, and I love the little taco rack they use to hold them upright so they aren't falling over, spilling out their contents. Options for several different sides, but I just went with good old French fries. Service was very friendly. Glad I stopped in.

Dave B in Northern New England

Best Cheeseburger in Portland, Maine

It seems like some posts disappeared from this thread? There were a couple of posts where Chubby Werewolf and I commented further on, and compared our experiences with the Longhorn Steakhouse burgers.

So, an update for Chubby WW; I went back to the Nashua location for another burger. Ordered medium rare, and this time with some decent photos showing how it was cooked inside. I skipped the cheese this time. (You know... "dieting.") Scrumptious, pink, juicy, extremely flavorful beef was the result - just like the others I've had at this location.

I did query the waitress about another Longhorn location not being willing to cook to rare or even medium rare and she said it is the chef's discretion. I cautioned her that the chef had best use PINK discretion for my burger, as it was the only reason I came there.

Dave B in Northern New England

Looking for Merrimack-area dinner suggestions

Thanks, mainegardens. Next time I'm looking for a dining spot in Merrimack, New Hampshire, I'll be sure to include some Portland, ME options. Probably some from Florida and Texas too ---- just to improve my odds of success.

Dave B in Northern New England

Looking for Merrimack-area dinner suggestions

I've dined at Fratello's a couple of times. Not really bad or anything, but choosing between Fratello's and Olive Garden, I guess I'd consider it something of a toss-up. At least it is a locally-owned restaurant.

Dave B in Northern New England

Manchester , New Hampshire

Nice job, whs ---- I'd say you pretty much nailed it!

Dave B in Northern New England

Arroz Negro - Nashua

Update -- After a couple of trial runs with the black rice from Lanna Asian market, I am going to adjust the cooking directions upward a bit. Is is proving to be more dense than brown rice and I'm getting better results with more liquid and cooking time.

Nearly 3:1 liquid/rice, with 60 minutes cooking time. And I don't use water when cooking any type of rice -- I use chicken broth, with some butter or olive oil.

BTW, Lanna just had a whole bank of new display freezers installed. They appear to be very dedicated and serious about having a nice Asian market in Nashua.

Dave B in Northern New England

Looking for Best Destination Restaurants in VT, NH, ME

CBeth, almost certainly within your criteria is the restaurant at the Sugar Hill Inn in Sugar Hill, NH. Beautiful, rural location with outstanding food and service. I definitely consider it as one of the best "destination" restaurants in NH.

http://sugarhillinn.com/the-culinary-experience/

Dave B in Northern New England

Favorite ice cream in vicinity of Nashua

I'm not a megga ice cream fan so can't speak to the relative merrits of Hayward's vs other options, but I've had some good ice cream there. And it is in Nashua per the OP's request.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/haywards-ice-cream-stand-nashua

Dave B in Northern New England

Arroz Negro - Nashua

I've caught mention of black rice recently in cooking circles and couldn't find it in Market Basket, Shaw's, Hannaford etc.

I cook brown rice regularly so arroz negro was of interest. Lanna Asian Market on Amherst St. Nashua had it ----- at a decent price.

Cooked up my first batch tonight, using the same 2:1 @ 50 minutes we would use for brown rice. Toothy, yummy stuff. I'm so glad Lanna Asian Market is around....

Dave B in Northern New England

Mavi Bistro, Hudson NH

Bewley - that is a very fair question.

And my response & reaction is that it's not up to me to determine, or investigate their heat problems (if Mavi or others see it as such) as an initial, first-time visitor. My only Chowhound purpose as I see it here, is to interpret my experiences. Intervention, as I see it, isn't my responsibility. If I "frequented," a restaurant, then I might be inclined.

Purposely, if you will --- I did not inquire, just to see how they handled it. These details are telling to me. If someone met me at the door on the way out asking how my experience was, I certainly would have provided my feedback. We did get "Turkish Water" hurriedly sprinkled on our hands as we exited, and if someone asked me "How was your dinner/visit," then I would have inquired.

I do promise to follow-up with my impressions on the food.

Despite my "chilly" reception at Mavi Bistro, there were some positive notes. The chairs/furniture isn't one of them, but I'll get to that.

Dave B in Northern New England

Mavi Bistro, Hudson NH

GF and I made a reservation for Saturday night, and I'm glad we had the reservation because Mavi was full when we arrived. Seated promptly - which bodes well for how they manage their seating/reservation. 10/10 there.

I give any new independent restaurant quite a bit of leeway, and I will do the same with Mavi Bistro. I plan to go back in a few months to witness how they may have evolved. Overall very good food, and that's what we Chowhounders care about right?

But not so fast. We care about more than just the taste of a dish -----

I'll jump in here first with my biggest complaint so we can put that aside and maybe get to the positives regarding the food: The restaurant was freezing cold (Feb 4). We were seated in the side room which appears to have been an appendage of the building. And it was COLD. VERY COLD. It seems it wasn't the only cold part of the restaurant that night -- EVEN in main dining area, I noticed several patrons WEARING THEIR WINTER COATS WHILE THE DINED.

And before I get off my bitch-train about the temperature -- let me tell you something about myself. Yes, I know you are fascinated about me, and want to know everything about me... Of course you do. But forget about that. Here's the situation related to me & my relationship with temperature: When about the house I am often in a pair of shorts only, and GF is in full pants and sweater mode. She and I exist in different climate zones. I am usually way too warm and complains about me using AC in the summer.

On this semi-chilly evening (approx 32 deg outside), both GF and I ended up passing our time at Mavi Bistro freezing our ass*** off. GF wore her Marmot down jacket the whole time, and me, the one who is almost always way-too-hot, ended up wearing my winter coat during the whole dinner experience. That was a new situation for me -- to be so damn cold in a restaurant that it caused me to keep my coat on the entire time. Hard to dine and enjoy when your legs are freezing.

In the side-room area where we were seated, there were four tables. And almost everyone was wearing their coats. Perhaps 7 out of 10 people among the crowded, small tables in this side room were dining with their winter coats on.

Never, during our time there did our tall, beautiful Russian waitress (she told us she was Russian) comment on the fact that my GF was wearing a down jacket, and the fact I was wearing a coat while we were there. So maybe that is normal at Mavi Bistro? I can't remember being so cold ever while trying to eat, except while winter mountaineering in the Wind River Range of Wyoming.

If we had been told "Sorry! -- Our heat is broken tonight --- I see you are dressed as if you were outside!" -- Then maybe we would have been in a different state of mind about it --- thinking this might be abnormal. But we never got any clue this was unusual.

There were many good points about the food. And a few areas that could use some improvement, regarding the food. I'm still trying to thaw out so will hopefully get back to provide some comments on the food. brrrrrrr......

Dave B in Northern New England

Looking for Merrimack-area dinner suggestions

You might consider giving Buckley's another try. Perhaps on your single visit the stars just weren't aligned that day. I've had several very good meals at Buckley's, and their beef stroganoff is a now a favorite I discovered by accident (stealing a few bites from someone else's plate). I'd definitely place them above Common Man and Homestead.

Buckley's is certainly conveniently located for you too. Go for it.

Dave B in Northern New England

Best Cheeseburger in Portland, Maine

This may be near blasphemy to recommend a chain restaurant, but I have had two outstanding burgers at Longhorn Steakhouse recently. This was in New Hampshire, but if there is consistency in this chain with the meat they use and how they grind it in the restaurants in this region, and I will anticipate there is - I do recommend you try their burger and see what you think.

It's about $10, and was cooked perfectly medium-rare per my request. Completely pink and juicy on the inside with sumptuous mouth feel and very rich beef taste. I was so enthralled by their burger on my first recent occasion that I went back a couple of weeks later for another.

It looks like they have 5 Maine locations, including SoPo on Maine Mall Rd. I'd love to hear the impressions of other burger lovers. Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm in lust with Longhorn's burger.

Dave B in Northern New England

New England dining in 2012

Rizzo - your choice is easy! Do their "buffet." Search on the boards for discussion on Meena's buffet for some feedback. It's a great way to go.

Dave B in Northern New England

Trader Joes Coming To Nashua

TJ's Tyngsboro, Massachusetts - If I buy a non-food item (firewood bundle, a candle, a bag of hardwood charcoal), I have to pay Mass sales tax, correct?

And if Trader Joe's is in New Hampshire, I won't have to pay sales tax on anything from Trader Joe's. Is that correct?

Dave B in Northern New England

School House Cafe, Warner NH

Thanks for the tip. I'm always looking for Sunday brunch places within reasonable driving distance (they are for me) that are open 'till 2pm. Hopefully at some point they will take credit cards..... cash-only isn't a deal-breaker, but I find it much less convenient.

Dave B in Northern New England

LobsterQ not so great

Wow - what a neat idea. Will have to try that some time. I have one of those ceramic smokers ---- the lid is very heavy so there's no way the bugs will escape.

Dave B in Northern New England

Is Makris Lobster in Concord open?

I just couldn't help myself ----- a recent trip to Makris.

Love-love-LOVE my big lobsters at Makris. Many other places that sell seafood just don't know how long to cook the big ones so they are not over/under done. This little 7-pounder was cooked perfectly.

Dave B in Northern New England

Portland Pie Company coming to Nashua

I went there (Manch) several months ago with a group of friends, so was able to try several different pizzas. I thought it was mediocre at best, and unless I was dragged there would not bother to go back. It was a Saturday night and the place was loud and packed ---- mediocrity rules.

Dave B in Northern New England

Crush Pizzeria, Nashua?

I finally got a chance to try Crush this weekend. I was probably holding off a tad to let some of the expected new restaurant kinks get worked out before a first visit. Service was fine - no issues.

I definitely enjoyed the pizza. I'm completely inexperienced in the realm of authentic Neapolitan pizza, so I can't comment on how it compares to other incarnations here or abroad, but it did seem perfectly authentic based on what I've read about the style; slightly charred crust with a bit of a smokey flavor from the oven, and wet in the center (this is knife & fork pizza, at least for the middle). The flavors in both the sausage version ("Salsiccia") and the "Regina" (crushed & grape tomatoes, buffalo mozz) were very fresh, natural-tasting, and well balanced. The crust was delicious, chewy but not-too-chewy - and rich, and salty. Fairly obvious this isn't your standard 'pizza joint' pizza.

I was really expecting the pizzas to be smaller from what I had read, and I'm glad they weren't so I had some to take home. We had a small appetizer of the limoncello wings first, so when our two pizzas arrived we could only eat 1/2 of each one (for two people). Totally enjoyed the strong grilled flavor in the wings and the caramelized onions we slurped up, along with the crusts/bread served with them. Not your traditional restaurant "wings" by any stretch, and I would suggest that if you go to Crush and want an appetizer that you try them. Different can sometimes be good and in this case it was. Small size was perfect for two people.

In hindsight we would have been fine splitting one pizza after the wings (we try not to be too fat), but luckily I was the beneficiary of the leftovers. Being wet and floppy in the middle, it presented a challenge for reheating later, but I got around that by cutting the pizza into very small mini-slices and reheating on an air-bake pan until things were firmed up a bit.

I liked the pizza quite a bit - will go back for more. I'm not aware of this type of pizza anywhere around these central NH parts. If Crush keeps working on their formula and never compromises the quality of ingredients, I expect they will be here to stay.

Dave B in Northern New England

Lanna Asian Market has moved

They've been in their new location for perhaps a year. I love to go in and browse around. So many things to inspire the Asian cook that may be lurking within. I'd like to go in and have a guided tour through the store by an Asian food expert so I might understand more of the potential of the cusine..... the selection of wild and crazy items is bewildering.

For those who don't know where it is, Lanna is at the intersection where the tech school/community college is..... Amherst St (101A) and Thornton Rd. Parking is always available in the lot among the other stores and the little plaza behind Lanna where the India Palace restaurant is.

Dave B in Northern New England

Breakfast near Nashua

I've never had horrible service at City Room. The breakfast food is pretty good (way above average), but I will acknolege the edge for overall food/cooking quality toward Riverhouse. Now talk about service...... if it wasn't for the very high quality of the food at Riverhouse, I wouldn't go back exactly because of the service. Do they all do bongs in the back or something, or is it just a Milford restaurant thing? But despite the service, I'll keep going and take my chances with that - the breakfast food is about the best around. Just the couple of strips of bacon on the side with my last breakfast were different and special. Not your standard bacon, fer sure.

On Midfield Cafe, went there again this Sunday. Another great brunch. Steak and cheese omelette with their awesome hash browns (as I describe as "tiny french-fry's"). There was a message on the specials board from the owner that she was out of town visiting someone (in Maine, I think the message was?) and that "the kids" were running the place. And sure enough, it was nothing but youngsters handling all the service, and everything was great! A very smooth flight.

-----
The Riverhouse Cafe
123 Union Sq, Milford, NH 03055

City Room Cafe
105 W Pearl St, Nashua, NH 03060

Dave B in Northern New England

Ebenezer's Annual Belgian Beer Dinner

The menu looks like you are set for another special evening. Wish I were able to go this year. Last year was off the charts. The fried rabbit ears and the 100 year old Bass ale are still calling to me.

Dave B in Northern New England

Dinner recommendation for Saturday night in Concord, NH with a foodie 8 year old

If your 8 year-old is well-behaved, the Granite restaurant in the beautiful inn you will be staying at would be an excellent choice for upscale dining. If you're looking for a reason to get out of the hotel, O Steaks & Seafood would be another great option. I haven't been yet, but have heard good feedback. Yelp reviews look positive too. And, it's quite walkable from the Centennial Inn if the weather is nice and you're in the mood. On Main St in downtown Concord. The Granite or O's would probably need a reservation for dinner on Saturday.

And I agree with Lex, that Moritomo on Ft. Eddy Road in the Shaw's plaza has excellent sushi if you decide to revisit that option.

Dave B in Northern New England

Lobster in in Concord or Manchester?

dfrost, and for the OP looking for lobster: If we are driving South on 93, I don't think there is an exit 19? I recall that one must get off at exit 20, go toward downtown Tilton (2 miles. Do not go toward the outlet stores.... its the other way), then a left toward 93 at the lights/railroad tracks, if you want to get to Dipsy Doodle. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Other lobster option, and if one wants ALL lobster options, Makris Steak & Seafood on the east side of Concord a couple of mile east on 393 toward Loudon remains my preference for the Concord, NH area.

Dave B in Northern New England

Breakfast near Nashua

Lex, the airport theme was indeed cool. It added something different and neat that one wouldn't get in any other restaurant. I walked around and perused the photos and aviation nick-nacks after we ordered.

Notice in my photo you can see the helicopter theme on the table cloth under the glass!

Dave B in Northern New England

Breakfast near Nashua

I tried out the Nashua airport Midfield Cafe a couple of Sunday's ago and had a really nice brunchy-experience. Thanks for your recent rec here about this place, Lexpatti. Very good food and friendly service was our experience.

First of all, the fact they are open until 2pm is huge for me. Some of my favorite Nashua area Sunday breakfast places such as City Room and Country Kitchen (Hollis) close at 1pm. My mandatory sleeping-in on Sundays means that arriving noon-ish for breakfast is sometime rushed. I try to avoid showing up at any restaurant near closing time expecting to take an hour or more to chillax when I know the staff are eager to close up, so 2pm works perfectly. Side note - The Riverhouse Cafe in Milford is also open 'till 2 and their food is really, really good, even if the service can be a little twilight zone-ish.

We had a little test-run breakfast feast; Eggs Benedict with sausage and sausage gravy, Breakfast burrito, a side of corned beef hash, and one pancake on the side. Pancake test is mandatory...... it's a good indicator of any restaurant's overall breakfast acumen and theirs were great. (2nd only to the Country Kitchen's) Loaded... and I mean loaded with blueberries. With the egg dishes there are choices of hash browns or home fries. The quality with which breakfast side potatoes are prepared are another reliable indicator of how well a restaurant "does breakfast," in my opinion. Both potato sides were great. The hash browns resemble tiny little french fry's - loved 'em.

The staff was super friendly and the place just had a really nice vibe to it. Lots of other breakfast options on the menu as well as sandwiches. The Midfield Cafe is definitely on my list of breakfast favorites for the Nashua area.

Dave B in Northern New England