First visit today - for lunch. Very clean and food was well prepared and was excellent. Wife had chicken kebobs/salad, I opted for the seared salmon, we were both very pleased with the quality and quantity as well as the service. Not too many decent places for a reasonably healthy meal in this area - Mavi Bistro is certainly one of them.

ditto on both quiet and Beachmere.

At the old Aspirations location - now the building is red- just opened. Very nice italian menu lunch and dinner. Lunch is limited, but expansive selections for dinner. If anyone goes please comment on board.

the criteria were local and tasty. I'd say the backroom qualifies, in fact, several dishes(swordfish, shrimp, lamb among others) are top notch. but, the atmosphere is very casual - if that's not desirable then.... yeh, Richard's is great.

Been going here for years. Pretty reliable quality and quantity. In spite of all the remarks on chicken tenders, I've never been impressed: but I do love the chargrilled swordfish ( probably my favorite dish here) and the lamb is excellent.

I don't go out often anymore, but Richard's would be THE PLACE. My last experience there a few weeks ago however, causes me to look for other choices. The food was good - but not excellent, and not worth the price anymore.

look them up here:
http://www.menupix.com/nashua/index.php

AND - she sells a GREAT Portuguese olive oil.

I was not impressed with Ribolitta's - but this was years ago. Do they still use mostly fresh pasta in their dishes? I always preferred dry.

They have a few interesting items on sale scattered about the store, but nothing really stands out - especially if you're coming in from a distance just for food shopping. I did get some cut veal steaks on special sale (that had just arrived that day) and believe me when I got home it had already that slightly "old meat" smell and it really turned me off. Needless to say, I haven't been back since.

Nice report. I just went yesterday and agree with your comments. I did purchase swordfish at a good price and it was excellent. I have had it at Shaws - where it was so fresh that you could smell the ocean (but it's not always like that) - but no complaints about Mckinnons quality. I'll be back to keep checking it out.

My fav's in So. NH are:

Pasquale's in Candia (just north of Manchester)
Piccola Italia (Manchester)
Ya Mamma (Nashua)
Pizzico in Nashua

One of my tests for good (real) Italian is to order a veal cutlet. Is it real veal ( and not ground veal or pork); is it tender - you should be able to cut it easily with your fork. Your plate shouldn't be loaded with cheese or oil and shouldn't result in indigestion later on.

These days we make it mostly without meat - but always with sauteed chopped onions and green peppers and celery. Canned whole tomatoes (cut up into smaller bits by hand) and of course elbows (slightly undercooked). Blend the ingredients and seasonings - salt, pepper, and crushed fennel seed - allow to absorb into the macaroni for a few minutes on the burner. Voila! On my own dish, I'll probably add a touch of crushed red pepper flakes.

And - I miss them dearly!
I do see some of the old crowd (who used to frequent the Modern) at T-Bones.

my feelings exactly! (on all your comments)

Going on the 4th. Looking for someplace near medical center - casual, reasonable prices, AND good food. Any ideas?

Yes, why? It's been a while, but this place was terrific.(Lobster Pound)

I'm afraid your best bet is to go to Portland. In Saco, there's RosaLinda's for a quick breakfast and lunch is usually good at LilyMoon cafe downtown Saco.

MaryAnn's Diner in Derry.
http://www.maryannsdiner.com/

This is a real inexpensive family place, but I'd recommend RosaLinda's (near Hannaford)on Rt1. Great for breakfast. Lunch and even decent dinner diner food. It's just out from the beach in Saco.

Second that - Costco! Giant hot dog and drink $1.50

The Drygala (in Bedford NH) is long gone.

So nice to have someone recommend Artimesia cafe on Pleasant street. I've always really enjoyed breakfast/lunch and brunch there.

It's been awhile but I really was impressed with 43 degrees north!

A bit outside Manchester and just a strip mall eatery, but I've had very excellent Italian at Pasquale's in Candia. Two other places seldom mentioned, but very good, Tiya's and the Schezwan House - both oriental and downtown.

Richard's Bistro?

Love Italian food, but not impressed with Cucina Toscana. Not sure why, maybe it's the atmosphere - cold and bright - feels like you're dining in a store, not a restaurant. The food is OK, not great. Menu similar to the Colisseum and Piccola and I'd rather drive a bit and dine at either of these. But, I have to say, there's not much choice for decent Italian in the area.

I believe that the Lilac Blossom is one of the local restaurants that received several citations by health inspectors recently - in the local newspaper, I believe.

Same for Carrabbas in Tyngsboro, Mass (near Pheasant Lane Mall). Better to eat at home.

He did say UPSCALE.