New Hampshire Best Restaurants 2012
BEST BURGER The Barley House, Concord You can’t go wrong with any of the seven varieties of burgers here–all ground fresh in house. But there’s a reason that the “McBarley Burger,” complete with Russian dressing, pickles, roasted red onions, house-cured bacon, and cheddar cheese, takes its name from the restaurant. Burgers: from $8. 132 North […]
BEST BURGER
The Barley House,Concord
You can’t go wrong with any of the seven varieties of burgers here–all ground fresh in house. But there’s a reason that the “McBarley Burger,” complete with Russian dressing, pickles, roasted red onions, house-cured bacon, and cheddar cheese, takes its name from the restaurant. Burgers: from $8. 132 North Main St. 603-228-6363; thebarleyhouse.com
BEST PRETZEL
German John’s Bakery, Hillsborough
These authentic German pretzels come in traditional shapes (laugenbretzelen), rolls (laugenwecken), and oblongs (laugenstangen). They come salted or unsalted, and with unsalted butter, but never, per the owner, with mustard. Single pretzels: from $1.50. 5 West Main St. 603-464-5079; germanjohnsbakery.net
BEST MARINA-SIDE DINING
Latitudes, New Castle
At this Wentworth by the Sea restaurant, every seat here offers prime views of the hotel’s marina. Watch the yachts come and go while sampling dishes such as filet mignon, pan-seared Atlantic salmon, and oven-roasted halibut.Entrées: from $25. 588 Wentworth Road. 603-422-7322; wentworth.com
BEST GELATO
Morano Gelato,Hanover
With flavors such as Sicilian cannoli with sheep’s-milk ricotta, candied orange and pistachio, and almond-and-rum crunch, is it any wonder this place is the best? Gelato: from $3. 57 South Main St., Suite 101. 603-643-4233; moranogelato.com
BEST FAIRYTALE LUNCH
Pickity Place,Mason
This little red cottage, which served as inspiration for illustrator Elizabeth Orton Jones’s 1948 version of “Little Red Riding Hood,” offers five-course gourmet luncheons featuring herbs and edible flowers harvested on site. Little ones are treated to a basket filled with homemade cookies and an apple. Entrées: $21.95; children’s menu: $8.95. 248 Nutting Hill Road. 603-878-1151; pickityplace.com
BEST VEGAN CUISINE
Spoon Revolution Vegan Bistro,Concord
Formerly Rasa’s Vegan Kitchen, this go-to destination for vegan cuisine participates in farm-to-table and farm-to-restaurant programs by working closely with local and organic growers. Open for lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner on Saturday. Entrées: from $4.50. 55 South Main St. 603-738-4327; spoonrev.com
BEST MEAL IN A HARDWARE STORE
Stella’s Italian Kitchen & Market, Lyme
Stella’s transforms locally raised products from the Upper Valley into memorable dishes such as chicken cannelloni and a smoked-fish platter of trout and salmon–all within a former hardware store in a circa-1781 building. Entrées: from $9. 5 Main St. 603-795-4302; stellaslyme.com
