Best of NH 2017 American & Seafood Restaurants

June 13, 2017

Site Staff,

The chicken and waffle BLT from Editor's Pick Covered Bridge Farm Table. Photo by Susan Laughlin

Chicken and Waffle BLT: Jennifer Leonzi, owner of the Covered Bridge Farm Table in Campton, made lemonade out of sour grapes and lots of media attention. After going public with The Country Cow’s problems on Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible,” she took Chef Robert Irvine’s advice to heart and headed to culinary school to amp up her game after filming ended. The revitalized space was renamed to showcase her mission to source local and make dishes from scratch. The chicken BLT sandwich is crowned with a flavorful homemade waffle. Mission accomplished. The view is killer too. Artisan Burgers: When Sonny’s Tavern in Dover noticed that burgers were their biggest seller, they decided to spread the wealth. Their Eastern Burger Company (EBC) opened in Stratham late last summer with savory beef burgers accessorized with the likes of caramelized onions, fried pickles, sun-dried tomato aioli, pea shoots or Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. Choose from the artisan list or build one yourself. Finally, the components are bookended with a perfect brioche bun. If you must, they do offer a kale salad.

Restaurant Revival: The Thompson House Eatery was a beloved dining spot in Jackson for years until it closed in 2013. New owners and newcomers to the area embraced the name and the legend, bringing considerable talent and expertise to the table along with fresh but rustic décor. Jeff Fournier gained accolades for his Boston suburb restaurant, 51 Lincoln. With surrounding land here, he will bring true farm-to-table cuisine geared to the region, along with his famous Bolognese. The drink list is impressive too.

Artisan Burgers: When Sonny’s Tavern in Dover noticed that burgers were their biggest seller, they decided to spread the wealth. Their Eastern Burger Company (EBC) opened in Stratham late last summer with savory beef burgers accessorized with the likes of caramelized onions, fried pickles, sun-dried tomato aioli, pea shoots or Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce. Choose from the artisan list or build one yourself. Finally, the components are bookended with a perfect brioche bun. If you must, they do offer a kale salad.

Specialty Burgers: There are a few kinds of specialty burgers that, at this point, we’re all familiar with: an avocado-topped Californian, a barbecue burger, a Tex-Mex theme with guacamole or salsa. Vibes Gourmet Burgers stocks those, but it also takes things miles farther. The Godfather comes with sweet Italian sausage, provolone and Sriracha, the Memphis with pulled pork and smoked gouda, and the Quebec with fries (on the burger, not next to) and cheese curds. But the most astounding of all is the Unusual. This six-ounce patty and brioche bun is served with apples, cheddar, bacon, lettuce and — ready for this? — pickled jalapeños and whipped peanut butter.