Small Bites: September Food News
The latest statewide food news from our cuisine editor
Pie in the Sky
Apple Festival and Apple Pie Contest at Alyson’s Orchard
Do you make an awarding-winning apple pie? Bring it to Alyson’s Orchard between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. for judging and prizes. Later, watch cider making, pick your own apples, enjoy live music or relax and enjoy the views and taste wine. There will be plenty of BBQ, ice cream and children’s activities too. Discover the picturesque beauty at Alyson’s for overnight family lodging and destination weddings.
57 Alyson’s Ln., Walpole, (603) 756-9800, Sunday, September 25, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Event of the Month
Taste of the Nation 2016
Top restaurants gather at LaBelle Winery in Amherst to raise funds for No Kid Hungry. This tasting event will be more exclusive than in past years, with attendance capped at 200. Enjoy wines from 30 vineyards, elegant cuisine, entertainment and an extensive silent auction.
Thursday, September 22, 6 to 9 p.m. $125 online at ce.nokidhungry.org/Manchester
September is Bourbon Month
Where to find it locally
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You don’t have to live in Kentucky to celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month. In 2007, the US Senate recognized bourbon as America’s “Native Spirit,” making it the only spirit distinctive to the United States. With that strong heritage residing in Kentucky, several local restaurants have traveled to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, Kentucky, to taste and designate specific barrels of the amber nectar worthy of their own name. The following restaurants each have their own branded variation of Woodford Reserve: the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, Hanover Street Chophouse in Manchester, most Common Man locations around the state, Fratello’s Italian Grille in Nashua and Manchester, The Homestead in Merrimack and Bristol, Federal Cigar in Dover and Portsmouth, Manchester Country Club in Bedford, The District in Portsmouth and Cotton in Manchester. The Omni Mount Washington signature cocktail, Elevation, is one perfect use of these sophisticated local bourbons. To learn how to make what the resort calls "a modern twist on a classic pairing," see the recipe below.
Elevation, by Omni Mount Washington
Ingredients:
1/2 oz New Hampshire maple syrup (Grade A Dark)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
2 2/12 oz Omni Mount Washington Signature Blend
Directions:
First, tip the maple into the bottom of a martini glass. Chill the bourbon and then slowly add to the glass. Lastly, slowly pour the lemon juice. Serve with a lemon twist.
More food and restaurant news
The fall season of New Hampshire Community Seafood starts soon. Find distribution centers across the state.
Subscription food goes a little outrageous with BurgaBox, which is set to launch in September 2016. Customers can purchase pre-made boxes, build their own boxes or join one of the monthly subscription options. There’s a nice variety from the modest two-pack for two people (burger type range from the All American to the Mac Attack) to the giant Boston Box complete with four burgers, two sides each of cole slaw and baked beans, buffalo mac and cheese, pulled pork mac and cheese, buffalo cheese fries and pizza fries. BBC was the winner of Rachael Ray’s Battle of the Burger, the inaugural Boston Magazine Battle of the Burger and was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.”
Charlie Pini of “Charcoal Charlie” Productions and Denise Meadows of Free Range Chick Catering are joining forces for CC&D’s Kitchen Market at 79 North Street in Keene. CC&D’s Kitchen Market will feature Charlie’s award-winning barbecue along with other comfort foods and regional favorites. The market is open Tuesday-Thursdays regularly for take-out of prepared meals and grab-and-go. Catering pick-ups, drop off and full service are available. The market will have a retail component featuring some kitchen items, gifts, locally made products and other items to round out meal, picnic and BBQ needs.
La Tasse, a 25-seat café, will open in Waterville Valley’s Town Square sometime this fall. The eatery will offer specialty coffee as well as a variety of loose-leaf teas, chai tea, hot chocolate and pastries each morning. During the afternoons, selections will also include local beer and wine and small dish entrees, such as quiche, meatballs, savory fold overs, soups and salads.
This summer Tamworth Distilling teamed up with the nearby Barnstormers Theater to create a ready-to-drink bottled cocktail — Barnstormers Punch — to show their support for the longest-running professional summer theater in the country (a percentage of sales is donated to the theater).
Jewell Towne Vineyards' 2015 Maréchal Foch earned the distinction and medal for the Best Grown New Hampshire Wine at the 2016 Northeast Gold Wine Competition held annually at the Big E in Springfield, Mass. At the same competition, Jewell Towne's 2015 Maréchal Foch and Riesling won gold medals. Aurore and Cayuga garnered silver medals. Other medal winners were Jewell Towne's Landot Noir, Vignoles, Old Vine Zinfandel, Seyval, Chancellor and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The new Manchester location of Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar is now open on Granite Street, next to exit 5 off of 293.
Suna, the latest restaurant by Chef Scott Ouellette and Andy Juhasz, is now open in Sunapee in the former One Mile West location.
The Biergarten at the Anheuser-Busch Merrimack Brewery & Tour Center is now open. It includes an indoor and outdoor space where guests can enjoy a traditional German biergarten experience and taste a variety of beer and light fare.
Nashua may see a new restaurant in the Gatehill development off of Spit Brook Road, Exit 1.
Chef James Gibney, former executive chef at the British Beer Company, is now at the Latham Tavern at Dowd’s Country Inn in Lyme. http://www.lathamhousetavern.com
Matty’s Bar & Grille has opened in the former Ipswich Clambake/Clam Haven spot on Second Street in Manchester.
Dunbar Restaurant, which serves Nepalese food, has opened in the former Michelle’s on Market Square space in Portsmouth.
1oak on Elm in Manchester is closed for renovations until they launch with a new concept. The Dugout sports bar below remains open.
Taverne on the Square has replaced New Socials in Claremont.
Finesse Pastries in Manchester has closed its retail business. They will continue baking classes at that location and plan on opening a new retail spot closer to Boston.
Enjoy $1 oysters on the Bedford Village Inn Patio every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and in Corks Wednesday through Sunday.
The Flight Center Beer Café will open soon at the former Cooking Matters space in Nashua at 97 Main Street. They will offer more than 40 taps of local New Hampshire and Nee England brews.
