Are you hungry? Get prepared for some fabulous photos and restaurant picks within the coronary heart of New England and past. Included on this information are Boston, Somerville, and Newton within the Boston space, Portsmouth and Hampton NH, Kittery Maine, and Lenox Massachusetts. We additionally embrace just a few eateries in Rockport and Gloucester on the best way north to the NH coast and Route 1.
Anneke Jans in Kittery Maine
We returned to Gloucester’s Rocky Neck to enterprise down reminiscence lane (see our journey a few years in the past which was explored by bike). Honestly, in case you evaluate the images, you’ll see loads of similarities: the quirkiness of the retailers, the artistic flare of the artists’ exterior studio facades, the colourful flowers in entrance of the stained-colored buildings and galleries. The weathered look from chipped paint on entrance homes, bikes, boats and cafe doorways. It was a lot quieter than I remembered.
A standard sizzling spot is The Salted Cod which mixes their love of food and drinks with artwork.
The Salted Cod Arthouse is famend and locals will ship you there in case you discuss to at least one lengthy sufficient.
Gloucester
Rocky Neck isn’t all there’s to Gloucester. There are a number of quaint neighborhoods together with just a few purchasing areas which I like to walk. Who doesn’t love cafes, vintage shops and quaint boutiques in New England? If you don’t, then I’d argue you may not gel with New England. After all, it’s the connection to all issues historic (not less than by American requirements) that convey individuals to the Northeast. Since Anthony and I grew up right here, it was like going dwelling. The dwelling we grew up figuring out by means of its distinctive smells, tastes and sights. For instance, if you wish to have tea with teddy bears, you may in Gloucester.
Teddy Bear Picnic anybody?
Rockport
A stone’s throw from Gloucester lies Rockport, and it tends to be custom to go to each time I’m within the space. Maybe the draw is Rockport’s acquainted toffee and ice cream retailers, or the pewter retailer I do know so properly. Or maybe its the numerous enjoyable instances I’ve had alongside its pedestrian walkway and the handfuls of lobsters I’ve eaten there, inside and out. One of probably the most notorious picturesque views in New England might be present in Rockport though some Maine natives would possibly argue with me on that one.
Rockport most likely isn’t one of the best place to get lobster within the space, largely as a result of it’s costlier than heading just a little additional north alongside Route 1. There are loads of locations to get seafood, both sitting down or grabbing a cup of New England creamy chowder to go. At the very finish of Bearskin Neck (#68 to be exact), you’ll discover My Place by the Sea and it didn’t appear to be it modified in any respect because the final time we went there for a really romantic meal on the deck roughly eight years in the past. We have been planning to repeat the expertise nevertheless it was closed, so we went to Fleur Cuisine Harborside on the wharf as an alternative. The ambiance was beautiful; nevertheless, the meals was solely good, not nice and the service was little bit of a disappointment.
Boston
A stroll by means of the historic district and Quincy Market was an effective way to spend our ultimate afternoon.
The Boston Waterfront
Below are a number of the delights within the Food Court. Okay, so I bought carried away by a l’il dessert shade.
Then we headed to the North End for dinner and low, beginning at Naples-influenced Ristorante Saraceno, excellent for Anthony’s heritage and choice for Italian dishes. It’s a staple — not one of the best Italian meals on the planet, nevertheless it’s GOOD and the ambiance is epic.
A basic should order in any Italian restaurant in my humble opinion…
Then there’s Francesca’s alongside the identical foremost drag and solely a stone’s throw from Seraceno.
Although locals could argue that there are different cafes that trump the cappuccino at Caffe Vittoria, it stays one in every of my favourite spots, largely due to the recollections of my youth. All these late nights ingesting espresso there after lengthy work nights. And to prime it off, little or no has modified in regards to the place. In different phrases, it’s as I remembered it. The ambiance. The tables, chairs, espresso, desserts, lighting — all of it.
Sometimes, you’ve simply bought to indulge your interior little one and relive the tastes, smells and experiences of yesteryear simply because. Thankfully our pals indulged us each step of the best way.
Tiramisu at Caffe Vittoria within the North End
Somerville
Although I wrote earlier that so many issues felt related strolling on previous roads, stopping in retailers of previous and re-visiting favourite eating places and cafes, it wasn’t the identical, largely as a result of I’m not the identical. That stated, it introduced me nice pleasure to drink and dine once more in a few of my previous neighborhoods. Somerville’s Dali remains to be alive and kicking. This Spanish Tapas Bar was the right spot to assemble twenty or so previous pals from my time residing within the space.
While the tapas are nonetheless heavenly, it’s the ambiance that brings me again time and again. And they nonetheless ship on that distinctive old-world expertise fifteen years later.
Shrimp and Garlic Tapas at Dali in Somerville
Just have a look at the ceiling….
And the magic of the Tiles. The Lights. The Bar. The Ceiling. The Walls. The Colors. You need to go to, don’t you?
New Hampshire’s Coast
There’s a lot to additionally see inland, which embrace nice hikes and weekend getaways, however we simply love the coast. This previous journey solely allowed for southern New Hampshire adventures; nevertheless, we used to drive up Route 1 usually from Boston, spending time in all of the cities alongside the coast and we did the identical for a lot of Maine as properly.
Like Maine, there’s loads of lobster shacks alongside the coast however the trendier city of Portsmouth not solely provides trendy culinary spots to dine however has nice structure. Further south simply over the Massachusetts border is Newburyport the place I spent a number of time in my thirties. We stayed with pals in Hampton and went out to dinner nightly, visiting their favourite eateries—what a deal with. Scroll beneath for just a few of these experiences.
During the day, we spent out time strolling the seashores (and amassing seaweed, rocks and shells for my numerous artwork tasks as I all the time do once I journey). In and round Hampton, you may dine in or buy clams, oysters, lobster, crab and different seafood to cook dinner at dwelling.
In and Around Hampton NH
There’s not a lot to this artsy little city simply over the Maine border, however we went main to drink and eat. And have a look at artwork in fact. It’s a beautiful stroll down the primary drag; nevertheless, and there are some fantastic walks and hikes close by. Be certain to scroll down for our favourite picks from Kittery: Anneke Jans and The Wallingford Dram.
If you need a extra informal expertise merely to get your “lobster fix” in southern NH, just a few choices embrace Brown’s Lobster Pound (we had one picnic desk model earlier than heading out of city) and Markey’s Lobster Pool, each in Seabrook, Al’s Seafood in North Hampton, Smitty’s State Pier Lobster Pound in Hampton, Ray’s Seafood in Rye and Lobster Boat Restaurant in Litchfield, the latter of which is a recognized spot for old-school seafood and pasta.
Above and beneath, in and round Hampton NH
My lobster order earlier than and after.
While I needed to succumb to 2 roadside lobster meals, we additionally wished to attempt just a few elegant and tasteful eating spots and our native pals Gail and Steve have been the right hosts.
First, we ventured to Black Trumpet in Portsmouth which provides a seasonal, eclectic menu, with loads of gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and nut free choices besides. They have a superb Cheese and Charcuterie Plate or scrumptious Shrimp Ceviche Tostada with Cucumber-Nasturtium Pico to kick off your meal. Anthony and I needed to attempt the Tea-Smoked Duck Breast with Beet-Noodle Seaweed Salad and Black Garlic Nigella Emulsion, which was to die for.
Above and beneath: Black Trumpet in Portsmouth NH
Main course choices embrace a Brandade crusted Halibut with Succotash, Swiss Chard, Marinated Tomatoes and Zucchini Sauce, a Soy-Brined Iberico Pork Loin with Buckwheat Noodles, Bok Choy, Umeboshi Plum Puree and Tempura Scallions and a Pan-Fried Zucchini Feta Cake with Mushrooms, Local Greens, Beet Yogurt and Orange Blossom Honey. (Note the Asian affect)
Desserts have been equally divine, with Chocolate and Cherry Clafoutis and Spiced Mascarpone and Cherry Syrup, and White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Shaved Enna Chocolate and Nilla Water Crumbs. And how about this one? Sweetheart Beet and Plum Swiss Roll with Mascarpone Buttercream and Maple Creme Anglaise. Can you say Heavenly thrice after just a few cocktails and any of those to-die-for sweets?
For cocktails, a should go to is a singular gem in Kittery Maine referred to as The Wallingford Dram.
The Wallingford Dram in Kittery Maine
Let’s simply say that each one of their cocktails had us at good day. Unusual mixes embrace the next (too superb to not publish intimately):
- A Fist within the Mouth of Time: Bourbon, Smoke, Fernet, Coffee Brandy, Bitters, Lavender
- We Are Still Us: Buttered Hay Washed Brandy, Black Pepper, Cumin and Orange Curacao with Egg White and Lemon
- Victims of Late Success: Bourbon, Aperol, Mango, Pine, Preserved Lemon, Coco Blast, Nogori Sake (sure, actually), Seltzer and Mint
- Jupiter Jazz: Jalapeno-infused Mezcal, Amaro Montenegro, Passionfruit, Lemon, Orgeat, Szechuan Peppercorns
- By Witchcraft: Cranberry Infused Gin, Dry Curacao, Lime, Cassia, Creme De Violette (excellent for the area)
- Tankgirl: Tequila, Aperol, Cherry Heering, Lemon, Orgeat, Pineapple and African Birdseye Chili
- High Priestess: Raspberry-Hisbiscus Gin, Blackberry, Lime, Dry Curacao, Chocolate Bitters and Egg White (gotta love the title)
- Dame Shrub: Gin, Rosemary Pear Shrub, Lemon, Ginger, Main Hemlock, Seltzer
- A Secret Garden Highball: Earl Grey Tea Vodka, House Bitter Lemon Soda
- Boat Cowboy: Tequila, Boubon, Allspice Dram, Pineapple Gomme, Birds Eye Chilli and Bitters
- Northsea Lineman: Rye with Islay Scotch, Maraschino, Pune e Mes, Bitters and Salt
- Leatherman: Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Lapsang Souchong Liqueur and Bitters (Anthony had two – hey, we weren’t driving)
- Something for Timmy: Olive Oil Washed Bourbon, Green Chartreuse and Bitters
- Eddy and the Bridge: Strawberries, Peychaud’s Bitters, Pineapple Gomme, Tequila, Guajilo Pepper, Lemon, Seltzer and Thai Basil
Cocktails at The Wallingford Dram in Kittery Maine
Okay, I may go on. But you get the thought. Highly artistic, numerous and strange. We may have sat there all night time.
Also in Kittery Maine is Anneke Jans, which can be an uncommon discover for the realm. Also in Wallingford Square (begin your night time with cocktails at The Walllingford Dram after which stroll over to Anneke Jans for dinner. They provide European-influenced American dinners, small plates & drinks in a snazzy, cosmopolitan setting.
We began off with Oysters and Mussels as a result of who may you not in the event that they’re on the menu? The chef prepares their Maine mussels with bacon, onions, white wine, cream, and Great Hill Blue Cheese. Yum, proper?
Other delicious bites at this magical spot embrace Lobster Salad with Green Corn Relish and Avocado Mousse, Grilled Scallops with Succatosh, Sweet Corn Soubise, Citrus and Leeks, their Scottish Salmon with Mango Quinoa Salad, Shiitake Mushrooms, Bok Choy and Miso Ginger Glaze, and Steak Frites with Romesco.
Lenox Massachusetts is a enjoyable place to cease in case you’re heading to upstate New York. Be certain to cease by the normal and ever-so historic Red Lion Inn. Sit on the porch, order some biscuits, a cheese plate and an enormous pot of tea. We browsed in a number of the cute retailers alongside the primary drag of Lenox for an hour or so earlier than grabbing some drinks and assembly an previous buddy.
Outside The Red Lion Inn in Lenox, Mass.
Also on the best way is Coxsackie New York. There’s not a lot there, however a pleasant cease is Yanni’s Restaurant alongside the river for lunch, the place I managed to meet up with an previous highschool buddy.
At Yanni’s Restaurant on the River in Coxsackie New York.
Be certain to take a look at two current articles on simply meals within the space: Top Boston Foodie Picks by Category. And for different issues to do, see my New England Favorite Spots article which incorporates the foodie picks from this piece as properly.
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