Mangia ... Mangia ... Mangia

Submitted by Lorry Young, Granite State Ambassador
Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

Mangia Italian Restaurant recently re-located from Londonderry Turnpike in Hooksett to 33A Elm St. in Manchester, NH. Angelo Bruno is the proprietor, and a native of Campana, Italy. Angelo uses many recipes that have been in his family for years. 


The menu is full of authentic homemade Italian cuisine. One of his delectable appetizers is Bruschetta, the toppings are made daily with fresh ingredients. Quite a selection of salads are offered, you can also create your own salad. Zuppa del Giorno, soup of the day, the minestrone is wonderful. Ciabatta Bread Panino (sandwiches served warm and toasted). If you choose to make your own Panino, that is O.K., too. I counted at least sixteen Entree's meals to choose from. My choice was Pollo Valdostana, chicken topped with Italian ham, asparagus, and mozzarella cheese baked in a demy glaze sauce. The Portions are huge, so you will be bringing a doggie bag home. A variety of desserts are offered as well.
Mangia, is a small cozy place, seating twenty five customers. The restaurant will be BYOB until Bruno is approved for a liquor license.

Hours are: Lunch is served Tuesday through Thursday. 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and Friday noon-2:00p.m. Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00p.m. and Friday through Saturday 5:00p.m. -9:30p.m. Reservations are recommended.

To see the recommendation on the previous location of Mangia, please visit NHGSA Louise's blog post!

A Visit to Planet Marshmallow is Both Sweet and Savory

Submitted by Lorry Young, Granite State Ambassador
Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

Planet Marshmallow Dessert Cafe is an out-of-the-box creation by Heather Cox. It is located across the street from our historic Palace Theater on 81 Hanover Street. I recently had the pleasure of enjoying hand-crafted marshmallows sandwiched between homemade gourmet grahams and Hershey's chocolate known as s'mores. The cafe' provides a mini toaster so you can make your own at the table. It only takes seconds. Planet Marshmallow has a vast variety of specialty marshmallow flavors, quite unique and irresistable. They can be purchased at other speciality stores throughout the U.S. and on their website at www.planetmarshmallow.com.

An array of other delectable desserts are offered as well at the cafe. To go along with your dessert are a variety of coffees, loose leaf teas, hot chocolate, and pop. Savory items can be enjoyed as well. Winter time sausage and spinach soup. Quiche of the day or maybe baked brie and assorted crackers paired with a glass of wine. Yes, they offer a nice selection of wines. What a great place to go after the theater for a snack.

Loon Mountain Offers Something for Every Snow Sport Enthusiast

By: Nathan Pasquale NHGSA Intern and PSU Student

I know a lot ofpeople may have forgotten about it, but along with winter generally comes snow.This season Mother Nature has been holding out on us, but we have managed tomake do with what we’ve got. This happens to be a whole lot of snowmachines.  Being a student from PlymouthState University, there are a variety of mountains that are close by, includingone of my favorites, Loon Mountain. I have the privilege to ride two or threedays a week at Loon, and over the past four years, I have learned a lot aboutthe mountain and the area surrounding it. 

Between the Kancamagus Highway and exit 32 on Route 95 liesLincoln and Woodstock NH.  This area is aclassic ski town. As you drive in from 93 you are bombarded with ski shops andlocal restaurants. All of which I drive by without a glance in anticipation ofgoing snowboarding.  However, if you’relooking for a new board, skis, or you’re new to the sport and are looking forrentals, make a quick stop at Lahout’s. Their customer service is great, andthey have an amazing selection of gear, and knowledgable people who love thesport. Don’t let their multiple locations fool you, look for the one with theold gondola outside, that’s where their skis and snowboards are located.

Moving on down the road and keeping your speed under thelimit (strictly in forced), Loon’s entrance comes into view. Once across theriver, make sure to check the main lot for spots. Although on a busy day theymay have a sign saying the lot is closed, take a spin through anyways, you maybe surprised of how close a parking spot you can find.

Once situated, it’s time to hit the slopes. I usually startwith a quick Gondola ride to the summit. Iif you don’t mind meeting new people,hop in the singles line with your friends and you can skip the whole wait.Loon’s peak provides the most trail options with all difficulties. If you’relike me and want to head to the terrain park, trails like Flying Fox and BearClaw provide a fun easy ride down to the main park.  If you are more of an all mountain rider andall you want to do is find some soft open trails, South Peak is a great escapefrom both lines and tracked out trails. South Peak, a new addition to Loon, hasintermediate and advanced trails.  Forthose up to the task, you can take Rip Saw, a double black diamond, which willkeep you coming back for more.  I reallyenjoy a few runs on South Peak but when it really snows, and it’s time for someglade and tree skiing, I bear right at the top and head over to North Peak.

NorthPeak, in my opinion contains some of the most exciting and fun trails atLoon. Can’t Dog and Bucksaw, both woodstrails, contain some great lines.  Staying to the center of Bucksaw has never leadme wrong - you can usually always find some deep snow in there. On a busy day,the solitude of the woods, along with the wind protection, can turn a cold busyday around. Hopefully with a little luck, we will have enough snow to enjoythis trail this season.

After a long day of fun in the snow, I like to relax on theporch of the Bunyan Room, grab the special of the day, and watch people comedown the mountain. If you’re looking to take advantage of some après specials,head to Gordi’s.  Here you can helpyourself to some complimentary popcorn, crackers and cheese. Gordi’s offers specialsfrom 4-5:30 every day.  I stopped in theother day, and they had 25¢ Buffalo wings!  Ofcourse if you’re looking for a refreshing beverage, there is an accompanyingbeer special as well.

I have been going to Loon now for 4 years, and each year Iseem to find something else interesting and fun. The Mountain is a great placeto ski and ride, and the town of Lincoln is a friendly environment whereeveryone is welcome. Next time you’re looking for a place to ski or ride, headto Loon, you won’t be disappointed.

Polly's Pancake Parlor is Delicious Any Time of Day

Submitted by Sue Geyer, Granite State Ambassador
Currier Museum Class of 2010

Last fall when my folks were visiting, we took a drive upnorth. Since two of my Father’s favorite foods are maple sugar/syrup and pancakes, I decided to take them to Polly’s Pancake Parlor. I hadn’t been there in a long time and was delighted that it had the same warm rustic feel I remembered.

Although they have a lot of other things on the menu, we were set for breakfast and that is one of their strengths. The fact that they have a tray on the table with maple syrup, maple cream and granulated maple sugar was a big hit. My Dad ordered a full stack of pancakes while my Mom and I did the half stack along with some meat. They have a variety of batters along with different add-ins. And you can opt for up to three different combinations. So I think I had blueberry buckwheat, walnut buttermilk and coconut cornmeal. They are 3-inch pancakes and you get either 3 or 6. What’s really nice if you order the full stack is they bring you three to begin with and then after a little while bring you three more hot from the griddle. And everything was delicious!

The dining room overlooked the mountains and is beautiful. Someone happened to spot some bears playing and clued in the rest of the dining room.

They also have a wonderful little gift shop, which includes Polly’s pancake mix and lots of maple products. You can also order off their website year round.

However, they are closed in the winter, so don't hold off a visit of your own! Once they close for the season, they won't open again until the beginning of May 2012 (check their website for seasonal details). Whenever you do visit, it’s a great destination any time of the day.

Big History in "Little Canadas"

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

If you’re like me, your grandparents, and maybe even your parents, came to New Hampshire from Canada. I still remember my Grandmother telling me how she moved to New Hampshire from a farm in Quebec, and how she worked in the manufacturing mills as a teenager. Because so many French people immigrated here during the industrial revolution, New Hampshire had lots of cities and towns that began forming neighborhoods nicknamed “Little Canadas.” The French had a huge influence on the heritage and culture of many families, and our website is proud to feature a brand new Franco-American Itinerary that’s designed for folks who want to explore their French heritage in New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
looking up the Merrimack River, Manchester, NH;
from a 1911 postcard by Alphonso H. Sanborn.
Electronic Source: Wikipedia

The tour is centered in Manchester, as the Queen City was once home to the largest mill complex in the world, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. It features dining establishments that offer classic French dishes on their menus, organizations that center on educating visitors about the Franco-American culture in New Hampshire, and other points of interest directly related to the influence that the French-Canadians had in the Granite State.

Although the itinerary centers on Manchester, there are many other communities throughout New Hampshire that still carry remnants of a strong Franco-American presence within their architecture, their restaurants, and most of all, their people.

Please visit http://www.visitnh.gov/uploads/itineraries/franco-american-tour.pdf to read or download this fun and educational itinerary. Bon Voyage!

We Are Family ...

By Ami D'Amelio, GSA Programs Manager

The Hanover Street Chophouse in Manchester, NH has been a family favorite since its opening just over five years ago. My husband and I have been there numerous times for the Chophouse renowned long, romantic dinners, and we have been there separately for various business lunches, dinners and drinks. We love the exquisite interior, all the dark wood and intimate seating creates a cozy environment full of plush and luxury.

The first time with the kids and my mother from out-of-state was before attending A Christmas Carol at the Palace Theatre a few years back. The food was amazing (the seafood tower is legendary!) and the service impeccable. Needless to say, we all had a wonderful experience! A handful of other times, we have popped into the Chophouse later in the evening with the kids for dessert, cocktails and coffee after a night of festivities elsewhere. Every time, despite the hour, the staff was always welcoming, the ambiance inviting, and the fare delighting. Not all restaurants can handle a family, especially impromptu, so it is a tremendous credit to the Chophouse to have such a lasting impression on us.

The Hanover Street Chophouse celebrated their fifth anniversary early this December. My family and I are thrilled to have this jewel in Manchester and look forward to our next visit ... whenever that should be ... hopefully soon.

Mangia! Mangia!

By Louise Lachance, Granite State Ambassador
Sprint Class of 2002

One of my favorite little known restaurant is Cafe Mangia on Bypass 28 between Manchester and Hooksett. Cafe Mangia is right next to Eaton's Candy and Cake Decorating, and offers traditional recipes that are claimed to have been passed down through generations. They certainly taste authentic! Cafe Mangia does accept reservations, but are limited in days open, so I would recommend to call ahead for hours. This establishment offers Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) with a set-up fee, so you can bring your favorite bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal. The food is Italian and fresh and made on the spot. Plan on eating at a leisurely pace, as it is a small operation and they take their time crafting your meal.

To see the updated recommendation of Cafe Mangia's new Manchester location, please visit NHGSA Lorry's blog post!

The MadTav: Local Favorite for Visitors and Residents

By: Mary Jo Stephens, Granite State Ambassador

If you're ever in the Plymouth/Campton area and need a warm, friendly place to eat, I highly recommend going to the Mad River Tavern located on Rt. 49 in Campton, just off exit 28 of I-93. We decided early this morning to meet a friend there tonight for dinner.  


For the month of November, the Tavern has decided to have 3 dinner specials, which includes a house salad, each night Sunday through Thursday for the low cost of $10.00. Tonight, we each had one of the specials. I had the pork tenderloin with a mandarin BBQ sauce with walnuts and there were 3 nice pieces of very tender pork served with their veggie of the day, butternut squash and I chose rice pilaf as my side. I ended up taking 1 piece of pork home for my husband for his lunch tomorrow. My husband had the boneless short ribs with the side dish of macaroni and cheese (a nice size portion) as the ribs were so succulent & tender.  He also had a house salad. Our friend decided on the third special, a Blackened Chicken California Wrap which was stuffed with carrots, lettuce & guacamole. She chose to have steamed broccoli as her side along with some hot sauce & blue cheese dressing and she said it was delicious.   


We also love to sit in the Bar area, 

as the bartender also waited on us and does a spectacular job of keeping it all together, serving drinks to the bar, offering lively conversation and making sure that everyone is happy. Alot of the waitresses have been there many years and everyone does a great job at keeping everyone satisfied with really good food and service. Whenever anyone asks us what our favorite place to eat is, we always tell them that you can't go wrong with Mad River Tavern.

On a side note, they also serve lunch during the week and if you're looking for an inexpensive place to go, this is the place. Our hiking group went there on Tuesday after our hike and we all had one of the $5.00 specials (a delicious turkey, stuffing & cranberry sauce sandwich on your choice of bread, with gravy on the side and a generous portion of French Fries). It was an incredible deal that you can't pass up. For lunch during the week, they serve their tavern menu, located on the back of the menu along with their appetizers and 3 different $5.00 specials.

Believe me when I say, this is truly a great restaurant that aims to please as you'll see if you ever go there. They have quite an extensive menu where you can get anything from apps to salads, from burgers/sandwiches to pasta, seafood, steaks etc. Mad River Tavern is truly a find for those of you traveling to Central NH in the Plymouth/Campton area or if you're lucky enough to live close by, then you can frequent the Tavern as many times as you'd like. Enjoy!!!

We're not in October anymore ...

Submitted by Ami D'Amelio, GSA Programs Manager

So it is past Octoberfest season, but there is still a lot to do if you prefer locally brewed beer and New Hampshire-made flavor! Here are a few places to check out if you haven't already or if you are ready for another round....

Milly's Tavern, Manchester, NH

The only true brewery in Manchester, Milly's Tavern has 16 of their own brews on tap and handcraft them every week. They do offer a mug club for those that want to come back for more at a reduced cost. Or if you want to take yours home to enjoy, they also will fill 64oz. growlers to go! (You simply must try their Pumpkin Ale, which is typically brewed year round and one of my all-time favorites!) In addition, they boast their nightclub scene, some nights with live music, and food. It is a win all the way around!

Portsmouth Brewery, Portsmouth, NH

The Portsmouth Brewery is the original NH brewpub and has been serving great food and handcrafted beers since 1991. The brewery is connected through common ownership with the Smuttynose Brewing Company, also located in Portsmouth. Between their Smuttynose offerings and their in-house brews, looks like they have about ten on tap at the moment. They offer tours Thursdays, Friday and Saturdays at 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and also offer 64oz. growlers or 22oz. bomber bottles to take home with you. They are known for their famous Kate the Great Russian Imperial Stout (which if you are interested, will be released March 7, 2011 and scratch tickets to start being sold January 24th). I haven't personally had this brew, but am thinking 2011 might be my year!

Martha's Exchange Restaurant & Brewing Company, Nashua, NH

Located in downtown Nashua, Martha's Exchange offers upwards of 25 different brews throughout the year, with a rotation of semi-regular, seasonals and reserve beers. From the meager beginnings as Martha's Sweet Shoppe to a luncheonette to the gorgeous restaurant it is today, Martha's has grown up to be a strong force in food and beverage. Their food is spectacular and many dishes offer a modern twist on old favorites. A recent lunch companion actually claimed to have never witnessed anyone not thoroughly enjoy their fare. I have to agree - mine was delicious!

If you are interested in sampling a few brews for contrast and comparison, try out the second annual New Hampshire Brewers Festival on Friday and Saturday November 12 and 13, 2010, in the Armory at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, NH. There is a "Dinner with the Brewers" event on Friday night and two beer-tasting sessions on Saturday. More than enough opportunity to try out some new and savor some familiar brews. Over 18 brands are listed on the website, and the breweries listed above are included! Looking for a deal? The Radisson Hotel also offers garage parking, restaurant, lounge and package deals with rooms, meals and brewfest tickets.

Can't make the Festival? No worries, the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism also offer a Brewery Tour map and brochure that you can download online at www.visitnh.gov and tour some of the best NH breweries at your own pace.

Prost!

It is HEATING UP in New Hampshire!

The fall is really heating up with all the chili cook-offs that have boiled up left and right. All of the cook-off events sound worth the visit (I do love a good bowl of chili!), so here are a few cook-offs to take note of:

World Championship Chili Cook-Off

The mother of all chili cook-offs in New Hampshire for 2010, the World Championship Chili Cook-Off went through a stringent selection process and chose to have their much celebrated annual world championship in Manchester, NH. The World Championship Chili Cook-Off is organized each year by the International Chili Society (ICS), a non-profit organization that sanctions chili cook-offs with judging and cooking rules and regulations. Winners from sanctioned events are eligible to participate in the World Championship, which is scheduled from October 1-3, 2010. Tickets are only $5.00 and include five chili sampling

tickets. Or if you feel lucky, enter NH.com's World Championship Chili Cook-Off Ticket Giveaway

(you must enter by 9/26 to be eligible). Finally, if you would like to receive updates as they become available, you can visit the World Championship Chili Cook-Off on Facebook and show them how much you "like" them!

Claremont Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off

With this family-oriented, high-quality area attraction, Claremont

comes to life with

this city-wide event

produced by the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce. During the day, the festival includes a chili cook-off, live music, apple pie auction, 5k certified race, hothead contest, classic car display, art walk, kid zone, lots of vendors, and more! Transitioning into the night, the festival will be offering a pub crawl and a family movie night under the stars.

With major event sponsor Eastern Propane & Oil, this day and evening will be one for the books! The chili cook-off starts at 11am, and tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 18. The Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce is currently redesigning their website, so all Claremont Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off details can be found on the Fall Festival Facebook page.

21^st Annual WHEB Chili Cook-Off

The longest running cook-off I was able to find in NH, the WHEB Chili Cook-Off has the details all squared away! This year's cook-off is scheduled for Saturday, October 9th from 11:30pm until the chili is gone. Adult tickets are $15.00, children tickets are $6.00 and Prescott Park Arts Festival members receive free admission. For this year's event, WHEB has partnered with Strawbery Banke Museum, and the Chili Cook-Off will be offered in tandem with their Fall Festival. Both events will take place on the grounds of Strawbery Banke. In addition, my sources announced that this year's attendees will be able to pair their chili with Redhook beer!

8th Annual Chilly Chili Cook-Off

This annual event has actually outgrown the venue used in years past so are in negotiations to create a "Chilly Chili Cook-Off Stroll" which will stretch through the Village of North Conway. Although a specific date has not been announced, this cook-off is typically held during winter so you have a bit of time to schedule this one on your social calendar. Check the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce website for details in early October. For me, a stroll through crisp winter air with a steaming bowl of chili sounds like a winter wonderland!

Who says the fall isn't hot hot hot in New Hampshire? :-)