A Guide to Southwestern (NH) Restaurants

Article by real estate agent Steve Russo

Looking for a home in a new area can be an exciting adventure. Driving the highways and byways in the towns to the west of Nashua NH while searching for that dream home can take considerable time, however. Here are a few distinctive restaurants that can not only revive one’s spirits, but give a person some insight into the unique qualities of living in this area of southern New Hampshire.

Once you have acquired your piece of New Hampshire real estate, don’t toss this list out. It is your guide to sampling the delightful restaurants awaiting you in your new town and its environs.

Black Forest Cafe’s guiding philosophy is to offer fresh, hand-made creations using natural ingredients. The Cafe features an eclectic menu including dishes such as New England cranberry chicken salad, savory Black Forest meatloaf, and eggplant napoleons. It’s great for a lunch or a light dinner; its Sunday brunch is very popular. The Cafe has an attached bakery marketplace filled with desserts and take-out meals. They recently added a “Wifi Spot” on the second floor for those who want to consult their laptops while enjoying their marketplace fare.
Address: 212 Route 101, Amherst
Phone: (603) 672 – 0500
Website: http://www.theblackforestcafe.com/

Hollis Country Kitchen – Everything is made-to-order at this limited-seating restaurant located at the junction of routes 122 and 130 in Hollis. Breakfast offerings feature over 40 items, including not only the usual omelets, but Greek, Macedonian, kielbasa, and corned beef varieties. Choose what real fruit you would like added to your pancakes from any of the following: apples, blueberries, bananas, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries, and add chocolate chips and walnuts if you like – served with genuine New Hampshire maple syrup, of course. The lunch and dinner menus are equally exhaustive, and include numerous simple and satisfying seafood, rotisserie chicken, burger, and salad dishes.
Address: 3 Proctor Hill Road, Hollis
Phone: (603) 465 – 7040
Website: Hollis Country Kitchen

Lucia’s Tavola features Italian cuisine with an inventive twist. The extensive menu ranges from well-known Italian standbys like calamari and veal piccata to unique creations like lobster gnocchi and lamb chops encrusted with a horseradish parmesan coating. Desserts are made on the premises – or imported from Italia. Dinner reservations recommended.
Address: 181 Route 13, Stony Ledge Plaza, Brookline
Phone: (603) 249 – 9134
Website: http://www.luciastavola.com/

The Mile Away offers four course dinners at very reasonable prices. Housed in a totally remodeled barn, this “country elegant” restaurant features a menu with chiefly German, French, and Swiss items. Starters include Swedish meatballs and vichyssoise, entrees include Wienerschnitzel, tournedos, and chicken cordon bleu. Dining by the huge wood- burning fireplace is memorable, as is their Oktoberfest celebration every autumn. Reservations recommended.
Address: 52 Federal Hill Road, Milford
Phone: (603) 673 – 3904
Website: http://www.mileawayrestaurant.com/

Parker’s Maple Barn is open daily for breakfast and lunch. The complex includes an antique-decorated barn dining room, a maple sugar house, and a gift shop featuring a myriad of maple sugar products and souvenirs. Well known locally for its pancake and omelet breakfasts, they also serve a full lunch menu, highlighted by maple baby back ribs and roast turkey. Very popular locally; waits can be up to two hours long on summer and fall weekends.
Address: 1316 Brookline Road, Mason
Phone: (603) 878 – 2308
Website: http://www.parkersmaplebarn.com/

Pickity Place is well known for using a wide variety of fresh and dried herbs from their own gardens in their menu items. Their 5-course gourmet prix fixe menu changes monthly and always includes a vegetarian selection. Upcoming entrees include chicken saltimbocca with basil polenta, crab and gruyere phyllo purses, and vegetable moussaka. The grounds include an herb store and a greenhouse. There are three seatings for lunch daily; reservations are essential.
Address: 248 Nutting Hill Road, Mason
Phone: 603-878-1151
Website: http://www.pickityplace.com/

Rustic Leaf Bistro stresses locally grown organic produce; the innovative offerings here are sure to stimulate anyone’s palate. Appetizers include goat-cheese stuffed dates and sweet potato crab cakes; salads include pear, beet, olive, and butternut varieties. Entrees feature natural and fresh ingredients, including walnut apple encrusted chicken, pumpkin seed crusted salmon, and steaks with maple mustard sauce or gorgonzola cream. The numerous vegetarian dishes include butternut squash risotto and chili dusted avocadoes. Open for lunch and dinner.
Address: 15 Elm Street, Milford
Phone: (603) 672 – 1556
Website: http://therusticleaf.com/

Twelve Pine is a very upscale cafeteria featuring fresh-roasted coffees, gourmet salads, paninis, entrees such as grilled salmon and pork loin with leeks, and a wide variety of made-in-house pastries and gelati. The adjoining food and gift shop features artisan-made chocolates, spice mixtures, teas, condiments, wine, and comestibles.
Address: 11 School Street, Depot Square, Peterborough
Phone: (603) 924 – 6140
Website: http://twelvepine.com/