Matt Ingersoll – Page 37

In the kitchen with Joe Bernier

Joe Bernier of Weare is the owner and pitmaster of Angry Hog Barbecue Co. (angryhogbbq.com, and on Facebook and Instagram), a mobile food trailer specializing in various smoked meats like beef brisket, pulled pork and St. Louis-cut ribs, along with burgers, hot dogs and scratch-made sides, from coleslaw and baked beans to macaroni and cheese and jalapeno cornbread. Other unique options he’s dabbled in have included smoked bologna sandwiches, barbecue “sundaes” in a cup, and “hand grenades,” or bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeno poppers. Bernier’s barbecue venture started out in 2011 when he was making and selling his own line of specialty sauces and rubs. In 2018, he operated a seasonal barbecue restaurant on Weirs Beach in Laconia before later transitioning into a food trailer after the pandemic hit. Find him at Laconia Harley-Davidson (239 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith) on Saturday, May 14, and at TMS Diesel (83 Rockland Road, Weare) on Saturday, May 21, for its second annual Dyno Day. From Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Angry Hog Barbecue Co. will have a permanent location six days a week at Hermit Woods Winery (62 Main St., Meredith).

What is your must-have kitchen item?

My digital thermometer.

What would you have for your last meal?

A really good marinated steak tip, right off the grill.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

The Stark House [Tavern] in Weare. … It’s not a large space, but it’s a cool little vibe with really good food.

What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your food trailer?

Adam Sandler. … I can see him shouting out to somebody, ‘That food is wicked good!’

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

I have a burger called the Sasquatch burger. … It has pickled jalapeno, Swiss cheese, onion and my Hellfire barbecue sauce. It just catches all of the right notes that food should. You get both the savory [flavor] from the beef and the spice from the jalapenos.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

I think it’s flights and sliders. … Just any small amount of something that’s served on one plate. You’re seeing a lot of that now — burger flights, taco flights, you name it.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

A nice huge lasagna. A big batch can feed the family for three days.

Angry Hog “hand grenades” (bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers)
Courtesy of Joe Bernier of Angry Hog Barbecue Co.

1 cup pulled pork
¼ cup habanero jelly
¼ cup pineapple chunks
jalapeno peppers
applewood bacon
cream cheese
barbecue sauce

In a bowl, combine pulled pork, pineapple chunks and habanero jelly. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill. Slice jalapenos the long way and remove the pith and seeds from inside the peppers. Fill the now hollow part of the pepper slices with cream cheese. Place three of these halves in your hand and spoon some of the pulled pork mixture into the middle, then encase the pulled pork with the cream cheese-filled peppers. Wrap with a slice of applewood bacon. Place the jalapenos in the freezer for around 15 minutes to allow them to stiffen up. In a smoker — or on a grill indirectly — cook until the pepper sweats (it should appear wrinkly). Place on direct heat, turning once or twice to crisp up the bacon. Place on a plate and drizzle with your favorite barbecue sauce.

Featured photo: Joe Bernier. Courtesy photo.

Everyone’s cup of tea

Teatotaller coming to downtown Concord

Somersworth native Emmett Soldati found success in his hometown with Teatotaller, a cafe featuring everything from scratch-made sandwiches and salads to coffees, espresso drinks, house tea blends and more. Originally launching the concept in 2011, Soldati relocated a few blocks down the road to his current space on High Street in 2016 — now, he’s getting ready to expand the Teatotaller brand in the form of a second location, coming soon to downtown Concord.

On track to open later this month, Teatotaller’s newest spot is in the former Edible Arrangements storefront in the city’s Capital Plaza. The project, Soldati said, has actually been in the works since before the pandemic — from 2018 and into 2019, he had been looking for potential spots in various cities and towns when he was introduced to Concord property manager Steve Duprey.

egg, bacon, and greens sandwich on english muffin — Courtesy photo.

“I got to know Concord very well over that period of time, scoping out spots, and I definitely had an affinity for it,” Soldati said. “I like that it still has a small-town feel … but it’s certainly more bustling and vibrant than Somersworth, and I thought that the business would do really well.”

Soldati’s plan had been to open on Warren Street in early 2020, but Covid had other plans. The Edible Arrangements store closing in the interim gave him an opening to get onto Main Street.

Last month, Teatotaller’s distinguished pink paint went up outside, attracting significant attention and solidifying Soldati’s intentions to open the doors soon. The eatery’s menu will be similar to that of its predecessor — everything will be made in-house with fresh and local ingredients.

“There are aspects of it that will be distinct and unique because of the space … but our goal is to take the success of what is in Somersworth and bring it to Concord,” Soldati said. “I’m very proud of the menu. … I think just having more made-from-scratch things in Concord is exciting. We also sort of describe ourselves as a full-spectrum bakery and kitchen, which means we have a lot of vegan options, both vegan baked goods and savory items, and gluten-free options as well. We’ve had a lot of success accommodating different dietary palates and lifestyles.”

Teatotaller’s breakfast sandwiches, for instance, can be made on gluten-free breads or on the eatery’s own sourdough English muffins. There’s a build-your-own sandwich option in which you can choose everything from a baked egg or tofu frittata to bacon from North Country Smokehouse of Claremont, veggies and house aiolis with flavors like Dijon, chipotle and pesto.

Coffees are sourced from New Hampshire Coffee Co. out of Dover, which makes a custom Latin-American blend just for Teatotaller. There will be a variety of hot and iced drip coffees and espresso drinks, along with around a dozen of the cafe’s own flavored syrups. As for the teas, Soldati has his own brand called Chai Curious, featuring 10 house blends. In addition to being available in various hot and iced drinks, bagged teas will be sold at the shop and are sold online.

Teatotaller also has a few flavors of bubble tea, or homemade milk tea with tapioca pearls. During the pandemic, Soldati launched a bubble tea delivery company called Doorstep Boba, which is now available in multiple cities and towns, including those in and around Concord.

Eventually, Soldati said he hopes to begin holding regular events like drag shows, similar to those at the Somersworth cafe. He also has two mural artists designing the walls of the new space.

“This has been a long time coming and I’m kind of in a state of disbelief that it’s really happening,” he said. “I’m excited. … The thing I always like to remind people is that it’s meant to be a space for everyone. The public is going to come in and use the space in ways that I couldn’t have even thought of or planned … and so, Teatotaller in that sense is like an evolving brand. We’re sort of an open book of what’s going to happen next.”

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Food for the soul

Riley’s Place now open in Milford

When Kimberley King took over the tavern space adjoining Milford’s historic Colonel Shepard House, her vision was simple — to serve a menu of home-cooked comfort foods with some Southern nods, all to complement a weekly schedule of live blues, rock and country acts.

Riley’s Place, named after King’s 5-month-old granddaughter, is the culmination of that vision. The combination eatery and music hall opened April 22, its menu featuring everything from scratch-cooked jambalaya, macaroni and cheese, Cajun rice and beans and cornbread to locally sourced New York-style bagel sandwiches, acai bowls, ice cream and more.

Pulled pork and coleslaw sandwich on a salted bagel. Photo courtesy of Riley’s Place in Milford.

The space most recently housed Zinger’s, a club known for its blues and comedy shows, but its days as a restaurant and tavern go back to the late 1980s. King, a longtime Milford resident, had previously worked there as a manager before she would go on to serve as a food and beverage director for Amherst Country Club. But she always wanted to one day have her own spot — so when she came across the “for lease” sign outside the building, she saw a unique opportunity.

“I just started getting all of these ideas,” King said. “I wanted to bring together all of the things that people love, and make it a comfort food type of place. Nothing fancy, just good food that fills them up, tastes great and makes them happy. [Food] that is good for their soul.”

King recruited Erica Ceravolo to help design the menu and manage the kitchen. Ceravolo grew up working in her grandmother’s bakery in Bloomfield, New Jersey, just outside of Newark.

“I want people to come in, taste the food and feel like they are sitting at their grandmother’s table, not at a bar or a restaurant,” Ceravolo said. “Just that comforting feeling of home.”

Her baked macaroni and cheese, for instance, uses her own grandmother’s recipe, featuring a unique blend of cheeses and the option to add pulled pork, Buffalo chicken or barbecue chicken.

She also bakes her own cheddar biscuits and jalapeno cornbread, while other favorites out of the gate have included jambalaya with andouille sausage and chicken thighs; Cajun beans and rice; and wings, served “dressed” or “undressed” with a blue cheese dressing or Cajun dipping sauce.

Bagels for the sandwiches are sourced fresh weekly from Bagel Alley in Nashua. There’s plain, everything, cheddar, sesame, pumpernickel and salt, and you can get anything from ham, turkey, roast beef or pulled pork on your bagel to tuna salad or cranberry and walnut chicken salad.

As for cold items, Riley’s Place offers nearly a dozen flavors of Gifford’s Ice Cream out of Maine, along with acai bowls featuring granola, sliced bananas and strawberries and a honey drizzle. As the seasons change, King said she would like to explore the possibility of serving a selection of house soups and chowders in bread bowls during the fall and winter months.

In addition to bar seating with a full offering of beers and cocktails, Riley’s Place has a dining area by the stage and additional seating outdoors. Open-mic nights are featured on Tuesdays, with karaoke nights on Fridays and a live local blues, rock or country act on Saturday nights.

A grab-and-go case of sandwiches, salads and prepared foods is also in the works.

Riley’s Place
Where: 29 Mont Vernon St., Milford
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to about midnight. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
More info: Visit rileysplacellc.com or find them on Facebook @rileysplacellc
Live music includes open-mic nights on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., karaoke nights on Fridays, and a local blues, rock or country act on Saturdays, usually from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. or from 9 p.m. to midnight. Veterans, active military service members and police, fire and rescue personnel receive a 10 percent discount on their food orders.

Featured photo: Cheddar biscuits. Photo courtesy of Riley’s Place in Milford.

The Weekly Dish 22/05/12

News from the local food scene

• Farmers markets return: The Warner Area Farmers Market returns to the Town Hall lawn (5 E. Main St., Warner) on Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will feature a selection of local vendors selling produce, honeys, maple syrups and more. The market is set to continue every Saturday through the end of October. The Concord Farmers Market and the Contoocook Farmers Market, meanwhile, both moved outdoors for the first time this season this past Saturday. Concord’s will continue every week from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Capitol Street, adjacent to the Statehouse lawn, while in Contoocook the market is being held behind the town’s Train Depot (896 Main St.) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. More outdoor markets are expected to return in the Granite State in the coming weeks, including in Henniker on May 26, Derry on June 1, Pelham on June 4, and Bedford and New Boston, both on June 11.

• Herbal harvests: Join the Concord Food Co-op for Easy Growing Herbs, a virtual presentation on Thursday, May 19, at 6 p.m. featuring Maria Noel Groves, clinical herbalist and owner of Wintergreen Botanicals in Allenstown. She’ll share information with viewers on how to grow and harvest multiple herbs, like lemon balm, tulsi, Korean licorice mint, bee balm and marshmallow, and will discuss their culinary and medicinal benefits. Groves, who is the author of the book Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies, will be participating in the New Hampshire Herbal Network’s annual Herb & Garden Day, set for Saturday, June 4, at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner. She’ll also host a home herbalist series every Thursday from June 9 through Aug. 25. Visit concordfoodcoop.coop to register.

• Dinner at the vineyard: Save the date for a Chef’s Table dinner at Flag Hill Distillery & Winery (297 N. River Road, Lee) on Saturday, May 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., the next installment of an ongoing series of four-course meals with wine, spirit and cocktail pairings under a tent by the vineyard. The dinner will include seared polenta crostini and a local greens salad, along with your choice of an entree (elk osso bucco Milanese, stuffed quail gumbo or grilled cauliflower steak), and torta caprese for dessert. Tickets are $75 per person. Visit flaghill.com.

• On the rise: Woodman’s Artisan Bakery, featuring 100 percent scratch-baked breads from country ryes and sourdoughs to multiple flavored options, held its grand opening April 30 in North Nashua. It’s in the former spot of Great Harvest Bread Co. on the corner of Amherst and Sunapee streets. Owner and founder Bill Woodman told the Hippo last month that his product line also includes traditional French butter croissants and pain au chocolat pastries, as well as soft blueberry scones and lightly salted German-style pretzels, and he recently began baking baguettes and ciabatta breads. In addition to featuring a display case of grab-and-go pastries and drip coffee sourced from A&E out of his bakery, Woodman can be found selling his breads at the Concord Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Salem Farmers Market on Sundays. Visit woodmansartisanbakery.com.

In the kitchen with Greg LaFontaine

Greg LaFontaine is the executive chef and co-owner of Smoke Shack Cafe (226 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 404-2178, smokeshackcafe.com), an eatery known for serving “barbecue with a twist,” with all kinds of uniquely inspired items, like the habanero brisket melt and the maple mustard cornflake chicken sandwich. LaFontaine took over the space formerly housing Gabi’s Smoke Shack in May 2020 — previously, he served as the executive chef of Owen & Ollie’s Restaurant in Dracut, Mass., for more than a decade. In addition to its smoked meats, many of which are available as combo plates or sandwiches, Smoke Shack Cafe offers everything from fresh salads and sides to sliders, tacos and flatbread pizzas, as well as a lineup of specialty whoopie pies in a variety of flavors.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

If you’re talking in relation to the restaurant, I can’t do what I’m doing without the smoker. … If you’re talking a tool or a utensil, I like a good chef’s knife.

What would you have for your last meal?

I’d like a good sushi. There aren’t really any flavors that I don’t like.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

My wife and I, if and when we ever get to go out, we like a place in downtown Nashua called San Francisco Kitchen. … There’s nothing I’ve ever tried there that I didn’t like. They do a great job.

What celebrity would you like to see eating in your restaurant?

If I could ever get him here, [comedian and actor] Hal Sparks.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

Obviously, our No. 1 thing is the smoked brisket. I’ve been here two years and I still eat it every day. … I think we make a very unique chili, and I also really like the smoked meatloaf that we do. I’m only using it in sandwiches at the moment, but come fall that’s going to be highlighted as an item, because it’s just got a really unique flavor.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

I believe that the next big trends are going to be big companies eliminating the waitstaff format. … I just think that it’s a cost saver to their business, because it’s getting very, very hard to find help in this industry right now.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

If I get time, especially this time of year, I love to cook something on the grill. … I love steak tips, [and] as simple as it sounds, hot dogs are always great on the grill.

Homemade potato salad
From the kitchen of Greg LaFontaine of Smoke Shack Cafe in Londonderry (makes six to eight side servings)

1½ pounds fingerling potatoes
3 Tablespoons mustard
2 Tablespoons chopped scallions
3 Tablespoons chopped parsley
¼ cup chopped celery
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste

Boil potatoes for 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender. Drain and cool. Add remaining ingredients and mix well to coat potatoes. Serve chilled.

Featured photo: Greg LaFontaine. Courtesy photo.

Meals with mom

Brunches and special menus for Mother’s Day

Treat mom on her special day to a plated brunch or dinner served at any one of these local restaurants, country clubs or function centers. Some, where specified, also have a takeout option.

• Airport Diner (2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040, thecman.com) will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving breakfast all day in addition to its dinner menu with Mother’s Day specials.

• Alan’s of Boscawen (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631, alansofboscawen.com) will hold a special Mother’s Day Spectacular brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, featuring traditional plated meals like honey baked ham, roast leg of lamb, prime rib and baked stuffed haddock, plus an omelet station, pancakes, bacon, sausage and a variety of other breakfast items. A special dinner menu will also be available from noon to 8 p.m.

• All Real Meal (87 Elm St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is taking orders for a special Mother’s Day brunch package serving two to four people, featuring eggs Benedict quiche prepared with eggs from Hooksett’s LaValley Farms, plus maple bacon Brussels sprouts and sweet potato breakfast hash, pork breakfast sausages with apples and sage, house fruit salad and freshly baked blueberry muffins and coffee cake with wildflower honey butter. The cost is $69.95 per package. Local deliveries are available on Sunday, May 8.

• Atkinson Resort & Country Club (85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson, 362-8700, atkinsonresort.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch in its ballroom on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a carving station with prime rib au jus and horseradish cream, and cider-brined turkey breast with sage gravy. There will also be assorted breakfast offerings, like chef-attended omelet and waffle stations, bacon, sausage and homefries; plated entrees, like grilled chicken saltimbocca, Atlantic salmon with mango salsa and herb-roasted tri-colored fingerling potatoes; and desserts, like flourless chocolate torte, mini cannolis, and assorted cakes and cookies. The cost is $80 for adults, $30 for kids ages 3 to 10 and free for kids under 3. Reservations are required.

• Atlantic Grill (5 Pioneer Road, Rye, 433-3000, theatlanticgrill.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving its full menu in addition to Mother’s Day specials, like lemon blueberry pancakes, ricotta doughnuts with raspberry and chocolate dipping sauces, avocado toast, grilled boneless pork chops and roasted halibut. Reservations are highly recommended.

• Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road, Brookline, 244-3165, averillhousevineyard.com) will host a special Mother’s Day high tea brunch and wine pairing on Sunday, May 8, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $59 per person and include a cup of hot tea, a pre-set flight of four wines and a pre-set four-course high tea-inspired brunch, featuring finger sandwiches, pastries and more.

• Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, 472-2001, bedfordvillageinn.com) will serve a special three-course prix fixe dinner for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8, from 2 to 7 p.m. in its dining room. The meal will feature your choice of a first course (bacon, shrimp and corn chowder, potato and leek bisque, pea shoots or panzanella); an entree (grilled tournedos of beef, New England seafood bouillabaisse, pinot grigio-braised veal osso bucco, pork three ways, herb-marinated grilled tofu or swordfish saltimbocca); and a dessert (cherries Jubilee, lemon curd citrus tart, chocolate pots de creme, biscuit bread pudding, or black and white sponge cake). The cost is $75 for adults and $39.95 for kids ages 10 and under. Reservations are required.

• Belmont Hall & Restaurant (718 Grove St., Manchester, 625-8540, belmonthall.net) will serve a special Mother’s Day breakfast buffet on Sunday, May 8, for parties of up to five or more — the cost is $18.99 per person and includes coffee and juices, as well as a full bar with bloody marys and mimosas. Additionally, the restaurant will be open for breakfast until 2 p.m.

• Birch Wood Vineyards (199 Rockingham Road, Derry, 965-4359, birchwoodvineyards.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 8, with seatings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., featuring a variety of plated breakfast and lunch entrees. Breakfasts range from $50 to $60 and include French toast, chicken and waffles or Southwest scrambles, all with fruit salad. Lunches range from $50 to $65 and include eggplant Napoleon, chicken Toscana, braised short rib or haddock, all with mixed green salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Children’s French toast or chicken fingers plates are also available for $30.

• Bistro 603 (345 Amherst St., Nashua, 722-6362, bistro603nashua.com) will be open for brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 3 to 9 p.m., serving various Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menus.

• Buckley’s Great Steaks (438 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-0995, buckleysgreatsteaks.com) will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu. Reservations are being accepted.

• Camp (298 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3003, thecman.com) will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. Reservations are recommended.

• Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker, 428-3281, colbyhillinn.com) will serve a special three-course prix fixe menu for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 8, with seatings at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in its Grazing Room and seatings at 4 and 5 p.m. in its barn. Meals will include your choice of a first course (English pea, spring leek and ham soup, creamy scallop and tomato bisque, market greens salad, organic spinach salad or spring tempura); an entree (Cornish hen au vin, San Francisco cioppino, house saffron tagliatelle pasta, lamb chop, bison short rib Wellington, wienerschnitzel or pan-roasted monkfish and lobster); and a dessert (mimosa brulee, chocolate cake with mocha buttercream, profiterole trio or mignardises). The cost is $70 for adults and $35 for kids ages 12 and under.

• The Common Man (304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; thecman.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, at each of its locations, serving its regular menus with Mother’s Day specials. Reservations are recommended.

• Copper Door Restaurant (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677; 41 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033; copperdoor.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, at both locations, serving their brunch, bar and lunch menus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Beginning at 2 p.m., a special Mother’s Day prix fixe menu will be served in lieu of the Copper Door’s regular menus, featuring the option to choose two courses for $59, three courses for $69 or four courses for $79. Items include shaved sirloin spring rolls, roasted poblano corn chowder, slow roasted prime rib, coconut curry Atlantic cod, slow-roasted half-chicken, limoncello cupcakes, strawberry shortcake and gluten-free chocolate berry cake.

• Cotton (75 Arms St., Manchester, 622-5488, cottonfood.com) will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving its regular menus with some Mother’s Day specials.

• CR’s The Restaurant (287 Exeter Road, Hampton, 929-7972, crstherestaurant.com) will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving various Mother’s Day specials.

• The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880, thederryfield.com) will serve a Mother’s Day buffet on Sunday, May 8, with seatings every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $31.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors and $18.95 for kids under 12.

• Firefly American Bistro & Bar (22 Concord St., Manchester, 935-9740, fireflynh.com) will be open for brunch on Sunday, May 8, for Mother’s Day. Reservations are strongly suggested.

• The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille (40 Andover Road, New London, 526-6899, flyinggoose.com) will serve various brunch specials for Mother’s Day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as dinner specials from 2 to 8 p.m. Reservations are recommended, but not required.

• Foster’s Boiler Room (231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764, thecman.com) will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. Reservations are recommended.

• Fratello’s Italian Grille (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022, fratellos.com) will serve a Mother’s Day specials menu on Sunday, May 8, featuring items like seafood Sophia, baked stuffed haddock, New York sirloin, pan-seared duck breast, seafood-stuffed mushrooms and more.

• Gauchos Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse (62 Lowell St., Manchester, 669-9460, gauchosbraziliansteakhouse.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring the eatery’s signature rodizio dining experience, in addition to dozens of sides, traditional brunch items, a market table, pastries and more. The cost is $39.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids ages 6 to 11. Gauchos will also be open for dinner that evening, from 4 to 8 p.m., with the standard dinner price of $44.99 per person.

• Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar (270 Granite St., Manchester, 232-3323; 707 Milford Road, Merrimack, 883-7333; 524 Nashua St., Milford, 673-3939; giorgios.com) is accepting reservations from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving their regular menu with specials.

• Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com) will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving its regular seasonal a la carte menu with some featured Mother’s Day specials. Reservations are required.

• Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant (233 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-6212, hartsturkeyfarm.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day menu both for in-house dining and for takeout. Pre-orders are due by May 5 and include packages like whole roasted turkey, slow roasted prime rib and baked ham with all the fixings. Pickups will be on Sunday, May 8, from noon to 2 p.m. The restaurant will also be open for dine-in service from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, offering a variety of specialty appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts.

• The Hills Restaurant (Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, 673-7123, hampshirehills.com/the-hills-restaurant) will serve a special Mother’s Day plated brunch on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring items like chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits and Korean barbecue breakfast burgers, plus a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar. Reservations are required.

• The Homestead Restaurant & Tavern (641 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-2022, homesteadnh.com) will serve a Mother’s Day specials menu on Sunday, May 8, featuring items like steak and cheese spring rolls, spinach and artichoke dip with garlic toast points, grilled swordfish, roast prime rib of beef, shrimp and scallop risotto, and roasted rack of lamb.

• Jamison’s Restaurant (472 Route 111, Hampstead, 489-1565, jamisonsrestaurant.com) is taking reservations for Mother’s Day now, with seatings from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. A full menu of special Mother’s Day features will be available, like raspberry arugula salad, filet mignon, lobster ravioli, seared scallops, pan-roasted halibut and strawberry Champagne floats.

• Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe (150 Congress St., Portsmouth, 766-3474, jumpinjays.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring items like poached eggs Benedict, bananas Foster Belgian waffles, whipped avocado toasts and florentine omelets, as well as a raw seafood bar and various brunch cocktails. They’ll also be open for dinner from 5 to 8 p.m.

• KC’s Rib Shack (837 Second St., Manchester, 627-4727, ribshack.net) will serve a special Mother’s Day barbecue buffet on Sunday, May 8, from noon to 6 p.m., featuring items like smoked spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken breast, smoked sausage and more. Moms eat free — regular admission is $27 for adults and $14 for kids under 10. KC’s full regular menu will also be available. Reservations are suggested but walk-ins will also be accepted.

• LaBelle Winery Amherst (345 Route 101, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 8, with seatings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Offerings will include a chef-attended omelet and carving stations, plus various breakfast meats, casseroles and desserts, as well as coffee, tea and assorted juices. The cost is $75 per person and reservations are required.

• LaBelle Winery Derry (14 Route 111, Derry, 672-9898, labellewinery.com) is offering a special Mother’s Day add-on experience to its dining service at Americus Restaurant on Sunday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The add-on is $50 per person and includes a custom wine and cheese pairing with three wines and three artisan cheeses, plus a personalized LaBelle Winery greeting card and floral arrangement, a logo wine glass and chocolate cake for dessert.

• Lago (1 Route 25, Meredith, 279-2253, thecman.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving their regular menu with Mother’s Day specials. Reservations are recommended.

• Lakehouse Grille (281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221, thecman.com) will be open on Sunday May 8, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. for breakfast and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for lunch and dinner, serving their regular menus with Mother’s Day specials. Reservations are recommended.

• Mile Away Restaurant (52 Federal Hill Road, Milford, 673-3904, mileawayrestaurantnh.com) is taking reservations now for Mother’s Day, offering special meals that include your choice of one appetizer, salad, entree and dessert. Menu staples include appetizers like ham minestrone soup, Swedish meatballs, fresh fruit plates with sorbet; Caesar salad or garden salad with blue cheese, house ranch, raspberry vinaigrette or balsamic dressing; entrees like sliced roast sirloin, pork Dijonnaise, chicken Florentine, piccata Milanese, maple salmon, and vegetarian baked eggplant Parmesan; and desserts like carrot cake, bread pudding, chocolate ganache cake, lemon mascarpone cake and chocolate mousse cake.

• Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese (497 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 606-1760, mr-macs.com) will be open during its regular hours on Sunday, May 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• MT’s Local Kitchen & Wine Bar (212 Main St., Nashua, 595-9334, mtslocal.com) will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu. Reservations are being accepted.

• New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 782-5137, taphousenh.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by its regular menu. The brunch is first-come, first-served (no call-aheads) — the cost is $29 for adults and $14.95 for kids.

• Rambling House Food & Gathering (57 Factory St., Nashua, 318-3220, ramblingtale.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch menu, by reservation only, with table and bar seatings every half hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Specialty entrees include brioche French toast, buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, Faroe Island salmon florentine, garden risotto, prime rib, and garlic and rosemary crusted lamb.

• The Republic of Campo (969 Elm St., Manchester, 666-3723, republiccafe.com and campoenoteca.com) will open at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving its full dinner menus from Republic Cafe and Campo Enoteca, in addition to locally sourced specials.

• Rig A Tony’s Italian Takeout & Catering (254 Wallace Road, Bedford, 488-2877; 13 Rockingham Road, Windham, 685-8122; rigatonysitalian.com) is taking orders for Mother’s Day brunch boxes to go, which include Belgian waffles with New Hampshire maple syrup, egg frittatas, Italian cured meats and cheeses, fresh fruit and crackers, chocolate-covered strawberries and Italian cookies. The cost is $75 per box (each feeds four to five people), with an add-on option of a bouquet of fresh-cut flowers for $25. Order by May 6. Pickups will be on Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, at the Windham and Bedford locations.

• Roundabout Diner & Lounge (580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Portsmouth, 431-1440, roundaboutdiner.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 8, with seatings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet will feature a prime rib carving station, Belgian waffles, cinnamon bun French toast, roasted pork loin, baked haddock and more. The cost is $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids, and all moms also receive a complimentary mimosa.

• Route 104 Diner (752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120, thecman.com) will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving breakfast all day in addition to its dinner menu with Mother’s Day specials.

• SALT Kitchen & Bar (Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, 373-6566, saltkitchenandbar.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet in its ballroom on Sunday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a New England raw bar, a chilled salad buffet, an egg and omelet station, a Belgian waffle station, an artisan cheese display, a prime rib carving station and more. The cost is $89.95 per person and $26.95 for kids under 12. The restaurant will also serve a Mother’s Day dinner from 1 to 9 p.m., offering various plated specials, like grilled filet of beef, pan-seared Scottish salmon, Bell & Evans chicken piccata and pasta ravioli with local mushrooms in a house pomodoro sauce. The cost is $69.95 per person and $26.95 for kids under 12.

• Searles Castle (23 Searles Road, Windham, 898-6597, searlescastle.com) will serve a Mother’s Day “royal brunch” on Sunday, May 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon or from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The day will include a self-guided tour inside Searles Castle with complimentary mimosas and gourmet hors d’oeuvres, along with a brunch menu featuring items like Belgian waffles, stuffed French toast, bacon, sausage, homefries, carved roast ham, chicken piccata and chicken broccoli ziti alfredo. The cost is $85 for adults, $75 for seniors over 65, $40 for kids ages 3 to 13 and free for kids under 3.

• Stonebridge Country Club (161 Gorham Pond Road, Goffstown, 497-8633, golfstonebridgecc.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 8, with seatings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items will include assorted fruits and mini Danishes, scrambled eggs with applewood-smoked bacon and breakfast sausage, French toast casserole with a maple vanilla glaze, baked scrod with a lemon butter and Ritz cracker crumb topping, and grilled chicken breast topped with a white wine herb cream sauce. The cost is $19 for adults and $13 for kids.

• Surf (207 Main St., Nashua, 595-9293, surfseafood.com) will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving Mother’s Day specials in addition to its regular menu. Reservations are welcome for any size party.

• Tilt’n Diner (61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204, thecman.com) will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, serving breakfast all day in addition to its dinner menu with Mother’s Day specials.

• Town Docks Restaurant (289 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3445, thecman.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.

• Tucker’s (1328 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 206-5757; 80 South St., Concord, 413-5884; 360 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 413-6477; 95 S. River Road, Bedford, 413-6503; 238 Indian Brook Road, Dover, 413-5470; 207 Main St., New London, 413-5528; tuckersnh.com) will be open during its normal business hours for Mother’s Day, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at all of its locations, serving its full breakfast menu in addition to its lunch menu beginning at 11 a.m. Seating will be first-come, first-served (no call-aheads) at each of its locations.

• The Village Trestle (25 Main St., Goffstown, 497-8230, villagetrestle.com) will be open during its regular hours on Sunday, May 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., serving its regular menus with some specials. Bob Pratte will perform from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

• WECO Hospitality (wecohospitality.com) is a Massachusetts-based community of local kitchens offering farm-fresh meal deliveries to more than a dozen Granite State cities and towns, including Manchester, Bedford, Goffstown, Hooksett, Nashua, Amherst, Hollis, Londonderry, Derry, Milford and several others. They’re offering a special Mother’s Day brunch menu with items like salted caramel French toast bakes, bagel spreads, turkey hash, pecan sticky buns, “mom-osa” mixers, bloody mary mixers and more. Order by May 5, for delivery on Saturday, May 7, from noon to 3 p.m.

• Ya Mas Greek Taverna & Bar (125 Bridge St., Pelham, 635-4230, yamasgreektaverna.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet on Sunday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a create-your-own omelet station and a prime rib carving station, as well as other items like wild Maine blueberry and strawberry lemon pancakes, assorted fruits and breakfast pastries, braised lamb shank, baked New England haddock, Moroccan-spiced cauliflower, and assorted European cookies and pastries. The cost is $39 for adults and $19 for kids under 12.

• Zachary’s Chop House (4 Cobbetts Pond Road, Windham, 890-5555, zacharyschophouse.com) will serve a special Mother’s Day breakfast buffet from 8 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 8, followed by lunch and dinner service — the featured special will be an eight-ounce filet mignon, topped with lobster meat and hollandaise and served with asparagus and mashed potatoes.