Category: Featured Content

Looking back

Live entertainment figures share memories

When the Hippo launched 20 years ago, Granite Staters often had to drive to Boston for live music or comedy. There weren’t nearly as many local venues, and a lot of the venues that were around weren’t interested in showcasing musicians who played original music. In the final piece of our month-long series looking back at some of the subjects Hippo has covered over the years, we talked some of the bigger names in New Hampshire’s music and comedy scene.

Scott Hayward

Scott Hayward is the founder of Tupelo Music Hall, which opened in Londonderry in September 2004 and moved to a larger space in Derry in the spring of 2017.

How would you describe the local live entertainment scene 20 years ago? 

New Hampshire didn’t have as many venues as it has today and the music offerings were more specific. Typically, people would go to Boston to see a show 20 years ago. There weren’t many multi-genre venues. There were blues clubs, jazz clubs, rock clubs, etc. Today, venues are providing much more diverse programming aimed at a patron demographic rather than a musical genre.

What do you think the most significant changes have been over the last 20 years, pre-pandemic?

Twenty years ago, artists were able to make a living selling recorded material. Touring was not as important as it is today. Now, as CD and record sales have taken a back seat to Spotify, Pandora, and other streaming services, artists need to tour constantly. Ticket sales and merchandise sales at shows is what artists are living on these days.

How did your efforts impact the local live entertainment scene?

Tupelo Music Hall opened using a multi-genre model focused on a patron demographic. We were one of the first venues to do this in New England. About five years after Tupelo Music Hall opened, other venues started using the same model, booking similar artists.

What has surprised you about the way the state’s live entertainment scene has developed?

New Hampshire has a very vibrant music scene and offers venues from capacities of 50 to 12,000. I believe this is in response to more people moving into southern New Hampshire from Massachusetts as the Route 93 corridor has improved from Concord into Boston. There’s really no need to go into Boston to see a show anymore.

What do you think the live entertainment scene will be like 20 years from now, and what challenges will it face?

The recent Covid crisis that we are in will definitely change the music business. How it will change remains to be seen, but I suspect that cleaning protocols, refund policies, and general health awareness will all be permanently modified. Although streaming shows have definitely improved in quality and viewership during Covid, I believe artists will always be touring and people will always prefer to see a live performance. I suspect there will be more consolidation of venues and less independent venues. I hope I’m wrong about that particular suspicion.

Aside from your own venue, what’s your favorite spot to enjoy live entertainment?

The Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion is a favorite spot for me and my wife when we can get away from our own venue.

Jim Roach

Jim Roach is the President of JJR Productions, and books shows across the region. The Christmas Buzz Ball, Concert for the Cause and Veterans Park Summer Concerts are among the events he’s involved with, as well as music and comedy shows at the Palace and the Rex Theatre in Manchester.

How would you describe the local live entertainment scene 20 years ago? 

Twenty years ago, the music and entertainment scene in New Hampshire was in rough shape. There were few venues to perform in, and most of those venues wanted cover music or background music. Talented musicians were having to make a living off other musicians’ music.

What do you think the most significant changes have been over the last 20 years, pre-pandemic?

I believe the most important decision came when local officials moved forward with the civic center — formerly the Verizon Wireless Arena, now SNHU Arena. The Palace Theatre was one of the few places to see well-known, live entertainment in Manchester at the time. The clubs catered to cover bands, or the occasional hair band trying to make a comeback. With big acts coming to the civic center, restaurants and bars opened to serve those fans. Some were worried that those big shows would hurt the Palace and others. Just the opposite: Manchester was now a destination for entertainment. Strange Brew brought in blues bands, and other venues started to experiment with live music. I think Hippo was a big factor helping push other print and broadcast media into covering local, regional and national talent.

How did your efforts impact the local live entertainment scene?

My effort to bring more entertainment to the area has always been about building a team. To produce successful shows, you need that team to work together. First you need a venue, a place for people to gather. … Second, you need a performer or performers that have crafted their art onto something they want to share. Third, you need to find a way to market those shows: print, radio, television, social media, word of mouth. Finally, you need people that will buy tickets and come see your event. I truly believe my role is to bring the pieces together. When you have an audience that connects with an artist, it does not matter your race, creed, color or preference; you can be red or blue. In that room, we are humans experiencing art that might make us smile, laugh, sing, dance or even cry. At that moment, we are more human. We need that now more than ever.

What has surprised you about the way the state’s live entertainment scene has developed?

In New Hampshire, I am surprised at how long it has taken for people to embrace live entertainment. I want more people to get off their couches to see, hear and feel something that touches their soul.

What do you think the live entertainment scene will be like 20 years from now, and what challenges will it face?

I’m not sure about the next 20 years. What I know is that the next five years are going to be the most important. Getting through this virus is the biggest concern right now. Keeping venues alive until then is the only way we can secure the future of entertainment. In the next year, we are going to find a way to build on virtual events and socially distanced events … events that allow patrons to feel safe and be safe with mask wearing and being respectful of each other. If we work together with our elected officials and the health community, we can get to a place where a year from now we can gather with friends we know and others we don’t to immerse ourselves in the arts. I am excited to see new rooms opening: The Rex, Bank of NH Stage, Showroom in Keene, The Colonial and C.A.K.E. in Laconia, Jimmy’s on Congress in Portsmouth….

What’s your favorite spot to enjoy live entertainment?

Everywhere! I love a dive bar with a killer blues band, a lounge with jazz performers opening your mind, a theater or club packed for a play or an artist playing their hits we heard on the radio, a field with a stage, good vibes and a beer tent. My favorites include Hampton Beach Casino, Flying Monkey, Tupelo Music Hall, Strange Brew, The Rex, Bank of NH Stage, Meadowbrook, The Palace, Capitol Center for the Arts … and so many more.

Paul Costley

Paul Costley runs NotSoCostley Productions and books the lion’s share of live entertainment in New Hampshire’s night clubs and restaurants. He’s also a musician, a drummer who has co-hosted several open mics and played in a number of groups, including the Josh Logan Band.

How would you describe the local live music scene 20 years ago? 

The music scene back in the 2000 was lots of fun. People tended to pay a little more attention to music back then. Today when you play at a venue it always amazes me how many people are on their cell phones and checking their social media versus really paying attention to the music that is taking place in front of them.

What do you think the most significant changes have been over the last 20 years, pre-pandemic?

There’s a lot more venues that have music than back 20 years ago. I feel there are a lot more options for people to get out and see music. Many small little cozy venues are springing up, with some great live acoustic music, which I think is great.

How did your efforts impact the local live music scene?

I’ve worked hand in hand with many of the venue owners that I book music for to see the best way to keep patrons and my musicians safe during this crazy pandemic, and still have live music take place. Hopefully, with the vaccines now being distributed, things will start opening up again in the spring and fall.

What has surprised you about the way the state’s live music scene has developed? 

I’ve run an open mic with Nate Comp since 2010 and it’s very promising to see all the young talent that we have in this state. We’ve had so many young people attend our open mics as well as our friends’ open mics and they all say the same thing. There’s still a lot of young people trying to make their mark with the local music scene, which I love seeing take place.

What do you think the live music scene will be like 20 years from now, and what challenges will it face?

To be honest with you, I don’t really have a clue, as the technology changes on a daily basis. But it will be fun to just sit back and watch what takes place.

What’s your favorite spot to enjoy live entertainment?

I personally love seeing music in a small intimate setting where you can really get up close and personal with the musician that’s performing. … On the other hand, I think it’s wonderful that we have great live music venues like Tupelo Music Hall and the Bank of NH Pavilion, where you can listen to some of the best music in this country.

Rob Steen

Rob Steen is a standup comic and entrepreneur who runs Headliners Comedy Club and has spent 35 years booking shows throughout New England at venues that include several opera houses, restaurants and night clubs, the Chunky’s Cinema & Pub chain and his own showcase club in Manchester’s DoubleTree Hotel.

How would you describe the local comedy scene 20 years ago? 

Well, back in the late ’80s there were many shows all over the state in small venues and bars. Nearly every venue would have a comedy night. It was great, as you could work literally seven nights a week and make a decent living. Patrons would follow comics from place to place and they really supported the local comedy. Comics would create a following, which really helped. Also, we had such great comics like Bill Burr, Lenny Clarke, Dane Cook, Tony V, Steve Sweeney and other great Boston and New York City comics working up here on a regular basis, especially if they were already in the area doing Boston or a corporate show. Occasionally you would have Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Steven Wright and other national acts popping in to do sets while in the area too, which was super exciting.

What do you think the most significant changes have been over the last 20 years, pre-pandemic?

In the past 20 years comedy has changed in that now every area and market has a handful of local comics who are very funny, so the need to bring in acts from out of New England has shrunk. New England continues to pump out some of the best comics in the country. I think it’s due in part to the fact that there are so many unique venues and opportunities now, as well as a very diverse and talented pool of comics here. Comics in the Northeast are able to work colleges, high schools, cruise ships, corporate shows, fundraisers and clubs. … This all makes for a well-rounded comic who is able to work any situation. Also venues now know what comedy is and are aware of what they are getting on every show due to YouTube, the web and social media. Comics now can create their own brand and market that brand directly to the customers, which really helps agents and promoters when booking the shows.

How did your efforts impact the local comedy scene?

When I began doing shows in New Hampshire in 1986 I was very young, and like most comics I was just trying to find my voice. I was living in the Boston area and booking shows around the North Shore in Massachusetts. I began promoting shows in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, as there were not many agents focusing on northern New England. My goal was always to give everyone I could a stage to perform on. Currently, I’ve had the longest-running weekly shows in New Hampshire. I partner with a few local venues like the DoubleTree in Manchester and Chunky’s Cinemas who share the same goal to create a comedy scene here in New Hampshire. I have seen many young comics grow from open mic to touring with national acts and even go on to do late-night television and sitcoms. … I would never take the credit for their success, but I feel honored to have played a small role. I continue to book and produce over 50 events a week for local and regional acts to cut their teeth on. I welcome the next generation of comics to my stages. From what I’ve been seeing, we have a very talented crew coming up.

What has surprised you about the way the state’s comedy scene has developed?

One of the most surprising things I’ve seen is how supportive the comics are. There is a sense of camaraderie that is so prevalent now. I see comics who are very talented and gifted helping the younger generation. There are some comics that coach, and in some instances mentor, the younger comics and show them the ropes. I also have seen a shift in that we [comedians] … have always offered to give back to the community by doing countless fundraisers for all types of organizations.

What do you think the comedy scene will be like 20 years from now, and what challenges will it face?

I think the scene will continue to grow and evolve. I feel that in recent times we have been forced to explore other areas to express ourselves and perform. Live comedy will always thrive in New Hampshire thanks to the support of local venues, as well as patrons that want to see comedy. Not only will we see live comedy grow, I’m sure we will see growth in the streaming of these shows online so patrons in small areas can join in. We are in the beginning stages of Zoom comedy. It will be great to see what this will be like moving forward. … [And places like] Manchester … [have] been growing so fast and really becoming a hub for smart and energetic people. There are many businesspeople, like Dean Kamen, for example, who are playing a major role here in New Hampshire. What he and others are doing is awesome and helping to make New Hampshire a place to be. This will inevitably help all of us here in the arts.

What’s your favorite spot to enjoy live entertainment?

Whenever I work locally, I like to go out after my shows. I like going to see a blues and jazz band at Strange Brew. I also like Penuche’s on Elm for their bands. Tupelo has really done a great job bringing in so many great acts over the years. Honestly, there are so many places now to enjoy live music or dancing. New Hampshire really has something for everyone now. 

Featured photo: (From, left to right) Scott Hayward, Jim Roach, Paul Costley, Rob Steen.

The White Tiger (R) – Some Kind of Heaven (NR)

The White Tiger (R)

A young man from an impoverished town in India tries to grab his piece of his country’s bright economic future in The White Tiger, a new movie on Netflix.

Balram (Adarsh Gourav) has seen his ambitions crushed all his life. As a child, he loses a chance to go to a good school on scholarship when his grandmother (Kamlesh Gill) forces him to go to work. Later, the social caste system keeps him literally on his knees when dealing with his new employer (Mahesh Manjrekar), who is treated as something of a feudal lord of Balram’s village. Balram heads to the city to serve as a driver not for the man or his horrible oldest son, the Mongoose (Vijay Maurya), but for his more Western-cultured second son, Ashok (Rajkummar Rao). Ashok went to school in America and seems queasy about issues surrounding the way wealthy people treat the people who work for them. Pinky (Priyanka Chopra), his Indian-born but American-ized wife, seems even more uncomfortable with it. Their discomfort does not, however, always translate into being better employers. Nor does Balram always know what to do with himself in their monied urban environment, where he constantly feels his lack of worldliness and simmers with anger even as he is also hungry to find a way into this life. Add this to the fact that his family back home still gets most of his paycheck — their very survival even becomes his responsibility once his employers use them to coerce him into a ruinous decision — and it seems that no amount of eager hard work will allow Balram to get ahead.

Which is, of course, the point. This movie has a lot of the same elements about the grind of poverty as Parasite, but presents them bleaker, if that’s possible. Balram comes to the decision that he basically has no choice but to do things he finds unethical or even immoral; the system doesn’t allow him to be a good person and survive. There is also a fair amount about the idea of being a servant versus an employee; what is the difference between an economic system that allows someone to be employed and one that requires servitude in what again reads as a more feudal sense? All this is presented with humor, bleak humor, but humor and an engaging storytelling style (this movie makes a narration frame and some time jumps work) and a strong performance from Gourav that pulls you in. B+

Rated R for language, violence and sexual material, according to the MPA on filmratings.com. Directed by Ramin Bahrani with a screenplay by Bahrani (from the novel by Aravind Adiga), The White Tiger is two hours and five minutes and is available via Netflix.

Some Kind of Heaven (NR)

Retirees enjoy a new carefree chapter of their lives — maybe — in Some Kind of Heaven, a documentary about four people living at The Villages in Florida.

“An endless cruise with everybody from high school” — what is your response to that statement? If you think “woo-hoo sign me up for the Jimmy Buffett margarita parties,” The Villages, the pre-planned retirement community that seemingly features every kind of amusement in a sort of large outdoor mall/golf course-like setting, might be for you. If it sounds like the kind of “heaven” that you and your philosophy professor buddy figure out is actually The Bad Place, then this movie will reinforce that reaction.

It follows four people living (sort of) at The Villages. The “sort of” is because of Dennis, who is about 80 and lives out of his van. He has come to The Villages with no permanent address and hopes to meet a woman with some money to live with.

Barbara is more organically looking for companionship; she moved to the Villages with her husband, who later died. She seems like she wishes she could return to her home in Massachusetts but as it is she has to work for a Villages medical office to make ends meet. She is just barely starting to get “out there” again, when we first meet her.

Anne and Reggie, a long-married couple, are still together — for better or worse. Anne seems to be left largely alone by Reggie, who throughout the documentary seems to be in the middle of some kind of serious, needs-medical-help episode. (Late in the movie he says an MRI discovered he’s been having small strokes.) He seems to be having delusions (which the movie seems to suggest are either caused by or made worse by recreational drugs he takes) and is making some pretty terrible life decisions, such as choosing to represent himself when he’s facing cocaine possession charges. Reggie rambles on about his spiritual journey and his newfound freedom but Anne goes from looking scared for him to seeming near the point of bubbling over with rage.

Generally, the men depicted here seem to have it better than the women — Dennis is able to float by for a good while and we meet a man whom Barbara likes and who seems to be having a truly great, carefree time. The movie doesn’t get into the gender dynamics of The Villages that much and I wanted to see more. What we’re left with is a “guys get to be 18 again, women have to put up with it” sense of the situation that may or may not reflect any kind of reality. There are a lot of “what about people with some different kind of life experience” or “Villages residents who are 80 versus Villages residents who are 55” questions I had that this movie doesn’t address. It doesn’t have to, necessarily, but since it does seem to want to be making a larger statement about the community, not just the central people, I did want more about the Villages society. There are times when it just feels like you’re watching four people’s misfortunes rather than getting a glimpse at a specific world.

Those stories are very engagingly told. I feel like we get to know Barbara the best and she was the one I found myself cheering on. She seems the least delighted by the Villages as a concept, with its fakey Spanish colonial facades and its million social clubs. Though I could see how this could come off as a purely negative look at the Villages, I feel like this documentary does show people enjoying their lives there and the return-to-college, eternal-tropical-vacation feel of the place. It does seem to be a kind of heaven even if it clearly isn’t everybody’s. B

This movie doesn’t appear to be rated. Directed by Lance Oppenheim, Some Kind of Heaven is an hour and 21 minutes long and is distributed by Magnolia. It is available for rent (including via Red River Theatres virtual theater).

Featured photo: The White Tiger

Super Bowl and beer

Five beers to enjoy during the big game

I know you’re sullen because the Patriots aren’t in the Super Bowl. Hey, I am too, but there is still technically a game and it might be worthwhile to watch, even if you can’t get together with a bunch of friends and family like you might in normal times.

It’s still the Super Bowl and if times were less defined by Covid-19, you’d probably be drinking beer during the game. You still can! And I have some suggestions that might just make the game and the overall experience a little more palatable.

With the Patriots not participating, I think that gives you an excellent opportunity to spend a little more time pondering your beer than you would otherwise. If the Pats are in the game, your friends could probably fill your glass with Malibu Rum instead of beer and you wouldn’t notice because every fiber of your being would be tuned in to the game.

So, OK, silver lining, you can chill out a little bit.

Here are five New Hampshire beers you should drink during the Super Bowl (OK, maybe not all of them, but honestly, maybe, because where are you going?):

Alexandr by Schilling Beer Co. (Littleton)

Let’s start with something light, crisp, clean and easy. This Czech-style Pilsner is a perfect brew to sip as you take in a little of the pre-game analysis and theatrics — and with some apps. Pilsners get a bad rap sometimes as a beer that lacks flavor. True, no Pilsner is going to hit you square in the jaw like a big IPA, but they’re not meant to. That doesn’t mean this brew — and other craft-brewed Pilsners — doesn’t have plenty of character.

Ragged Mountain Red Ale by The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille (New London)

This red ale is smooth, malty and, honestly, kind of dangerous, because it goes down awfully easy. The rich amber pour is intriguing, as the beer’s body is really quite light, but not so light that you can’t appreciate the complexity. A great beer to have in your hand at kickoff and to eat Super Bowl food with.

New England Gangsta by Earth Eagle Brewings (Portsmouth)

We’re going to start to crank things up a little now, because, presumably, the game is starting to get a little more serious now that the players and the fans have gotten over the initial round of butterflies. But this West Coast-style IPA doesn’t crank it up so much that you’re going to knock yourself out. You’ll get some citrus and some pine on this with some pleasing residual bitterness. This is on the lighter side as IPAs these days go, but you’ll have plenty of hop character to consider as you critique the play-calling.

No Other Place Sour by Lithermans Limited Brewery (Concord)

OK, you got through the first half and you got through the halftime show, for better or worse, and now you need to wake up your taste buds. This’ll do the trick nicely. This fruited gose is going to hit you with bright, tart cranberry flavor in a low-alcohol package, which is exactly what you need right now.

Draken Robust Porter by Kelsen Brewing Co. (Derry)

The game isn’t over but it’s time to wind down. I think stouts and porters are great for doing just that. There’s no rush. You can sip them slowly and appreciate their rich, complex flavors. The Draken is full of roasted malt flavor and big on chocolate and caramel, and I think maybe some coffee, too? This is a great choice to enjoy as you watch the final minutes play out and to sip as you take in the trophy presentation ceremony.

What’s in My Fridge
Winter Lager by Samuel Adams Brewing Co. (Boston, Mass.) When you haven’t had one of these in a long time, this brew is sort of eye-opening. It’s nice and easy to drink with a little sweetness and spice as you’d expect — just a perfectly enjoyable beer. Cheers!

Featured photo: Pick up some beer for the Super Bowl. Courtesy photo.

Jordan Reynolds

Jordan Reynolds of Concord is the owner of Col’s Kitchen (55 S. Main St., Concord, 227-6778, colsplantbased.com), a plant-based restaurant that opened last August. Named after Reynolds’ pit bull, Col’s Kitchen features what he calls an “eclectic, all-American” vegan concept, with a well-rounded plant-based menu of appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, brunch options, and desserts like pies, macarons and “pie shakes.” Especially popular as of late, he said, have been the plant-based burgers and the milkshakes, which include some non-traditional flavors like orange creamsicle, mint chocolate and maple vanilla. Col’s Kitchen also makes its own vegan sauces, which Reynolds said he hopes to begin bottling and selling in the future.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

A silicone baking mat is a must-have for anybody making pie. … I’ve also recently gifted myself a really nice set of Kamikoto knives. They are really high-quality Japanese steel knives that I’m obsessed with right now.

What would you have for your last meal?

There’s a place in Cambridge, [Mass.], called Veggie Galaxy. They have these fried vegan macaroni and cheese balls that have a really good spicy aioli to go with them. I’d probably have those.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

The Green Elephant in Portsmouth has a really good diverse vegetarian menu. Hermanos [Cocina Mexicana in Concord] is also a great place for vegans.

What celebrity would you like to see eating at Col’s Kitchen?

Cam Newton.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

I’ve been to so many vegan restaurants around the globe, and our nachos are my favorite out of any I’ve ever had. We do them with a house vegan chili that I’ve been making for more than a decade and that I’ve taken pride in. … They also have olives, smashed avocados, a cheesy sauce and a chipotle cashew cream.

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

The vegan trend is obviously big, but more than that, just the farm-to-table concept and the rustic aesthetic to go with that … has been growing for the past 10 years.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

Pasta. It’s just a cheap and easy way to fill yourself up at night.

Carrot ginger soup

Courtesy of Jordan Reynolds of Col’s Kitchen in Concord

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onions
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 cups chopped carrots
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup full fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot. Add onions, garlic, carrots and ginger. Cook until onions are translucent and carrots are soft. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a gentle boil, then return to a simmer for 15 minutes. Mix with an immersion blender, topping with caramelized ginger, and enjoy.

Featured photo: Jordan Reynolds. Photo by Matt Ingersoll.

Bountiful bagels

New Milford business offering NYC-inspired artisan bagels

A new business based in Milford is paying homage to the traditional New York bagel, a style known for its large size, crunchy crust exterior and pillow-like fluffiness on the inside.

Agora Bagels, which launched earlier this month, is the project of Vassilios Palaskas of Milford — he, his wife, Jennifer, and son, Deven, offer a variety of flavors of handcrafted artisan bagels, from plain, everything or cinnamon to specialty bagels of the month like Fruity Pebbles or jalapeno cheddar.

They also make several flavors of their own cream cheese spreads, or “schmears.”

“I like to call our kitchen ‘the lab,’ because we get super creative,” said Palaskas, who grew up in Merrimack and has held various positions in local restaurants, like Buckley’s Great Steaks and the Bedford Village Inn. He said he chose the name “agora,” a word meaning public gathering space or marketplace, to incorporate his Greek roots — his father came to the United States from Greece as a teenager and also owned the former Brother’s Pizza in Manchester.

Prior to the pandemic, Palaskas said, he and his brother travelled to bakeries and bagel shops across the New York City metro area to learn the secrets of making the unique style.

“Their bagels are definitely bigger, are chewy … [and have] a soft inside, but when you bite into it, there’s a crunch,” he said. “We let ours proof overnight to help them get super airy and spongy. With some of the bagels, we’ll put a little honey in with the water when it’s boiling just to give them a little extra flavor boost.”

In addition to plain, Agora Bagels regularly offers bagel flavors like blueberry and cinnamon, plus an onion bagel made with sweet Vidalia onions, a sesame bagel with black and white toasted sesame seeds, and an everything bagel that Palaskas said has by far been his top seller. Each flavor can be mixed and matched in quantities of a dozen or half-dozen, or ordered as a “Titan” bagel, in which Palaskas more than doubles the size to weigh a full pound before boiling.

The current bagel of the month is Fruity Pebbles, and Palaskas has plans to roll out a jalapeno cheddar bagel next. He’s also received requests for flavors like pumpernickel and has experimented with French toast, chocolate and peanut butter, and lemon blueberry bagels.

All orders are vacuum-sealed and shipped out every Monday and Friday. Cream cheese spreads are sold separately in eight- or 16-ounce containers and each comes with ice packs when shipping. Palaskas offers plain, veggie and honey almond flavors.

In the coming months, he hopes to begin offering a gluten-free bagel option, as well as smoked salmon lox, a bagel topping popular in New York.

Agora Bagels
To order, visit agorabagels.com, email [email protected] or find them on Facebook and Instagram. Orders are vacuum-sealed and shipped out on Mondays and Fridays. Scheduled pickups are also available until 6 p.m. for orders placed the day before.

Featured photo: Titan Bagel. Courtesy photo.

Served with love

Delicious ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and whether you’re looking for a romantic evening out or would prefer to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home, there have perhaps never before been so many different ways to celebrate. Local restaurateurs and candymakers talk about how they’re approaching what’s normally a big day for business as the pandemic continues.

Meals for sweethearts

For co-owner and chef Matt Berry of Dahlia Restaurant, a series of New England-inspired farm-to-table pop-up dinners he presents with his wife Lauren at various local eateries, Valentine’s Day menus are among his favorites of the year to write.

“The vibe of being in a restaurant is already pretty intimate and it’s a special occasion to share with a partner,” Berry said. “I feel like people tend to be more adventurous eaters … so it’s a good time to try out some fun techniques and be creative with what you’re preparing.”

Since they launched the dinner series late last year, Berry said, he and his wife had been thinking about serving some type of Valentine’s Day dinner in collaboration with The Birch on Elm in Manchester. Eventually, he said, plans shifted from preparing for just one night to instead offering two seatings each across several evenings.

Starting Sunday, Feb. 7, and for select evenings through Thursday, Feb. 18, Dahlia Restaurant will serve a six-course Valentine’s Day menu with seatings at either 5 or 7:30 p.m. and optional wine or Champagne bottle pairings. Courses will include mushroom agnolotti with scallop, carrots and caviar; rib-eye, with cauliflower puree, carrots and potatoes; and a buttermilk panna cotta with strawberry preserves, thyme and an almond crumble. Attendees can inquire about the most up-to-date availability on reservations by emailing [email protected].

“We figured we could still have that intimate restaurant atmosphere of being out for Valentine’s Day but also being as safe and clean as possible,” Berry said.

Other local restaurants, in response both to the pandemic and to Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, are offering multiple chances to celebrate over the course of several days. The Hills Restaurant at Hampshire Hills Athletic Club in Milford, for instance, will be running a five-course meal during business hours from Thursday, Feb. 11, through Saturday, Feb. 13, when you’ll be able to choose your own appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert option, according to executive chef Ben Cass. Similarly, Jamison’s Restaurant in Hampstead is running a specials menu all week leading up to Valentine’s Day, from Wednesday, Feb. 10, through Saturday, Feb. 13, during which a four-course prix fixe menu will be served.

In Hooksett, Roots Cafe & Catering at Robie’s Country Store has been closed since Christmas Eve but is due to reopen soon — just in time for a multi-course Valentine’s Day dinner menu that will be served on Saturday, Feb. 13, co-owner Amber Enright said. In addition to baby spinach salad and seared scallops with a parsnip puree and beet reduction, the meal will include one of two entree options (braised short ribs or citrus-marinated Cornish game hen) and chocolate cherry mousse for dessert. Champagne bottles will also be available.

“It’s going to be one seating at 6 p.m. for dine-in, but we’re going to offer the dinner for takeout as well,” Enright said. “People can pick it up between 4 and 6 p.m.”

Some spots are also going the brunch route for Valentine’s Day this year. The Grazing Room at the Colby Hill Inn in Henniker, chief innovation officer Jeff Brechbühl said, will serve a chocolate lover’s brunch on Sunday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring chocolate integrated in different ways among various selections. A three-course prix fixe dinner menu will follow, with seatings between 4 and 8 p.m.

Madear’s Southern Eatery & Bakery in Pembroke, also hosting a Valentine’s Day brunch on Feb. 14, will serve various all-you-can-eat scratch-made Cajun options from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., like chicken and red velvet waffles, banana-stuffed French toast, bourbon bread pudding, shrimp and grits, catfish nuggets and more. Unlimited mimosas and a bloody mary bar are also additional options. Madear’s will then end the day with a five-course plated dinner from 4:30 to 10 p.m.

Together at home

If you’d prefer to skip going out to a sit-down restaurant for Valentine’s Day, there are all kinds of opportunities courtesy of local businesses to help you mark the occasion at home.

The Bedford Village Inn, for example, in addition to serving a four-course prix fixe menu in its dining room on Feb. 14, is also offering a “Valentine’s Day Takeaway” take-home meal kit this year, featuring an appetizer, an entree, various accompaniments, a dessert and optional wine or Champagne pairings, all chosen from a select menu and packaged with cooking instructions, house-made breads and Vermont butter. Highlights of the menu include a local artisan cheese board, filet mignon or grass-fed lamb with a red wine demi-glace, and a “sweetheart chocolate bag,” which features white chocolate and strawberry mousses, strawberries, red velvet cake, strawberry coulis and chocolate sauce. Orders are being accepted through Feb. 7, and pickups will be on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13.

“It’s a beautiful, elegant menu, and really a nice one-stop shop for Valentine’s Day,” Bedford Village Inn sales and marketing director Melissa Samaras said.

Several participating locations of The Common Man Family of Restaurants have also introduced unique takeout menus for Valentine’s Day, dubbed the “Sweetheart Suppers To Go.” Meals are sold per couple and include three courses with heating instructions, as well as half-priced wines and chocolate-covered strawberries as optional add-ons.

Common Man chief executive officer Vincent Vella said the concept continues the success that each of the company’s restaurants have experienced over the last several months, following similar programs that were rolled out for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“You get a crab and spinach artichoke dip as an appetizer, and then petite filet and lobster tail dinner, and a white chocolate mousse dessert,” Vella said.

He said orders are being accepted at each participating restaurant through Feb. 7, with pickups the day before Valentine’s Day.

New England’s Tap House Grille in Hooksett, which in previous years has served a Sunday brunch buffet for Valentine’s Day, is converting its offerings into a “brunch to go” menu this year, according to marketing director Nancy Comai. Options like house frittata, mini pancakes, croissants, and mimosa or bloody mary baskets are available for pre-ordering now through Feb. 10, to be picked up the morning of Feb. 14.

At The Inside Scoop in Bedford, orders for Valentine’s Day ice cream pies are being accepted now through Feb. 10, featuring various flavors of ice cream, all with a homemade Oreo crust.

In Wilton, Copper Kettle To Go is getting creative by offering its own “date boxes” that can be ordered in advance online and picked up at the restaurant. Each box includes either a bottle of Champagne or a four-pack of craft beer, plus heart-shaped ravioli presses, pasta sauce, Italian ricotta and all the other ingredients you need to make the pasta, minus the eggs. To tie it all together, each box holder will also be given access to a pre-recorded video tutorial of Copper Kettle owners and husband-and-wife team Chris and Megan Gordon walking them through the ravioli-making process.

“We figured it would be a fun way to interact with our customers, and for them to see that Chris and I are married and that it’s a family business,” Megan Gordon said. Also included in the boxes are two vanilla cupcakes spiked with strawberries and cream liqueur for dessert.

Sweet indulgences

Local candy and chocolate shops across the Granite State are preparing for Valentine’s Day too, all while promoting early shopping, curbside pickup and online ordering this year.

For Van Otis Chocolates in Manchester, Feb. 14 falls right in the middle of the downtown shop’s busiest time of year, which is typically between Christmas Day and Easter, according to marketing manager Shauna McIntosh. Van Otis is once again offering customizable chocolate gift boxes, multiple flavors of chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate-dipped Champagne bottles, in addition to a few new items like Swiss fudge hearts. For a limited time, McIntosh said, the shop is also bringing back its strawberry jam Swiss fudge.

Granite State Candy Shoppe in Manchester and Concord is providing curbside pickup six days a week, with a 24-hour advance notice for items. Assorted chocolate heart boxes are available, including those that are made out of chocolate, as well as chocolate-dipped strawberries and other various Valentine-themed candies and chocolates. Owner Jeff Bart said both locations are expected to be open extended hours all Valentine’s Day weekend.

“We have a much better and more robust online ordering system … and we very much encourage people to shop online,” Bart said.

Nelson’s Candy & Music in Wilton, according to owner Nancy Feraco, is similarly adjusting its normal Sunday hours of noon to 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 14. Its heart-shaped boxes made out of chocolate and filled with various flavors of chocolate-dipped strawberries, were a huge hit last Valentine’s Day and will be making a return this year.

The shop has been experimenting with other kinds of chocolate molds, like solid chocolate dinosaurs holding tiny chocolate hearts, chocolate-covered marshmallow penguins holding hearts, and chocolate mold pianos filled with brandy-soaked cherry cordials.

“We used to do live music but we really haven’t been able to lately,” Feraco said, “so we’ve been doing quite a few musical molds instead.”

The Candy Kingdom on Harvard Street in Manchester is also asking customers to call ahead for either in-store or curbside pickup. Items for sale include assorted heart-shaped chocolate boxes, chocolate heart boxes and the shop’s popular chocolate-dipped strawberries and tuxedo berries.

“We generally dip [the strawberries] one hour before their scheduled pickup time,” Candy Kingdom co-owner Phyllis Capers said in an email. “This year, we will be dipping them throughout both days [Saturday and Sunday] so we don’t have people lingering in the store.”

More ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day
From gifting sweet treats to your significant other to enjoying a romantic night out for two, be sure to check out our annual dine-in and takeout listings for Valentine’s Day at local restaurants, candy shops, bakeries and more. They’ll go live online at hippopress.com beginning Jan. 28, available to everyone, thanks to our members and supporters.

Featured photo: A box of chocolates from Granite State Candy Shoppe. Courtesy photo.

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