The spring season has arrived!

Commercial Alley is one of my favorite nooks in Portsmouth.  Tucked away inside are several interesting retail shops, and Cava – a delicious tapas and wine bar.  Cava has lush hanging gardens on the side of their building and an incredibly inviting outdoor area.  I tend to forget about this outdoor space all winter long, and during a nice walk around town the other day, I noticed the hanging gardens once again and it got me excited for spring and things to come.

One of the many great things about Portsmouth is the abundance of delicious options to eat & drink.  This spring/summer, Congress Street welcomed a new establishment in the Worth Block – The Portsmouth Baking Company.  It took me a while to finally make it inside, but once I did – I instantly knew this place was something special. The design inside is simply beautiful.  I had peeked inside a couple times this past week, and was surprised to see a flat screen TV with a live feed to the bakery visible from the street.  It’s a neat feature that allows people to see what’s going on in the kitchen as the staff makes the delicious bread.

The massive wooden table at center in the shot above is a sight to behold.  The seating along the wall towards the front is comfy with a unique patterned fabric.  Every little detail has been carefully thought through.  To top it all off, there is an overhead train that brings fresh bread samples from the kitchen in the back to the massive cupboard in the front, so that patrons can try the multitude of offerings.  The fact that their cupcakes are delicious and ridiculously tempting solidifies this as a must visit location, so head on over and see for yourself.

The Press Room is one of Portsmouth’s most longstanding establishments – and is unquestionably the destination for live music in Portsmouth.  The place has a phenomenal vibe, and live music every night of the week…with rustic exposed wooden beams, a cozy bar, and a friendly atmosphere. Next time you’ve got a hankering for music and a pint…head over to Daniel Street. The architect of the institution’s rich music history and culture, Bruce Pingree, was recently interviewed by Gossip Lady over at SeacoastOnline.com.

It was trash day downtown…the recycling bins and trash cans sit out on the sidewalk after Public Works did their thing.  It brings a real tangible dynamic to the otherwise picturesque storefront.

Portsmouth has no shortage of places to eat and drink, ranking as the city with the most bars per capita in the State of New Hampshire.  The Coat of Arms Pub on Fleet Street is a pretty unique spot, with a distinct feel and look inside and a great menu featuring traditional English items – and the Seacoast’s only snooker table. Check it out sometime…but in case you don’t get there for a while, today’s shot gives you a feel for it.  This visit was spent with two fellow photographers who happen to be great at what they do – and also hilarious and a blast to hang out with…check out their work at Brian Matiash or Chris Lazzery.

The first decent snow in the seacoast finally arrived on Monday night.  Here is a glimpse of The Old Ferry Landing closed for the season, yet festively decorated, and freshly adorned with some light snow.

Literally…this shot was inside The Red Door on State Street.  A tucked away spot in Portsmouth that you should try and check out for yourself sometime….I’ve previously featured the venue’s interior as well as its notorious door for which it’s named.  Here’s a bit of a different shot from the recent bridge and cityscapes…will return back to those on Sunday and next week!  I’ve also made an investment in a new toy, a Carl Zeiss 21mm….so far the clarity and the colors look to be promising and inspiring, eager to put it through its paces.