, originally uploaded by Philip Case Cohen.
In the window at the newly opened Moxy restaurant on Penhallow Street (iPhone photo).
, originally uploaded by Philip Case Cohen.
In the window at the newly opened Moxy restaurant on Penhallow Street (iPhone photo).

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.
The Portsmouth Brewery is one of the city’s restaurant and beer icons. It’s been here for more than 20 years, with an inviting and vibrant storefront and a tremendous following for its excellent beers and atmosphere. One of my favorite things is to head into town after a massive snow storm, and snap a shot of the skis/poles of people that decided to cross country ski into town to enjoy a pint.
The Portsmouth Baking Company will always hold a special place in my heart and stomach. The place was drop dead gorgeous, the food was excellent – and the cupcakes delicious. Thanks to Harvey & Co. for bringing this little spot to Portsmouth along with all its treats. You will be missed. I’m looking forward to hearing about the new venture that makes its way into the former PBC home.

One of the staples of the Portsmouth dining scene is the little dining cart known as Gilley’s. It’s easily recognized as the best place for greasy and delicious late night food, and the charm of the interior is unbelievable and authentic. Stepping inside is like being transported back in time. My favorite parts were the old school stools and the galley style setup of the whole place.
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.
