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.
Sometimes the colors and the lighting come together in a shot in a magical way. The late afternoon lighting at Brazo illuminated the richly colored and textured walls and chairs alongside the lighting over the bar – and I can’t help but look at this image and want to take a seat. The chair at center catches the light just perfectly as if it’s the chosen 0ne – I think I’ll have to stop in sometime soon to see if it was.
In keeping with the recent theme of Portsmouth restaurants, today the Portsmouth Brewery is featured, with its little known outdoor dining area. I simply love this outdoor space – it’s cozy, vibrant with color, and close to all of the delicious beers brewed right inside. The movement of all the people in contrast to the “SLOW” sign on the back wall gave me a bit of a laugh in looking at the shot – a reminder to sit back and relax now that the warm weather is here and we have the opportunity to enjoy these little outdoor enclaves.
I recently had the good fortune to stop in at Brazo Restaurant on Pleasant Street to shoot the warm and inviting interior. I remember my first time walking through the arches into the restaurant, and being completely surprised by the textures and the richness of the interior, after not knowing what to expect from the short and unique building. The food is also phenomenal, I usually go for a fish plate or the catch of the day – and I have yet to be disappointed. I can’t nail the feeling of the place perfectly, so why not use what they’ve posted on their website:
“What if Portsmouth had fling with a Latin Lover? What if mojo filled the streets, steaming with the heat of Cuban, Spanish and Latin music? What if you could drink a caipirinha on a Tuesday night? Or Salsa with someone you’d never met?” To top it off – they have Latin Night and dancing on the first and third Fridays of every month (with a live salsa band). If you haven’t stopped in yet, you probably owe it to yourself to check it out. I hope the photo is one more vote of encouragement.
