I don’t normally drink soda, but yesterday I bought the last Pepsi “Throwback” at the local supermarket. It took me back to the days I would ride my bike to Suds N’ Soda and buy candy and soda before little league baseball games. The Pepsi “Throwback” uses sugar (but not raw unbleached sugar) instead of corn syrup – giving the soda a more natural appeal instead of an overly processed sweet goo that sticks to your insides and makes everyone fat, diabetic, and causes high blood pressure. Why can’t Pepsi, Coke, and other soft drinks go back to real sugar? Is it the cost? Europe, Mexico, Asia all use sugar, not corn syrup. Why? For more information, click here or visit your doctor and ask them about corn syrup.
Portland is just 40 minutes north of Portsmouth, NH along Route 95, but feels so much closer. I think it’s because there’s usually less traffic driving north, especially in the cold and gray non-tourist season. Portland is full of fun things to do – it has big city potential, but folks are happy just the way it is – it’s northern New England’s crossroads of culture on the coast. Whether you’re a fan of bar hopping, art galleries, independent film, gourmet and ethnic food, coffee, shopping, or sight-seeing – Portland has it all and without the big city price tags. There are many parking garages and street parking spots – all priced not to break the bank. Some areas are even free – but I’m not telling where… you’ll have to find ‘em yourselves.
Start out parking near lower Congress Street, which is downtown Portland’s main drag. It’s mixed with local and national businesses to admire – but pay most of your attention to YES Books located at 589 Congress Street. They’ve got tons of used books in all categories – I always find something and have at least 1 conversation with another patron…
Okay, I was the first one to wish for a quick and easy winter, knowing whole-heartedly that living in New England means a long, harsh winter of ice storms, snow, sub-zero temperatures, and plenty of shoveling, snow blowing, and trips to the local car wash. Be careful what you wish for – we’re on the doorstep of March and so far this winter has been a complete dud in New England. It’s been unseasonably warm, weather patterns are bringing snow to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States and the ski areas throughout northern New England are without a natural white landscape. There’s plenty of downhill skiing, but if you’re like me – looking for areas to cross country ski, snow shoe, or try out that new toboggan – good luck. Last weekend I traveled to Gilford, NH looking to go ski touring, but the area at Gunstock was closed. The next morning, I drove further up north to Jackson, NH and found an open facility, but the conditions were poor. There were bare spots, icy patches, and the depth of the snow was inconsistent. We ended up ice-skating at Nestlenook Farm instead, which was rather exciting. I zipped up and down the pond, going under the sleigh ride bridge and ending it with a fire and a warm drink at a popular local coffee house in North Conway, NH. Inside the coffee house, people were talking about the lack of Mother Nature’s winter white wonder – asking themselves why Washington D.C. and Virginia got the jackpot this year. The lack of snow has a rippling effect in the already brittle economy. And I mean beyond the ski resorts… Less snow means less salt on the road, which in turn means less work for snowplows and all that other machinery we hear out our windows during winter driving conditions. Have you visited a car wash lately? Yep, there’s less income for area car washes, too. Despite my selfish thoughts about not wanting a long winter and preparing for Spring back in October – I am a New Englander. I expect snow. I expect cold weather in February and not temperatures in the 50s and rain. It just isn’t right.
Last evening, I ate the best hamburger I’ve ever tasted. I know, we’ve probably all heard that line muttered somewhere before, but believe me – this was no ordinary burger. This was the BT Burger. All the ingredients were tiptop and the combined flavors were absolutely tremendous. What is a BT Burger and where can you get it? It’s the Black Trumpet Burger and it’s on the Early Winter menu, which I’m not exactly sure how long will stick around, perhaps until it’s mid-winter? All I can say is you better get one while you can.
The Black Trumpet menu describes the BT Burger like this:
NEFF (North East Family Farms) beef patty with melted gruyère cheese on a housemade bun served with truffled skin fries, black trumpet catsup and housemade pickles.
I’m sure the special seasoning inside the beef patty is one of the restaurant’s most kept secrets… but it really is the best burger I’ve tasted, hands down. The excruciatingly beautiful taste of the burger overshadowed the delicate, yet simply delicious potato skin fries bathed in the chef’s truffle oil. The portion is just right – not too much, not too little and it’s a reasonable price for such a classy take on a what is known as a simple dish. How did I wash it down? With a Victory lager, which can only be found on tap in Portsmouth, NH at The Black Trumpet. They usually have three rotating beers on tap, all three unique and all three are usually regional or craft-brewer beers. If you do visit the restaurant and order the burger, I just hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Don’t be afraid to let your mouth water…
The Black Trumpet is my favorite restaurant in this little seaport town and it’s located at 29 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH
I’ve been involved with the local music scene since 1992 when I began at WUNH 91.3 FM in Durham, NH. After DJing and acting as the radio station’s music director in 1996-97 I began working at BullMoose Music upon it’s grand opening and became the location’s indie music buyer. After 3+ years in retail, I decided to finish school and work in the world of computing and Information Technology, but never giving up my interest or involvement with music. After the turn of the century I started a music promotions business, in which I represented Important Records, Broken Sparrow Records, and Aesthetics Records. I also released two Justin Carloni albums under the Sadheel Records label. I later volunteered at WSCA (Portsmouth Community Radio) as Music Director, where I met some great people, expanded the music library, and was nominated for the 2005 CMJ Music Director of the Year. After a few years volunteering and doing weekly radio programs, I decided to exit WSCA and try my hand at booking acts for the Hush Hush Sweet Harlot music series at The Red Door. Laurel Brauns had worked her magic the previous two years, but was soon moving to Oregon, which gave me the opportunity to book live music beginning in January 2006. This whole story finally leads us to the following news…
I am resigning my duties effective April 1, 2010 at The Red Door and handing over the Hush Hush Sweet Harlot music series to Mr. Tristan Law.
