Down Home Cookin' - My Trip Home to New Hampshire

Labor Day weekend I had the pleasure of going home for the first time in almost two years. Needless to say I was pretty homesick for some of my all time favorite eats. For me, food is comforting on so many levels. It takes me back to being little and getting the special treat of having Papa Gino's pizza at St. Mary's one day a month. It takes me back to the dream job I never had at Golick's Dairy Bar, and fun summer days with my best friend at Weirs Beach. Memories that all came back this trip as I made sure to hit up as many of my favorites as I could :)

First stop after touching down in Machester was at Papa Gino's. Like the picture shows below, nothing compares to Papa Gino's. Its NY style thin crust pizza with the most amazing blend of cheese and the most flavorful sauce. If I had to chose one pizza to call my favorite, a plain cheese from Papa Gino's is it. It sounds so simple, but it is the most amazing combination of ultimate crust, sauce, and cheese perfection. If you've never been to New England, go - just for this pizza. Don't let the fact that its a chain make you doubt its deliciousness...

 

Second stop was Blink's Frye Doe. Now, I'm not sure why they don't just call it fried dough like every other New Englander does, but Blink's is a staple on Hampton Beach. Fried dough is a pillow of heaven that I have cherished since childhood. This was a carnival, fair, and beach day staple. I think only New Englanders know what fried dough is, because everywhere else I go, people think this would be the same as a funnel cake. IT'S NOT! It is soooo much better than a funnel cake. Blink's serves it up in a few dozen varieties. I take mine traditional, smothered with melted butter and dusted with sugar. The ultimate indulgence you will NOT regret. You can tell its good, coming from such a classy establishment :)





















Sunday's meant going to the Asia buffet after church. I'm 28 and this is still something I look forward to when I go home. The Asia is a chinese restaurant that is only a place locals would go. Totally a DIVE. This place holds so many childhood memories for me, I've been going since I was a baby. When I was in pre-school I am proud to say that I stood up and sang "Teddy Bear Picnic" to the whole place, I guess you can say it feels like home. The restaurant has seen better days appearance wise, but let me tell you the food couldn't taste any better. The fried rice is unlike any other, its so crispy and full of flavor. Everything they make is fresh tasting and to me, the way all chinese food should taste. Its the only chinese place I will go outside of PF Chang's and Pei Wei, so you know its good!

Golick's Dairy Bar is a Dover staple. It was my dream to work here as a kid, but for some reason I never did. My favorite ice cream can only be found here. Its called a Princess Twist, and it is soft serve vanilla swirled with black raspberry. I always get mine covered with tasty rainbow jimmies :) The picture doesn't do it justice, but this is so yummy!

Weirs Beach is one of my favorite summer spots. Its just a fun place to go, and reminds me of being a kid. Mini golfing at Pirate's Cove, playing on the boardwalk arcade, and hitting up the drive-in theater just make me happy. My dad and I made it to the Tamarack Drive-In which is a classic stop. The best thing on the menu is the onion rings. They are light, crispy, and just plain awesome. They are known for their lobster roll, which my dad had. I am proud to say I tried it! I'm not a seafood eater, but I wanted to try it. When in NH, right?! I hated it, but at least I gave it a shot.

My friend Leya and I celebrated our 28th birthdays in Harvard Square. We tried mini cupcakes from Sweet. Not the same as my Sweet in Orlando, but I will say it was a close second. She chose red velvet and I chose chocolate with vanilla bean buttercream. YUM! Super moist and full of flavor, with icing that was just the right amount of sweet. Minis are my favorite because you can enjoy and not feel guilty! If you are ever around the Harvard campus, make sure to pop in and try one!








This trip was only 3 days, too little time to really give you the run down of all of my hometown favorites, but I hope I gave you a little taste of a few of the best :) If you are ever traveling to New Hampshire or the New England area let me know so I can give you my complete list!