WELCOME

ROOFTOP JEWEL TERRACE AT OMNI MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT

Bretton Woods

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 Many years ago, when I was researching my family’s first big trip to a National Park (Grand Canyon), I came across a great piece of advice which I’d like to share with you.  You don’t have to stay in the most luxurious accommodations to experience them.  Most hotels and resorts have dining, bars and lounge spaces that are available to the public.  So, for the price of a refreshment or meal, you, too, can enjoy that great view and service. As such, regardless of where you book any overnight accommodations while at Bretton Woods, you’re going to want to treat yourself to some time at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. There are several nice places to eat and drink inside, but assuming good weather, you’re going to want to check out the rooftop Jewel Terrace.  On it looking out, you face Mount Washington and the rest of the Presidential Range.  In season, the open-air Observatory Bar, located on the rooftop, will supply your needs.  If that bar is closed, light fare and drink is available through the Rosebrook Bar located inside, just off the veranda connecting the hotel to the Jewel Terrace. 

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It’s hard to choose among the many specialty cocktails they have available.  I went with one called, Of All Things. It was made with 21 Seeds Grapefruit Hibiscus Tequila, Aperol, Barmalade Grapefruit-Elderflower, fresh lime, rhubarb bitters and Lunetta Prosecco.  They had me at 21 Seeds…. It was divine.  That perfect combo of sweet and tart.  And beautiful.  Hibiscus pink and served in the curvy Poco Grande cocktail glass. It looked so nice it drew some away from the mountain view as I had a few people stop and ask me what I was drinking. 

 

The Reason to Visit:  The million-dollar view.

 

When you go: Look through their interesting and quirky drink menu, complete with diagrams of specialty drinks and ingredient and health tidbits about them.

 

Omni Mount Washington Resort, 310 Mount Washington Hotel Rd, Bretton Woods

https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bretton-woods-mount-washington

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SOLE TRACK BREWING

Rumney

 

The best way to describe this brewery is to tell you what it is not. It’s not so small that you have to chose between standing or sharing a couch with someone you don’t know.  But it’s not a warehouse or a stark industrial building either. It’s not a place where you vie for the attention of a bartender and are rushed into making a decision.  The brews are not concoctions from the Willy Wonka factory and are not overpriced.  You know what I mean??  There are so many breweries out there, but many are lack-luster.  Not this one.

 

Sole Track brewery is big on hospitality and a good selection of rotating beers.  The staff on hand, which often includes the owners, are friendly and attentive.  The are happy to offer samples and help you select something you will enjoy.  Relax in the newly constructed and comfortable tap room with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.  Try Atomic Blonde, my favorite.  In Sole Track’s words, it’s not your average blonde, slightly hazy, light bodied and eminently crushable. I agree. For the IPA lovers, Social Outcast is a must try. Their best seller, it is a New England IPA, has tons of wheat and oat, hopped to the hilt with Nectaron and Citra, carefully added in stages to build deeply nuanced layers of apricot and mango.

 

The Reason to Visit:  Community.  This watering hole is where the locals hang out.  It’s where co-workers meet after a long day on the job and where neighbors catch-up.  Visitors passing through – including many climbers from nearby Rumney Rocks – mix right in. Discussions usually revolve around the brews and the appreciation of the outdoors.

 

Fun Fact:  Brothers Tim Lewis and Andy Lewis originally thought about opening a sports outfitter store in the brewery location. They discussed the business concept over Andy’s home brew that he’d been crafting out of his garage. They quickly decided that a brewery was a better idea and Andy had to get bigger tanks.

 

When you go:  Tell Tim Lewis and his wife, LeeAnn, that the Thirsty White Mountain Traveler says hello.

 

 

Sole Track, 27 Main Street, Rumney.  https://www.soletrackbrewing.com/

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SCHWENDI HÜTTE 

Waterville Valley

 

SCCCCHHHHWEEEEENNNNDIIIII.  SAY IT AGAIN.  SCCCHHHHWEEEEENNNDIIIIII.  That’s reason enough to come, isn’t it?  It’s fun.  Say it again.  So, what is the Schwendi Hütte?  It’s a mountain top respite on Waterville Valley Resort located at elevation level 4004’.  What does “Schwendi” mean?  It depends on who you ask.  Officially, it means to deforest the land.  Which is pretty accurate to some extent if you are talking about creating a ski mountain.  Unofficially, it means to enjoy life with others.  And that’s what you do at the Hutte.  There are two ways to get there – both involve you on the ski mountain.  You can go up by hiking or skinning.  Or you can go down, by skiing from the trails above the Schwendi Hutte.  Once in, you are rewarded with warmth, great views, and – the reason we are here – a variety of drinks.  Because skiing and hiking dehydrate you.  Coffee and hot chocolate, with your choice of nips, are the obvious choices, but so is the namesake craft beer, the Schwendi.  This German Pilsner is light and refreshing and won’t weigh you down.  The perfect sip for a lunchtime or late afternoon break.  The Hutte also offers a selection of sandwiches, soups and sweets.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Reason to Visit:  “Come for the Warmth, Stay for the Vibe.”  The rustic atmosphere comes to life with visitors from near and far all enjoying small talk, tall tales and gratitude for a day on the slopes. 

 

Fun Fact:  The Schwendi Hutte manager, Steve Larkin, along with his friend, Jonathan Loiacono, are the creators of Schwendi Beverage Company, LLC.  Their first brew, Schwendi, debuted in the Hutte and is now distributed widely in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  Their IPA, Oblivion, is named after a popular intermediate trail on Waterville Valley. 

 

When you go:  Tell manager Steve Larkin that the Thirsty White Mountain Traveler says hello.

 

Schwendi Hutte, Mt. Tucumsah summit, Waterville Valley Resort, Waterville Valley.

 

   https://www.waterville.com/mountain-dining

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MAD RIVER COFFEE

Campton

 

This is the coffee house you dream about. Always bustling with fans, this is the place to get a good cup of that dark elixir.  Brewed in house, Mad River coffee isn’t just for breakfast. Customers line up all day for the stuff. Service is quick and pleasant.  You can be off on your way to the next adventure or kick up your feet and revel in the one you just did.  No one is going to rush you here.  There are couches, big chairs, table and high-top seating choices to suit whatever kind of mood you are in or the job that needs to be done while re-fueling. Up for a challenge?  Choose from their selection of from-scratch food items when caffeine alone isn’t enough.  Their breakfast, lunch and baked goods menu, including rotating specials, is that wicked good combination of comfort food and innovative fare. 

 

My drink of choice on this visit was a hot, Dirty Chai (chai tea mixed with steamed milk and a shot of espresso).  They have two varieties: vanilla and spice, the vanilla being a little sweeter.  I opted for the spice and was happy with my selection as well as the service.  I noted my preference for a less sweet preparation, and they nailed it. 

 

The Reason to Visit:  It’s all about the coffee.

 

Fun Fact: The owner, Dave, taught himself to brew coffee at his kitchen table. His aim was to create a brew that was less acidic due to some stomach issues he was having.  This resulted in their signature Mad River Blend coffee.  The rest is history. 

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When you go:  Check out their line-up of live music events and plan your next visit.

 

Mad River Coffee, 18 Six Flags Rd., West Campton.  https://madrivercoffeeroasters.com/

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4,080’ CAFÉ

Franconia Notch

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Located at the top of Cannon Mountain is 4,080’ Café.  There is a large bar with plenty of windows (and seating) to enjoy the view.  Outside decks are also available for eating and picture taking.  Cafeteria-style food, typical for ski lodges, is offered.  You can hike to it, or you can purchase a ticket for the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway to take you there from the parking lot at the base of the mountain.  The tram ride is about 10 minutes long with 360-degree views of the White Mountains. Among the many offerings on tap is Cannon Ale, which of course was my choice of beverage being on Cannon Mountain.  It is brewed by Woodstock Inn Brewery.  I’m not usually an IPA fan, but this beer is low in bitterness and heavy on the hazy.  It’s got just enough punch to be interesting but not enough to make me pucker.  Very drinkable and satisfying. Try it.  You won’t be disappointed.

 

The Reason to Visit:  It’s the highest tap in New Hampshire! ‘Nuff said.

 

Fun Fact:  The Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway was the first passenger tramway in North America.  The ski trails were developed because of it, not the other way around. 

 

When you go: Take in the air and scenery from one of the decks. 

 

Cannon Mountain Summit, Cannon Mountain, 260 Tramway Drive, Franconia, NH,  https://www.cannonmt.com/visit/summer-food-drink

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COYOTE GRILL

Waterville Valley

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Although a spacious restaurant, the seating areas apart from the bar are divided into small sections allowing for an intimate dining experience. The dark barn wood and low lighting from the many small chandelier sconces along the walls enhance that feeling. The menu is much more sophisticated than the restaurant’s name suggests. with a focus on seafood and game meat. All meat is cut in-house. Chef Shawn Stout is picky (self-described) when it comes to sourcing food for his restaurant. He works with a lot of local farms for both produce and game meat.  It’s a nice change of pace from the many pubs I frequently visit. If you are lucky to be near the large windows, Waterville Valley and the mountains surrounding it are on full display.  The bar area is more spacious and lively for those seeking a more communal meal.

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My husband and I began with cocktails and the New England clam chowder which we both thought was delicious.  My drink of choice on this visit was the Triotini, made with Bully Boy vodka, blood orange, passionfruit and pomegranate.  It was perfect and not too sweet as my husband incorrectly predicted.  If you’re unsure, their house sangrias are also a good bet.  I don’t often talk about the food, but my lobster salad with tomato exceeded my expectations, not having seen a picture of the dish that I later learned was displayed on the restaurant’s Facebook page.  Instead of the familiar mounded salad mix, I was presented with a generous amount of large claw meat, lightly dressed, over thick-sliced in-season tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar.  Simple yet divine.  I will be back for another prior to the lobster season’s end for sure. 

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The Reason to Visit:  Waterville Valley views and consistently good food

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Fun Fact: Coyote Grill started on December 15, 1995, as a smaller establishment, with a capacity of 65. Several renovations later, it can now accommodate 165. One of the expansions involved deconstructing a 200-year-old barn from Rumney, NH and re-building it on location.

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When You Go:  Call for reservations and try to snag a Mountain View table

 

Coyote Grill, 98 Valley Road, Waterville Valley

 

https://www.wildcoyotegrill.com/about

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SEVEN BIRCHES WINERY

Lincoln

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There really is something for just about everyone here.  Operating under different labels and out of two nearby locations, the winery produces not only a large variety of wines, but also hard ciders, meads, and seltzers.  There are inside and outside seating options and plenty of room for even a large group of people. Tastings of both the wine and other beverages, separately, are available, as is the purchase of light food fare. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. My first two visits were all about the wine.  I enjoy both red and white but lean towards red.  I walked out with a bottle of Merlot and their mulling spice mix the first time.  My next visit ended with a purchase of Rebel (blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah from Chile & California harvests of 2020 & 2021) and Satori (Pinotage from South Africa harvest).  I learned that during the pandemic, Seven Birches Winery expanded into hard ciders.  While you can sample them at the tasting room, they are also featured at Rhythm Cider, Tap & Grill next door.

 

The Reason to Visit:  Location and variety.  With so many choices of quality beverages, it would be a challenge to not find something you like.  It also means you can visit multiple times, like I did, and have a different experience each time.  Being at the center of Lincoln, it’s conveniently located next to many restaurants and shops and, of course, Loon Mountain.  The winery can just as easily become part of a shopping/spa day as it can be for an apres-ski destination.

 

Fun Fact:  The winery started out in an apple orchard that had seven birch trees, the inspiration for the name. Sometimes you’ve got to just go with what you have!

 

Seven Birches Winery, 22 S. Mountain Drive, Lincoln. https://sevenbirches.com/

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MAIN STREET STATION

Plymouth

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When you think of diners you usually think of food, not drinks. Well, maybe coffee.  And they do have coffee.  But they also have very cool and tasty house Bloody Mary’s.  Specialty varieties include soft shell crab and cheeseburger sliders.  Their secret recipe is perfectly spiced and served in a generous-sized mason jar.  It’s one of their more popular drinks among the other full bar offerings.  Their breakfast and lunch options are full of traditional diner fare and food from either menu is available any time the diner is open. A standout item is the homemade baked beans.  Made with meat and simmered long and slow, the result is smoky and savory comfort food.  I’m sure it is often a side chosen with burgers and other lunch sandwiches, but I think it accompanies eggs splendidly.  All food is served hot and quickly and with a smile.  From the moment you walk in, Christy and her staff welcome you and wait on you in perfect casual but attentive fashion.  This is not the place you have to wave down servers for help or to obtain your check. 

 

The Reason to Visit:  Hospitality of the owner, Kristi Nesteruk and staff. 

 

Fun Fact:  Located on Main Street in Plymouth, Main Street Station sits right next to Plymouth Ski and Sports.  If you happen to be renting skis for the day (or need any other gear), the Main Street Station is a great place to get breakfast early so that you can be there when Plymouth Ski and Sports open.  You’ll be fueled up and on your way to the slopes as early as possible. 

 

When you go:  Check out the pictures located on the wall connecting the boxcar portion of the restaurant and the dining area side. The Main Street Station is comprised of a converted 1946 Worcester Lunch Car. It has undergone much renovation since then. 

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Main Street Station, 105 Main Street, Plymouth.  https://www.themainstreetstationnh.com/