Marc D.'s Profile

The best Sushi place on the Seacoast!  They are very popular now so call ahead

Be sure to order one of the specialty rolls each time you visit for a treat.  I have been here many times with the family and friends and I have never been disappointed by the food.  The problem is they are closed mid afternoon to let the staff rest before dinner and they are closed Tuesdays.

A well written menu that the taste of the food does not deliver on.
Our Butternut Squash Risotto topped with Scallops was very bland. I could not taste any of the ingredients the dish was named for and while the scallops were cooked on the light side they too lacked any of their potential.
While my sirloin strip was medium not mid rare sitting on a small bed of rice pilaf with fries was passible.
Wanda got the best of the night. A small rack St Louis Ribs that fell off the bone.  The amazing part was that it sat on a bed of Asian cole slaw with a hint of Ginger, sesame and wasabi.  I need to learn to make this at home!!!

The best sit down Mexican food downtown portsmouth.  The basic rice, fried beans, homemade guacamole are perfect..

In a walk-down basement entrance on the far end of Chinatown, this is less of a touristy place than all the Chinese places just doors away.  I definately agree,  the sweetie, valentines and the Sumo role are all amazing!!'. The chef's sauce that is paired with each will keep you far away from the soy sauce. And yes they have Nigori Sake which is a must for me.

The broken down exterior is a cover to the most amazing BBQ I have ever had. And then trying to pick only 1 of the 4 deserts was VERY hard.

So I'm in Austin Texas and think I will hit the corrner taco stand for a breakfast burritto. But my wife is a little tired of southern food.
 so we hit Le Cafe Crepe. Where 4 non Frenchman mixed up the best French ingredients found in Texas and made one of the best breakfast in YEARS!!!

Not so busy for a New Years eve but that's the reason we got in. Wanda had an excellent Cosmo then shared a very good bottle of Montinore Pinot Noir.
We started with an excellent Salad and a VERY interesting Fried Goat Cheese Stix with a balsamic glaze. This very paired well with the wine.
Our Entrees were Lamb Porterhouse with fig chutney and mushroom risotto. Cooked perfectly and delicious and just enough to share. I had the short ribs. I didn't need a fork to get the beef, it fell off the bone into the wonderful Pinot demi-glaze and melted in my mouth.
This would have been a 5 star meal if I had replaced the polenta fries with anything else.
The flour less chocolate cake was amazing, the creme brûlée was sub par.

Overall this is a gem in Exeter.

As we were walking from our car to the restaurant we had planned to go to we saw a new sign at the former location of "The Mustard Seed".

We were extremely please that we were squeezed in since they had just opened and only had very few tables and bookings for a couple hours.  We spent 20 minutes standing at the bar (the bar stools are set to arrive this coming week).  We used our time to review the menu and wine list.  The wine list was extremely unique and upon sitting at our table I was not shocked to learn that the sommelier was someone I knew from a few other restaurants and Philbricks Fresh Market.

We had an idea of what we wanted and we were open to recommendations.  

Wanda had a very good crab cake that I probably would have called delicious at another time but I had Mussels in a light verblanc sauce. that required extra bread (which was delicious on its own) to soak up some extra flavor that just couldn't go to waste.  I had a white wine from Uruguay that totally surprised me with its nose but lack of being overly sweet.

Our Salad was the locally grown house chopped salad, that was good but no flavor had a starring role.  A walnut or goat cheese would have been amazing, and the sesame brittle that was on top could go.

For the Entree Wanda had a Halibut that was cooked perfectly.  It sat on a bed of roasted local veggies and Sweet Potato hash.  The topping was an orange reduction that we couldn't get enough of.  We were scraping that off the plate like starving orphans.

When I am out I generally dont try the Fillet Mignon because I have been to the 100 club and theirs blows me away.  Smith & Wilenski and Ruth's Chris are a close 2nd to them.  But something told me to have the Filet.  What told me that?  My old motto of dont trust a skinny chef.  Well as we came in we passed the tiny open concept kitchen and I saw the 6'5" 300 lb chef and figured I would give the filet a try.  The Filet was amazingly cooked (I asked for Rare and it was one of the first times I had ever had a rare steak that was evenly cooked edge to center).  The Filet sat on Roasted wild Mushrooms and a scallop potatoes.  A small container of "House Steaksauce" was placed next to my plate.  I took a sip of my Argentinian Cab and a small bite of the Fillet and it melted in my mouth.  I then tried a little steaksauce and that was heavenly.  There was an herb butter on the top that I tried and was good, but I didnt think fit with the Fillet (I know many people like that but I'm not one of them).
So while I really liked the Fillet its my number 4 all time but #2 in Portsmouth.

After fully cleaning our plates we shared the recommended desert. An extremely light upside down cheesecake served in a martini glass.  The taste was very good especially when you ate one of the mint leaves in your bite.  It was a bit dry and I would have loved to try it with a port but that wasnt on the wine menu and I didnt think to ask while I was ordering.

The final great surprise was the price, $140 (before tip) with 4 drinks, 2 apps, 2 salads, 2 $25 entrees and a shared desert that all combined for an amazing meal it was a bargain.

I look forward to going back soon.

I think they forgot about fermentation.

We tried 6 wines all from their not so sweet collection.  Well they all seemed too sweet.  Not sweet and full like a desert wine, more like a spiked Grape Juice or Wine cooler.  
There is a small tour behind the wine shop of the process of making wine but I had a tough time paying attention to the tour guide who lacked the passion for wine. He and a few of the people doing the tastings mentioned they liked beer better.  Well I like beer better than their wine.  The one positive I left with is my mother is new to wine and really likes sweet reds so I bought her a few bottles.
It at least provided a break in the travel day from Maryland to Atlanta.

A well seasoned grill that probably cooked the burgers from the turn of the last century is the key to the gut filling deliciousness of a Gilley's burger.  Lunchtime or after a few drinks Gilley's is the spot that hits the spot in Portsmouth.  For years I always ordered 2 cheeseburgers loaded and cursed myself after eating both delicious sandwiches because they hit the bottom of your stomach like a ton of bricks.
I recommend ordering a burger and a chili dog, with fries of course.  The dog comes right out of its steamy home and is ready to eat as your burger hits the griddle, thus getting your nitrates as you wait for your burger, and gives you time to enjoy the company of the other patrons.  Now be sure to learn how to order you burger, don't be all Hollywood Player and order of menu.
The Works is mustard, relish and onion
Loaded is the Works, plus ketchup

Since they only serve Pepsi products (I am a coca cola fan) I have become addicted to having an orange soda with my Gilley's experience, something I never drink any other time.

And how about those fries. The meats are cooked right in front of you but because of the tiny kitchen/food prep/ TV lounge/cash register area the fries come out of a magical machine in the back room.  Don't question it just enjoy.
And along those lines don't question the fact that the cook just took a patty from the fridge, wiped his hand on a towel and then took your money.  I am convinced some of the signature flavor comes from this towel.  If you ever read Douglas Adams' 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' you know how key a good towel is to your life.