Drink it in

Spring Restaurant Week is once again upon us, from today, March 31, through April 9, so peruse the list and menus, and plan your strategy of lunches and dinners. A three-course lunch is $16.95 per person, dinner is $29.95 per person. Some restaurants extend the $16.95 value price to dinner as well. Find local specials and offers from shops, attractions and hotels, too, at www.goportsmouthnh.com/where-to-eat/restaurant-week/

One of the many great things about a restaurant week is that you’re saving money on the food so you can have more money in your budget for beer, wine or a fabulous cocktail or mocktail. Our talented bartenders are making your drinks with local ingredients and even concocting their own bitters, shrubs and tinctures to flavor their innovative drinks. You can pick out what to have for lunch or dinner yourself, but here’s my listicle of what to drink at each and every Portsmouth Restaurant Week restaurant (at least the spots listed on the website as of press time). The official spirit of this year’s Spring Restaurant Week is Hudson Whiskey with its rye and bourbon so expect lots of twists on classics, especially the good ol' Manhattan, which is always a smart choice no matter where you are.

401 Tavern

Hopefully, Al will be at the bar when you visit. Get the Desi’s Island Delight with mango rum, pineapple vodka, curacao and pineapple juice. Imagine the Bahamas.

Agave Mexican Bistro Dos

Tequila, of course! They have one of the best selections around with 125 choices. It will be tempting to just get a margarita, but go for one of their special flights and branch out to mezcal, too.

Anneke Jans

There’s a superb wine list here, so make your own pairing with some advice from your server or bartender. The reds are especially good and go well with the elegant comfort food.

Applecrest Farm Bistro

Cocktail ingredients come right from the farm. They have hard cider on tap and house-made sodas you can have with or without booze. Try the grapefruit and ginger soda with some of that rye. 

Atlantic Grill

The excellent beer list here will have you occupied during dinner but after, get an Adult Float, like the Toasted Almond with root beer, Ciroc amaretto vodka and vanilla ice cream.

BGs Boathouse

BGs always makes me think of summer. Sit out on the deck with a frozen daiquiri or margarita.

Black Trumpet Bistro

Another stellar wine list with a cozy wine bar upstairs. Try the famous Black Trumpet cocktail with vodka and blackberry.

Blind Pig Provisions

Hopefully, you can sit out in the beer garden here during Restaurant Week so you can sip your Oink Smash made with honey-bacon bourbon.

Block Six

They usually have a cider on tap here like the North Country cider which I’ll always order. Definitely try their Bloody Mary. There’s something in their mix that makes it extra great.

Blue Mermaid Island Grill

Get something tropical at this oasis in the heart of downtown. Their Painkiller has light and dark rum, pineapple juice, OJ and coconut with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Brazo

Hey, we can go to Cuba now! Latin American fare will pair well with their Pisco Sour with Barsol Pisco from Peru and kiwi fruit.

British Beer Company

Well, the name says it all. Beer. British beer. Get something from Fuller’s brewery like the London Pride.

Cafe Mediterraneo

Try an Italian wine like a very reasonably priced Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva at just $42.

The Carriage House

Get the classic Moscow Mule or Manhattan here. They make both perfectly.

Cava Tapas and Wine Bar

With more than 50 wines by the glass, it’s tough to choose, but you can go for smaller pours to get a sample. Try something from Spain to go with the modern Spanish-style tapas.

CR’s the Restaurant

The lovely and welcoming Anne behind the bar will make you CR’s barrel-aged Manhattan with cherry bitters. Or, try Something Tall and Strong with coconut rum and pineapple.

CURE

Try one of their super dessert martinis (after actual dessert, of course), like a recent Chocolate Cake version.

Demeter’s Steakhouse

Sip from the stellar selection of whiskey at Demeter’s, especially the Scotch. Wednesday is Martini Night.

The District

The Manhattan variation at The District is Mad Man with bourbon, sweet vermouth, ginger simple syrup and candied maraschino cherry. The ginger makes a big difference.

Dolphin Striker

Another great whiskey selection here as well as Cognac and a good beer list, too.

El Rodeo

This is where you’re getting your margarita, frozen or not. Sangria is good here, too.

Epoch Restaurant and Bar

The recently expanded bar makes this a great hangout for snacks or dinner. Say “hi” to Russell and have a River Wild with bourbon, grapefruit juice, vermouth and Flag Hill raspberry liqueur.

The Franklin Oyster House

Definitely get A Smoke and A Pancake with bourbon, scotch, orange bitters, espresso and fenugreek. It’s like breakfast!

Hayseed

Smuttynose beer. Duh. Hayseed has their own rare brews on tap, including from Smuttlabs as well as guest beers, ciders and meads.

Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe

Lavender and chamomile-infused rye, cayenne honey and lemon are what makes up the Death’s Door. Great with oysters.

Library Restaurant

The Library is known for its huge list of martinis. It’s book-length. Pair one with each course.

Louie’s

Partake of the wonder that is the amaro and vermouth cart at the end of your meal. Yes, there is Cynar.

Margaritas

You’ll be tempted to get a margarita, but try a sangria like the Pom-Berry with Acai liqueur.

Martingale Wharf

Try something from the after-dinner wine list like a port or sherry.

Michelle’s on Market Square

There’s a new cocktail list here, including a refreshing Blackberry Bourbon Julep.

Misto!

Get whatever they have on tap from Tributary or SoMe, both right near Misto!

Mombo

Peruse the Feature Page of the wine list here for special finds and boutique wines.

Moxy

The North Country Shandy is North Country cider, Barrow’s Intense Ginger liqueur, honey and bitters.

Northern Union

Check out the wall of wine here, but their cocktail list is also great. Try the Boulevardier with bourbon, sweet vermouth, aperol, and house-charred oak and pecan bitters.

The Oar House

There are 25 pinot noirs alone on the wide-ranging wine list.

Orchard Street Chop Shop

Friend Vicky and I recently had a bit of a rum tasting here. Try some for sipping or a classic daiquiri.

The Portsmouth Brewery

What’s on tap? Find out what’s on cask downstairs at the Jimmy La Panza lounge.

Redhook Brewery

And what’s on tap, here? Usually some Longhammer IPA for one.

Ri Ra

All Irish, (almost) all the time, as in the William Magner with Irish cider, Irish whiskey, cinnamon and simple syrup.

Ristorante Massimo

Whether dining up or downstairs, try the tropical cosmo, or whatever they’re calling it at the time. .

The River House

Excellent beer list, but try the NH Maple Manhattan with bourbon, maple syrup and Campari.

The Rosa Restaurant

The coffee drinks are great before or after dinner like the Gunner with whiskey, Bailey’s and Kahlua

Row 34

I love the classic Pink Lady here with gin, apple brandy, grenadine and egg white.

Rudi’s Portsmouth and Rudi’s Market Square

Have a glass of wine in Rudi’s Market Square wine bar before going on to your Restaurant Week dinner. Great J. Lohr selection

SALT

Go in for their Monday-Friday Social Hour before dinner and try one of their specialty mimosas or a fabulous Old-Fashioned.

Stage Neck Inn

Check out the list of lower alcohol cocktails like the Tina’s Money with Amaro Montenegro, Fernet, cola, celery and Boker’s Bitters.

Tinos Greek Kitchen

The talented Michael Gehron runs the bar program here. Get the Onassis Manhattan or have some ouzo with your Greek coffee.

Two-Fifty Market

The new bar is a good spot to perch for your dinner and a great Bloody Mary, even when it’s not Sunday brunch.

Vida Cantina

Best Smoke Show ever with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, fresh chilies, cointreau and a molido chili salt rim.

The Wellington Room

Small but mighty wine list, especially the sparkling wine.

When Pigs Fly Pizzeria

The beer list is so great here, you might not notice the cocktails, but please do, especially the authentic Sazerac.

The Dish: I was so pleasantly surprised to see one of my good friends and favorite Front of House industry talents, Kieran Kelly, on his very first day of his new job as Food and Beverage Manager at Epoch at the Exeter Inn. It’s a perfect spot for him and a great addition to the Epoch team!

Rachel Forrest is a former restaurant owner who lives in Exeter (and Austin, Texas). She can be reached by email at rachel.forrest@localmediagroupinc.com. Read more of her Dining Out reviews online.