Riverworks Restaurant Review

164 Main Street, Newmarket, NH‎ - (603) 659-6119‎
Website

Newmarket, New Hampshire may not be the dining hub of New England but there are some pretty excellent options (such as Rocky's Burgers and Panzanella's Italian) but that doesn't mean that every option is a good option.

The Riverworks has the most ideal of all Newmarket locations, directly downtown, right at the intersection of 108 and 152. It also has a terrific building, split between a pub downstairs and a split dining room upstairs. It has some good design and nice seasonal lighting. It has decent service and it has a pretty extensive menu...and that's about it.

Starting off with the bread, it was warmed but clearly not fresh and tasted more like a soft bagel, which isn't bad by any means. It was a nice enough start before the sauteed artichoke with crostinis, which were also pretty average (although the cream sauce was a highlight), and the baked french onion soup. After these appetizers though the meal went downhill, quickly.

The Guinness marinated steak tips were average at best, and certainly not worth the over twenty dollar price tag. The Parmesan risotto might as well have been plain because the extra marinade on it completely overpowered it. The asparagus didn't interest me so I requested mashed potatoes, which they obliged, and they had an odd texture with little flavor. Onto the vegetarian lasagna, which allegedly has five cheeses and a homemade marinara. It would have been better advertising to say that their lasagna was previously frozen and then thawed with an oddly spiced paste sauce draped on it. Honestly, this is cheesier than the dish, but Chef Boyardee has created better meals than this.

As for dessert, we ordered the Kahlua mousse and the espresso mousse torte. The Kahlua mousse was pretty much cake batter in texture and taste. The espresso mouse torte was better (although could have been an Enteman's product).

It's hard to believe that the meal was as pricey as it was and although we left with a full stomach, we didn't end up with much more. I wouldn't recommend Riverworks for anything more than a quick drink in their bar.

The Common Man Restaurant Review

(website)
96 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 334-6225

It's probably unfair to review a restaurant based on one visit there. Unfortunately, if a restaurant is horrendous the first time around, there is little chance that I'll be able to be convinced to return - why would I want to give something awful a second chance? Rhetorical question. So starting out by saying that I'm reviewing the fourth visit to the Common Man in Portsmouth probably gives away my general opinion about the place. Oh, and did I mention it's a fourth visit in less than a month? Yeah, I like it...a lot.

The Common Man is a chain. Chain restaurants bother me. They are similar to chain stores of any sort. After a certain number are out there, there is no way the person initially responsible for making sure everything is as terrific as the first one which made people want to open a second in the first place is still around making sure everything runs smoothly. I don't know who that first person is for the Common Man, but either they're a superhero or they get some really smart folks to work for them and teach them well because, even as the newest of over a dozen restaurants, they are all sorts of amazing.

The first visit found us ordering lunch for dinner (even though they didn't give us the menu). They were happy to oblige us with our desire for what we'd seen online and so an Uncommon Burger and a Veggie Burger were on the way. Before they could reach us though, we opted for the butternut squash ravioli and the Camp Crackers as appetizers. The ravioli rivals any entree at the best Italian restaurant I've ever been to and the Camp Crackers (which are really just adorable mini-slices of pizza) were delectable thanks in part to the Gorgonzola cheese and sliced scallions. The burgers too were delicious, mine covered in bleu cheese and caramelized onions (and served with my favorite side - sweet potato fries) and hers ended up with Gorgonzola on it (instead of the lemon basil aioli).

In the three times since we've made concerted efforts to try new things (even though we don't necessarily want to because what we've had already were so wonderful). The Apple Chicken is covered in walnuts is good, the Maple Glazed Pork Tenderloin is incomparable - literally the best piece of pork I have ever had. The Naked Mac and Cheese is as good as any baked mac and cheese out there and the three meat meatloaf is the juiciest giant meatball I've ever tasted. The desserts we've had are great (chestnut eggnog cheesecake, mud pie, carrot cake, and the chocolate cake), the service is excellent (the managers personally check in on you and top off your water regularly without being overbearing), oh and they have the most delicious free crackers and cheese dip to enjoy while you are waiting for a table.

A fine dining experience at affordable prices (as long as you don't go for some of the fancier dinner entrees of course) - this place really is impossible not to love. Will we go back? Of course. Would it be a good idea for every other restaurant owner in the world to take a page out of the book of the Common Man? You better believe it. I know I do.

ADDENDUM

Common Man Claremont - 21 Water St, Claremont, NH‎ - (603) 542-6171‎

Something peculiar was going on here; everything was way oversalted. I'll have to go back to check to see if that is the case as I'd hate to condemn one of the Common Man's.

Common Man Inn and Spa (and Restaurant) Plymouth - 231 Main Street, Plymouth, NH 03264-1524 - (603) 536-2200

Judging covers works better with CD's than books, although some books could be judged appropriately by their cover (anything by Piers Anthony at the very least...that and trashy romance novels). The cover of the C-Man Inn is an ugly one. Set next to train tracks with a big bare boring parking lot in front of it, I wasn't expecting all that much inside. The room that we stayed in however was absolutely beautiful. The "Squam" is a suite, with an entry room, a main bedroom, and a small reading room. It is also designed like a cabin and they didn't skimp on details. Much quieter lodging than their place in Claremont, and the room really was, once we had all the blinds down and the fireplace on, so similar to a cabin it was actually possible to use only a tiny bit of imagination and be in a cabin.

The restaurant rivaled the Portsmouth C-Man and although the dessert wasn't quite as good, the ribs and sweet potato fries were possibly better than any meal I've ever had at the C-Man in Portsmouth. I say possibly because there have been so many good meals there.

I would highly recommend a visit here, dinner and staying. The area right around the Inn isn't ideal, but we only left the room for dinner (which is in the Inn) and a walk around town (which is the pretty little college town of Plymouth, NH).

Girlfriends 'Cassette' Album Review

If someone told me that they were going to release a movie on 16 mm to play at home because they were feeling nostalgic I'd probably think they were an idiot...unless of course it was a horror movie. I guess that's because horror movies lend themselves to that sort of creepy, scratchy look and it would add to the atmosphere of the movie. So when I heard that Boston's Girlfriends were releasing a tape I just thought, 'Oh, how indie rock of them - how vintage - how hard do they have to try?' Then I heard it. Then I understood.

Girlfriends is playing basement rock with a punk feel, actually, their music is way more punk rock than the stuff that gets called that these days. Oh, and they actually recorded the album in a basement in Belmont, MA.

I could have probably been tricked into believing that the album had actually been recorded in the late 70's and I would have thought it to be pretty sweet, I'm even more impressed that it was done now and doesn't just sound like a shoddy imitation. Clocking in at just over fourteen minutes, this five song cassette (which, unfortunately I only was able to listen to from an online download) is ten songs too short if you ask me. I enjoyed every song, especially "I Was Here But I Disappear" and "Good To Be True" - and not just musically, I even got a kick out of some of the lyrics. I do wish they weren't labeled 'trashpop' by the label which put out this limited edition of 100 cassettes (Floating Garbage Continent) but record labels do love writing wacky stuff and I would hate to blame the band for that.

All in all, above average, fun, too short, totally worth pulling out your dusty walkman for.

Vampire Weekend "Contra" Album Review

One of the newest next big thing bands just released their first full length album before setting out for a series of sold out shows in LA and NY. The album, which has already garnered a decent amount of critical acclaim (and a whole lot of obsessive love from the likes of MTV and their cronies) may or may not deserve it. The band, which in their press release claims to be influenced by such absurdities as Paul's Boutique, Repo Man, and 40 oz. to Freedom, more often than not resemble either a crazy teen ska-punk band (Holiday), Paul Simon in his Graceland years (White Sky and I Think You're A Contra), or a male M.I.A (Horchata and Giving up the Gun).

Don't get me wrong, the album isn't just Vampire Weekend thieving other folks' music styles, they still have their own thing going on. The highlights definitely are in the Paul Simon sound-a-likes, and singer Ezra Koenig actually could be mistaken for a young Simon - no exaggeration.

The best song on the album though, by far, is Taxi Cab. The bass, electro-claps, violin, and melodic piano mixed with his peaceful voice are hard not to fall in love with. It's just about the most pleasant thing you could listen to and still feel like it isn't just leading you directly to sleep. Whether or not they will find any lasting fame is of no concern to me - if this is their first full length I can only imagine what they could be capable of once they give up on the idea of being so 'wacky' with their references and their desire to say 'crazy' things. I might not buy the whole album, but I know three songs I'm awfully glad to own now and I know one band that I'm certainly going to keep my eye out for in the future.

A Room for Learning: The Making of a School in Vermont by Tal Birdsey

"Listen, goddamnit! We can do this or we can read a f@#$ing textbook. If you want to sit around being jerks and jackasses I'll get the textbooks and we'll write a goddamn book report." -Tal Birdsey

I love teaching. I love books about teaching, I enjoy talking to and learning from competent and caring, intelligent and thoughtful teachers. I value students and education and the idea of always working towards a stronger ideal of what education should and could be.

I loathe Tal Birdsey.

It isn't that I'm confused about what makes the North Branch School that he opened up (after teaching for ten years at a $20,000 a year private school outside of Atlanta) special or innovative. The idea was that students would sort of create their own school and that feelings and community would matter. What I'm confused about is why he, or countless reviewers think, he was really that integral in the process? This book is built on the pretentious assumption that without Birdsey's endless wisdom, biting (and cruel) wit, and teaching skill, this school or concept would have been a complete failure. The truth is that anyone who really cares about children and really wants the best for them could have been in charge of this school if they had any real ambition, desire, or financial backing. In fact, it wouldn't even have to be someone who was willing to intelligently confront social issues because his common response is sarcasm and swearing - and the few times he seems like a relatable human being are short and become inappropriate soon thereafter.

I respect the idea of what Tal wanted to do - create a place where students felt safe and free to be themselves. I do not respect the fact that he wasn't willing to live up to his own expectations. Tal Birdsey is like the ornery grandfather who cares about you but treats you like an imbecile all the while. I don't believe that is necessary. I believe it's possible to guide someone without trying to make them feel inferior - and I don't believe anyone who uses mockery as a joke understands what a good joke is. There were also countless situations where he mocked the interests of students as if his stereotypical fancy pants list of hobbies and favorites (Coltrane, The Old Man and the Sea, Yeats, Wallace Stevens) were somehow superior and not formed directly from some out of touch best of the century list compiled by a pretentious arthouse fanboy.

I met with a counselor in high school who had a similar personality as Tal - he would joke around, swear, act like a know it all, and say it was all for our greater good - we were learning from him. And you know what? I didn't respect him at all. Sure, I laughed at his jokes but I always just figured that deep down he wasn't really 100% kidding about his feelings towards us - I mean if you really care about someone why would you call them a cretin, even joking, as Tal does on one of the first days of school?

I spend my days working with students that I really respect. I spend my days trying to make sure that I let them know that I respect them. And I do respect the fact that Tal created situations that helped these students grow as human beings - I just hope that whoever ends up reading this book doesn't form the mistaken impression that he created anything other than situations that they chose to grow in.

POST SCRIPT (added Monday, February 22, 2010) -

I have recently read Ender's Game, and Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card. The latter being the sequel (that takes place at the same time) to the book that Tal refused to read when a student recommended it. I can only reiterate my disgust with Tal's ignorance. This book makes The Old Man and the Sea look even worse that I previously thought. I would recommend the Ender books to anyone with an imagination and a lack of pretense.

Four Mini-Album Reviews

The XX - xx

This was quite a pleasant surprise to me, not necessarily something I would have ever picked out but was excited to be listening to. The first track, aptly titled 'Intro' is a great intro to the particularly relaxing guitar and drum style the band has. Almost like background music for a happier El-P or someone equally indie and sensitive. 'VCR' sounds like a more relaxed Noah and the Whale with Sonic Youth-y vocals. All in all it's a pretty good bet that they would have ended up on the Trainspotting soundtrack had they been around back in the day. Nice to listen to when you aren't hoping to do much but relax in bed on a Saturday night - whatever that means.

Elvis Perkins - The Doomsday EP

This EP starts off with one of the best songs from Elvis Perkins' full length S/T album, 'Doomsday'. It's the sort of catchy nonsensical arthouse type goofball stuff that is entrancing enough to not put me into a rage. It's really great, makes you want to bounce around all goofy like. The only other song on the album that doesn't sound like he was thinking about Doomsday when he wrote it is 'Stop Drop Rock And Roll' and it's lame. Check out his full length, more good stuff there than here.

Sea Wolf - Leaves in the River

If Les Claypool hadn't been so darn wacky he might have actually been Alex Brown Church. He wasn't though, and thankfully ABC isn't too wacky because it would take the sheer beauty away from what is definitely one of the most beautiful albums I have ever heard. Highlights are the infectious 'Middle Distance Runner' and 'Black Leaf Falls'. If you hear those two and aren't feeling something after them, you might just not have a heart or soul at all.

Dead Milkmen - Big Lizard In My Backyard

As far as classics go, we live in a daft world if there is a single solitary human being who does not consider this album a classic. The ingenious irony of 'Tiny Town', the astonishing alliterative amazement in 'Gorilla Girl', trips to the zoo and so much more. If you don't own this album, you can not possibly have enjoyed music as much as anyone who does.

The Windy City Revisited (and a side trip to Milwaukee).

Although I (basically) no longer know anyone who lives in Chicago, I still figured that since it is such a sweet city it would be a terrific place to spend New Year's Eve 2009. And since it ended up being a four day trip, there was a whole lot of dining and seeing and walking and playing and other assorted things that I shall now review for your reading pleasure.

Food (in Chicago).

There is something gross about eating three meals a day at restaurants. At the same time, there is something very royalty like about it. Every meal is made specially for you, whatever whim you have shall be met, and you don't have to do the dishes afterwards (which I actually don't mind...) These restaurants go in no particular order except the last one, I saved the best for last.

Tru (Website) - this was our fancy pants New Year's Eve dinner. This is about as smarmy as a restaurant gets. Multiple servers at each table, truffle everything, gold flakes and dust abound. For NYE they went even more above and beyond and what was the end result? A pretty average meal with some highlights and some lowlights. The eight courses ranged from pretty delicious (venison and monkfish) to pretty passable (caviar and truffled potatoes). The desserts were good, the service was pretentious (except two of our probably six serves - they actually had a sense of humor - our Barack Obama lookalike waiter however treated us as if we weren't the brightest bulbs, he's not going to win the Nobel Waitstaff Prize anytime soon. Overall, an entertaining and unique way to ring in the New Year. A prime case of you do not always get what you pay for.

Su Casa (49 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL) - located next to the James Hotel and our decision for a simple meal before our fancy Tru dinner, Su Casa is almost an authentic Mexican place. That being said, it's a below-average almost authentic Mexican place. Ultra-crispy chips, gross (and grossly overpriced) margaritas, average entrees. These all add up to a pretty average meal. If you are looking for Mexican in Chicago, you need to go to El Nuevo Mexicano.

El Nuevo Mexicano (Website) - At 7 PM on a Tuesday this place had a three deep wait for tables partially because it was hosting a birthday party and partially because it is amazing. An adorable setting with tightly packed chairs might have been a little less comfortable if they hadn't given us one of the rare four person booths instead of cramping us next the others in the side seating. None of that mattered though once the food and drinks started coming. The triple appetizer (quesadillas, guacamole, and nachos) was a great mix of flavors. The tostadas were delicious and the only problem was that the appetizer was so hearty that it was hard to finish them. The flautas were as authentic as they come outside of a street vendor in Mexico. Oh, and the margaritas were more like slushees of greatness. The waitstaff was kind and on point, water was never empty and they were never overbearing. Really a terrific restaurant.

Chicago Firehouse (Website) - Located on Michigan Avenue inside an old firehouse, this festive pre-Bears meal had some great ambiance and some good food. The seared rare tuna with crostini was above average yet not thrilling, the sauces too sweet for it. The 'Flight' of Filet Mignon came to me with my specifications not followed for the 'fire crust' flavoring yet this actually paid off because the Maytag Blue Cheese crust was delicious. For dessert we had the vanilla creme brulee which was above average.

Gino's East (Website) - The famous Gino's East deep-dish Chicago pizza did not disappoint. The excessively filling medium pizza was good and our bringing markers to deface their walls (as you are allowed of course) kept us busy the forty minutes or so it takes to make the pizza. Good more so for the experience than for the fact that the pizza is so mind-bottling. In fact, the cornmeal crust actually makes this pizza only average in the grand scheme of pizzas I've eaten in the world. Fun to visit though, and the best example of Chicago Deep Dish I know of.

Breakfast (and bakeries) in Chicago -

The Red Hen, Argo Tea, Alliance Bakery, Mollie's Cupcakes

The Red Hen and Mollie's stood out as higher quality and Argo was average at best. Alliance was physically very appealing (especially their window design) yet their cookies were average at best.

Food (in Milwaukee...the best for last one).

Meritage (Website) - Thankfully a random side trip to Milwaukee was added to this trip as it was the highlight in terms of food (and later you will see in terms of lodging as well!) This restaurant, owned by chef Jan Kelly gets near flawless reviews everywhere and for the right reason - the food. Without a reservation we were fortunate to show up early enough to not be turned away on a Wednesday night for an unforgettable meal. We opted to (partially) share a house salad with blue cheese which was terrific. The main courses though, the eggplant fritter on ratatouille and the flat iron steak with sweet potato fries, were exemplary. Especially the fritter, which was the most flawlessly prepared eggplant either of us had ever had. The desserts though were out of control. The triple chocolate cake (three layers - flourless chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache) and the eggnog cheesecake with cinnamon whipped cream were impeccable in both appearance and taste. They were so good in fact that I have a call in to see if I can get one of each shipped home to share them with others!

Lodging (Chicago and Milwaukee).

Alright, the only truly spectacular lodging was at the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. From the valet guys to the woman at the front desk. From the front lobby to the bar. From the library to the art room downstairs. From the risque shower glass to the gorgeous room, this place had it all. Worth every penny and reason alone to visit Milwaukee. The not very close runner up was The Hotel Blake in Chicago which had a nice spacious room and terrific location yet boasted no particularly impressive traits (and had hallways that smelled a little bit like poo).

If you want to be unimpressed with service, check out the Ruby Room, which tried to check us into an unclean room (and then directed us to park on any side street because there was no permit needed .... only to later get a ticket). If you want to be unimpressed with the entire staff, the drug smelling hallway, the overpriced room, the pretentious atmosphere, and the shoddy everything but the bed itself, check out The James.

Be a tourist - Chicago (and everywhere it seems these days) is an expensive place to be a tourist. The Shedd Aquarium is a much better bet than the Adler Planetarium (although both were silly busy). The Skydeck in Willis Towers (formerly the Sears Tower) is cool if you can catch it at night without too many people there - otherwise you have to deal with the teaming hordes getting in the way of your good views. The Bears are good to watch (especially when they shock the world by not being terrible). Walking around the city is really the best bet though, there are so many cool neighborhoods to check out and the people are really quite friendly for the most part.

I don't see myself heading back anytime soon, I've had my share of Chicago for this lifetime. I hope that if you do make it there you find yourself enjoying it as much as we were able to though!