I recently told you that Mr. P and I took a little getaway, and by little I mean a quick overnighter.  We stayed in New Hampshire and also ventured into Maine.

Since I found the restaurants online and was using reviews as my decisioning factor as we drove there I was a little hesitant.  Some people are very picky, some people are too easy to please, some people like eating at swanky restaurants.  For the most part we are far from swanky because both of us don’t like dressing up.  The only time that we do is for funerals and weddings with an occasional holiday party.  However it seems a lot of the restaurants that are on my list I cannot walk in there with jeans.

Since Mr. P is a meat and potatoes man I couldn’t lose with a steakhouse.  He’s not a fan of bones so no T-bones or Porterhouses but loves a sirloin or filet.  Prime rib he can do without since we eat our steaks medium rare and the big ole piece of fat that doesn’t get cooked much really isn’t appetizing  I knew I would love the interior and wouldn’t want to leave because the restaurants name is The Library located in Portsmouth NH. I’m an avid reader anything that is going to have books on the shelf, is rustic, warm and homey I’m all over that! The woodwork was absolutely stunning!  We made reservations and thankfully we did. This place was hopping!  We were seated and for some reason my husband and I are always seated near the kitchen.  Normally I’m not fond of that because of the staff zoooming by you throughout your whole meal but this time we loved it.  It felt like a private table, there was only a couple of other seats I would’ve wanted and they were right in front of the windows overlooking State Street.

We both order the filet mignons but completely forgot to pick the sauce, side dishes are ala carte and are enough for two.  We don’t order appetizers because I fill up quickly.  They have a book of martini’s which they specialize in and there are 96 to choose from.  I chose one called the urban monkey that had coconut rum and banana liquor and some other goodness. It was really tasty, and had a good ole kick that would be make me sing Christmas carols if I had two of these bad boys.

My husband and I both enjoyed our filets, it was as tender as butter and beautifully seasoned.  However we both regret not having a sauce as their sauce selection sounded wonderful.  We had a plate full of onions which my husband was in his glory and I was shocked that he didn’t eat the whole bowl!  We both kept saying how much we enjoyed the steak and that it was the best steak that we’ve ever eaten. <Sorry the picture that I did take was too dark to post.>  Needless to say we have to go back! You know just for the sauce and to take pictures, oh and the martini’s, and the desserts which I missed out on because I was trying to be good to my waist line. (stupid me I know) Thought it was really cute how they gave you the bill.  It comes in a book!
The only two negative things I have to say is I really wished that our server asked what sauce we wanted and the overall service was slow.  We were there for 1.5 hours  which truthfully didn’t bother us since we didn’t feel rushed like other places and we didn’t have anything going on afterwards but 1.5 hours is long for just entrées.  Still isn’t going to deter me from going back at all!! I cannot wait for the 2.5 hour drive for dinner!

In the morning a diner was calling my name, my husband and I love 50′s diners.  The black and white with a splash of red shining on stainless steel.  So cool!  We went to the Roundabout Diner located in Portsmouth NH.  The place was extremely busy, we had a ten minute wait and we were given a booth.  It’s like someone read my mind, this girl prefers booths.
 Our waitress was so bright and sunny in the morning it was lovely.  Service was fast and they make a lot of their breads.  They bread called “toast of the day” so of course I needed to find out what it was. It was apricot nut bread.  I don’t like apricot  but in this bread….. OMG I do! The nuts gave it such a nice crunch and the apricot adds a nice sweetness thankfully they weren’t sickeningly sweet.  I ordered a cornbread and egg soufflé.  It was my first soufflé I’ve ever eaten.  It was good, I prefer a lot more cheese than what was in it.    Hubs doesn’t really like eggs so breakfast isn’t his thing.  He’ll always hand his egg yolks to N and just eats the whites but this time he ordered an omelette. I was freaking stunned.  This is the man that doesn’t try new food and he’s never eaten an omelette before. Yes you heard me right EVER.  He at the whole meat omelette even before I could take a picture.

I cannot wait to go back to Portsmouth, I’m hoping the next time the weather won’t be so windy and cols so we can enjoy the city more.  We would’ve loved to walk around browsing the shops and look at the other restaurants to put on the list.  So if you are ever in Portsmouth check out The Library and The Roundabout and let me know what you think.

A couple of witty things we saw along the way.
I really wished I could grab this sign and take it home.  we were in Biddeford Maine and had to do a u-turn to catch a picture of this.  This is where Wonder/Hostess/Drakes/Nissen corporate location is.
Now I have 3 Christmas trees at home but this hub cap tree definitely would not be put up!
Crafty and cute but yeah.. not happening!
This was located in New Hampshire called Plum Beach, they serve seafood and ice cream. We didn’t eat there as it was closed but the lobster holding ice cream cones is beyond adorable!

If you live in New England and have any restaurants with specific dishes you would like share please let me know.  Stephanie and/or myself would love to visit them!