Business & Tech

2 New Burger Joints, A New Bakery, and More Restaurant News

Welcome to the newest edition of our round-up of area restaurant and food news.

We know Salem residents don't just stay in town when they want a night out and a break from cooking.

Below is a look at the restaurant and food related stories local Patch sites have covered over the past month. Read through our round-up for the latest food news in your area.

PORTSMOUTH

As usual, it's been a busy month for restaurant news in Portsmouth.

A new Asian restaurant, Budha O, is scheduled to open soon at 121 Congress St. in the former Portsmouth Baking Company space. The new restaurant will have a sushi bar and mezzanine dining.

Aaron Jones, owner of Mojo's BBQ Grill and Tavern, is also opening a new Italian restaurant called Tavola at the former site of The Exchange. The new restaurant will feature familiar dishes like chicken parmesan, lasagna and spaghetti and meatballs.

The owner of Brazo is also opening a new restaurant at Portwalk Place. BRGR Bar is set to open in November and will feature burgers, fries, salads, craft beer, wine and milkshakes. It will also have outdoor seating.

A new Mexican burger joint, Cemita Shack, is also scheduled to open soon on Route 1.

Another new restaurant, LoMo, is expected to open Oct. 10 in the old Green Monkey site. The farm-to-table restaurant will feature a menu that will have mostly ingredients supplied by farmers and fishermen from across New England.

The Rosa reopened last month to rave reviews. The restaurant had closed in 2012 after 86 years in operation.

Ole Burritos and Beer only lasted about four months in Portsmouth after replacing the downtown Me & Ollie's location. There are no plans for the site as of yet.

And in other restaurant news, The Friendly Toast is being sold, though it will remain in operation and very few changes are anticipated.

EXETER

A new restaurant is coming soon to downtown Exeter, brought to you by the owners of the Green Bean. The new restaurant will be located right next door to the Green Bean in the former Trends Gift Gallery shop at 37 Water St. Few details have been revealed at this point.

Another new restaurant is also scheduled to open soon on Court Street. Yvette Kuzirian, owner of Alouette Catering in Kingston, wants to expand her business by building a small, country-style restaurant at 115 Court St., serving meals like meatloaf, pot roast, prime rib and French onion soup.

HAMPTON

Applecrest Farm in nearby Hampton Falls announced last month that it is planning to open a new facility that will include a farm stand, bakery and farm-to-table restaurant. A groundbreaking ceremony was held this past Sunday.

A new bakery is also planned for downtown Hampton. The Wicked Sweet Sugar Boutique is scheduled to open this weekend at 12 High St. It will sell custom cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, macarons and more.

WINDHAM

The big food related news in Windham last month was the plan to add a third Dunkin' Donuts in town. The plan calls for knocking down three existing buildings and putting up a new facility that would house a Dunkin' Donuts and two other office or retail tenants.

SALEM

One new frozen yogurt shop opened recently in Salem, and another one is coming soon.

FroyoWorld is now open in the North Broadway Crossing Plaza, and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt plans to open a location on Main Street at some point this year.

NASHUA/AMHERST

Speaking of Orange Leaf, new locations are also planned for Nashua and Amherst later this year. 

In Nashua, the frozen yogurt chain has signed a lease with The John Flatley Company at Tara Commons on Spitbrook Road. No word yet on exactly when it might open.

In Amherst, a new Orange Leaf store opened last month on Route 101A, in the Meadowbrook Crossing plaza between Pet Life and GNC.

MERRIMACK

Swan Chocolates in Merrimack is undergoing some big changes, and that's resulted in reduced hours at the chocolate shop. The formerly seven-day-a-week business is now closed to the public Sunday through Wednesday. It's not a permanent change, but its aimed at giving the owners time to innovate and work on some improvements to the shop.

BEDFORD

Tek-Nique restaurant went before the Planning Board last month seeking approval to add 72 outdoor seats to its location at the Bedford Village Shoppes on Route 101. The restaurant has received rave reviews since opening in 2011.

CONCORD

Concord's Ninety Nine Restaurant on D'Amante Drive got an interior facelift, as the items on the walls and shelves were auctioned off last month to raise money for Concord public schools. The walls will be updated with more modern amenities.

Do you know of any other local restaurant news that we've missed? Leave a note in the comments field below and we'll include it in our next roundup.


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