Restaurant Review – Sbarro (Salem, New Hampshire)

We had zero expectations when we went to the Rockingham Mall in Salem, New Hampshire and stopped to eat in the food court at Sbarro. Joe said he ate Sbarro pizza at a rest stop off the highway once and was seriously underwhelmed. To our surprise the pizza was quite good with a moderately crunchy thin rust and nice assortment of toppings. We ended up with some good pizza and was able to pick up a suit for Alex for Mindy’s wedding.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Hampton Beach 2019 – Hampton Beach, New Hampshire

I am writing this blog during the great Pandemic of 2020 but I thought it might be nice to look back at 2019 and remember the fun you could have outside surrounded by other people. Hampton Beach, New Hampshire is a great place to get wet, listen to some music at the clamshell or get some beach food.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Alex even ran into his old school principal at the beach.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Catch the sunset,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Get a cold drink or a bite to eat,

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

and enjoy the music and fireworks.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

If we all be calm stay safe and follow the guidelines we can be back on the beach in 2021.

Pembroke Street Historic Marker – Pembroke, New Hampshire

Driving through New England it is evident that most roads meander around following the routes of old cow paths and other such town roads. Here in Pembroke, New Hampshire this was not the case. Both north and south of the town of Pembroke US Route 3 has the curves and bends you would expect but in Pembroke the road is linear paralleling the Merrimack River. This community planning of parallel roads was undertaken by the town in the early 1700s. Liner grid street planning well ahead of its time. The marker commemorating the plan also has a marker describing an 1884 watering trough which is still on site.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Cornish Colony Historical Marker – Cornish, New Hampshire

The Cornish Art Colony was centered around Cornish, New Hampshire from 1895 to World War I. Augustus Saint-Gaudens was the central figure of the Colony and his home is now preserved as the Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park. In addition to painters like Thomas Dewing (see his painting “Summer” above) the colony had about 100 artists, sculptors, writers and designers.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

With the demise of the Cornish Colony Museum in 2010 the best place to get a feel of the colony is the Saint-Gaudens home and park. The park is beautiful any time of the year but especially in the fall.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

In addition to the beautiful landscaped grounds there are a number of the sculptors works reproduced arouund the property.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

During the summer months there are resident artists on site that can be observed as they are doing their work.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Restaurant Review – Tuckaway Tavern and Butchery (Raymond, New Hampshire)

The Tuckaway Tavern in Raymond is a combination butchery and tavern with high quality meat available at both locations. There are separate entrances for the tavern and butchery.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The tavern is always busy and parking can at times be problematic if you just want to pick up some neat for dinner but it is well worth it. There is a large selection of meat available with great cuts of beef and many different varieties of sausage and marinated chicken.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

There is also a nice selection of gourmet products like deserts, condiments and cheese.
The tavern as I mentioned and you will have to wait for a seat on most nights. A small menu features some great steaks and a few seafood options.
The meal starts off with some fresh potato chips and tortilla chips. A nice change from the typical bread serving.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Rita had steak tips and we both felt that they were some of the best we ever had.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

Alex had a massive burger which he loved.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos
New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

The fries and slaw were top notch. and my lobster Mac n’ Cheese had quite a few lobster claws mixed into the creamy pasta.

New photo by Wanderlust Family Adventure / Google Photos

If you are in the mood for good beef this is a nice suburban steak house. The butchery is a great place to pick up some quality meat for that special home cooked meal. We are lucky to have this place in our town.