The Feathered Nest

The softer side of MaisonBisson

Cinematic Inspiration August 12, 2009

TowerGirl @ 5:54 pm
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Going home
I read the book Julie & Julia, and I loved it. I loved the connection between food and self. I loved that it showed the hard work that goes into marriage. I like that it showed that the hard work is worth it.  I have a passionate relationship with books I love. I become fiercely protective of them. So, when Hollywood decides to meddle with one of my books I am wary.

Today I went to see the movie. I will now confess that I enjoyed the movie too. It was more really good mac n’ cheese than coq au vin. It was comfort food. It was satisfying. It combined the things I love: food, writing, commitment, and the celebration of imperfection. It served them up with a big ol’ side of hope.

I left the theater and went the grocery store. Right now, the house is filled with the smell of garlic and roast chicken. I don’t claim to be an expert on the cinema. I don’t really claim to be an expert on anything. All I know is I watched the movie and then felt an overwhelming need to cook. I give this film two thumbs up and those thumbs are covered in garlic-y, buttery goodness.

 

Natural Choice Market December 29, 2007

TowerGirl @ 10:53 am
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Natural Choice MarketNew Hampshire is a state without a Whole Foods Market, Traders Joe’s, or Dean and DeLuca. While I have been known to allow an occasional lament to pass my lips, the truth is I believe we are fortunate. Without the “big boys” in the way, many independent, locally owned stores and co-ops have emerged to fill our desire for quality food. In fact, a new store opened recently in Hooksett.

Natural Choice Market is housed in a newly constructed large, barn-like structure. The golden wood tones, inside and out, are warm and inviting. It’s nice to be in there. The staff is friendly and helpful without hovering in an irritating way. The small produce section was vibrant and so much more appealing than the wears that stock the shelves of the behemoth chain groceries. The shelves and coolers are thoughtfully stocked and many local artisans are represented. If you take a moment to ask one of the helpful staff a question, you will find they know a lot about their products. We picked up a couple of loaves of bread made by Abigail’s Bakery in Weare, NH and a couple of pints of ice cream from Walpole Creamery. I’m coming back for more, as soon as I have polished off all the holiday leftovers crowding my fridge.

 

Walpole Creamery Ice Cream December 29, 2007

TowerGirl @ 10:04 am
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Walpole CreameryWhile at Natural Choice Market yesterday, Casey and I picked up a couple of pints of Walpole Creamery ice cream to share with my parents after lunch at their house. We selected chocolate chip and grapenut. The chocolate chip was devine. The base was creamy and wonderfully vanilla-y. The chips were generously sized and provided a perfect dark chocolate bite to contrast with the vanilla base. The four of us happily polished off the container. The grapenut had a nice nutty flavor, but I had texture issues. The grapenuts made the ice cream too grainy. I suppose this is the nature of grapenuts but I wasn’t a fan. The good news is there are other flavors to try – and I will. Walpole Creamery has some seasonal flavors that sound excellent. I missed the fall pumpkin, but fortunately there’s always next year.

 

I thought it was overpriced and the music drove me nuts. October 4, 2007

the brother @ 11:40 am
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I thought it was overpriced and the music drove me nuts.

 

Restaurant Review: Cotton September 30, 2007

TowerGirl @ 12:11 pm
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Cotton sign.

First Impressions

How much is too much for an entree at a place that plays the kind of anonymous Muzak that Kenny G calls jazz and is decorated like Applebee’s? Trust me, I like renovated mill buildings, but why confuse it with faux grecian columns and too many pictures of dead celebrities? I mean, the interior was clean and pleasant, but lacked attention to detail. If you’re so afraid your customers are going to walk off with the poorly framed prints of old Hollywood darlings that you nail them to the wall through the frame, how much can you expect them to pay for dinner?

Drinks and Appetizers

Still, Cotton’s martinis have been voted the best in New Hampshire. I tried the sampler, a trio of fruity cocktails served in adorable 2.5 oz martini glasses. The flight included a lemon drop martini, a raspberry cosmopolitan, and an orange crush (the crush had me humming REM all evening, but I’m a dork like that). Casey ordered the Vesper (he’s a dork for Bond-themed drinks), a cocktail of gin, vodka and Lillet as they prepare it.

Whatever points the place lost in atmosphere they seemed to regain with the Martinis. The drinks were fresh and light with lovely flavors. My favorite was the lemon drop. So many restaurants serve a syrupy martini which I hate, these were clearly a step above.

To accompany the cocktails, we had the Lobster Artichoke Dip. The flavor of the dip was good, but the homemade corn chips they were paired with were far too salty and overpowered the more subtle flavors of the dip.

Entrees

On special was a pork tenderloin in a mushroom sauce with mashed potatoes and sauteed greens. It was plenty tender, but the sauce that covered everything was bland and cried out for some fresh herbs. Casey’s “Meat and Potatoes” suffered from a similar saucing issue. I am not sure why the chef felt it necessary to drown our food with blandness.

Conclusion

We should have moved on after our cocktails and appetizers. The music killed Casey, but I will happily return to Cotton for a pre-dinner martini at the bar, then I will continue my search for a Manchester restaurant I love.

Details

Cotton
75 Arms Street Manchester, NH 03101 — phone: 603 622 5488
Dinners priced $13-30
Lunch:Monday-Friday, 11:30AM-2:30PM
Dinner:Nightly at 5:00PM