New Hampshire was admitted to the United States on June 21st, 1788. New Hampshire serves as a paradise for outdoor adventure thanks to top-tier hiking destinations like Mount Washington and Franconia Ridge, but the Granite State has a lot more to offer than just outdoor adventure. The state’s verdant swathes of farmland and small strip of coastline have fostered a thriving dining scene from Coös County down to Portsmouth—and few people know this as well as Chef Evan Hennessey.
As both chef and owner of Stages —a prestigious Dover venue that offers a rotating New England-inspired tasting menu—as well as its cocktail-focused counterpart The Living Room , Hennessey has spent his life immersed in the rich dining scene of the Granite State both in the kitchen and as a patron. For Forbes, Chef Hennessey provides insight into the unsung diversity of New Hampshire’s dining scene while simultaneously highlighting some of the top spots to explore across the state. What makes New Hampshire’s dining scene stand out when compared to other states in New England? New Hampshire is such a different state than its surrounding neighbors.
We have an incredible array of small farms and producers here with a willingness to share and collaborate. A lot of the food and restaurants speak to the landscape and the people, which we really pride ourselves on. What are some of the best “hidden gem” restaurants to visit across the state? In the White Mountains, I really enjoy Thompson Hou.