In the kitchen with Jay and Lori Desmarais

Gerard “Jay” and Lori Desmarais are the owners of Bowlful (1536 Candia Road, Manchester, 232-3923, thebowlful.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @thebowlful), a takeout restaurant that opened inside Nickles Market in Manchester in late 2020. Bowlful specializes in all kinds of made-to-order rice, salad and pasta bowls prepared using fresh ingredients — popular options include a teriyaki bowl with bacon fried rice, broccoli and sesame seeds; a taco salad bowl featuring fresh lettuce, tortilla strips, cilantro rice, Mexican cheese, onions, salsa, avocado crema and jalapenos; and a garlic and spinach pasta bowl that’s finished with Parmigiano Reggiano. Bowls additionally feature the option to add a protein like grilled chicken, ground beef, pork carnitas, sauteed shrimp or grilled tofu.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

Jay: For me, it’s a sharp chef’s knife.

Lori: A spatula.

What would you have for your last meal?

Jay: I would say lamb chops. That’s my once-in-a-year thing that I’ll have.

Lori: I’m Polish, so I love pierogi. The potato and the farmer’s cheese are my favorite.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

Lori: We both love Tucker’s. … I love the Belgian waffles.

Jay: I always get the Sedona skillet. Their lunch is good, but more often than not, we typically find ourselves going there for breakfast.

What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your restaurant?

Lori: I would love for Keith Urban to come see me.

Jay: Keanu Reeves. … I’d make him one of everything.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

Jay: For me, it’s the barbecue bowl. We make our own barbecue sauce, and it’s got some balsamic vinaigrette with tomato and cucumber. It’s like a summer outing in a bowl. It’s very refreshing and good.

Lori: The Cobb salad.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

Lori: I feel like food trucks are really a thing. I feel like they are popping up everywhere, and so many people have come into the restaurant saying that we’ve got to do them, that what we do with the bowls would be great on a food truck.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

Jay: I love to grill a rib-eye. That’s probably one of my favorite things to eat when we can.

Lori: Mine is stuffed shells.

Bowlful’s cucumber tomato salad
From the kitchen of Jay and Lori Desmarais of Bowlful in Manchester

5 medium plum tomatoes, cored and diced into ¼-inch cubes
1 English cucumber, ends removed and diced to ¼-inch cubes
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon lime juice
Pinch of salt to taste

Combine all ingredients and serve as is, or top with your favorite vinaigrette.

Featured photo: Jay and Lori Desmarais. Courtesy photo.

Plant-based perfection

The Sleazy Vegan launches in Manchester

Directly behind Manchester’s SNHU Arena, a new ghost kitchen is serving up whole food plant-based breakfast and lunch items, with plans to soon expand into a food truck later this year.

It’s called The Sleazy Vegan, and while there’s no retail storefront, online orders are now being accepted every Wednesday through Saturday, with local deliveries within a 5-mile radius of the venue. Owner Kelley-Sue “KSL” LeBlanc hopes to offer catering on the weekends, and she’s also set to participate in some upcoming events, like a private menu tasting at To Share Brewing Co. on April 19, as well as at the Manchester Taco Tour on May 5.

LeBlanc, who grew up in Nashua and now lives on the Queen City’s West Side, officially launched public online ordering on April 1. The Sleazy Vegan’s name origin is twofold — as she dreams of sailing, she wanted a business that could enable her to travel more. She came up with the phrase when playing around with other names that would share the “S.V.,” or sailing vessel, prefix. But the name, she added, is also reflective of her mission — bringing approachable whole food plant-based meal options to everyone regardless of their diet identity.

“People get really, really heated about the word ‘vegan,’ and I mean, it doesn’t have to mean anything bad,” LeBlanc said. “I’m not all the way vegan, but I do choose to eat whole food plant-based [meals] more often than not. … So much gets lost in the labels because they are loaded terms, with different meanings for people. I want to feed everybody great-tasting, fill-your-belly food that is good in your mouth and even better for your body and the planet.”

LeBlanc found her current kitchen space through a connection with Manchester Housing Authority and will also be feeding lunch twice a week to the residents of the building.

Grilled cheese and roasted tomato soup. Courtesy of The Sleazy Vegan.

The online ordering menu is designed to be approachable and enticing to people of all diets — not just vegans or vegetarians. Popular breakfast options out of the gate have included scrambles and burritos made with Just Egg, a plant-based egg substitute made from mung beans; as well as steel-cut oatmeal with cinnamon and nutmeg, and chia pudding made with oat milk and vanilla.

As for lunch items, LeBlanc’s biggest winners thus far have been the “sleazeballs,” or her take on a meatball sub featuring handmade plant-based meatballs on a hoagie roll; the spicy Thai chickpea wrap, which features a combination of chickpeas and navy beans chilled in a crunchy peanut sauce and dressed with various veggies; and the Buffalo “kitchen” nugget wrap. The play on words with the latter’s name comes from her daughter, Cheyenne, who confused the word ‘chicken’ with ‘kitchen’ as a toddler.

“The product we use for the plant-based ‘chicken nugget’ has a small amount of egg powder in it, so it’s not truly vegan. The taste and flavor are such a great alternative to chicken [that] we still wanted to offer it to folks,” LeBlanc said. “The fact that it’s a ‘kitchen’ nugget is a shy version of a chicken nugget … without me calling it that and offending a bunch of people.”

While certain menu items will be available every week, LeBlanc said she hopes to offer different specials in line with the seasonality of ingredients.

During the Taco Tour she’ll be set up at To Share Brewing Co., offering jackfruit tacos with a mango-jalapeño salsa. The April 19 event, also at the brewery, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person and will include a pint of beer and a selection of menu samples of Sleazy Vegan favorites.

Even once the food truck is ready, LeBlanc plans to continue operating out of the ghost kitchen — the goal, she said, is to make The Sleazy Vegan a reputable option for business catering.

“There are tons of businesses that have breakfast and lunch meetings and other events … that get catered all the time,” she said. “As an IT person, I used to be part of these events all the time, and there was nothing I could ever eat except for a salad. … So I really hope to be able to target businesses and I want them to understand that they can offer food [that is for] everyone.”

The Sleazy Vegan
Visit thesleazyvegan.com and click on the “online menu” tab

Where: Local deliveries are available within a 5-mile radius of the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester). A food truck is also expected to launch later this year.
When: Wednesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for breakfast and lunch. Special event catering is also available.

Featured photo: Spicy Thai chickpea wrap. Courtesy of The Sleazy Vegan.

Sweet deal

Greek pastries and custom cakes at new Raymond bakery

Reni Mylonas found success in 2020 as a homestead baker, dabbling in custom-order cakes and tapping into her Greek roots with pastries and cookies. Two years later, the Danville native has expanded into a new storefront in nearby Raymond, offering Greek favorites using recipes passed down in her family, along with other grab-and-go treats.

Agape Cakes & Confections, named after the Greek word meaning “love,” celebrated its grand opening April 9 with a menu of cupcakes, bars, macarons, cake popsicles and more. The new shop is in the Cozy Corner plaza on Route 27, giving Mylonas a permanent spot to sell out of for the first time. She’ll also be making authentic Greek pastries part of her regular lineup of sweets.

“My grandparents were born in Greece … and my dad was as well, so I grew up in a very Greek household,” she said. “I’ve grown up eating all these pastries, so it’s fun to share with everyone and to introduce them to those who haven’t had a chance to try some of them.”

A self-taught cake decorator, Mylonas started baking around the age of 9. She gained experience working in a few local shops along the way, most recently at Love + Flour Bakery in Salem.

When she started Agape not long after the pandemic shutdown, it was friends and family that mostly made up her customer base. Word of her talents quickly spread through social media.

Nearly every day out of the shop’s case, available treats include six-inch and eight-inch cakes; rotating flavors of cupcakes, macarons, bars, and Mylonas’s own homemade Greek baklava.

“I actually individually roll all of the pieces, so they are just like little logs, essentially, as opposed to one full tray that you cut into triangles,” she said. “It’s a bit harder to make, but I find that it’s a better product. … You also don’t want too much syrup, but you want enough where it’s coated on the inside and outside, where it’s almost moist and chewy but in a good way.”

With the help of her grandmother, Mylonas offers galaktoboureko, a custard-filled dessert wrapped in phyllo dough, as well as various types of Greek cookies, like kourabiedes (rose shortbread cookies coated in powdered sugar), koulourakia (butter cookies with a hint of vanilla) and melomakarona (spiced cookies soaked in syrup and topped with walnuts and sugar).

A wholesale area of the shop features ground and bean coffee from Coco’s Coffee, a small-batch single-origin roaster out of East Kingston. Other items for sale include Chocofreta, a brand of imported Greek chocolate bars, as well as honey sesame sticks and Greek evil eye pendants.

“It’s like a protection eye that you can hang up. We have them in our house, or you can put them on a keychain,” Mylonas said of the pendants. “It’s part of our culture [and] it’s meant to deflect negative energy. … I also have some mugs that I sell as a pack with Greek tea cookies.”

Mylonas plans to continue accepting custom cake and cupcake orders while also operating the storefront. Her next business venture for Agape will be in the form of a mobile cupcake trailer, which she hopes to have on the road to rent for private parties, weddings and public events like fairs by this summer.

Agape Cakes & Confections

Where: 59 Route 27, Unit 5, Raymond
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More info: Visit agapecandc.com, email agape.cakesandconfections@gmail.com, or follow them on Facebook @agapecakesandconfections and Instagram @agape_cakesandconfections

Featured photo: Photo courtesy of Agape Cakes & Confections.

The Weekly Dish 22/04/14

News from the local food scene

Easter sweets: Join Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (111 Island Pond Road, Manchester) for a walk-in Easter bake sale organized by the Ladies Philoptochos Society that’s scheduled for Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon inside its church hall. Spinach and cheese petas, Easter bread and Greek cookies and pastries like baklava, kourabiedes, finikia and koulourakia will all be available. For more ideas on how to celebrate Easter Sunday this weekend, check out our annual listings that ran in the April 7 issue; they begin on page 24. You’ll find dozens of special brunch menus and specialty treat offerings at local restaurants and bakeries, as well as candy and chocolate shops that have you covered for those Easter baskets. Go to issuu.com/hippopress and click on the April 7 issue to read the e-edition for free. Contact each establishment directly for the most up-to-date availability on reservations and takeout items.

Cheers to beers: New Hampshire Craft Beer Week wraps up its final days now through Saturday, April 16 — go to nhbrewers.org or follow the Facebook page @nhcraftbeerweek for the most up-to-date happenings, as new events are posted daily. Presented by the New Hampshire Brewers Association, which represents the more than 80 licensed craft breweries statewide, Craft Beer Week celebrates local beer culture with a 10-day stretch of special releases, brewery anniversary parties and other special events, as well as various collaborative social media efforts to keep the community connected and engaged. Tickets are also now available for the Association’s highly anticipated Keep NH Brewing Festival, returning for the first time in three years on Saturday, July 9, at the Everett Arena Waterfront Park in Concord. General admission is from 1 to 4 p.m., with VIP admission an hour earlier, at noon.

Newick’s closes Concord restaurant: Local seafood staple Newick’s Lobster House has permanently closed its Concord location, according to a message recently posted to its Facebook page. “The building did not fit with the direction we are moving, and our lease is coming to an end,” the post reads in part. “We have been looking for a new location but have yet to find one.” The eatery’s original location at Dover Point will remain open, the post said. Visit newicks.com or follow them on Facebook for updates.

Have a kolsch

It just tastes like beer

“I thought it was time to shake things up,” my friend said as he walked back onto the patio somehow hanging on and balancing several hefty, frozen steins full of borderline overflowing suds.

“I just asked for something light and crisp — and really good,” he said.

This instance occurred during a gloriously sunny afternoon this past September, just a perfect day for relaxing with a few beers and some friends. We’d had a couple big IPAs and frankly, he was right, it was time to shake things up.

Lifting the stein with some trouble, I took my first sip. It was certainly light and crisp, but it was also quite flavorful. A light golden pour, the brew had a dry, extremely refreshing finish with minimal bitterness. This beer was begging for mouthfuls, not just little sips. It was incredibly drinkable.

Sure, some of it was the bracing, welcome change from a super-hoppy IPA to something much, much lighter, but it was also just a tremendous reminder that sometimes there’s nothing more pleasing than drinking a beer that tastes like a beer.

On the way out, we asked the bartender about the beer style and determined it was a local, craft-brewed kolsch.

I’ve written about Pilsners before and have always kind of pretended Pilsners and kolsches are the same thing, and while they’re similar they’re not the same. Pilsners tend to be a little more hoppy, a little more bitter. Kolsches tend to be even lower in ABV but they still feature plenty of flavor.

Craftbeer.com tells me the kolsch is technically a hybrid style of beer that marries elements of ale and lager production. Craftbeer.com also tells me the style “pairs best with bratwurst, nutty cheeses, and even lighter desserts like apricot cake,” and while I’m sure that’s on point, I think it pairs best with sitting outside on a warm, sunny day and a giant, frozen stein.

This is a style you can drink any time of the year but I think it’s best to get it onto your radar now, because I suspect you’ll be drinking it at cookouts and at the beach all summer long.

The reality is the kolsch is particularly versatile: it goes well with just about any food and any circumstance.

New Hampshire craft brewers haven’t ignored the style, which is great news for beer enthusiasts.

I loved the Herkules by Schilling Beer Co. and the Henniker Kolsch Style Ale by Henniker Brewing Co. is another wonderful rendition of the style. Perpetual Grüven by Great Rhythm Brewing in Portsmouth is terrific as well, as is Paradise Valley by Granite Roots Brewing in Troy.

The kolsch is the quintessential “better grab a frozen glass” beer, so get some glasses in the freezer, preferably steins, and get ready for some mouthfuls of bright, crisp, refreshing beer.

What’s in My Fridge
Grolsch Premium Lager by Grolsch Brewery (Netherlands)
OK, not a kolsch, but a couple weeks back I had one of these for the first time in I have no idea how many years. Honestly, as I think about it, my dad used to have Grolsch in the house when I was a kid but I have no recollection of ever having a Grolsch myself. I’m sure it happened at some point. I remember my dad letting my brother and me try a sip of Grolsch when we were little and I distinctly remember not liking it at all. My brother, on the other hand, had a more positive reaction and there’s photographic proof of him tilting the bottle way up to get that last sip. This features a zip of bitterness in an overall light, refreshing package. Here’s another beer that tastes like a beer.

Featured photo. Get the frosty mug ready. Photo courtesy of Jeff Mucciarone.

A hint of bourbon meatballs

Meatballs are my favorite meat-centric appetizer. The reason for this is simple: You can deliver so much flavor in a bite-sized snack.

These meatballs have a nice blend of sweet and savory with a teeny, tiny kick. Yes, there is a half cup of bourbon in the sauce, but a good amount of that alcohol evaporates. However, there probably is some remaining, so I would consider this to be an adults-only appetizer.

Let’s talk about the ingredients in this recipe. For the beef, 85-percent lean offers enough fat to keep the meatballs moist without becoming greasy. In the sauce, I used maple syrup to add a little more sweetness. If you don’t have maple syrup, you can use brown sugar. You should use the same amount. In both parts of the recipe there is bourbon. You don’t have to go top shelf here. You can use any bourbon that you’d be willing to use in a mixed drink.

These meatballs are incredibly versatile. Make them part of a cocktail party menu, or serve them as a snack for a lazy Sunday at home. They’ll be the perfect choice for either, or for anything in between.

A hint of bourbon meatballs
Makes 36

Meatballs
1½ pounds 85% lean ground beef
2 Tablespoons bourbon
1 egg
½ cup dry bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon salt

Sauce
½ cup bourbon
½ to ¾ cup ketchup
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
¼ cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic minced
½ teaspoon chili powder

To make the meatballs
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl.
Using your hands, mix until ingredients are well-blended.
Form the mixture into walnut-sized balls, and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes.

To make the sauce
Place all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan, whisking to combine fully.
Bring sauce to a boil, then turn heat down to low.
Allow sauce to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Finishing the meatballs
Combine cooked meatballs and sauce in a small crockpot or medium-sized saucepan over low heat.
Simmer for 2 hours before serving.
If using the saucepan, be sure to stir every 20 minutes or so.

Featured Photo: A hint of bourbon meatballs. Photo by Michele Pesula Kuegler.

In the kitchen with Christian Davolio

Christian Davolio of Hudson runs The Rollin’ Grille (therollingrille.com, and on Facebook @therollingrille), a mobile food trailer specializing in scratch-cooked comfort items like double smash cheeseburgers, loaded pulled pork fries and smoked chicken wings. Originally from Tewksbury, Mass., Davolio has lived in Hudson for about four years. He previously worked in the IT field before deciding to pursue his passion of cooking. The Rollin’ Grille held its first public event in February at White Birch Brewing (460 Amherst St., Nashua), where Davolio has set up over the past several weekends. Find him there next on Sunday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

[I have] a super-nimble light spatula that is great for getting those smash burgers off the griddle and keeping that crust on there. I’d say that’s in my hand 90 percent of the time I’m on that trailer.

What would you have for your last meal?

A three-way super roast beef sandwich, so [with] cheese, mayo and sauce. Growing up, that was something my father and I would always do together — we’d go out and get super beefs. … If it was my last meal, I’d want to have something with some really good memories behind it.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

It’s tough because there are a lot of great options out there, but two places I find myself at a lot when I’m eating out … are usually either T-Bones or California Burrito.

What celebrity would you like to see ordering from your trailer?

I think I’m going to go with Roy Choi. He started off with a food truck, and he’s just a great chef with a great personality. I think I’d really like to have him come and try my food and just see what I have going on.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

I’m going to go with the signature smash burger. In my opinion, it’s just a perfect blend of flavors and of what I like on a burger. … It’s two patties, usually with cheese on both, and then grilled onions, bacon and barbecue sauce. … When the day’s over and I’m cooking something by myself, that’s what I’m making.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

Over the past few years we’ve seen an explosion in outdoor dining … and that was a big thing that I was thinking about when I was trying to get into this industry, because the food trailer is perfect for that. … The smash burger is also something that I’ve seen popping up at more and more places.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

The thing that I could cook every single day, if it was a healthier option, is a nice bone-in rib-eye steak.

Bacon burnt ends
From the kitchen of Christian Davolio of The Rollin’ Grille (recipe calls for a smoker, but can also be done in an oven if a smoker is not available)

1 full slab pork belly (with the rind removed)
¾ stick butter
Yellow mustard
Salt
Pepper
Brown sugar
Barbecue sauce

Cut pork belly into 1-inch cubes. Coat with yellow mustard as a binder. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Put on smoker at 250 degrees. Remove from smoker after about two hours or an internal temperature of 190 degrees. Put them in a foil baking pan and put slices of butter over them, then lightly coat in brown sugar. Wrap tightly in foil and put back on the smoker for about 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove from the smoker and increase the heat to 325 degrees. Drain juice, then sauce the cubes with your choice of barbecue sauce. Place back on the smoker, uncovered, for 25 minutes at 325 degrees. Remove from the smoker and enjoy.

Featured photo: Christian Davolio. Courtesy photo.

Try it and buy it

Made in New Hampshire Expo returns

By Alexandra Colella

listings@hippopress.com

The Made in New Hampshire “Try it and Buy it” expo is right around the corner — the event is due to return to the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown from Friday, April 8, through Sunday, April 10, and will feature all kinds of local foods, drinks, clothing, jewelry and more.

Now in its 26th year, the three-day expo attracts thousands of attendees. It’s the only one of its kind to showcase an entire lineup of products and services made right in the Granite State, said organizer Heidi Copeland, publisher of Business NH magazine and owner of EventsNH.

“We love to highlight that we were all about buying local before buying local was cool,” she said. “Also, this is a show where you can test drive your purchases before you buy them.”

Similar to the most recent Made in New England Expo, held in December, many businesses that will be sharing their products were launched post-pandemic and are therefore newcomers. Food companies have their biggest showings at this event. Beccari Chocolate, for example, will be presenting their handmade chocolate, while Thistle’s All Natural has a showing of its own homemade zucchini salsas and Maple Nut Kitchen has its own granola.

Other featured vendors at this year’s expo include Sunshine Baking, a New Hampshire company offering freshly baked shortbread cookies that launched last year and made its debut at the last Made in New England Expo. They’re expected to introduce some new cookie flavors at the event. Loon Chocolate, a producer of small-batch bean-to-bar chocolates that opened its first dual retail and production space in Manchester in early February, will also be attending, as well as Critical Mass Coffee, which has multiple bagged blends of organic fair trade coffee, and Destination India, a downtown Derry restaurant and newcomer to the expo.

A returning feature to the event will be a libation station, where of-age attendees will have the chance to sample all kinds of craft beers and wines New Hampshire has to offer.

In addition to specialty foods and drinks, companies will be selling everything from jewelry, clothing and personal care products to crafts, paintings, photo prints and more.

Made in New Hampshire Expo
When: Friday, April 8, 1 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday April 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (Expo Center), 700 Elm St., Manchester
Cost: $10 for adults, $9 for seniors ages 65 and over, $3 for kids ages 2 to 12 and free for kids under 2 ($3 per child under 2 if bringing a stroller into the hall). Tickets are only available at the door (cash or check only).
More info: Visit madeinnhexpo.com or follow them on Facebook @madeinnhexpo

Featured photo: Made in NH Expo. Photo by Matthew Lomanno Photography.

Feasts on Easter

Brunch buffets, special meals and sweet treats for Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is right around the corner (Sunday, April 17), so if you’re looking for a local place to enjoy a brunch buffet, or you want to bring home your Easter meals or desserts this year, check out this list of restaurants, function halls, bakeries and churches offering all kinds of specialty items. We also included candy and chocolate shops that have you covered for those Easter baskets and other sweet treats, as well as a few Easter-themed events like classes and tastings happening over the next several days. Did we miss anyone that’s serving an Easter brunch or specials menu? Let us know at food@hippopress.com.

110 Grill (875 Elm St., Manchester, 836-1150; 27 Trafalgar Square, Nashua, 943-7443; 19 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 777-5110; 103 Hanover St., Portsmouth, 373-8312; 136 Marketplace Blvd., Rochester, 948-1270; 250 N. Plainfield, West Lebanon, 790-8228; 110grill.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, serving a variety of specials for Easter like breakfast tacos, chicken and waffles, lemon beignets and more.

Alan’s of Boscawen (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631, alansofboscawen.com) will serve an Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., which will include a wide array of breakfast items from pancakes and pastries to bacon, sausage, eggs, home fries and a chef-attended omelet station. There will also be multiple carving stations offering meats like roast leg of lamb, sliced prime rib of beef and Virginia baked ham, as well as options like chicken piccata, tortellini alfredo and crabmeat-stuffed haddock. Call to make a reservation. Additionally, Alan’s is offering special Easter dinners for takeout, with appetizer options that include baked stuffed artichoke hearts, jumbo shrimp cocktail and bacon-wrapped scallops, and entree options that include broccoli tortellini alfredo, baked honey ham and sliced filet mignon.

All Real Meal (87 Elm St., Manchester, 782-3014, allrealmeal.com) is taking orders for family-style Easter feasts serving either two or four people, featuring marinated baked turkey, glazed baked ham, homestyle mashed potatoes, cranberry apple stuffing, almond green beans, homestyle cornbread and mixed berry cheesecake. The cost is $65 per meal for two and $110 per meal for four. Local deliveries and curbside pickup are available on Saturday, April 16.

Angela’s Pasta & Cheese Shop (815 Chestnut St., Manchester, 625-9544, angelaspastaandcheese.com) is taking orders for a variety of items for Easter, including freshly baked breads, savory pies and quiches, entrees, sides and desserts and sweet treats like cakes and pies. Order by April 8. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (111 Island Pond Road, Manchester, 623-2045, assumptionnh.org) will hold a walk-in Easter bake sale on Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon inside its church hall. Spinach and cheese petas, Easter bread and Greek cookies and pastries like baklava, kourambiethes, finikia and koulourakia will all be available.

Atkinson Resort & Country Club (85 Country Club Drive, Atkinson, 362-8700, atkinsonresort.com) will serve a special Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Options will include a carving station with items like smoked ham and hand-carved prime rib; breakfast items like chef-attended omelet and waffle stations, bagels, Danishes, croissants, eggs, bacon, sausage and French toast; a salad station with multiple options like caprese, Caesar and tortellini pasta salads; entrees, like baked haddock with breadcrumbs, eggplant Parmesan with a smoked tomato marinara, and apple Calvados grilled chicken; and desserts, like flourless chocolate torte, blueberry coffee cake and other assorted cakes and cookies. The cost is $80 for adults, $30 for kids ages 3 to 10 and free for kids under 3.

The Bakeshop on Kelley Street (171 Kelley St., Manchester, 624-3500, thebakeshoponkelleystreet.com) is taking orders for pies (flavors include chocolate cream, lemon cream, coconut cream, Key lime, lemon meringue, banana cream, Raspberry Cloud and Grasshopper); six-inch layer cakes (flavors include lemon, coconut, carrot cake and cannoli); as well as assorted Easter cookie trays, and other themed specials, like an Easter egg bread and a one-layer carrot cake topped with a layer of cheesecake. Order by April 15. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (the shop will be closed on Easter Sunday).

Bearded Baking Co. (819 Union St., Manchester, 647-7150, beardedbaking.com) is taking orders for specialty cakes (flavors include carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and coconut lemon cake with a bird nest decoration); cupcake boxes (flavors include grapefruit poppy seed, mocha raspberry, carrot, Cadbury egg, pistachio honey rose and limoncello margarita); vegan cake doughnuts (cinnamon sugar or lemon blueberry); and gluten-free Parisian tortes. Order by April 10. Pickups will be on Friday, April 15, or Saturday, April 16.

Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, 472-2001, bedfordvillageinn.com) will serve a special three-course pre-fixe Easter dinner on Sunday, April 17, in its restaurant. Choose your first course (Heron Pond Farm carrot bisque, New England clam chowder, pea tendril and watercress or prosciutto and asparagus salads); your entree (grilled tournedos of beef, pistachio and matcha crusted Icelandic cod loin, North Country Smokehouse ham, braised spring lamb shank, pan seared Faroe Island salmon or stuffed zucchini); and your dessert (Neapolitan ice cream, lemongrass creme brulee, black rice pudding, German chocolate cake or raspberry mousse dome). The cost is $75 for adults and $39.95 for kids ages 10 and under.

Belmont Hall & Restaurant (718 Grove St., Manchester, 625-8540, belmonthall.net) will serve a special Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 17, with seatings at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. in its hall. Walk-ins are welcome in the dining room until 2 p.m., for breakfast only.

Bite Me Kupcakez (4 Mound Court, Merrimack, 674-4459, bitemekupcakez.com) is taking orders for various cake flavors for Easter, including chocolate flourless torte, strawberry shortcake and chocolate whipped cream cake, as well as dairy-free loaves (flavors include banana, lemon blueberry and banana chocolate chip) and dairy-free cakes (flavors include double-layer carrot, Boston cream pie and pineapple upside-down cake). Vegan cookies (chocolate chip or oatmeal cranberry) can also be ordered by the dozen, and cupcakes are available by request. Order by April 9.

The Black Forest Cafe & Bakery (212 Route 101, Amherst, 672-0500, theblackforestcafe.com) is taking orders for pies (flavors include apple, Dutch apple, strawberry rhubarb, cherry, chocolate cream or Grasshopper); cakes (flavors include lemon daisy, chocolate mousse, coconut or carrot); and a variety of other specialty pastries and sweets, like hummingbird cupcakes, lemon curd tarts, and themed shortbread cookies like eggs, chicks and bunnies. Order by April 13 at 6 p.m. Pickups will be on Friday, April 15, and Saturday, April 16.

Buckley’s Bakery & Cafe (436 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 262-5929, buckleysbakerycafe.com) and Buckley’s Market & Cafe (9 Market Place, Hollis, 465-5522) are taking orders for eight-inch cakes (flavors include carrot, double chocolate, gluten-free lemon blueberry, and a hummingbird cake featuring bananas, pineapple, pecans and cinnamon); eight-inch pies (flavors include chocolate cream, Key lime, mixed berry crumble and lemon meringue); assorted pastries, like dessert trays, breakfast trays and Easter macarons; and other items like Parker house rolls, raspberry almond crumb cake and cinnamon rolls with a cream cheese frosting. Order by April 13.

Buckley’s Great Steaks (438 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 424-0995, buckleysgreatsteaks.com) will be open on Sunday, April 17, from noon to 5 p.m., serving its regular menu with Easter specials.

The Cake Fairy (114 Londonderry Turnpike, Hooksett, 518-8733, cakefairynh.com) is taking orders for pies (flavors include banana cream, chocolate cream and lemon cream), as well as Easter cupcakes and cookies, cheesecakes, eclairs, whoopie pies and a special kids’ Easter basket featuring a variety of treats along with two crafts and a coloring booklet. Order by April 9. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Candy Kingdom (235 Harvard St., Manchester, 641-8470, candykingdom.shop) has a variety of specialty treats available now for Easter, like solid chocolate bunnies, chocolate Easter baskets, chocolate Easter foils, boxed foil eggs and more.

Caroline’s Fine Food (132 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 637-1615, carolinesfood.com) is taking orders for family-style meals for Easter with packages serving either four or eight people. Options include maple-glazed pork loin or pan seared lemon rosemary chicken breast, and each comes with shallot whipped potatoes, lemon honey caramelized carrots and sauteed asparagus. Caroline’s is also offering a menu of brunch items, like prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, ham, Swiss and spinach or caprese quiches, and house-made lemon poppyseed or blueberry scones. Order by April 13 at 2 p.m. Pickups will be on Friday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Castleton Banquet & Conference Center (58 Enterprise Drive, Windham, 898-6300, castletonbcc.com) is taking orders for special dinner packages to go for Easter, featuring either spiral glazed ham or roast leg of lamb with herbs (each serves 8 to 10 people and features a lineup of sides like potatoes, carrots and rolls). A variety of a la carte items are also available to order, like sides by the quart (honey-glazed carrots, green beans almondine, au gratin potatoes, garlic and chive whipped potatoes and rosemary red bliss potatoes, to name a few); hors d’oeuvres by the dozen (like scallop and bacon skewers, crabmeat-stuffed mushrooms, asparagus and Asiago phyllo wraps, smoked Gouda macaroni and cheese bites and almond raspberry brie tarts); and sweet items, like carrot cake and New York-style cheesecake. Order by April 13 at noon. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Coach Stop Restaurant & Tavern (176 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, 437-2022, coachstopnh.com) is taking reservations for Easter at either noon or 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, and they’ll also be offering takeout and local delivery, serving a special menu with items like chicken Marsala, roast prime rib of beef, seafood linguine alfredo, baked haddock, baked stuffed shrimp, veal oscar, broiled salmon, and lobster macaroni and cheese with cracker crumbs.

Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker, 428-3281, colbyhillinn.com) will serve a special three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for Easter on Sunday, April 17, with seatings between noon and 5 p.m. and takeout also available. Options include farmers cheese and charcuterie boards, plus your choice of a first course (lemon chicken noodle soup, mushroom and buttermilk soup, spring greens and Easter radish salad, baby dandelion salad or red beet deviled eggs); an entree (Greek-style roast leg of lamb in oregano and garlic, maple and cider mustard glazed ham, prime rib smoked with pink peppercorn and rosemary, day boat scallops, rabbit pot pie or carrot spaetzle); and a dessert (maple walnut carrot cake, strawberry rhubarb pie, lavender creme brulee, a sorbet duo with Meyer lemon and raspberry chambord flavors, or an Easter chocolate trio featuring Belgian chocolate mousse, white chocolate bark and a chocolate peanut butter egg). The cost is $65 per person.

The Common Man (25 Water St., Concord, 228-3463; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-3463; 88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088; Lakehouse Grille, 281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-5221; 10 Pollard Road, Lincoln, 745-3463; 21 Water St., Claremont, 542-6171; Foster’s Boiler Room, 231 Main St., Plymouth, 536-2764; 60 Main St., Ashland, 968-7030; Lago, 1 Route 25, Meredith, 279-2253; Camp, 298 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3003; Italian Farmhouse, 337 Daniel Webster Hwy., Plymouth, 536-4536; Airport Diner, 2280 Brown Ave., Manchester, 623-5040; Tilt’n Diner, 61 Laconia Road, Tilton, 286-2204; 104 Diner, 752 Route 104, New Hampton, 744-0120; thecman.com) is taking orders for special Easter dinners to go, featuring oven roasted ham with a honey Dijon glaze, creamy leek scalloped potatoes, sweet potato casserole, sun-dried tomato pesto green beans, maple-roasted Brussels sprouts, house baked rolls and sweet breads. Dinners for four, as well as individual sized meals, are available. Other a la carte side offerings include prime rib with au jus and creamy horseradish sauce (feeds four to six), asparagus with Bernaise, mascarpone whipped potatoes and rosemary, The Common Man’s signature macaroni and cheese, and homemade 10-inch cheesecakes. Order by April 11. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16. Additionally, all six Common Man restaurants, as well as the Italian Farmhouse, will be serving their dinner menu with Easter specials on Sunday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Foster’s Boiler Room, Lago, and the Lakehouse Grille will all be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day, and Lakehouse will also be serving breakfast that morning from 7 to 10 a.m. The Airport Diner, the Tilt’n Diner and the Route 104 Diner will be open during their normal hours. Reservations are recommended at all locations.

Copper Door Restaurant (15 Leavy Drive, Bedford, 488-2677; 41 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033; copperdoor.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 17, serving its brunch menu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Easter specials available all day, like steak and cheese frittata, lamb sliders, a pitmaster glazed ham dinner, artichoke-crusted halibut, and “Bedrock” waffles, featuring Fruity Pebbles cereal, sliced strawberries, whipped cream, maple syrup and applewood-smoked bacon. The Copper Door’s regular menus will also be available.

Copper Kettle To Go (39 Main St., Wilton, 654-2631, copperkettletogo.com) is taking orders for Easter ham dinners serving either four or six people, which are served with potatoes, glazed carrots and rolls. Other items available to order include cinnamon rolls, spinach and feta croissants, apple fritters and jumbo blueberry muffins. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16.

Crosby Bakery (51 E. Pearl St., Nashua, 882-1851, crosbybakerynh.com) is taking orders for eight-inch or 10-inch pies in a variety of flavors (apple, blueberry, chocolate cream, lemon meringue, banana cream and more); as well as savory specialties, like meat pie, gorton or salmon pie; sandwich platters, Parker house rolls, cinnamon rolls, and pastries, like muffins, doughnuts and Danishes. Order by April 13 for pickup on Friday, April 15, or by April 14 for pickup on Saturday, April 16.

The Crust & Crumb Baking Co. (126 N. Main St., Concord, 219-0763, thecrustandcrumb.com) is taking orders for pies (flavors include apple streusel, forest berry crumb, maple bourbon pecan, lemon meringue, blueberry crumb, gluten-free almond oat crust, Key lime, chocolate cream, maple cream and coconut cream); quiches (flavors include red pepper and pepper jack cheese, asparagus, onion and feta, bacon, broccoli and Swiss or sausage and cheddar); and other assorted items, like hot cross buns, cinnamon buns, coffee cakes, biscuits, spring cupcakes, cheesecake, fruit tarts and more. Order by April 9. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16.

Cruzin Cakes Shop (150 Broad St., Nashua, 882-1666, cruzincakesshop.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for Easter, like themed cakes, cupcakes and platters, as well as breakable chocolate bunnies and Portuguese sweet bread. Order by April 9.

The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880, thederryfield.com) will serve a special Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 17, with seatings every half hour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $31.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors and $18.95 for kids under 12 and reservations are strongly recommended.

Epoch Gastropub (The Exeter Inn, 90 Front St., Exeter, 778-3762, epochrestaurant.com) will serve a special Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a protein station with slow-roasted sirloin and roasted mushroom jus, and North Country steamship ham with pumpernickel, sage, blue cheese stuffing and bechamel. Other items will include brioche French toast, bacon, sausage, cauliflower bisque, cavatelli with broccoli raab, smoked salmon, a local cheese and charcuterie spread with house-made sesame crackers, and assorted seasonal desserts. The cost is $60 for adults and $25 for kids and reservations are encouraged.

Firefly American Bistro & Bar (22 Concord St., Manchester, 935-9740, fireflynh.com) will serve an Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17, featuring specials in addition to its regular brunch menu all day long. Reservations are strongly suggested.

The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille (40 Andover Road, New London, 526-6899, flyinggoose.com) will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 17, serving Easter specials all day long. Walk-ins are welcome.

Fratello’s Italian Grille (155 Dow St., Manchester, 641-6776, fratellos.com) will serve a special Easter buffet in its ballroom on Sunday, April 17, with seatings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to an egg and omelet station, there will be a carving station with slow-roasted prime rib au jus and garlic rosemary-crusted leg of lamb with mint jus, as well as other items like Belgian waffles, bacon, sausage, baked ham with a brown sugar glaze, chicken piccata and more. The cost is $39 for adults and $18.95 for kids ages 4 to 11. Reservations are required.

Frederick’s Pastries (109 Route 101A, Amherst, 882-7725; 25 S. River Road, Bedford, 647-2253; pastry.net) offers a variety of seasonal sweets and treats for Easter, like bunny cookie kits, rabbit ear cupcakes, speckled robin’s egg cakes, bunny buttercream fudge bars and more.

Fresh AF Bakeshop (34 Church St., Unit 4, Kingston, 642-8609, freshafbakeshop.com) is taking orders for cupcakes (flavors include carrot, funfetti, chocolate, lemon, cookies and cream, coconut cream, and vegan and gluten-free vanilla or chocolate); six- or eight-inch layer cakes (flavors include carrot, lemon raspberry and chocolate salted caramel); shortcakes, featuring fresh whipped cream, house strawberry jam and fresh strawberries (small serving four to six; medium serving six to 10); macarons (flavors include carrot cake, lemon meringue pie, Cadbury egg, strawberry cheesecake, mixed berry, salted caramel, or dairy-free coconut cream or cookies and cream); as well as fresh cream puffs (chocolate-covered and traditional powdered sugar), buttercream cookies, and breakfast items, like croissants, take-and-bake cinnamon buns, and strawberry shortcake-stuffed doughnuts. Order by April 9. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16. On Thursday, April 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Fresh AF Bakeshop will host a BYOB Easter-themed cupcake decorating class at The Factory on Willow (252 Willow St., Manchester). The cost is $75 per person and all skill levels are welcome. Charcuterie boards from 603 Charcuterie’s store will be available for purchase.

Gauchos Churrascaria Brazilian Steak House (62 Lowell St., Manchester, 669-9460, gauchosbraziliansteakhouse.com) will serve a special Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17, with seatings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition to rodizio meats served tableside, there will be a breakfast buffet, a market table of fresh sides, a ham carving station and a selection of pastries, yogurts, parfaits and more. The cost is $39.99 for adults and $14.99 for kids ages 6 to 10. Gauchos will also be open for dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885; granitestatecandyshoppe.com) has a variety of specialty treats available now for Easter, like baskets of all sizes filled with assorted chocolates and candies, as well as smaller individual items, like mini milk chocolate peanut butter eggs, milk chocolate yellow Peeps, chocolate bunny pops and all kinds of other unique chocolate molds.

Granite State Whoopie Pies (Goffstown, granitestatewhoopiepies.com) is taking orders for special carrot cake-flavored whoopie pies for Easter, available by the dozen as regular or miniature sizes. Orders are due by April 9, for pickup the following Wednesday through Saturday, during open hours at White Birch Eatery (571 Mast Road, Goffstown).

Greenleaf (54 Nashua St., Milford, 213-5447, greenleafmilford.com) is taking orders for a special Easter Sunday takeout dinner, featuring your choice of protein (North Country Smokehouse honey peppercorn glazed ham, Lull Farm chicken breast or Northeast Family Farm beef tenderloin), each of which is served with roasted garlic and herb baby potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, spring mix salad with green goddess dressing and strawberry shortcake. Other available add-ons include housemade Parker house dinner rolls, whipped molasses honey butter, and a strawberry shortcake trifle with vanilla pastry cream. Order by April 14 at 3 p.m. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Hanover Street Chophouse (149 Hanover St., Manchester, 644-2467, hanoverstreetchophouse.com) is taking reservations for Easter Sunday, April 17, between noon and 3:30 p.m., serving its regular menu with specials.

Harvey’s Bakery & Coffee Shop (376 Central Ave., Dover, 742-6029, harveysbakery.com) is taking orders for all kinds of specialty items for Easter, including fruit and cream pies, dinner rolls, and specialty cakes. Most pies are available in eight-inch or 10-inch sizes, while the rolls are sold by the dozen.

The Hills Restaurant (Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford, 721-0444, hampshirehills.com/the-hills-restaurant) will serve a special Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to noon, featuring a brown sugar ham carving station, a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar, and other items like scrambled eggs, French toast, waffles, bacon, sausage, muffins, fruit and more. The cost is $25 for adults and $12 for kids. Reservations are required.

The Homestead Restaurant & Tavern (641 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-2022, homesteadnh.com) will serve a specials menu for Easter on Sunday, April 17, featuring items like roast prime rib of beef, chicken cordon bleu, chicken broccoli alfredo, veal oscar, baked stuffed haddock, roasted rack of lamb, broiled salmon, shrimp and scallop risotto and more.

Jamison’s Restaurant (472 Route 111, Hampstead, 489-1565, jamisonsrestaurant.com) is taking reservations for Easter Sunday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring a selection of specials that includes slow-roasted prime rib, pesto-crusted lamb leg, oven-roasted turkey breast, glazed spiral ham and stuffed haddock. Jamison’s full regular menu will also be available.

Just Like Mom’s Pastries (353 Riverdale Road, Weare, 529-6667, justlikemomspastries.com) is taking orders for cakes (flavors include carrot, coconut and gluten-free almond flour chocolate cake); pies (chocolate cream and lemon meringue); cupcakes (carrot and red velvet); cookies (Easter decorated, meringue, jam thumbprints and chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons); quiches (ham and cheese, leek, roasted pepper and mushroom, and broccoli cheddar); and other assorted pastries and breads, including brioche aux herbes (enriched brioche loaf bread with Gruyere, sage, parsley and garlic). Cookie, brownie, pastry or whoopie pie platters are also available upon request.

KC’s Rib Shack (837 Second St., Manchester, 627-7427, ribshack.net) is taking reservations now for its annual Easter buffet on Sunday, April 17, from noon to 6 p.m., featuring bacon Sriracha deviled eggs and fruit salad to start; a variety of meats, like pit ham, beef brisket, pulled pork, spare ribs, smoked chicken and sausage chunks; and sides, like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, corn casserole, coleslaw, apple sauce and cornbread. A dessert station will also be included. The cost is $30 for adults, $14 for kids ages 5 to 10 and free for kids under 5.

LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst; 14 Route 111, Derry; 672-9898, labellewinery.com) will serve a grand brunch buffet on Easter Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring your choice of chicken, baked filet of cod or brown sugar ham, plus a chef-attended omelet station, cinnamon French toast casserole, eggs and home-fried potatoes, roasted asparagus, assorted pastries and freshly sliced fruit. The cost is $75 per person, $26 for kids ages 4 to 12 and free for kids ages 3 and under, and coffee, tea and assorted juices are included in the ticket price. Wine, cocktails, beer and other non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Loon Chocolate (The Factory on Willow, 252 Willow St., Manchester, loonchocolate.com) has an assortment of Easter-themed sweets in addition to its regular hand-crafted bean-to-bar chocolates. Its new retail shop is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Makris Lobster & Steak House (354 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, 225-7665, eatalobster.com) will serve a special Easter buffet on Sunday, April 17, with seatings on the hour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There will be a carving station with roast sirloin of beef and glazed ham, plus a variety of fresh seafood, including seafood stuffed sole, blackened salmon and seafood Newburg. Other featured options will be grilled lamb and beef souvlaki, pasta primavera, chicken Marsala, and an assorted dessert table. The cost is $29.99 per person and kids ages 10 and under eat for half off the price. Reservations are required.

McNulty & Foley Caterers (124 E. Hollis St., Nashua, 882-1921, mcnultycatering.com) is taking orders for various heat-and-eat items for Easter, including dinners, like glazed baked ham, spinach and feta cheese stuffed chicken, and homemade baked lasagna; and sides, like green bean casserole and delmonico potatoes. Desserts are also available, like lemon squares and pistachio brownie trifles. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from noon to 2 p.m.

Mile Away Restaurant (52 Federal Hill Road, Milford, 673-3904, mileawayrestaurantnh.com) is taking reservations now for Easter, offering special meals that include your choice of one appetizer, salad, entree and dessert. Menu staples include appetizers like tomato bisque, Swedish meatballs, fresh fruit plates with sorbet; Caesar salad or garden salad with blue cheese, house ranch, raspberry vinaigrette or balsamic dressing; entrees like roast leg of lamb, honey-glazed ham, pork forestiere, chicken pesto, piccata milanese, maple salmon, broiled scrod, schnitzel or vegetarian baked eggplant Parmesan; and desserts like carrot cake, tiramisu cake, sorbet, bread pudding, cheesecake, chocolate ganache cake, lemon mascarpone cake and chocolate mousse cake.

Mr. Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese (497 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 606-1760, mr-macs.com) is taking orders for its take-and-bake macaroni and cheese in a wide variety of flavors, which can be shipped nationwide. Order by April 12 to have it delivered by Easter Sunday.

MT’s Local Kitchen & Wine Bar (212 Main St., Nashua, 595-9334, mtslocal.com) will be open on Sunday, April 17, from noon to 5 p.m., serving its regular menu with Easter specials.

Nelson’s Candy and Music (65 Main St., Wilton, 654-5030, nelsonscandymusic.com) has a variety of specialty treats available now for Easter, like chocolate mold bunny pops, and cream eggs, with flavors like chocolate fudge, peanut butter, coconut and raspberry.

Popovers on the Square (11 Brickyard Square, Epping, 734-4724; 8 Congress St., Portsmouth, 431-1119; popoversonthesquare.com) is taking orders for Easter egg cakes, featuring a chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse, glazed with ganache and decorated with spring flowers; and lemon mascarpone cream-filled vanilla cakes with lemon buttercream. Other items include vanilla or chocolate Easter-decorated cupcakes (can be ordered gluten-free), and Easter bunny or spring chick sugar cookies. Order by April 10 at 8 p.m.

Presto Craft Kitchen (168 Amory St., Manchester, 606-1252, prestocraftkitchen.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty items for Easter, including dinners, like wood-fired lamb tips, brown sugar glazed ham, shrimp and scallop scampi, and pizzagaina, or a large quiche-like ricotta-based pie filled with Italian meats. Sweeter items are available too, like giant breakable chocolate eggs, Easter egg cakesicles (flavors include carrot cake or funfetti), carrot patch (chocolate-covered strawberries in Oreo “dirt”), fresh-filled cannolis and assorted Italian cookie platters. Order by April 11. Pickups will be on Friday, April 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Queen City Cupcakes (790 Elm St., Manchester, 624-4999, qccupcakes.com) is taking orders for an assortment of specialty themed cupcake flavors for Easter, like carrot cake and Cadbury cream egg, as well as others like blackberry truffle, chocolate salted caramel, raspberry linzer cookie, strawberry shortcake, vanilla bean and more. Order by April 13 at noon. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rig A Tony’s Italian Takeout (254 Wallace Road, Bedford, 262-1244; 13 Rockingham Road, Windham, 685-8122; 34 South Ave., Derry, 404-6315; rigatonysitalian.com) is taking orders for Easter dinners featuring spiral ham or roasted porchetta, pasta margarita, house mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, string beans almondine and sweet rolls. Other available a la carte items include chicken or eggplant Parm, traditional lasagna, shrimp scampi, wedding soup, and sweets like cannolis, homemade Italian cookies, or chocolate cream or Maine blueberry pies. Order by April 13.

Salt Kitchen & Bar (Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, 373-6566, saltkitchenandbar.com) will serve a special Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a farm-fresh egg and omelet station, a Belgian waffle station and a ham carving station, as well as a New England raw bar, an artisan cheese display, a variety of hot entrees, a dessert display and more. The cost is $89.95 per person and $26.95 for kids under 12.

Simply Delicious Baking Co. (176 Route 101, Bedford, 488-1988, simplydeliciousbakingco.com) is taking orders for carrot cake, lemon bars, almond biscotti, lemon blueberry scones and other specialty items for Easter. Order by April 13. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Smoke Shack Cafe (226 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 404-2178, smokeshackcafe.com) is taking orders for a variety of specialty catering packages for Easter that include your choice of smoked ham or prime rib, along with two to six sides (macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, peas, corn saute, brown sugar carrots, green beans and broccoli saute), six to 12 pieces of cornbread, and a half- to a full-sized salad tray. Smoked ham and smoked prime rib are also both available as a la carte options. Order by April 12. Pickups will be on Sunday, April 17.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (1160 Bridge St., Manchester, 625-6115, stnicholasgreekchurch.com) is holding a Greek Easter bake sale, taking pre-orders for pastry platters featuring baklava, koulourakia and kourambiethes. Orders are being accepted until April 10 or while supplies last.

Sweet Boutique (21 Kilton Road, Bedford, 222-1521, visitsweetboutique.com) has a variety of specialty hand-crafted treats available now for Easter, like milk, dark and white chocolate bunny molds, candy-filled chocolate “smash eggs” and more.

Tammaro’s Cucina (469 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 377-7312, tammaroscucina.com) is taking orders for a variety of Easter specials, available in half- or full-sized trays. Options include pizzagaina (Italian meat pie), sweet ricotta pie, Easter bread, assorted Easter cookies and more. Order by April 13.

Tiffany’s Cafe & Catering (542 Mast Road, No. 6, Goffstown, 627-6622, find them on Facebook @tiffanyscafecatering) is taking orders now for Easter dinners, featuring either roast beef or honey-baked ham with pan gravy for an entree, as well as soups and salads (chicken lemon rice soup, Italian wedding soup, garden salad and spinach salad); and sides (scalloped potatoes, roast red bliss potatoes, sweet potato casserole, holiday corn and Italian green beans). Other available a la carte offerings include devilled eggs, cheese and fruit trays with assorted crackers, pigs in a blanket, quiches, cupcakes and pies (flavors include banana cream, chocolate cream, coconut cream and pistachio cream). Order by April 15. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trombly Gardens (150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net) is taking orders for special Easter dinners featuring sugar-glazed ham with pineapple mustard gravy, mashed potatoes, maple carrots, green bean casserole and house rolls. Each side is also available a la carte at an additional cost. Order by April 10. Pickups will be on Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuscan Market (9 Via Toscana, Salem, 912-5467, tuscanbrands.com) is taking orders for several specialty packages for Easter, featuring your choice of bone-in spiral ham, boneless roast leg of lamb or carved roast turkey breast, each of which are served with sides and Italian wine pairings, with enough food to feed six to eight people. Other available a la carte options include half-trays of lasagna, pizzagaina (Italian meat pie), risotto and sausage stuffed bell peppers, and desserts, like limoncello tiramisu, flourless espresso cake, Italian Easter breads and more. Order at least two days in advance of picking up.

Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) has a variety of specialty treats available now for Easter, like milk, dark or white chocolate bunny molds, chocolate cream eggs with fillings like butter cream, coconut cream, cookie dough, caramel, Swiss fudge and raspberry fudge, and multiple sizes of Easter baskets and buckets filled with assorted chocolates and candies.

WineNot Boutique (25 Main St., Nashua, 204-5569, winenotboutique.com) will hold a special Easter-themed grand tasting of wines on Saturday, April 9, from 1 to 6 p.m., the first storewide walk-around event at its new location. A diverse selection of more than a dozen wines will be offered. Admission is free — see the event pages on Facebook or Eventbrite for details.

Wolfe’s Tavern (The Wolfeboro Inn, 90 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-3016, wolfestavern.com) will serve a special Easter brunch on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring items that will include roasted tomato bisque, herb-crusted leg of lamb, grilled flank steak, cedar salmon, assorted homemade desserts and more. The cost is $50 for adults and $20 for kids.

Woodstock Inn Brewery (135 Main St., North Woodstock, 745-3951, woodstockinnbrewery.com) will serve a special Easter brunch buffet on Sunday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to omelet and waffle bars, there will be a carving station with ham and prime rib, and other items like eggs Benedict, vegetable lasagna, salmon, assorted desserts and more. The cost is $29.99 for adults and $18.99 for kids under 12.

Ya Mas Greek Taverna & Bar (125 Bridge St., Pelham, 635-4230, yamasgreektaverna.com) will serve a special Easter brunch buffet just up the road at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Pelham (150 Bridge Street) on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items available, including a made-to-order create-your-own omelet station, a brioche French toast station and a prime rib carving station, plus Greek options like spanakopita, tiropita and stuffed grape leaves, as well as an artisan cheese and charcuterie spread, and desserts and sweet treats, like baklava, lemon tarts, strawberry shortcake and more. The cost is $49 for adults and $19 for kids. Reservations are required.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

The Weekly Dish 22/04/07

News from the local food scene

Greek eats: Get your tickets now for a Palm Sunday fish dinner to be held at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (650 Hanover St., Manchester) on Sunday, April 17, around 11:30 a.m. after services. The dinner will be available for both dine-in or takeout, featuring meals of fish, rice, green beans, a salad and a roll for $20 per person. Pasta meals for kids are available for $8 each, and ice cream will also be served for dessert. Tickets must be purchased by April 14 — visit the church office any weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 622-9113. In other Greek food news, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (111 Island Pond Road, Manchester) is holding its next food fest on Sunday, April 17, at noon, which will also feature a fish dinner with both dine-in and takeout options. Online orders are being accepted now through April 11 for meals of baked haddock filet, rice pilaf, Greek-style beans and bread rolls for $20, as well as kids’ meals of fish sticks with fries or rice for $8. Visit foodfest.assumptionnh.org to place your order.

Pancake breakfast returns: Join the Amherst Lions Club for its 48th annual pancake breakfast and spring raffle, scheduled for Sunday, April 10, from 8 a.m. to noon at Clark-Wilkins Elementary School (80 Boston Post Road, Amherst). The cost for the all-you-can-eat breakfast is $8 per person or $25 per family of four or more, and kids under 5 eat free — this year’s menu will feature pancakes with fruit toppings and New Hampshire maple syrup, plus sausages, pastries and drinks like orange juice, coffee, tea and milk. An Easter basket will be raffled off, and children of all ages are invited to participate in a coloring contest, with prizes awarded for the best coloring in three age groups (ages 1 to 5, 6 to 10 and 11 to 15). Tickets will be available at the door or in advance online at e-clubhouse.org/sites/amherstnh.

Dinner and a show: Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road) is hosting a Titanic Kitchen Takeover dinner and movie screening on Sunday, April 10, featuring Chef Keith Sarasin of The Farmers Dinner. The movie will begin at 6 p.m., with a five-course farm-to-table menu served throughout the evening of items inspired by what was served on the Titanic back in April 1912. The cost is $75 per person and includes the meal and the movie screening. An optional VIP package with wine pairings is available for $110. Visit chunkys.com.

Wine all you want: Vine 32 Wine + Graze Bar, a new self-serve wine bar featuring more than two dozen rotating wine options sourced from all over the world, recently held its grand opening celebration in Bedford Square (25 S. River Road). It’s owned by Bedford couple Leah Bellemore and her husband, Tom — wines are available to sample out of Italian-made self-serve Enomatic dispensers, which are able to preserve them for up to 65 days. Staff members known as “wine liaisons” are also on hand to help you use the machines. “This is really more of an approachable way to just figure out what you like,” Leah Bellemore told the Hippo earlier this year. “Since they’ll be rotating, you can try something new every single time you come in, and really be able to expand upon what you might not even know your preference could be.” In addition to the wines, Vine 32 offers a food menu of charcuterie boards, flatbreads and sweeter items like macaroons and truffles. Visit vinethirtytwo.com.

Stay in the loop!

Get FREE weekly briefs on local food, music,

arts, and more across southern New Hampshire!