Cue the Ozzy, mama Im coming home.

[AdironRider]

So the better half is pretty dead set on moving back East to get her teaching degree. Weve been looking at property back there all spring and both of us have come to terms that its time.

While Im bummed at the prospect of leaving Jackson, Im pretty stoked to be going back to the area I love.

I know what you're thinking, this kid is retarded. But, Jackson is still only a plane ride away, and frankly, I think the BC in the Whites is much more enjoyable than the aggro crowd at Jackson. That place gets tracked out OB faster than most places back east. Ive hit most of the lines on my hit list, and getting hurt this season really clued me in that my body probably wont be enjoying Jackson as much as Id like for my entire life.

The girls all setup, but can anyone recommend a top shelf fine dining restaurant in the Portsmouth / Portland area? I know the places that I left four years ago, but need the fresh scoop. Ive heard Epoch in Exeter is awesome. Im a restaurant manager as it stands for the Four Seasons, looking for strictly restaurants ideally, but willing to swing the hotel game for a little while longer. (Not looking for a job offer, just want to some ideas as the current "hot tables" list in the area)

If I end up in NH, its a no brainer on a Cannon pass. Portland probably going with the Boyne Someday Bigger experience. Quite a change of pace from Jackson, but I still remember where to find the goods.

 

[dmc]

welcome back!

 

[severine]

Good luck with the move!

 

[SIKSKIER]

Good luck with your move.

No advice from me but let me be the first to welcome you to the Cannon passholder family.We have more than a few former J-Hole residents.

 

[deadheadskier]

Epoch is great, chef actually is a good friend and catered my wedding. Also a customer of mine. He's a bit limited by the restraints of the hotel in how fine he can take his food.

Go to Portland. There are some decent places in Portsmouth, but Portland is BY FAR a better food town.

Hugo's is this years James Beard Best Chef Northeast restaurant. His food is pretty out there though, so it depends on your tastes. Fore Street is excellent. Backbay Grill is as well. Evangeline, 555. Avoid Cinque Terre / Vignola.

Don't forget Arrows, White Barn Inn, Joshua's or On the Marsh on the seacoast.

Just give me a shout via pm when you're back and looking to go out to eat. Lot of smoke and mirrors with restaurants here that appear great, but really use crap ingredients and don't have much talent in the kitchen.

After three years of selling to the finest in the area, I know who's good, who buys what, etc.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

If your buying a house in NH or Maine you'll probably save a million dollars vs buying a place in Teton County, even spudland has gotten expensive. Sure, the prices have gone down out there but not by that much. Finding a parking space during the summer in your new town will be another benefit. Not dodging RV's, especially the ones that advertise on the back spare tire...Rent Me, call 1-800....., will also be nice. :lol:

 

[AdironRider]

The White Barn Inn is definately high on my list of ideal places to work. To this day it ranks in my top 5 personal best meals. Thanks for all the advice so far guys, Im definately looking forward to the move.

That being said, it wont be happening till probably August at the earliest, but who knows, if the right opportunity comes along it may be sooner.

 

[deadheadskier]

.....oh I missed the one place I would go in that area above all. 98 Provence in Ogunquit. Consistent unpretentious excellence. I forgot to mention as he just re-opened for the season. Many of the better chefs at other restaurants in the area worked for Pierre first. He's the most humble man you'll ever meet and a simply fantastic chef. I would choose there before White Barn, Arrows, really anywhere outside of Boston.

Good luck getting paid at the White Barn. Vast majority of the staff there are interns just trying to break into the Ralais & Chateaux system. Most at that hotel are from Britian. I'd recommend getting in with the Wentworth and Ocean Properties. They're probably the best hotel company to work for North of Boston.

 

[AdironRider]

Never heard of 98 Provence, will definately have to check it out when I get back. Checking out his menu and it looks spectacular, but humble might not be the best description if he wont allow substitutions, that must kill his waitstaff. However, Im the guy who says chef's choice when they ask me how I like my food prepared, so Im all for it.

Im familiar with Ocean Properties, and while a different hotel, have stayed at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing and thought they ran a real tight ship. Doesnt look like theyre pinching pennies either.

Truth be told Im such a NH guy its tough for me to fathom living in Portland or outside, but I never realized it was a good place for a foodie.

 

[snoseek]

O.K. its been a few years......

I worked for many many years at a varity of places anywhere from Cape Ann to Portland. I would seriously look at the southern Maine coast. The seasonal thing can work out real good and leave you a shitload of time in the winter. White Barn, Arrows....those joints are top notch. Never worked there but know plenty of folks who did, they hire the best talent-you will progress. I did the cliff house for a couple summers and it was o.k., but a perfect schedule for taking time in the winter, basically a 8 month season. If your lucky you can hook up with funemployment.

It's been a good many years since i worked the whole Portsmouth scene but overall the culture got really old, Wentworth seems like a nice place I guess. Portland wins for independant restaurants, there are just sooo many great ones. Also look at some of the clubs in the area because in my experience they pay a little better. Abenaqui has always been a good one and I can personally vouch the G.M. (David M.) is a really great guy to work for, he is all about progression and extremely fair.


Either way as a snow enthusiast you have picked a great location with a ton of good options. You will find tons of like-minded people with the same angle. Good luck.

 

[AdironRider]

I grew up in Exeter, bummer to see the Portsmouth scene hasnt gotten much better in terms of food. I see alot of opportunity to be very successful in the restaurant business once I get the capital together. Figure thats still a couple years out as it is, so Ill continue to work and save that money. Besides, I think itll be helpful to see a different perspective on things rather than just work for the same company forever.

You really cant beat seacoast NH in terms of available outdoor options. The ocean is right there, the Whites are just 1 1/2 hours away, Boston less than an hour. Its got everything. Jackson does skiing really well, but not much else. Grand Teton is right there, but you commute more than you think to get to the goods there, minimum 1/2 an hour to the trailhead. Yellowstone takes longer to drive to than Cannon would from Exeter, bout 1.5 hours to the gate. Noone mentions that about the place. It gets pretty old having to drive 2 hours to do any form of real city stuff. And its 2800 miles away from the closest family member in both my family as well as my girls, that shit gets expensive. Ive had to drop 2 grand in plane tickets, dog sitting etc just this year to spend 4 days total back home for my sisters college graduation and one of our best friends wedding. Add little sisters coming high school graduation in June and that total is going to look more like 3k for 6 days. I do alright, but that shits expensive, and thats just to get there and back, I dont even want to know what my buddies wedding really cost me. Its probably better that way.

Now I just need this balky ankle to start feeling better, and its all gravy but the meat.