White Mountain Cider Company

Notchland Inn does not offer dinner on Monday and Tuesday evenings, or we would have eaten there again since our first experience was so good! But I am so glad they didn't because we would have never tried White Mountain Cider Company, it was about a 15 minute drive from the Inn. We read the reviews on line and everyone seemed to love it, the Inn keepers even mentioned to us that they always direct people there. So we thought we give it a try!

The outside was charming with white lights outlining the roof. Everything fits in so well up here which sounds silly but being here really makes you feel like you are at a remote mountain getaway.
Walking in the place is fashioned after a farmhouse or cider mill (the place where apple cider is made I am assuming that what  it is called I am guessing since I am not an expert on all those types of things). They have a cute loft with a table and with the exposed brick and wooden framed doorways give it a really comfortable feeling like your in someones farm home for dinner. I loved it!

We were excited to try the food since we read such great reviews online. They had 2 menus one that was fancy entrees and the other was more laid back food. Looking over the menu I had a hard time deciding between the Mediterranean chicken sandwich and the chicken dinner which came with goat cheese risotto and asparagus. John had a tough decision between the lamb and the steak, the waiter was really nice and pointed us in the great direction of the steak for John and the chicken with goat cheese risotto for me (can't go wrong with anything involving cheese).

But to start we had an appetizer of warmed olives with almonds.

Holy yumminess! I have never had this combination before but these were fantastic with the warm bread and butter they served you couldn't go wrong. The crunch of the almonds and the taste of the olives married so well together.
Next we had salads

I had a mixed greens with apples and apple vinaigrette and John had the warm Romain salad with grapes, nuts and a blue cheese vinaigrette. Both were really good, but I was getting worried because I was getting so full and I still had an entree to go!

The chicken for me and the steak for John. This might have been some of the best risotto I have ever had it was cooked perfectly and the goat cheese gave it a great creaminess. It also came with my favorite veggie asparagus. John said his steak was melt in your mouth good, and that he has been spoiled between tonight's steak and yesterday lamb.

After dinner we decided to sit at the bar for a drink before heading back to the Inn, and especially since we exhausted all the games last night.They had a cool apple cider press for the taps.

At the bar I was having a hard time ordering so the bar tender suggested a grapefruit drink that had grapefruit (obviously), St Germaine and vodka,  John ordered a rye drink I believe. My drink was perfect, it was light and refreshing especially since I was completely stuffed from dinner.

While sitting at the bar we started talking to the bartender Rob who was great! We talked about everything from drinks, best restaurants and bars in Boston and photography.  After our first drinks we decided that we would order another round then go. Rob had been trying out making new drinks and concocted a drink with black tea, kumquat juice and maybe vodka? What ever was in the mixture it was it was astonishingly really good! I love black tea, it is actually the only tea/coffee I drink. It had the spiciness of black tea but also with a hint of the sweetness from fruit perfect combination!

While talking to Rob we also met Ian who was also sitting at the bar and joined in on the conversation. We were having such a great time chatting away we ended up staying way later then what we expected!

This was by far what made the evening! Both Rob and Ian were so nice and gave us tips for places to see next time we come back. It turned out Ian works at Wentworth Hotel in Jackson and invited to make sure we stop in for dinner next time were up. They also pointed us to a bakery in Connelly that is known for their amazing cupcakes, Ian mentioned they had a bacon flavored cupcake (which I was dying to try). Unfortunately, when we looked up the address to go on the way home they are closed Monday and Tuesday's bummer. I guess that just means we'll have to come up again!

If your ever in the White Mountains and are looking for a place to go for dinner and drinks I highly suggest stopping by White Mountain Cider Company or Wentworth hotel for dinner and say Hi to Ron and Ian.

And Rob if you get a chance make sure they add your drink to the menu it was really good!