Applecrest Farm and Bistro

Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner! This is a great time to think about a visit to Applecrest Farm and Bistro! Applecrest farm is located at 133 Exeter Rd (Rt. 88) in Hampton Falls, NH. They are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. But check out their website as they have a lot going on!  http://www.applecrest.com/
My friends Rosalie, Gail and myself all went to lunch at the bistro and it was fresh and fantastic! Talk about farm to table! They source all of their products as locally as possible and boy does it show!

I have to jump right into this post and tell you about the apple and roasted beet salad that Gail had to start us off.  ($8.00). It arrived at the table and we were all silent for a moment taking in how gorgeous this salad was! It really was one of the most beautifully plated dishes I have ever seen! Just gorgeous and can I tell you it was delicious too. This salad had roasted beets, apples along with mixed greens and an incredible creamy goat cheese along with pistachios and mint. Rosalie and I were like hungry vultures looking at Gail’s salad! Lucky for us, Gail did not mind sharing! There were three very happy women sitting at that table! What a way to start the lunch!

For Gail’s main course, she ordered the classic flatbread ($14.00). The flatbread was perfectly cooked with crushed tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil! Another very mouthwatering dish!

Rosalie had the Turkey Panini ($9.00) with house made fries. The panini was on a ciabatta roll with turkey, pesto, arugula and sharp cheddar cheese. You know that Rosalie is a frequent dining companion and we share. Today was no different, I can attest, the panini was full of great flavor, the fresh Pesto and the peppery arugula combined with the turkey and cheese made a great lunch! But before I forget she had fries on the side! Those were super yummy too. They were thin and crispy and seasoned with plenty of salt and pepper! I love a good dose of pepper on crispy fries. So yes, her lunch was mighty tasty!

Are you wondering what I had? Well, before we ordered, Gail mentioned how delicious and juicy the burgers were…well, with that already in my head, I just had to give it a try. I had the grass fed burger ($14.00) with sharp cheddar cheese, lettuce and pickles with an herb aioli. Gail was right! This burger was exactly what a burger should be! Juicy with lots of great flavor.  I really enjoyed the herb aioli with it! I also ordered the cabbage and apple slaw with walnuts for a side. The cabbage apple slaw was slightly disappointing. I did not find it to have much flavor. I shared this with Rosalie and Gail, and we all felt the same. It was not a bad side dish, but we felt the flavors were just not there. Next time I’m sticking with those tasty fries and beet salad! We all wanted to skip dessert to start shopping in the market! The market is just filled with so many delicious and local flavors, not to mention everything they grow on the farm!

One of my very favorite things in the world is apple cider donuts and they make them here and they are so freakin good! I tried to behave and only bought six! Thankfully for my waistline, our son Robby loves them as much as I do so when I got home and was not in the kitchen, Robby found them and ate four of them! I really am trying to be thankful Robby ate them but now I am left dreaming for more and planning another trip to get some for ME!

Back to the market! They have so many amazing products and produce to choose from! When in season, they have 40 variety of apples people! Yes 40!  They also have peaches, nectarines, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, corn, pumpkins and other seasonal veggies!!

I told you about the apple cider donuts, but they also have hand pressed apple cider, local honey, jams, maple syrup and cheese! I honestly can’t begin to tell you everything this farm has to offer. Local dairy, cheese, meats and seafood not to mention a large variety of pies and pastries!

That’s not all!! They have a creamery too! Local ice cream! Yes, please! This is on the same property and open in the Spring and Summer from 11 am to 9 pm. 7 days a week. They also have “pick your own” when in season, farm shares and gift packs! Check out the website for more info, they have a huge variety!

Another one of my favorite places is just down the road a couple short miles! Churchill’s Garden Center is located at 12 Hampton Rd. in Exeter, NH. This is one of my favorite garden centers and always make a stop in when I am in the area!

Churchill’s is open daily from 9-5 and has a huge variety of annuals, perennials, home accents, plant and flower containers, house plants and outdoor living!  I find Churchill’s to be a little on the expensive side but even if I don’t purchase anything, I get terrific ideas! Stopping by in the spring is great; all of the beautiful colors, accents and combinations are so exciting to see!

Although our kids are older they also offer a great kids club where the kids can make various crafts. Check out their website for the calendar of events! http://www.churchillsgardens.com/
These are two more of my favorite places. If you are in the area or looking for a road trip check these places out.  I know you will enjoy them as much as my friends and I do!

Enjoy!