Quintessential NH rustic breakfast
 

Parker's Maple Barn & Restaurant
1316 Brookline Road
Mason, NH
800-832-2308

This place would be worthy of a visit even if the food was awful. The restaurant is set in an old barn and silo. The tables are old and rustic, as is the rest of the decor; think lumberjack ambience. You'd expect Paul Bunyan might stop by at any moment. In cold weather they have a roaring fire in the woodstove which keeps the place toasty. In the warm months you can eat on the screen porch.

The food here is exceptionally good. They serve lunch and dinner fare too, but breakfast is what you should get, no matter what time of day you go. I highly recommend trying the pancakes or french toast, just get something that requires you to try some of their homemade maple syrup. They have a suger house on the premises and make their own syrup; none of the imitation stuff here, no sir. If you go during late winter/early spring you may get lucky and be there while the sugar house is in full swing; they give tours. Call ahead though, always, because during the dead of winter the place is closed, and you WILL need to get explicit directions as it is quite tricky to find because it is located deep in the woods down a series of country roads. Sometimes the only markings are some arrows labeled "Parker's" nailed to trees pointing you in the right direction. As you are driving there you will likely say to yourself "this can't be right, there is no way that there is a restaurant out here in the middle of nowhere." If you find yourself thinking such thoughts, you are probably getting very close. It is well worth the effort to get there. You will be treated to one of the best breakfasts you will ever have in your life. Highly recommend getting an order of toast too, it consists of several huge thick slices of homemade bread toasted to perfection.
Also worth noting, they serve no alcohol, but do permit you to bring your own. Portions are huge, so bring an appetite. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...m/thumbsup.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...m/thumbsup.gif

For more details and pictures, click here:

http://www.parkersmaplebarn.com/

[This message has been edited by hhonorman (edited 02-02-2003).]

[This message has been edited by hhonorman (edited 02-02-2003).]

I'll second this opinion, it's a great place.

Another terrific place in NH for breakfast is the Foothills Restaurant in Warner. Huge portions, teensy prices, great atmosphere. In the summer, you can sit on the rockers on the front porch enjoying your coffee and one of the prettiest little villages in NH.