The Unexpected Culinary Delights
of Jackson, New Hampshire
By Jenny Wojenski
I have found a place that truly is one of the “hearts” of New England.
Geographically it would not be centrally located in New England, but it
captures the spirit, soul, look and feel of what makes New England unique.
I’m talking about Jackson, NH. This is a place I have been going to for over 20
years now. Most everyone has heard of North Conway with its famous
shopping outlets but Jackson may not be so well known. It is just a short jaunt
up the road from North Conway; yet worlds away. The first indication that you
have reached the ultimate in New England “quaintness” is when you drive
through the covered bridge welcoming you into the village of Jackson. In the
village center is the cutest little library you’ve ever seen and across the street is
the local elementary school. One of my favorite sights is the school during the
winter with the children’s skis all lined up against a fence outside the
school…no different to them than it would be for city kids to bring their scooters
or bikes to school! You won’t find any outlets in Jackson but you will find an
A&P, lots of hiking trails, golf courses, cross- country ski trails and several really
good restaurants.
During my most recent trip to Jackson I stopped in at a new restaurant called the
White Mountain Cider Co. (actually just over the line on Rt. 302 in Glen, NH.)
The building has that “new rustic” look with a replica of a turn of the century
fireplace; hand made granite tables and wrought iron candle sconces on the
walls. The original building was a 1890s farmhouse. In the late 1990s the
farmhouse was renovated and housed a store, bakery and cider mill. More
recently the Cider Mill restaurant was opened on the property by Scott and
Teresa Stearns, graduates of the Culinary Institute of America.
Time did not allow my group to be able to stay for dinner but we were able to
enjoy a cocktail by the fire. The bar manager, Christof Schneider, recommended
we try the Gorgonzola Mountaineer chips, paper thin, perfectly crispy and
deeeeelicious! Other specialties – Pan seared Venison and Grilled Apple Cider
Pork Tenderloin could have easily been a choice of mine. I have made mental
note to make time for a full meal next time I’m in the area.
By the way, we later found out that the bar manager, Christof, is the grandson of
Hannes Schneider, the Austrian skier who brought Nordic Skiing to the US in the
1920s and helped to develop Cranmore Mountain in North Conway . He leaves
Jackson every January to spend the winter in Austria – skiing the Alps. Now that’
s the way to enjoy New England – spend the worst of the winter in Austria and
summer, fall and early winter in Jackson, NH.
Another favorite in the Jackson area is the Red Fox Inn. I have been going to the
Red Fox for several years both for dinner for their Sunday morning Jazz
Breakfast Buffet. For those of you who really like the “breakfast” part of brunch
this is the place to go. It is complete with hash browns, baked ham, French toast,
Belgian Waffles, bacon, sausage, Fresh Fruit and pastries and a made-to-order
omelet and egg station.
One thing I have learned in my years of working in, and going to, restaurants is
that workers come and go but at the Red Fox I think Chef Roland must hold the
record for working in one restaurant the longest. He has been the face behind the
omelet station as long as I have been going there which must be 7-8 years now.
The other great thing about this brunch is that it runs from 7:30 am – 1pm (not
like many brunches that don’t begin until 11am) - great for skiers and families
who don’t like to wait. While you are enjoying the brunch don’t forget to try one
of their awesome Bloody Mary’s – it is worth it just for the garnishes….we’re not
talking about a stalk of celery – here you will get Pepperoccini, lime, lemon,
and olive AND celery! One other really good thing about this brunch is the
price- ($6.95 per person) a family can get in and out without giving away their
youngest child to pay for the meal.
Another great restaurant in my favorite Northern New Hampshire town is the
Thompson House Eatery (www.thompsonhouseeatery.com). Yankee Magazine
gave it their “2004 Editors Pick” and I give it mine as well. I once sent some
vegetarian friends there and they came back reporting: “The best vegetarian
meal we’ve ever had.” The Thompson House is in an old building that is just so
charming in New England (especially if you don’t have to live in it.) The menu
offers a variety of foods with hints of tastes from around the world. “Luscious
Lamb” is lamb served with a Mediterranean pesto, Kansas City Sirloin, “The
Breast of Dundee” is roasted chicken breast glazed with Jackson N.H.’s own
maple syrup and served with herbed sausage and cornbread stuffing, Tofu with
an Asian slaw and Thais spiced peanut sauce, and “T.H.E. Outer Banks” -
seafood galore –shrimp, scallops, salmon, and mussels. All meals are served
with a salad of mixed greens and garnishes. The garnishes – roasted nuts and
dried fruits are served in old muffin tins. Don’t miss this restaurant if you
happen to be in Jackson.
About the author
Jenny Wojenski, a freelance writer, is owner of Hors D’Oeuvres Unlimited, a
catering service based in Keene, New Hampshire. To contact her, drop her a
line at jwojenski@ne.rr.com
of Jackson, New Hampshire
By Jenny Wojenski
I have found a place that truly is one of the “hearts” of New England.
Geographically it would not be centrally located in New England, but it
captures the spirit, soul, look and feel of what makes New England unique.
I’m talking about Jackson, NH. This is a place I have been going to for over 20
years now. Most everyone has heard of North Conway with its famous
shopping outlets but Jackson may not be so well known. It is just a short jaunt
up the road from North Conway; yet worlds away. The first indication that you
have reached the ultimate in New England “quaintness” is when you drive
through the covered bridge welcoming you into the village of Jackson. In the
village center is the cutest little library you’ve ever seen and across the street is
the local elementary school. One of my favorite sights is the school during the
winter with the children’s skis all lined up against a fence outside the
school…no different to them than it would be for city kids to bring their scooters
or bikes to school! You won’t find any outlets in Jackson but you will find an
A&P, lots of hiking trails, golf courses, cross- country ski trails and several really
good restaurants.
During my most recent trip to Jackson I stopped in at a new restaurant called the
White Mountain Cider Co. (actually just over the line on Rt. 302 in Glen, NH.)
The building has that “new rustic” look with a replica of a turn of the century
fireplace; hand made granite tables and wrought iron candle sconces on the
walls. The original building was a 1890s farmhouse. In the late 1990s the
farmhouse was renovated and housed a store, bakery and cider mill. More
recently the Cider Mill restaurant was opened on the property by Scott and
Teresa Stearns, graduates of the Culinary Institute of America.
Time did not allow my group to be able to stay for dinner but we were able to
enjoy a cocktail by the fire. The bar manager, Christof Schneider, recommended
we try the Gorgonzola Mountaineer chips, paper thin, perfectly crispy and
deeeeelicious! Other specialties – Pan seared Venison and Grilled Apple Cider
Pork Tenderloin could have easily been a choice of mine. I have made mental
note to make time for a full meal next time I’m in the area.
By the way, we later found out that the bar manager, Christof, is the grandson of
Hannes Schneider, the Austrian skier who brought Nordic Skiing to the US in the
1920s and helped to develop Cranmore Mountain in North Conway . He leaves
Jackson every January to spend the winter in Austria – skiing the Alps. Now that’
s the way to enjoy New England – spend the worst of the winter in Austria and
summer, fall and early winter in Jackson, NH.
Another favorite in the Jackson area is the Red Fox Inn. I have been going to the
Red Fox for several years both for dinner for their Sunday morning Jazz
Breakfast Buffet. For those of you who really like the “breakfast” part of brunch
this is the place to go. It is complete with hash browns, baked ham, French toast,
Belgian Waffles, bacon, sausage, Fresh Fruit and pastries and a made-to-order
omelet and egg station.
One thing I have learned in my years of working in, and going to, restaurants is
that workers come and go but at the Red Fox I think Chef Roland must hold the
record for working in one restaurant the longest. He has been the face behind the
omelet station as long as I have been going there which must be 7-8 years now.
The other great thing about this brunch is that it runs from 7:30 am – 1pm (not
like many brunches that don’t begin until 11am) - great for skiers and families
who don’t like to wait. While you are enjoying the brunch don’t forget to try one
of their awesome Bloody Mary’s – it is worth it just for the garnishes….we’re not
talking about a stalk of celery – here you will get Pepperoccini, lime, lemon,
and olive AND celery! One other really good thing about this brunch is the
price- ($6.95 per person) a family can get in and out without giving away their
youngest child to pay for the meal.
Another great restaurant in my favorite Northern New Hampshire town is the
Thompson House Eatery (www.thompsonhouseeatery.com). Yankee Magazine
gave it their “2004 Editors Pick” and I give it mine as well. I once sent some
vegetarian friends there and they came back reporting: “The best vegetarian
meal we’ve ever had.” The Thompson House is in an old building that is just so
charming in New England (especially if you don’t have to live in it.) The menu
offers a variety of foods with hints of tastes from around the world. “Luscious
Lamb” is lamb served with a Mediterranean pesto, Kansas City Sirloin, “The
Breast of Dundee” is roasted chicken breast glazed with Jackson N.H.’s own
maple syrup and served with herbed sausage and cornbread stuffing, Tofu with
an Asian slaw and Thais spiced peanut sauce, and “T.H.E. Outer Banks” -
seafood galore –shrimp, scallops, salmon, and mussels. All meals are served
with a salad of mixed greens and garnishes. The garnishes – roasted nuts and
dried fruits are served in old muffin tins. Don’t miss this restaurant if you
happen to be in Jackson.
About the author
Jenny Wojenski, a freelance writer, is owner of Hors D’Oeuvres Unlimited, a
catering service based in Keene, New Hampshire. To contact her, drop her a
line at jwojenski@ne.rr.com
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