Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year (is anyone surprised?). Every year, I am surrounded by 20+ members of my family, stuffing our faces with homemade food, washed down with wine and Irish coffee. However, I understand that there are many families out there that aren’t this lucky - and too many people don’t have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving. This year, of all years, it is important to provide those in need with the things many of us take for granted; i.e., food on Thanksgiving. Harbor Homes on High Street relies on local residents to do just that. The company is holding their 9th annual Thanksgiving Dinner this year for individuals living in their cars, on the streets, or in shelters. However, Harbor Homes is in need of a few items in order to provide this meal. Items like pies and fruit (apples, oranges, pears) are in high demand. Harbor Homes is expecting to serve more meals this year than ever, so donating turkey, vegetables, desserts, or monetary donations in general are encouraged - they could even use some volunteers. The dinner will be held on Tuesday, November 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To donate, or for more information, call Harbor Homes at 882.3616.

I remember New York City for one thing: Chipotle Mexican Grill. The last time I was in the lit-up city, I gorged on a massive burrito that had to have weighed at least 20 lbs at this popular Mexican chain. The burrito I had, chocked full of rice, sour cream, black beans, and veggies, still haunts me in my sleep - that monstrosity was nothing but delicious. So when I found out that Chipotle is coming to Nashua, my jaw was glued to the floor. Can it be? Is this some horrible foodie rumor? No, folks - this one’s for real. The Mexican joint, at 225 D.W. Highway, will be open to the public on November 13th. The Chipotle crew is already doing their part in our neighborhood, too: on November 11th and 12th, the restaurant will be hosting Friendly Face-off Fundraisers for Nashua North and Nashua South High Schools. Nashua North’s event is on the 11th while Nashua South Schools’ will be held on the 12th, both from 5 to 8 p.m. For both events, attendees who give a $5 donation at the door will receive a gourmet burrito, tortilla chips, salad, salsa, and a drink. 100 percent of the proceeds will even be given to the high schools’ athletic programs, while the school that raises the most money will be rewarded a free burrito day at a later date. Any restaurant willing to devote two days to helping our schools gets a high grade in my book. Welcome to the neighborhood, Chipotle.

Here’s a reason to celebrate: Nashua’s downtown tapas bar is celebrating its first full year of business. Stella Blu not only has a new-and-improved website, but the popular small plates establishment is also throwing a party to commemorate a year of success. In order to toast such an occasion, Stella is holding a wine dinner on November 4th, featuring Merriam Vineyard’s vinos. This five course feast will feature dishes like Scallop Shumi, made with pureed scallops steamed in Asian wontons and dressed in fennel tarragon broth; as well as Duck Two Ways, with Chinese black tea smoked breast and confit of duck ravioli. To round out the meal, a sampling of house-made sorbets will be served. Hello, elegance - the folks at Stella know how to romance their customers on an anniversary. Tickets are $75, and include the five courses, the wines paired with them, a champagne greeting, and live music. Not bad for a night out, eh?

There’s nothing that makes me happier than good beer and quality pub grub - and I always seem to get those things at Beer Works. I use to frequent the one in Salem, Mass. before the Lowell spot opened up, but now I’m/we’re lucky enough to have one right in our backyard. Normally when I go to Beer Works I opt for the “safe” favorites: a burger, fried pickles, sweet potato fries - you know, the healthy stuff. But last week when I met a friend from my alma mater at the brew pub, I was in the mood for something a little more nutritious (despite the Fiery Fries with ranch dressing we split as an appetizer…and also besides the Pumpkinfest beer I slugged back). However, for dinner, I ordered the Malted Salmon: pan roasted, malt dusted fall-apart-with-a-fork salmon, served with cilantro mango fruit salsa, jasmine rice, and sauteed broccoli. Sounds deliciously healthy, doesn’t it? Now, I normally am a little skeptical of ordering fish at a non-seafood eatery, but this generous slab of sea life was obviously fresh, well seasoned, and perfectly crispy from the pan roasting. The salsa was also a great accompinament, although I could have done with the odd addition of red grapes. Either way, I’m not sure if I’ll stray from the burgers and fries next time I’m in L-Town, but this particular diversion was well worth saving my calories for more beer.

There are quite a few changes going on at Manchester’s smoothie shop, All Juiced Up. Owner Melissa is teaming up with her mother, owner of Heavenly Fodder, to provide juice guzzlers with more natural meal options (Heavenly Fodder’s products are free of gluten and artificial additives). Frequent buyer cards will soon be available for use at both eateries, as well as gluten-free muffins (like the low sugar cinnamon orange), and bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches made with all natural meat and cheese. Additionally, All Juiced Up has added soup to their menu to get us through this chilly weather - I suggest getting half a sandwich with a cup of soup, like AJU’s Quinoa Chickpea Panini on grilled sourdough and topped with alfalfa sprouts, tomato, red onion, and ginger lime dressing. Perfect cure for the common cold weather.

On Thursday, November 5th from 6 to 9 p.m., Kathy Berger, owner of Huephoria, will be holding a barn sale in Candia. Huephoria sells items like hand painted wine and martini glasses, and the event will also feature local businesses like Petunia’s Home Furnishings of Goffstown and Opus of Manchester. But what does this have to do with food? The Sugar Mommy will be providing guests with her homemade treats. I’ve sampled The Sugar Mommy’s food at the San Francisco Kitchen Tweet-up a few months ago, including her rich chocolate peanut butter cups and buttery, perfectly baked cookies. To save face, I refrained from eating the entire table covered in her food, but every bite was a sugar masterpiece that could have easily been coated in some addictive substance. It’s not confirmed what The Sugar Mommy will be making for Berger’s event yet, but hopefully we’ll get to sample some of her pumpkin bread, chocolate dipped apricots, or her cranberry white chocolate cookies. One can dream, right?

I know I’ve complained about Starbucks before (and probably will again), but lately, Starbucks has been kicking Dunkin’ Donuts’ butt. I’ll swing the extra buck or two any day for strong coffee and (usually) good customer service. My current love for Starbucks began several weeks ago when I finally discovered that you could enjoy their pumpkin iced coffee without having to order their sickly sweet pumpkin spice latte. Now, I order a venti iced coffee with a shot of pumpkin syrup. Not only is it the perfect balance of pumpkin and coffee flavors, but it’s also almost half the price of the pumpkin spice latte. Compared to Dunkins, Starbucks also has a wider variety of breakfast options, and now that I’m having to grab breakfast on the go several days a week, I don’t want to have to choose between just a bagel, a muffin, or a doughnut. Starbucks has breakfast wraps, yogurt with granola, fruit cups, and not-so-waist-friendly baked goods, like banana bread and coffee cake. For the fall season, to accompany their pumpkin coffee, Starbucks is even offering items like pumpkin scones and pumpkin cream cheese muffins. If Starbucks keeps this up, America could be running on their coffee before we know it. Plus, the baristas at Starbucks listen; they haven’t messed up my coffee order once yet.

Which do you prefer - Starbucks or Dunkins?

Just when I thought The Black Forest Cafe’s food couldn’t taste any better, they go ahead and start serving certain sweets at a discounted price. Two mini white chocolate chip dried ranier cherry oatmeal cookies for $1 anyone? Every 14 days, the cafe will be offering a different kind of cookie with a smaller price tag than usual. According to chef Bruce Walters, starting these “Cookie Jar Specials” not only gives their customers a chance to save some cash, but also allows the cafe to try out new recipes. The white chocolate chip dried ranier cherry oatmeal cookies are the first batch, which was kicked off on September 21st. Did I mention you can get two of the cookies for free when you try their new fall espresso drink, Caramel Apple Latte, hot or iced? To keep up-to-date on the current cookie specials, become a fan of The Black Forest on Facebook.

Just spent the last few days in Portsmouth for my older sister’s wedding, and boy, do I have some reports on the restaurants I ate at! First things first: the cheapest meal I’ve ever had was at The Page (formerly The Sports Page) at 172 Hanover Street. We went there Thursday night for my sister and her fiancee’s “Jack & Jill” bachelorette party, and I split the Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip with my brother, which came with plenty of tortilla chips and cheesy, greasy dip. Washed down with one too many $2 drafts of ANY draft beer of my choosing, we also decided to split a personal Cheese Pizza, made with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil for a mere $4, thanks to the Thursday night special. The pizza was crispy and full of fresh, Italian flavor, although the thin crust could have used less flour.

On a more expensive note, Saturday night, for the fancy wedding party meal, we ate at The Oar House right on the water at 55 Ceres Street. Mind you, we were a party of 20, so we had one waitress for each side of the table which made the experience organized and as relaxing as possible, even with two 2-year-olds in attendance. The prices were sky high, so I split the Baked Brie with peach and melon conserve and toast points ($14) with my boyfriend, and we each got a salad as our meals. I opted for the Mixed Field Greens salad ($8), which was topped with red onion, dried cherries, crumbled blue cheese and balsamic vinaigrette, while my boyfriend ordered the Beet Salad ($10), which came with only four beets, giant artichokes, chick peas, red onion, and parmesan peppercorn dressing over peppery arugula. Delicious meals, despite the price tags, and enjoyed with great company. My only heads up: I took my 2-year-old nephew to the ladies’ room for a necessary diaper change, and the bathroom lacked an also necessary changing table.

Finally, after the reception Saturday night, we all stopped at Gilley’s for a cheeseburger with pickles, mustard, chopped white onions, and ketchup. These burgs are served out of a trailer, basically, that was chocked full at midnight with bar hoppers and meat lovers alike. Well worth the 30 minute wait, as well as being able to witness the several liquor-fueled arguments that ensued in the long line.

I am still reeling from my dinner this evening at You You Japanese Bistro on Broad Street (right across from Kohl’s). This place has the best Japanese food and sushi this side of Boston, in my opinion. I’ve been dreaming about going back to You You since the last time I was there, which was months ago. Tonight, I had the vegetarian dumplings as an appetizer, which had a crunchy, egg roll-like filling wrapped in an almost overly greasy dough. Washed down with a strong and delicious glass of plum wine, I was ready for my main course: tuna and scallion maki. The sushi was fresh and full of flavor, and the wasabi was so spicy, my head was tingling - and I normally have a very high tolerance for spice. I then split a large order of warm sake with my fellow diners, while picking at the vegetarian’s vegetable tempura, and while watching my Japanese-food-skeptic friend across the table devour his steak and fried rice with chopsticks. A successful meal nonetheless, that left me full and satisfied - and dreaming of my next visit once again.