Lucky for us, we still have a few weeks to try the new summer menu at Surf. Downtown Nashua’s seafood attraction (owned by the same masterminds that run Michael Timothy’s and Buckley’s Great Steaks in Merrimack) is offering a few, limited-time only treats for the summer season. Caramelized sea scallops and cispy bacon, made with sweet and sour mushrooms, seaweed salad, soy gastrique and blood orange puree grace the appetizer menu, along with the tuna tartare mojito, with mint avocado salad, rum foam and blue corn chips. Not fancy enough for you? Take a peak at the seasonal entrees, like the grilled shrimp and potatoes with cocktail tomatoes, coriander leaves, truffle aioli and basil oil, as well as the pretzel-wrapped salmon with orange-balsamic tossed apples and greens with whole grain mustard sauce. Phew! Fancy, fresh fare right at our fingertips…but not for long.

Many of you may not have even heard of Out of the Woods Cafe in Merrimack before, but the wilderness-loving coffee house is tucked away in the Commons Shopping Plaza (right next to London Court). The cafe has a gift shop a few doors down, which was opened before inspiring Jim and Dianne Flowers, the owners, to open the cafe. The cafe is most known for their wide variety of K-Cups (over 200, to be exact), and for those not in the know, K-Cups are single-cup coffee makers that work in Keurig coffee machines. With flavors such as Mocha Nut Fudge, the bold Lake & Lodge, and Caramel Vanilla Cream, Out of the Woods offers customers a slew of brand name coffee goodness, and the K-Cups can even be ordered online through the cafe. However, Out of the Woods is expanding their normal coffee house menu to include carnival-type fare such as hot dogs, fried dough, ice cream and root beer floats. Not sure how these items tie into their overall theme, but during the summer, at least, having another option for a quick, inexpensive lunch is always a plus.

If you haven’t yet dined at Stella Blu, you are missing out on some of the tastiest food downtown Nashua has to offer; and that is an understatement. Luckily for Stella fans and wannabes, the tapas bar is extending their hours. Starting Saturday, July 11th, Stella Blu will be open on Saturdays for both lunch and dinner, and although they are now closed for dinner on Sundays for the summer, the restaurant is launching a tapas brunch to take place on Sundays, starting July 12th. The brunch menu is still TBA, but the restaurant promises to post it on their website before the launch date. This is a busy long weekend for the culinary gem, as they are holding an Artist in Show event on July 9th, featuring Laura Keith Woerner of Harrisville, N.H. Not many things in life taste better than a pitcher of sangria while enjoying some local art. Throwing some global tapas in there doesn’t hurt either.

Margarita’s may not serve true, authentic Mexican fare, but their food is nonetheless delicious. Lucky for Marg fans like myself, the local chain has a new Fiesta Zone Menu, served in the bar from 4-6 p.m. and then again after 9 p.m. for a limited time. The Market Burger smothered in chipotle mayo, lettuce and pickled jalapenos is just one item to grace the menu at the tiny price of $5.99, as well as the Island Baby Chimis for $4.99, which are packed with shrimp, pineapple salsa and cream cheese. Sounds like summer deep fried and coated in Mexican flavors - I like it. Oh, and who needs the drive-thru anymore when you can get their new Street Tacos for 99 cents each, with your choice of chicken, pork, ground beef or steak? Wash it all down with one of their new margarita flavors, like the Icy Spicy Margarita, made with habenero and chipotle flavors. Only catch: you have to be 21 or older (or accompanied by an adult) if you want to enjoy these specials, and you must dine-in.

Yet again, the recession works in us foodies’ favors. Saffron Bistro, another upscale spot in downtown Nashua, is now offering a less expensive bar menu from 4 p.m. to close. With items like the Black Angus Burger served with fries to the Lobster Mac & Cheese to the Baked Stuffed Top Neck Clams, prices range from a mere $5 to $16. The bar & lounge area is open Tuesday through Saturday, and this new, more approachable menu is a great way to enjoy one of the most under-mentioned (in my opinion) downtown restaurants. As for the how the bar food tastes…that’s up to your trusted taste buds. Has anyone given it a go yet?

Eden’s Restaurant & Lounge in Salzburg Square is one upscale, hidden eatery in Amherst that just became more approachable. Personally, I would have kept going back despite Eden’s recent changes, but the restaurant has decided to lower the prices on their menu to better accommodate their customers’ wallets. Not only is the classy establishment giving 1/2 off appetizers Monday through Wednesday, they also now offer any of their dinner entrees in appetizer size (which thus, costs less money). This is all in addition to, of course, changing the dinner prices, too. Salmon for $10; baked brie for $9; and duck for $16? Yes, please. Did I mention Eden’s even has a new dessert menu, including their family recipe for apple crisp pie? New catering and event menu to come, too. Phew.

Side note: While you’re there, try one of Eden’s generous (in size and vodka) martinis.

Has anyone else noticed that in this rough economy local businesses have chosen to support each other, versus compete? Says a lot for the neighborhood business owners, doesn’t it? One recent example is The Black Forest Cafe, who has teamed up with LaBelle Winery (both in Amherst). LaBelle Winery prides themselves on using locally-grown New Hampshire fruits to make their wine, and The Black Forest is also known for using natural ingredients in their food. Last Saturday, the cafe hosted a wine tasting with LaBelle Winery owner Amy, and from now until June 13th the cafe will be featuring three LaBelle wines in the dining room at lunch, brunch and dinner, including LaBelle’s Seyval Blanc, Cranberry and Blueberry wines. The wines will be offered by the bottle, the glass, and even a new 2 oz. “try me” size. Being a self-proclaimed wine-o myself, and a fairly healthy eater, this is one pairing I plan to try. Who’s with me?

The proof is in the veggies: The Hippo named them Best Vegetarian Menu and Best Salads for 2009, and New Hampshire Magazine gave them Best Wraps. The Seedling Cafe, tucked away behind Main Street, is showing off their newly expanded dining room…and menu. The Cafe, which is known for their vegetarian-friendly lunch items, now has a breakfast menu for the lacto-ovos and omnivores alike. The new menu boasts new wraps like The Allie, which is stuffed with scrambled eggs, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, cheddar cheese, organic baby spinach, all grilled on a wheat wrap. Each wrap can even be made into a scramble, or gluten-free wraps are available, and each is served with a fruit salad. Daily specials are also included in the new menu, like the Belgian Waffle of the Day topped with fresh fruit compote and N.H.-made maple syrup, as well as Quiche of the Day made with seasonal, local and organic ingredients. Perfect timing, as the farmer’s markets are starting to open up around the state. What are some other restaurants the local vegetarians like to eat at?

Bread Bowl Pasta

Some local chain restaurants are offering new menu items, and some sound a lot better than others. Let’s start with the yummy-sounding treats: Dairy Queen, with various locations including Nashua and Hudson, is showing off their new Nut & Fudge Waffle Bowl sundae for the upcoming summer season. Made with DQ’s rich and creamy vanilla soft serve ice cream, smothered in peanut butter, hot fudge and peanuts, this sundae is served in a homemade, chocolate-dipped waffle bowl; for under $4. Another local ice cream shoppe, Coldstone Creamery, is now offering iced and blended coffee drinks for a limited time only, starting at the tiny price of $1.99. Raspberry Truffle Mocha Latte, Sweet Cream Latte, and Milk Caramel Latte are the chilled flavors offered, and are also available “light” with 1/3 fewer calories. While picking up a latte, I also recommend trying one of their new ice cream cupcakes. The final, and most unfortunate, new menu item at a chain is the Bread Bowl Pasta at Domino’s. Starting at $5.99, these entrees look like a carb-lover’s dream, but also express everything that is wrong with “fast food.” Not only do the advertisements show that Domino’s could care less about an actual serving size of pasta, but the size of the thick pizza crust it lies in seems just downright wrong. Anyone who’s tasted these new carb-a-holic meals and liked them…please prove me wrong.

Although Express Cafe at 182 Main Street has been open for a few months now, the light breakfast and lunch spot (next to Fresh) will be holding a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting on Wednesday at 10 a.m. The ceremony is put on by Great American Downtown, and Mayor Lozeau will make a welcoming address before the ribbon cutting at 10. The cafe will also be providing sample items for attendees to try - just looking over their menu, I’m hoping the Falafel Wrap, Turkey Bruschetta Panini and Mochaberry coffee are included in the tasting. Word on the street is Express Cafe even uses locally roasted coffee, gluten-free meats and the freshest produce they can find. Just by supporting local businesses, they can count on my attendance Wednesday morning.