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.

Good news, fellow foodies: Nashua’s got a few new restaurants we can try. First up: Meena’s Kitchen, at 113 West Pearl Street, which serves vegetarian-friendly Indian cuisine, and even offers a lunch buffet. Steamed dosas, chapati, and masala chai…oh my! Next door to Meena’s will be Pearl Street Pizza which is slated to open in the very near future, with plans to feature live entertainment with their pizzas, sandwiches and calzones.

Finally, the infamous, after-bar meat cart has a new retail location right on Main Street, too. The Sausage King of Nashua, Ed Canto, left his street cart behind for a permanent downtown spot, and will be open until 3 a.m. on select nights.

Anybody tried Meena’s Kitchen yet?

Manchester’s got another new restaurant, but this time, it’s a pizzeria. North Side Pizzeria is now open at 108 Webster Street, and this joint is not offering any fancy “extras.” Thankfully. No, you won’t see American chop suey or shepherd’s pie on this menu - North Side simply offers pizza, calzones, subs (hot and cold), salads, and a few sides. Cheese and pepperoni pizza are available by the slice, and North Side has enough of a variety of toppings and specialty pies to make anyone happy. Everything from bacon to banana peppers to eggplant can be plopped on a pie, and gourmet pizzas include buffalo chicken and four cheese. Don’t feel like driving there? Free delivery is available with a $10 minimum order.

Manchester’s got another new Mexican restaurant, but this time with a more authentic twist. Empanadas, at 168 Amory Street, is serving up traditional Mexican eats, as well as some popular Spanish fare. The eatery is take-out only, and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cultured joint is cooking up the usual fajitas, nachos and tacos, but will also be treating locals to more Spanish-inspired meals, like their empanadas (hence the name of the place), which are pastries filled with cheese, meat and/or veggies). Pasteles, stuffed meat pastries wrapped in masa (made of green bananas, plantains, and yautia root), also grace the menu. Not authentic enough for you? Empanadas also serves paella on Fridays, and even has dessert empanadas, like the Cherry-filled and the Cinnamon Apple Tart Empanada. For your convenience, visit their website to place your order.

I finally tried Cassidy’s Grille and Bar (which, as mentioned in an earlier post, is the new eatery that took the place of J Beaner’s in Amherst), and I must say: I was pleasantly surprised. All of your welcomed reviews sent me there with low hopes, but I left with a happy stomach. I went for breakfast, and opted for the Garden Vegetable Wrap made with fresh eggs, portobello mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes (there might have even been peppers on it…I inhaled the thing), with a side of well-seasoned breakfast potatoes, that were still good even though they lacked the crispy fried outer coating. At first glance, the wrap looked like it could have been gone in two bites, but was chocked full of so many heart-healthy ingredients, I almost didn’t even finish it (but somehow managed to). My waitress was friendly, though lacked the ability to smile, and I could have sworn the guy who owned J Beaner’s was behind the counter…am I alone in this? Is Cassidy’s owned by the same guy? Regardless…the food was good, and I heard several customers express their satisfaction to the staff. However, due to readers’ reviews, the eatery may be hit or miss. I got lucky.

Another new restaurant alert, this time in Manchester: Mint Bistro, offering upscale fusion fare to the city. The globally-inspired eatery opened its doors on June 8th, with a grand opening celebration on the 12th. Reasons to go: rumor has it the Bistro offers a full bar with an extensive boutique wine list, sushi and tapas; the herbs used in each dish are apparently hand-picked; and all entrees are seasonal and fresh. Brunch is also offered Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (bring dad there this weekend), and the restaurant’s open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. Have no plans Friday night? Mint also has entertainment every T.G.I.F., this week being Boston’s DJ Sis Chong. Sounds like a chic new place to enjoy a trendy meal, good wine, and live music.

In an older post, we said a sad goodbye to J Beaner’s Cafe in Amherst. In today’s post, I am delivering the exciting news regarding a new eatery that will replace the former J Beaner’s. The sign out front of the temporarily abandoned building says that Cassidy’s Food and Coffee House will be taking over in the near future. My research came up with nothing, but the sign promises passersby that Cassidy’s food will be good (just not in so many words). Let’s hope Cassidy’s still has the free Wi-Fi, and brings back gelato to the Amherst area. I’m excited to try it. Who’s with me?

There are a few new restaurants sprouting up in the area, defying these “bad economy” rumors…or at least we hope. First up: Estabrook Grill at 57 Palm Street in Nashua. The upscale-looking establishment is attached to a new senior housing center, and even boasts a nice large patio for outside seating in a bistro-style setting. Excited to give their menu a whirl, I tried going to the eatery last weekend, as a recent ad of theirs in The Telegraph said they were open 7 days a week. Unfortunately, not on this day, right smack in the middle of dinner time.

Another new eatery is down the road in Litchfield, called Woodman’s Famous Seafood, with an original location in Essex, Mass. (Since 1914!) The crustacean-infested eatery is right at Mel’s Funway Park off Route 3A, and has been named “Best Seafood in America” by Forbes FYI, among others.

Any local foodies out there who have tried these new restaurants? Thumbs up or down?

Pizza and sub shops can all start tasting the same after a while, so it’s always nice when a new, family-run establishment opens up in the neighborhood. Giovanni’s is a family-owned pizza/Italian eatery that’s been in business for 15 years, but opened a new location recently on Broad Street (as well as at 209 West River Road in Hooksett). The pizzeria has older locations in Londonderry, Salem and Manchester, and prides themselves in serving “fast-n-fresh family Italian.” So when I found myself hungry and on the road at lunch time this week, I eagerly pulled in to Giovanni’s on Broad and ordered one of my lunch time favorites: a small turkey sub with cheese, mayo, pickles and tomatoes. Giovanni’s version was on an insanely fresh sub roll, and the tomatoes and pickles were diced, causing the veggies to stumble out of the roll and leave the smokey, also fresh turkey behind. Not a downfall here, though - I am a firm believer that some of the best-tasting food is good because it’s messy. I suggest to ask them to go light on the veggies, though, if you don’t want a salad in your sub (which I tend to enjoy). Food aside, the employees behind the counter were working together so harmoniously, and efficiently, that I was reminded what it takes a restaurant to succeed: its team. When I go back to Giovanni’s, I plan to try some of their signature dishes, like the Chicken Kabob sub and the Greek Fiesta Pizza, with meat, onion, spinach, feta cheese and alfredo sauce.

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.