Milford’s getting a new restaurant, and this is news worth tweeting about. The former French Bistro in M-town will soon be taken over by the Rustic Leaf, run by the previous owners of The Seedling Cafe. I received this juicy tip from a colleague who recently spoke with the Rustic Leaf owners for a project. He is under the impression that the Rustic Leaf’s menu will be similar to that of the Seedling’s. Maybe having another organic, vegetarian-friendly cafe in the area will help cut the lunch lines down in Nashua. No word yet on when the Rustic’s slated to open, but I have a feeling it’s going to be as highly anticipated as Five Guys’ opening was. Who else is excited for this new addition to the local food scene?

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.

C is for cookie, and that’s good enough for me: the 13th Annual Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie and Candy Tour is gearing up once again for the second weekend in December. Each of the 15 inns located in the White Mountains will be offering attendees cookies, candies, and other treats, while showing off their exquisite holiday decorations. Guests will also receive recipes at each stop, and the annual gingerbread contest will be in full swing, where each inn displays a homemade gingerbread sculpture. Local businesses donate the sculptures to replicate their favorite non-profit organizations, and tour goers vote for their favorite gingerbread creation at the end of the tour. I traveled along the tour last year with my mother, and the event was definitely worth the ride; just beware that GPS doesn’t like the signal up there, and the folks behind the cookie tour don’t provide you with detailed directions.

If you want to go: Each participating inn is offering two tickets (a $54 value) with their cookie tour package, including a two-night stay and breakfast for two each day.  Some inns have even added dinner to their packages. For a complete list of packages, visit http://www.countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com/holiday_cookie_tour_packages.htm.  If you’d rather purchase tickets for just the culinary adventure itself, the price is $27 per person and you can order them December 1st through 8th by calling 800-233-8309 or 603-383-9339.

In lieu of the recent Fort Hood tragedy, there’s no better time to celebrate Veteran’s Day. Amidst all the gratitude our beloved military members will be receiving that day, they still have to eat; and one such restaurant is taking the initiative. Uno’s Chicago Grill is honoring our men and women of the armed services on Wednesday by keeping their wallets and stomachs full. Uno’s Chicago Grill is giving all members of the military (active or not) a free entree or individual pizza with purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. All Uno’s asks is that you show up in uniform, with a picture of you in uniform, or with your military or veteran’s ID. So eat up, military members, and thank you for all that you’ve done/you do for us.

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.

‘Tis the season to eat pumpkin, but is anybody else getting sick of pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie, and pumpkin coffee? Don’t get me wrong, I love the fall fruit flavor, but I’ve been waiting for some innovative pumpkin-licious treats for the last 12 months now. The only seasonal juice I’m not sick of yet is pumpkin beer, but that’s a given. Amidst all of my complaining, I received an email from Parker’s Maple Barn recently, boasting their special of the month: french toast stuffed with spiced pumpkin and cream cheese. Now, I’m not sure exactly how this will be - french toast filled with pumpkin-cream-cheese-pie filling, or just toast made with pumpkin spice and stuffed with cream cheese? The mystery is half the salivating. Either way, I’m in for trying this seasonal dish.

What’s your favorite pumpkin-inspired treat?

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?

Vegetarians, beware: this post is not for you. In September, Jimmy Kimmel set the record for the world’s largest meatball, after seeing Sony Pictures’ 109 pounder in August, in honor of the upcoming film “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” Kimmel’s ball of meat weighed in at 198 pounds. But now, someone is challenging Kimmel: Nonni’s Italian Eatery, inside the Holiday Inn in Concord. Nonni’s goal is to create a 200 pound meatball on Sunday, November 1st, and is making the record-breaker an all day event with their first annual Family Day. The event will include plenty of free food, as well as a meatball eating contest, and even someone from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand for the final weigh in. Can the folks at Nonni’s do it??

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.

If you think you’re too old for Halloween (which, to me, is never true), then how about celebrating the haunted holiday with some festive wine and snacks? Vintner’s Cellar in Bedford is holding a Ghostly Fun Wine & Cheese Treat on October 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. Austrian Vintner Renate Wallem will be pairing up with Award Winning Chef Instructor Oonagh Williams for some freshly squeezed vinos paired with Halloween-themed treats.

Items like Voodoo Char with a Jack O’Lantern creamy herb cheesecake, and “Ghostly Fingers,” puff pastry fingers filled with feta cheese and herbs, are just a few of the ghoulish goods Williams will be creating. For dessert? “Spider Web Cheesecake” will be served - Lindt White Chocolate cheesecake drizzled with raspberry liqueur. Now that’s a treat!

Gluten-free eaters can also revel in this event, too: Oonagh’s son is gluten intolerant, so almost all of the items on the Halloween menu are gluten-less. Plus, the person in the best costume will be awarded a prize. How’s that for an adult Halloween party? Entrance is $47, and reservations are required ($20 down to hold your seat is required, too). Call Renate at 627-WINE for more info/to reserve your seat.