Next Saturday, Nashua’s 16th Annual Winter Holiday Stroll will be taking over Main Street from 5 to 10 p.m. Organized by the Great American Downtown, this event serves as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization, and is the biggest dining and shopping event of the year for downtown businesses. As always, there will be a raffle, where people can win tickets to Chunky’s, gift certificates to downtown restaurants and shops, and skiing/snowboarding packages, to name a few. New this year, however, is that the beer garden will be located on High St., and all ages are welcome (although 21-year-olds will be given wristbands). In regards to the food, “regular” food vendors will be next to Sovereign Bank or next to Saffron Bistro - however, 12 downtown restaurants have also signed on to serve their fare right outside their own eateries. Attendees can taste creations from the likes of Fody’s Tavern, Unum’s, Stella Blu, and San Francisco Kitchen, to name a few. For a full list of participating restaurants and Winter Stroll activities, click here. GAD picked the right year/economic climate to get local restaurants involved. Who plans to attend this year’s Stroll, and which restaurant’s food are you most excited to try?

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.

On Wednesday, I had the privilege of judging Nashua Crossings’ version of Iron Chef. The event not only allowed me to eat and critique six different dishes made with the “secret ingredient,” but it also allowed Benchmark Assisted Living’s top chefs to compete in order to raise money for a good cause: the One Company Fund. One Company is a “hardship fund” with the goal of supporting their associates that find themselves in a position of need resulting from circumstances that are out of their control. The evening involved two teams of chefs: the green team and the blue team. Competing chefs included Joe Gerber, Food Service Director of Nashua Crossing (green team), as well as Guy Hemond, Vice President of Dining Services for Benchmark. The secret ingredient of the evening was shrimp, and both teams brought their creativity and culinary skills to the challenge in an inspiring way. The teams each had to make three courses with the crustacean, and it’s amazing what they came up with. As a judge, I had to critique each dish on presentation, creativity, taste and organization on a scale of one through five, five being the best. I have to say, the judging was fairly easy - everything was delicious. From spicy shrimp with cheesy grits to shrimp paired with cranberry risotto and gouda, the chefs created a menu that was extremely diverse, innovative, and downright tasty. The best part, besides raising over $1,000 for the One Company Fund? The patients of Nashua Crossing seemed to be having a fun night out - a night I doubt they will ever forget.

Last week, I ate my way through my cousin’s wedding at several locations in Nashua. My cousin, Catherine, is originally from Georgetown, Mass. but decided to get hitched in our city after seeing Sky Meadow Country Club, where the ceremony and reception were held. Since there’s a shuttle that runs from Sky Meadow to the Crowne Plaza, many guests spent the weekend at the hotel, and we also had the rehearsal dinner there the night before the wedding. As a bridesmaid, I also joined the bride and bridal party at Aidan James Salon to get my hair done. The salon’s next door neighbor, The Seedling Cafe, provided us with a spread of goodies, including fresh fruit, organic plain yogurt, crunchy granola, and an array of baked goods. I’ve had much better food from Seedling, but the mimosas and high from the hairspray helped me choke down the morning meal. The rehearsal dinner at the Crowne was more impressive, however: cheesy lasagna, juicy chicken parmesan, garlicy zucchini, Caesar salad, and herb-tastic breadsticks were just a few of the hotel’s offerings, and each item stayed piping hot, despite the buffet-style serving. There was even an impressive dessert spread of delicate sweets like chocolate ricotta-filled cannolis and mini eclairs stuffed with creamy mocha cream.

At the wedding, I ate like it was Thanksgiving. The appetizers served at Sky Meadow were surprisingly divine, like the traditional bacon-wrapped scallops and the decadent coconut chicken strips. For dinner, my cousin and her new husband had us start with cream of broccoli soup, which was extremely flavorful, followed by just-a-filler salad. For the meal, I requested the chicken dish, which would have been delicious if I was starving. Not being a huge fan of heavy, fried foods, the chicken was just that: fried, and filled with artificial looking (and tasting) cheese and ham, with more successful steamed veggies and buttery mashed potatoes on the side.

Overall, Sky Meadow’s staff helped make my cousin’s wedding the perfect celebration, and I left full of food and happiness for my cousin, who couldn’t have married a better man.

Need to take a step back? Sal’s Pizza is taking us back in time this Saturday by cutting down the cost of their pies. To celebrate 20 years of business, Sal’s is selling their 19 inch cheese pizzas (that currently cost $9.99) for $5.55, the price of their pies when the eatery first opened. If you’ve ever noshed at Sal’s, you know how large their slices are - one slice is the equivalent to two or three “normal sized” pieces - so $5.55 is one deal this recession needs. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from Saturday’s festivities are donated to United Way. 30 local eateries are offering the discount (including Nashua, Merrimack, and Milford), but only a select few are hosting day-long activities such as face painting and children’s games. Some of those locations include Salem, Derry, Concord, and Chelmsford, Mass. For a full list of participating Sal’s, click here.

I’m Irish, therefore I’m extra critical of Irish pubs and the authentic meals they prepare. In this area, Peddler’s Daughter has always done it right. They not only know how to pour a Guinness, but their Irish Curry Stew, Shepard’s Pie, and Fish & Chips have always been cooked to St. Patrick-perfection. The other night, I met a good friend of mine from college at Peddler’s for a few Shipyard pumpkin brews and food, and I decided to stray from the Irish fare and go for an old-fashioned American sandwich: the Grilled Chicken Panini. Pressed between a fresh baguette was a thick slab of moist chicken, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, and basil mayo. Without the dressed up mayonnaise, this sandwich could have easily been B-O-R-I-N-G, but the extra flavor from the basil made it something special. On the side, I had a generous portion of Peddler’s thick-cut French fries, which were well salted and came with homemade ketchup. My only gripe: the ketchup had the consistency of salsa versus smooth and creamy catsup. The chunky condiment also made it hard to dip the fries into it successfully. The meal overall was good and worth ordering again, but when at Peddler’s, I’m sticking to the Irish food next time.

I may be behind the foodie times - is it possible? - but I just got wind that Sopranos Pizzeria on Main Street (owned by the same masterminds behind The Pizza Man in Merrimack) has a few new specialty pizzas on their menu. Now again, this might not be breaking news for everybody, but it is for me, and trust me when I say I’m excited. The three new entries on the popular pizza joint’s menu are: chicken bacon ranch, chicken broccoli alfredo, and potato bacon. In other words, heart attacks on crust, but it’s pizza - why try and make it healthy when, sometimes, it should just be bad for you? The chicken bacon ranch, for instance, substitutes sauce for ranch dressing, and is then topped with crispy chicken cutlets, bacon, and mountains of cheese. You can even order the pie buffalo or barbeque style. The potato bacon ranch just sounds like carbohydrate heaven, and includes both sauce and ranch dressing. I might be getting heartburn just thinking about it, but these pies I’ve got to try.

Anyone tried a slice of one of Sopranos’ new creations yet?

If you’re a hippie and/or like disco music, get ready to celebrate: The City Room Cafe on W. Pearl Street will be holding a “Seventies Saturday” party tomorrow from 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cafe will be featuring a 70’s style menu with some old favorites from the flower power decade. Come dressed in your best retro gear, too, because the customer with the best outfit wins a $50 gift certificate toward a future visit to The City Room. Customers can even participate in 70’s trivia while enjoying music from the decade. If the rain decides not to show up tomorrow, some customers will even be showing off their classic 70’s cars. Want to show yours too? Bring it, and receive 15% off The City Room Cafe’s menu. While you’re gettin’ your groove on, don’t forget about their food: try one of their omelettes, crepes or deli sandwiches.

If you still haven’t tried the grub at La Carreta, stop reading and go there. Seriously. No local Mexican restaurant’s food is this good. With locations in Nashua and Manchester, I brought my out-of-town cousin to the Nashua location the other night, and although the bartender pretended we didn’t exist while we waited for a table, we were fortunate enough to be seated within 10 minutes. Our smile-less waiter was at least attentive, and the food was flawless. The complimentary tortilla chips were perfectly warm and salty, and the salsa had just the right amount of spice. Of course, we got some guacamole as an appetizer because you cannot visit La Carreta and not have their guacamole. Made with big, fresh cilantro leaves and the freshest, creamiest avocados on the East Coast (I’ll bet on it), the guac was an ideal accompaniment to my original margarita on the rocks. For dinner, I ordered the veggie fajitas, which came with two warm tortillas, an army’s worth of perfectly cooked veggies, refried beans, sour cream, and more guac. I also got a side of rice, which was cooked to the ideal “fluffiness” that even the most experienced chefs try to achieve. Overall, it was a great meal, despite the OK service. Which local Mexican spot is your favorite, and why?

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.