The Perfect Date Night on the New Hampshire Seacoast

The New Hampshire seacoast dining scene come a long way since 1987.

When my family first moved here, most of the restaurants were bedecked in fishing nets filled with plastic lobsters and kitschy fish decor. While there’s still plenty of that, the food scene has really blossomed in this seacoast town.

One of my favorite spots is Jumpin’ Jays Fish Cafe. In lieu of fried stuff from the sea, their menu boasts local monkfish, satisfying New England clam chowder and steamed P.E.I. mussels with scallions, jalapenos, tomatoes and ginger in an herb saffron cream.

My first meal here was with my dear dad. It was so fun to reminisce about how much this town has changed in the last 30 years (and yet in many ways, has stayed the same!).