It was very exciting around here last weekend. My nephew’s high school basketball team won the regional championship for their division on Saturday afternoon. The first quarter started off as a nail biter, with his team down 12-0. Then they got their feet underneath them in the second quarter. And when they did, boy did they ever. We were all so proud of the hard work that got them to that final game, and then to see them win the championship was over the top exciting. (Proud auntie here.)
After the game, we all went out to Portland Pie in downtown Manchester, NH to celebrate the victory. The building formerly housed the famous Merrimack Restaurant, where “every four years, the red vinyl booths of the Merrimack Restaurant served as the backdrop for aspiring presidential candidates as they mingled with the people of New Hampshire.” –Boston Globe
Portland Pie Company started in 1997 in Portland, Maine. Now with seven locations, “Portland Pie Company offers premium gourmet pizzas, appetizers, salads, pastas, and sandwiches along with a full bar to its customers. Portland Pie set deep roots in Maine for the first 15 years, establishing locations in Portland, Scarborough, and Westbrook, Maine, and has expanded the restaurants to different states including Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire as well as Reading, Massachusetts.” – Portland Pie Company
If you’ve never been to a Portland Pie Pizzeria and Pub, I highly recommend it. We had excellent pizza and service in an unhurried, family friendly atmosphere.
The dining room was cozy, comfortable. Brick walls, tin ceilings and mood lighting added to the ambience. The excellent staff took care of our every need. The manager was friendly, checked in on us.
So many colorful, local specialty pies to choose from!
Almost all cheerful faces around the table ready to dig in. Almost.
You’re checking out the Monhegan: “no red sauce, a layer of American cheese, Montreal seasoned sirloin steak, mushrooms, onions and green peppers sautéed with fresh garlic, all woven in a three cheese blend.”
Thank goodness for double-tiered pizza stands! We’d never have fit those five pizzas on the table otherwise. Pictured above are the Moosehead (top) and Pawtuckaway pizzas.
Portland Pie specializes in flavored crusts. Following are the choices listed from the Portland Pie Company menu:
BASIL: Made with Sweet Egyptian Basil, slightly sweet and the perfect compliment to our uniquely seasoned pizza sauce.
WHEAT: Not just the healthy choice, made with our custom mix of white and wheat flours with a hint of honey.
GARLIC: Dense and flavorful, made with fresh chopped garlic, gives your favorite pie a little kick.
BEER: Made with Shipyard’s famous Export Ale, aromatic and perfectly aerated, with the slight twang of a good sourdough.
A delicious slice of Moosehead pizza: “red sauce, sweet italian sausage, pepperoni, red onions, green peppers and fresh mushrooms, woven in our three cheese blend” on a beer crust. Scrumptious.
Hope you’ll have opportunity to experience Portland Pie Company one day soon, you won’t be disappointed. Quote of the night, overheard at our table: “There’s no other restaurant in this state I’d rather be at than Portland Pie Company.” (The Merrimack Restaurant may be history, but there’s an endorsement for you.)
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Amie says
These sound and look so good! Now if they only had delivery……
Sharie says
It’s our favorite pizza place!! Nor’Eastern is our boys’ top pick: franks sauce drenched chicken, blue cheese dressing, covered with cheese- served with celery on the side 🙂 Nate and I look forward to their ever changing creative seasonal pizzas!! Yum!!!
Julie says
This post inspired my husband. I see a “night off” from cooking dinner in my future! Thank you!!
Rebekah says
yum, we loved eating at Portland Pie when we lived in NH! After seeing these pictures I think I’ll have to add it to the list of “must-dos” next time we visit. 🙂
Linda says
Love this post! Wish I could have been at that game and the Portland Pie celebration later. I haven’t been to any of CFR’s games but I have been to Portland Pie Co! 🙂
Dona says
Looks delicious! Makes me want to come visit. That and all those people around the table!
Carolyn V says
Allie, now you’ve done it! My mouth is watering & HOW am I going to get a piece of Portland Pie here in Chicago?
Love their pizza – have been there a few times when visiting the NH family.
Carolyn
Tracy says
Congrats to your nephew! I have been there and also really enjoyed it. Cam’s favorite is the General Tso’s inspired from the famous chinese dish. Very creative! Yum!
Daniella says
Funny enough…we were there too last week-end!
Aunt pinkie says
So proud of Clarke’s victorious team -and what a neat place is the Portland Pie Co! Wish they had one around here! Thanks for the wonderful mouthwatering descriptions!!!
Linda Jenkins says
I love this restaurant. The pizza is absolutely delicious, and the wait staff is very helpful. Everything I’ve tasted has been absolutely scrumptious. Check it out; you won’t be disappointed.
Jon says
The beer crust on the Pawtuckaway was amazing. The best I’ve ever had. Well, except for the one on my wife’s homemade pizza. Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. I was asking for leftovers from the kids across the table, but they weren’t offering.
Great food, great atmosphere!
Susie says
Oh my goodness…this looks SO yummy. Seeing all those sweet faces around the table was even better!
Jen says
Love those family pictures and your amazing descriptions of fare and ambience! Wish we were close enough to check it out!
Scott Hartford@Portland Pie says
So glad you enjoyed your visit to Portland Pie in Manchester. If you can’t make it in, we do deliver fresh hot pizza right to your door.
[email protected] says
Proud Auntie here too!!! Want Kate’s hair in that picture. 🙂 Where is CFR in the pics? I like Portland Pie alot, but I must confess I’m a smidge more partial to my Chicago pizza. hehe.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Allie, I’m a New England girl as well. I have family in Maine and we frequent Portland Pie when I visit. They sell the dough at Hannaford in Maine and I always bring home a few balls of it. The barbecue chicken pizza at Portland Pie is delicious!