2729 White Mountain Highway, 603-356-5551, www.geta haton.com.
Named after a snowboard move, Frontside Grind is a compact coffee nook in the Eastern Slope Inn. Bump into locals like dentist Steve Blum who skis first and follows up with a humus and avocado wrap. "After you ski, or hike up Mount Kearsarge, where else can you find a coffee shop so convenient to the wilderness," he says, sipping a maple cappuccino. There's big taste in gingerbread and pumpkin pie-flavored lattes. The Indy (Ghiradelli hot chocolate and espresso shot) is an ideal winter pick-me-up.
2760 White Mountain Highway, 603-356-3603, Drinks from $1.25, sandwiches from $5.75, bagels from $1.75.
Maestro's Cafe and Deli is an intimate treasure found in a village alleyway off Main Street. The dark, snug bar area is an amiable spot for a robust chianti or a triple sec-laced, Prosecco martini. Owner/chef Bill Bennett's northern Italian fare features staples like eggplant rolled with ricotta and spinach, and a garlic-hinted special calamari fra diavlo. The bistro is moving next month and doubling its seating in a new "restaurant alley" location on Route 16 north of the village. "It'll still be Maestro's," says Bennett.
6 Reporter Court, 603-356-8790. Lunch $5.75-$13.75; dinner $11.75-$22.75.
Horsefeathers got a facelift. The village icon deep-sixed its second-floor Upbar and renovated it with open space and pop art. Dubbed Windows on Main Street, the enlarged bar and tables overlook the lights of Schouler Park. Slip into the leather couches by the fireplace. The sidecar martinis are generous, and the rum and heated apple cider Captain in a Cup is refreshing. The curried crab and asparagus bisque has been on the menu for a generation.
2679 White Mountain Highway, 603-356-2687, www.horse feathers.com. Soups from $4.99. Alcoholic beverages from $3.
