Skis, ’shoes, supper, cinema all on the menu

March 03, 2010|Stephen Jermanok, Globe Correspondent

For many New England skiers, March is their favorite month. The days are longer; the sun is stronger; and the snow is softer. Located off Interstate 93, a little more than two hours from Boston, Lincoln, N.H., and its popular ski resort, Loon Mountain, make for the perfect getaway. Even after the sun sets, Lincoln offers a handful of après-ski lounges and good restaurants to keep the mountain crowd happy into the wee hours of the morning.

Stay

An easy stroll from the Octagon Gondola is Loon’s ski in-ski out property, the Mountain Club (90 Loon Mountain Road, www.mtnclub.com, 800-229-7829, $125-$292). The hotel features lockers for skis, affordable breakfast buffets in the morning to get you energized ($13.95 for adults, children age 11 and under free), the only slopeside spa in the state, and the requisite pool and outdoor hot tub to watch skiers fly off the jumps later in the afternoon. A two-minute drive from the slopes at Loon is the Nordic Inn (227 Main St., www.nordic-inn.com, 866-734-2164, doubles start at $238-$338, two-night minimum). The one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos with full kitchens are well-suited for families.

Dine

Start your day at Brittany’s Cafe (Route 112, www.kancmotorlodge.com/cafe.html, 603-745-4899, breakfasts $2.95-$8.95) at the Kancamagus Motor Lodge, across the street from The Common Man restaurant. They feature a variety of omelets, Belgian waffles, eggs Benedict, and blueberry pancakes. For lunch on the mountain, head to the Slopeside Deli (60 Loon Mountain Road, www.loonmtn.com/info/winter/dining.aspx, $6-$13) near the gondola for a Lincoln Express Reuben or steak and cheese sandwiches, paired with homemade chips. For a town with a year-round population of about 1,300, there are a surprising number of good dinner options. Start at the mother and son run Gypsy Cafe (117 Route 112, 603-745-4395, entrees $14.99-$22.99). The eclectic menu features Indian-style chicken samosas, Middle Eastern lamb loin dipped in the best hummus this side of Tel Aviv, Mexican fajitas, and a spicy Thai red curry duck. Wash it down with one of their strong margaritas, and you’ll understand why the place feels so festive. The Common Man (10 Pollard Road, www.thecman.com, 603-745-3463, entrees $14.99-$23.99) opened its second New Hampshire restaurant in Lincoln in 1985, converting a former family farmhouse into a warm and welcoming room that fills up quickly on weekend nights. The menu is heavy on comfort food for all ages like mac ’n’ cheese, meatloaf, New England pot roast, and tender prime rib.

During the day

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