Tring to decide on a special restaurant for a special birthday - want it to be quiet, relaxing and light filled. It is for lunch.

If anyone has been to any of these or has suggestions for anywhere else that would be suitable I would love to hear your opinions. Anywhere in southern N.H., southern Maine.
Thanks

Can't comment on those restaurants but the restaurant at the York Harbor Inn in York Harbor, ME is lovely - fits your criteria. Also the Black Cow in Newburyport Mass is very nice and on the Merrimac River - don't know if its in the geographic region you want but its just over the NH border.

This person wants a quiet, relaxing birthday lunch spot. The Black Cow is very noisy-as is the one in Hamilton. The food is ok but nothing to write home about.

Baldwins is fairly quiet at lunch (but noisy at night), but is dark and contemporary.
Cotton is always hopping and the sound reverberates.
The BVI would fit your atmosphere most, but the food is not as innovative. Ask for a table on the "porch" (enclosed).
A new adorable but cramped restaurant is Picola on Elm St: THE most delicious Italian. Also nice for lunch is Richard's Bistro, but again, darker and noisy business crowd at lunch.
In Newburyport, I recommend Nastursiums.

Thanks - Bennie: the Cow I have been to in both locations but is not really what I am looking for this time. Hometown: I saw "the porch" on BVI website which is the atmosphere we are after. I hear the chef left BVI and opened Baldwins. I hope the food at BVI is better than average. Thanks for the input.

Hi,
Haven't been to BVI in a couple years so can't comment on current luncheons/chefs. But the atmosphere is lovely.
Baldwins is a great place, but very dark and narrow. I think dinner there is nicer than lunch.

If you're interested in something a little unusual, Pickety Place, on Nutting Hill Road in Mason, NH, is a charming and interesting place. They are only open for lunch, and I believe they have two seatings per day - it is a small place, so reservations are necessary. The food is good, and they specialize in using fresh herbs and produce of the season from their on-site gardens. I ate there once about four years ago, and enjoyed it very much. I don't believe they serve wine or beer, if that matters to you. It's in a lovely, wooded setting, and is in a quaint old house that was used as the model for the illustrations of the Little Golden Books edition of "Little Red Riding Hood". They have a room set up like Grandmother's bedroom, with the wolf dressed in Granny's clothes lying in bed. I think you can walk through the gardens if the weather's nice. There's also a barn with a gift shop where you can buy their herbs, teas, craft items, etc. The location is a little remote, but it's a pretty area and makes a nice drive to get there.

Judi, I've tried all the NH restaurants mentioned here, and I personally would choose Baldwins on Elm for a quiet special occasion. All are good, but I'd put Baldwin's first and, based on a dinner last week, Picolo's last (unfortunately).

If Hancock is not too far, we had a wonderful dinner at the Hancock Inn in November- new owners and a new chef but they are still making their traditional cranberry pot roast and the chef came through with a bisque that alone was worth a return trip...

Audrey: thanks so much for responding. Tomorrow is when we are going for lunch. It is my sister's 50th Birthday. Why do you suggest Baldwins over Bedford Village Inn? Is it because of the food or ambiance? Will you say a few things about the ambiance of Baldwins?

We want it to be relaxing, not stuffy or dark inside. We would be in the "porch" at Bedford.

Judi: sorry I didn't see your question until now; how was lunch?

Hi Audrey: We went to Bedford Village Inn - ate in the porch dining room. It was absolutely perfect. It was quiet, beautiful, sun filled, and the food was incredible! The desserts were artistic creations of beauty. My sister got something called " chocolate in a box" - it was a dark chocolate box on a painted plate, filled with white and chocolate mousse, strawberries and blueberries, and topped with edible sculptures. yum yum .

Thanks for everyone's help. My sister had a very special Birthday.