Hiking and Tapas Date Night at Tavern 27

Dave and I decided to head to NH for a little getaway. We usually like to try to do something active on the weekend and this time it was take 2 of Red Hill hiking. We had a hiking fail this summer where we ended up just leaving and abandoning the idea of hiking so we wanted our revenge!

I always forget how tough hiking until I am out of breath within 10 minutes! Next summer Dave and I need to do this more often so I can get into better shape. I might have to invest in a pair of trail shoes because my regular running sneakers weren’t the best for traction. Dave probably heard “Whoops!” every couple minutes as I tried to regain balance. When we made it to the top we enjoyed the view from the tower up there, refueled with some Swedish Fish and drank some water. It was beautiful!

After our hike, I fell asleep on the couch and Dave woke me up to tell me he was going for a run. I jumped up and said I wanted to too! I got in a 2 mile jog with no pain! I did some yoga and foam rolling as soon as I got back to make sure my muscles didn’t tighten up.  I have a big workout week ahead of me and want to make sure my body is ready.

Once we showered and got dressed we headed to a fancy dinner at Tavern 27.  Dave and I went to this restaurant maybe a year ago and couldn’t wait to go back.  One thing we love about the restaurant is that the owner is very enthusiastic and passionate.  He meets every guest to explain the concept of tapas and he checks in periodically to make sure they are enjoying their experience.    He warns that all the dishes are made to order in their small kitchen. If you are in a hurry you may not want to eat here because it can take a while depending on what the chef is making first. But if you have time for a leisurely dinner, this is definitely a great place to stop in at.  I find a personal touch with the client can really make a difference in my experience of a restaurant.

I always just thought of tapas as small delicious dishes that allow you to taste the different flavors but I never thought of how this concept came about.  The Tavern 27 website says the origin of tapas is the following:

Legend has it that tapas originated when King Alfonzo of Castille Spain visited a tavern in the windy coastal region of Spain. The bartender, knowing that the King had just recovered from an illness caused by a bug, thoughtfully covered the King’s glass of sherry with a piece of ham so that no bugs would get into it. The King, thinking it was a novel idea, continued to order his glass with the top (tapas) and decreed that all drinks in Castille be served in this manner. The Castille region expanded and the tapas tradition grew and has now landed in Laconia.

Now it all make sense why the place setting has your tapas plate on top of the water glass!

Tavern 27 starts you with Pi Water and a complementary tapa-this time it was sweet potato chips and bean dip. Dave and I love sweet potatoes and chips so this was a tasty combo.

We indulged-I got the caramel apple martini and Dave got a beer from a local brewery. We ordered so many delicious dishes…seared scallops, spicy pork with candied fennel jam, pizza with organic figs, spinach, fresh mozzarella, bleu cheese and drizzled with honey, the wicked hot combo (fancy jalapeño poppers), and crab cakes.  I can’t really pin down which was my favorite dish because I would get them all again!

Now that a new week is starting, it’s time to get back on the healthy eating track!  I have to be a good little Healthworks Workplace Warrior!

Do you like hiking?

Dave and I haven’t really done a ton of hiking.

Do you like tapas?

Dave used to be a little weary of tapas because he wasn’t sure if they would be filling.  I’m so glad he came to the realization that tapas are amazing!

Have you ever had a really good experience at a restaurant?  A really bad experience?  

I have had some pretty bad experiences-mostly related to lack of attention by the server.  I get frustrated too when it seems like they aren’t paying attention to me because I’m younger and they think I’m not going to tip well!