Popovers on the Square, Portsmouth, NH

Written by Crystal Ward Kent

December 01, 2006

popovers

Crossing over into New Hampshire, be sure to stop at Popovers on the Square in Market Square in downtown Portsmouth. Popovers is part of the Galley Hatch family of restaurants, headquartered in Hampton, New Hampshire. The Galley Hatch has been providing popular family fare for thirty-seven years, from the famous homemade pizzas to great seafood and steaks. The culinary aspect of this new eatery is run by the husband-and-wife chef team of Richard and Jennifer Beach.

Popovers celebrates its one-year anniversary in August. As of April, 15,000 of the restaurant’s namesake pastry had been sold and orders were still going strong. The restaurant is a European-style cafe with a friendly feel. It is a natural fit with the bustling atmosphere of Market Square and is the perfect place for lunch, a tea-time snack, or an after-theater treat.

popovers-case The most eye-catching aspects of the restaurant are the display cases, which are a dessert-lovers dream come true. Dazzling cakes, pastries, cookies, and other delectable creations catch the eye and tempt the palate. But Popovers is not just a bakery. The café is open nearly all day. Breakfast offerings include pastries, muffins, scones, cinnamon twists, breakfast paninis, fruit cups, egg sandwiches, and a breakfast pizza made with cream cheese and almond spread, dotted with cinnamon apples and cheddar cheese, and drizzled with maple syrup and candied walnuts.

Breakfast items are available until 11:00 a.m., then lunch begins. Lunch items are served until closing. Favorites include the Portobello and Mozzarella Panini, the Turkey and Applewood Bacon Panini, the Greek salad, and the Caesar salad with yellowfin tuna. There is also an abundance of homemade soups and a variety of daily specials. In addition, their classic popovers are available in some tasty but nontraditional guises. “This winter, I made a turkey pot pie popover and a lamb stew popover,” says Richard. “For summer, we will offer popovers stuffed with various salads. There are many appetizing options.”

The late-night crowd enjoys feasting on the soups and sandwiches, but patrons also rave about the “small plates,” with offerings such as feta dip for two and crab cakes. Coffee drinks with liqueurs as well as wine and beer are also available.

popovers-baked-alaska Jennifer is especially excited about the new plated desserts, which include the Beehive Baked Alaska and the Popover Ice Cream Sundae. “The Beehive Baked Alaska is made to order,” she explains. “It features chocolate ice cream with meringue, drizzled with a clear fruit sauce such as raspberry or strawberry, and topped with a candy bumblebee. The Popover Ice Cream Sundae is a popover filled with two scoops of ice cream, then topped with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, nuts, a cherry, and a caramelized banana. Both are just wonderful.”

This summer, Popovers will offer Tea for Two from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays; tea includes an assortment of tea sandwiches and pastries with tea or coffee. It is a charming way to relax on a summer afternoon at one of the outdoor tables. Wine lovers will mark their calendars for Wednesdays, when “Flight Nights” appear. These special evenings offer a flight of wines and a cheese plate.

Popovers is located in Market Square in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The café opens at 7:00 a.m. Monday through Friday, and at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closing is at 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, and at 11:00 p.m. on the weekends. Popovers is also available for catering for groups of up to fifty. For more information, call (603) 431-1119 or visit www.popoversonthesquare.com.