A New Brewery, A New Coffee Shop and More Restaurant News

We know Amherst residents don't just stay in town when they want a night out and a break from cooking. 

Below is a look at the restaurant and food stories local Patch sites have covered over the past month. Read through our round-up for the latest food news in your area.

PORTSMOUTH

It's been another busy month for restaurant news in Portsmouth.

at 99 Bow St. The new restaurant focuses on three areas – maki rolls, nigiri and sushimi – and features some fantastic views of the waterfront.

Right underneath Surf Sushi, just opened last week. The restaurant features an expansive deck that overlooks Portsmouth Harbor, with seating capacity for 330 people.

Bodhi Thai Bistro in the former Sakurabana space on Pleasant Street.

And in the former RiverRun Bookstore space on Congress Street.

is expected to open its new state street location next week.

HAMPTON

Orange Leaf is also planning to open , though the exact location has yet to be announced.

Smuttynose , and will hold an "informal groundbreaking" today. The event is by invite only since it is at an active construction site.

A ribbon cutting was held last month at restaurant in Hampton, which opened earlier this summer.

NORTH HAMPTON

In North Hampton restaurant news, the Drift Away on Aug. 1.

EXETER

In Exeter, the new is scheduled to hold its soft opening today at 155 Water St., the former Copper Canoe gallery location. It's just the latest coffee shop to come to town, and today promises to be a busy day.

In other big news, the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and the Recreation Department are teaming up for at Swasey Parkway this October as part of the annual Fall Festival. More than a dozen breweries have already signed on.

SALEM

Tuscan Kitchen owner Joe Faro that he is in the process of expanding his Main Street business to include a market, cafe, bakery and courtyard. The work probably won't get started for a few months.

Two new ice cream shops also opened in the last month. , which already had a location in Derry, opened a new store on Route 111 in North Salem. And of Methuen opened a shop on South Broadway in Salem.

WINDHAM

In Windham, the cupcake shop Shabby Chic recently received Planning Board approval to open a new location called in the Village Shoppes Plaza on Indian Rock Road. It's the second food related business to enter the plaza this year after Kumo Sushi opened there in March.

Town planners voted last month . The matter is currently in court after the zoning board denied a variance for a drive-thru window.

NASHUA

Nashua has had a lot of food-related news in the past month, too. is scheduled to open a franchise soon at 143 Main St. A second location has already opened inside the Lucky Market at 16 Chase St., in Hudson.

And held a special celebration last month and recently launched a new menu. It's also planning to host its second Farm-to-Table Dinner in September.

But the Nashua restaurant making the most news in the past month had nothing to do with its menu. The manager of the Chik-fil-A franchise in Nashua , just as the national chain was taking heat for its stance against gay marriage.

And if you haven't heard of the New Hampshire Ice Cream Trail, you have now. .

AMHERST

Amherst has been busy as well. The big news was , which prompted members of the community to hold to raise money for the beleaguered business.

A similar act of kindness took place one town over in Milford, where Amigos Mexican Cantina held a fundraiser last night to raise money for one of its employees who was .

And our own intrepid Amherst Patch Editor, Robert Michaelson, recently tried his hand at cake decorating at Frederick's Pastries, the latest installment in his .

BEDFORD

The Planning Board approved plans this month for at 5 Kilton Road in Bedford, next to Supercuts. The popular frozen yogurt chain is scheduled to open in the near future.

We also recently profiled , a fixture at the Amherst and Bedford Farmers' Markets, where they sell their grass fed beef and pastured eggs. 

MERRIMACK

Ryly's Gourmet Food reopened last month as in a larger venue, diagonally across from its old location on Daniel Webster Highway. The location was formerly occupied by Food To-Go Depot, which closed about a year ago.

CONCORD

has been doing steady business this year. Growers credited the warm weather in helping to provide a good crop, and word is starting to get around that it's a great place to visit for fresh fruits and vegetables.