Fire, Frozen Pipes Force Restaurant Closures

There are many great options for eating out in Londonderry, but we know the adventurous foodies among you like to be in the know so you can plan for nights when it's time to eat out off the beaten path.

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

PORTSMOUTH

Even over the holiday season there was restaurant news in Portsmouth. A big story in early December wasthe closing of the Barley Pub, located in nearby Dover. The establishment was unable to stay open after moving to a new, larger location.

Also in December, a new soup restaurant, The Soupery, opened right next door to the Juicery on Hanover Street.

And a Travel Channel crew stopped by Lexie's Joint on Islington Street to shoot footage for a future episode of the "Chowdown Countdown" show.

And the new Qdoba on Woodbury Avenue opened its doors last month. 

The extreme cold weather also took its toll on two local eateries.The Roundabout Diner and WHYM Craft Beer Cafe both had to close temporarily due to broken water pipes caused by the cold.

The BRGR Bar, originally slated to open in mid-December, is now hoping to open in the third week of January.

And the Craft Beer Cellar, a beer supply chain, is scheduled to open its new Islington Street store this Thursday.

EXETER

In other beer news, a Stratham businessman announced that he plans to open a small brewery at 156 Epping Road. The proposal has already been approved by the zoning board.

The Green Bean also received approval from the zoning board to expand the existing restaurant. 

And the Loaf and Ladle, which had been under agreement, was officially sold. The identity of the new owner and the plans for the property have yet to be revealed.

HAMPTON-NORTH HAMPTON

Smuttynose Brewing Co. also continues to move closer to the opening of its new brewery at Towle Farm in Hampton. Much of the brewing equipment arrived last month, and the company hopes to be brewing beer there shortly. A brew pub planned for the site is scheduled to open this spring.

Ray's Lobster Landing, which opened last May on Route 1 in North Hampton, also closed its doors, but a spokeswoman said it's just closed for the winter.

And this past Saturday, the Community Oven in Hampton was featured on the syndicated television program "The Phantom Gourmet."

WINDHAM

Just after Christmas, on Dec. 28, the popular Common Man restaurant in Windham was forced to close temporarily due to a fire. There were no guests inside the restaurant at the time of the fire.

NASHUA

jajaBelle's Bakery is scheduled to open soon at 182 Main St. in Nashua. No opening date has been set at this point.

Do you know of any other local restaurant news that we've missed? Email marc.fortier@patch.com and we'll include it in our next roundup.