One of the first places I went to eat in downtown Portsmouth was a quaint but beautiful restaurant located off the main street. When you first walk in, you may not realize there is more than one floor. The first floor is filled with a few small tables, and when you walk downstairs, it is a whole floor filled with as many tables as the place can comfortably fit. The upstairs has a beautiful wood bar where the bartenders create enchanting cocktails like none that I have ever seen.
Ristorante Massimo
In the middle of the two floors is a beautiful kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and happy chefs. The owner graciously let my entire family view the whole place, including a peek in the kitchen. It was beautiful, and even after a year has been stuck in my mind. Downstairs is romantically low lit, with beautiful pieces of artwork near each table. The restaurant owner is the happiest man I have ever met, and I am thankful he got our family in when we needed it. I will be eating at this restaurant for life.
The Cocktails
One of the significant things that I think is attractive about this place is that they serve unique cocktails. I have been to many bars, I am in my early twenties, and I have seen many very cheap drinks. In fact, I have consumed a lot of those very cheap drinks. Ristorante Massimo made me feel incredibly fancy with the way they prepared the glasses, it was like a show, a form of art that each bartender knew, and I could only stare in awe. It was so noteworthy and incredible to watch and then drink it would be a shame not to mention it. Be sure to try one of their imported wines.
What to Eat
Scallops– Now, some of you may come here and think of a huge meal and a fancy drink. This isn’t a huge portion, but it is so filling. You won’t get a giant plate like you would at Denny’s. You get the appropriate portion size. The standard size, which is smaller than Americans, would like it to be. However, I loved the portion size. Every bite I took melted in my mouth, I tasted each bit of flavor put in and melted on the scallops. Underneath the beautifully cooked scallops were mashed polenta. Every bite was built with the intention of being phenomenal, and this restaurant nailed it.
Grilled Veal Chop– No matter what you choose at this restaurant, rest assured it will be beyond amazing. You will have no regrets ordering from this exclusive menu, and the price is well worth the amount of love and fresh ingredients put into each dish. This is veal, meaning baby cow, I know the thought is unattractive, but you should try it at least once. Beside the veal is a crispy eggplant, and on top is cucumber and pepper relish. All of it makes an aesthetically pleasing dish, and one that dances in your mouth creates a mouthwatering flavor.
Roasted Beets– If you’re looking for something small to go with your cocktail, this is the perfect plate. It is a small appetizer, but oh so filling. I absolutely love beets, but they do have an earthy flavor that is an acquired taste. I know many folks who refuse to eat them because of this, but Massimo does an incredible job of masking the flavor as best as they can without taking away too much of the natural beet flavor. They roast the beets and serve it with goat cheese. It is astonishing, and I think a lot of it has to do with how fresh the ingredients are.
If you are near downtown, Portsmouth make sure to book a reservation with this beautiful restaurant. This place is super popular and pretty well known, so you may have a hard time walking in and getting a table. It is best to call them, email them, reserve a table online, or you can now place an order for takeout and eat at the park. No matter what you choose, you will not be disappointed.
| Ristorante Massimo | |
 | 59 Penhallow St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03803, United States |
 | https://ristorantemassimo.com/ |
 | 603-436-4000 |
Google Reviews
[wp-review-google-place-reviews place_id = “ChIJFbIYOAy_4okRZat8orzxCw8”]
Yelp Reviews
[wp-review-yelp-business-reviews id=”ristorante-massimo-portsmouth” title=”Ristorante Massimo” review_num=”3″]
