 ASPIRATIONS BISTRO & BAKERY 103 Route 101A, Amherst 880-6880; aspirationsbistro.com
|
Located on busy Route 101A in Amherst, we found Aspirations one weekend day while we were stopping by some of the antique shops that can be found along the roads from Nashua to Amherst and Milford. It was a cold day and the sign was advertising Guinness stew, which sounded like just the right thing for a frosty weekend afternoon.
We had passed Aspirations before and had noticed it — it’s hard not to notice the little building that’s painted a bright purple — but serendipity on this particular day brought us inside. We have returned several times since.
Aspirations is small, but comfortable and warm, and definitely casual. Windows all around make it bright and cheery and it’s clean and decorated nicely. There are several cloth-covered tables, but they’re spread out so you’re not sitting on top of fellow diners.
It’s an order-at-the-counter place. You have to pick up your own silverware and bring it to your table yourself, but don’t think that means Aspirations is a fast-food restaurant. The food is fresh and made to order and when it’s ready, staff members bring it to your table. It’s a great place for a sit-down meal when you don’t have a lot of time to sit. If you do have time, well, it’s fine for that too.
You name it, they’ve got it. Aspirations serves soups, salads and sandwiches at lunch, has a bakery counter, take out and Sunday breakfast, which is what we had on a recent Sunday morning. In addition to catering, Aspirations also has specialty menus – a Super Bowl menu for instance, or a special Valentine’s menu that consists completely of sweets. (Menus are available on Aspirations Web site).
The Guinness stew was excellent – hearty and thick, perfect for a cold day. We’ve also tried a turkey sandwich with brie and cranberry chutney on a multigrain baguette, which was very good. The turkey was moist, the chutney sweet. The brie added to the medley for a satisfying sandwich.
But back to breakfast. A Sunday breakfast was our latest Aspirations experience. We arrived at about 9:30 a.m. on yet another antique quest (well, we have to do something other than eat at restaurants all the time!) and the restaurant was busy, but not crowded. My dining companion considered the menu and opted for a roasted vegetable omelet ($5.50). I picked what is my acid test for breakfast – French toast ($4.50).
 The uniquely decorated entry to Aspirations Bistro & Bakery in Amherst welcomes diners. (KATE HARPER photos) |
Happy to say, that was the only blemish on an otherwise surprisingly good breakfast. My dining companion loved his omelet, with its wonderful mix of fresh summer squash, zucchini and onions. The eggs were moist and cooked just right. The omelet came with an English muffin and homefries. “No complaints,” he said, a very high compliment from him.
I was very happy with my French toast. It was cut thick, made from Aspirations’ own French bread. This was also prepared and cooked perfectly – not mushy and not dry, but just right. It also was very flavorful. It came with some delicious thick-sliced bacon with a very nice maple flavor. No complaints from me, either.
Because we have been adequately sated on our various trips to Aspirations, we have neglected to sample the offerings in the bakery case that include macaroons, bars, scones, brownies and cakes (selections vary), but I linger at the delicious-looking sweets every time.
Aspirations serves tasty home-cooked food at extremely reasonable prices. We’ve had stew, sandwiches and breakfast there and have been satisfied every time. The staff is efficient, the restaurant comfortable – I can’t think of any reason not to stop by when you’re in the area. On our next trip to search the local antique stores we will undoubtedly stop in for lunch or breakfast and perhaps (make that definitely) make an assault on the bakery case.
Is there a restaurant you’d like Our Gourmet to review? E-mail gourmet@unionleader.com.
