Food

Go, and go hungry to the Lucky Dog Tavern (53 Main St., Plymouth, 603/536-2260, www.luckydogtavernandgrill.com [1], 4:30–10 p.m. Mon.–Thu.; 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri.–Sun., $8–15); big portions, an all-you-can-eat salad bar, and generous portions of pork loin, fajitas, and eggplant casserole are the pride of the kitchen.

Built from the reclaimed lumber of an old barn, the Wild Coyote Grill (Rte. 49, above White Mountain Athletic Club, Waterville Valley, 603/236-4919, www.wildcoyotegrill.com [2], 4 p.m.–9 p.m. daily, $15–22) boasts mind-blowing views of Mount Tecumseh, Mount Osceola, and Snow’s Mountain. While you gaze, dig into grilled beef with butternut ravioli, almond-and-oatmeal-crusted chicken, and grilled venison steaks.

Rather make the meal something quick and easy?
Bad Dawgs (70 A Main St., Plymouth, 603/254-5640, www.baddawgs.com [3], 12 p.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 12 p.m.–6 p.m. Sun., $2–4), despite the name, serves hot dogs that are anything but bad; you might even call them gourmet.

Foster’s Steakhouse (231 Main St., Plymouth, 603/536-2764, 4–10 p.m. Mon.–Fri.; noon–10 p.m. Sat.–Sun., $8–23) is owned by the Common Man group, a New Hampshire [4] chain of good-quality and family-friendly eateries. This outpost is pure classic chop house—with a high-energy dining room and open kitchen. Specialties include steakhouse salad (iceberg lettuce, blue cheese dressing, bacon, and shaved red onion) and a monstrous 20-ounce cowboy steak served with steak frites.

The newcomer in town is Aglio (6 Village Rd., Waterville Valley, 603/236-3676, $13–22), a family-friendly spot for good Italian (the pizza and pastas are the highlights). In good weather, be sure to ask for a table on the outdoor patio, which overlooks the rushing waters of Snow’s Brook Waterfall.