Deep in the woods and hills of the New Hampshire countryside you’ll find a small cottage and surrounding garden that have been around since 1786. It is a cottage that was the original inspiration for the illustrations by Elizabeth Orton Jones for the book Little Red Riding Hood.
This charming cottage and its associated herb gardens, herb store, greenhouse, and shop are located in Mason, NH and is currently the site of Pickity Place. This quaint, vintage cottage is a lovely, specialized restaurant that provides its guests with a homemade, creatively herbal five-course luncheon that will dazzle your senses! The cottage is so cute and rustic that you can’t help but wonder what it was like back in the 1700’s.
“From start to finish our luncheon courses feature fresh herbs and edible flowers harvested daily from our very own culinary garden.”
The luncheon menu changes each month and there are three private seatings each day. This is truly a relaxing, leisurely experience. No one is in a rush here. Prior to your luncheon, you can stroll around the beautiful grounds, check out their shops and take in all of the aromas of the herbs wafting through the air. Lavender, Thyme, sage, oregano, basil…they are all here and they are wonderful!
Once you enter the cottage, you are transported back in time. The vintage Little Red Riding Hood antiques are placed around the three quaint dining rooms. There’s a large fireplace on one wall and the tables are set with fresh flowers in small glass jars. It truly feels like an experience and not just any luncheon.
The changing monthly menu features a dip with crackers, seasonal soup and salad, bread and herbed butter, your choice of two entrees (a meat choice and a vegetarian choice) and a luscious dessert.
All the food is fresh and incorporates the herbs and vegetables grown on the property. The presentation is exceptional, and the food is amazing! You can purchase some of the pre-made herb packets for making the dips and soups at home.
The delicious drink options include:
- spice tea
- raspberry orange tea
- herbal teas
- mocha coffee
- lavender lemonade (seasonal)
- mulled cider (seasonal)
If you find yourself in New Hampshire and looking for a truly unusual, fun, and delectable afternoon, check out Pickity Place in Mason New Hampshire. They are open for luncheon 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm but be sure to make reservations ahead of time.
You can check out their website. They are also on Facebook and Instagram!
Website: www.pickityplace.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pickityplace
Instagram: instragram.com/pickity_place
Enjoy some fresh seasonal gourmet food and relax your senses in the herbal environment! It’s great fun and truly a step back in time!
