An Inside Look (And Taste!) At PINE

Spoon University|

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Photo by Sharon Cho

Justin offered advice to anyone looking into going into the restaurant business: he stressed ensuring consistency, the best feature of any quality product. He also spoke about preferring to obtain an associate's degree in food and beverage over a bachelor's degree, and "doing something that doesn't feel like work" as a career. Looking for quality food on a college budget? Justin says that many local farms agree to deliver fresh, seasonal veggies straight to Dartmouth for around $250 dollars for the whole summer!

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Photo by Sharon Cho

PINE utilizes a farm-to-table method of buying ingredients, sourcing the majority of products from farms in the Upper Valley. While buying locally is usually twice as expensive, Justin believes that building community is integral to PINE's mission. Yankee Magazine recently named PINE as the best farm-to-table restaurant in New Hampshire!

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Photo by Sharon Cho

After the tour of an expansive kitchen, students who had signed up for the three-course dinner sat down in a private back room to enjoy gourmet food from a dinner menu thoughtfully made just for Spoon.

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Photo by Sharon Cho

The four-course dinner was well worth the $45 discounted price. Pre-appetizers included deviled eggs sprinkled with bacon, crisp, cooked potato chips and fries. The gnocchi appetizer was soft and chewy, accompanied by peas and bacon sprinkled for a tangy zest. The tuna's avocado and cucumbers made the appetizer light and refreshing, perfect for the start of spring. The burger (classified as an appetizer?!) was large, juicy and filling.

Eat a cupcake the right way by breaking off half the bottom and placing it on the frosting
Eat a cupcake the right way by breaking off half the bottom and placing it on the frosting
Photo by Kirby Barth
Make your chip bag stand up on itself by inverting the bottom and rolling it up a few times
Make your chip bag stand up on itself by inverting the bottom and rolling it up a few times
Photo by Marykate Surette
Put a straw through the tab on your soda to keep it from rising out
Put a straw through the tab on your soda to keep it from rising out
Photo by Marykate Surette
Put eggs in a bowl to see if they're fresh: eggs that sink are freshest. Don't eat eggs that float.
Put eggs in a bowl to see if they're fresh: eggs that sink are freshest. Don't eat eggs that float.
Photo by Parisa Soraya
Use oil to remove paint from skin
Use oil to remove paint from skin
Photo by Isabelle Chu
Eliminate garlic smell on your fingers by rubbing them with lemon juice, baking soda or stainless steel.
Eliminate garlic smell on your fingers by rubbing them with lemon juice, baking soda or stainless steel.
Photo by Kristen Yang
Freeze coffee in an ice tray to avoid watered-down iced coffee.
Freeze coffee in an ice tray to avoid watered-down iced coffee.
Photo by Kristen Yang
Cut soft cheeses with dental floss
Cut soft cheeses with dental floss
Photo by Kristen Yang
Use a hanger with clips to keep cookbooks open
Use a hanger with clips to keep cookbooks open
Photo by Isabelle Chu
Flip your toaster on its side to make easy grilled cheese
Flip your toaster on its side to make easy grilled cheese
Photo by Kirby Barth
Maximize ketchup cups by turning them inside out
Maximize ketchup cups by turning them inside out
Photo by Gabby Phi
To eliminate cooking odors, boil water with cinnamon
To eliminate cooking odors, boil water with cinnamon
Photo by Christin Urso
To chill wine in 6 minutes, place bottle in a bucket of ice, water and salt
To chill wine in 6 minutes, place bottle in a bucket of ice, water and salt
Photo by Christin Urso
Dunk an Oreo with ease by sticking a fork in the frosting
Dunk an Oreo with ease by sticking a fork in the frosting
Photo by Kirby Barth
Freeze ripe avocados to enjoy year round, even when they're not in season
Freeze ripe avocados to enjoy year round, even when they're not in season
Photo by Christin Urso
Keep bananas fresh longer by separating them and wrapping stem in plastic wrap
Keep bananas fresh longer by separating them and wrapping stem in plastic wrap
Photo by Kirby Barth
Make scrambled eggs in the microwave
Make scrambled eggs in the microwave
Photo by Kirby Barth
Use an onion ring to make the perfect fried egg
Use an onion ring to make the perfect fried egg
Photo by Kirby Barth
Take stems out of strawberries with a straw
Take stems out of strawberries with a straw
Photo by Kirby Barth
Binder clips keep kitchen sponges dry
Binder clips keep kitchen sponges dry
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Wooden spoon prevents pots from boiling over
Wooden spoon prevents pots from boiling over
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Microwave a sponge with dish soap to keep it smelling fresh
Microwave a sponge with dish soap to keep it smelling fresh
Photo by Kathleen Lee
Reheat pizza to perfection by microwaving it next to a glass of water
Reheat pizza to perfection by microwaving it next to a glass of water
Photo by Molly Krohe
Microwave two bowls at the same time by propping one up on a mug
Microwave two bowls at the same time by propping one up on a mug
Photo by Lily Allen

Justin's own favorite dish is the tortellini, garnished with peas and filled with ricotta and Parmesan. His playful food combinations never failed to please; bacon on top of scallops is delicious, who knew?

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Photo by Sharon Cho

For dessert, the Peanut Butter Bombe contained a rich, velvety peanut butter middle as a crunchy peanut butter shell adorned the bottom. However, the crème brûlée stole the show with a perfectly caramelized top layer that shamed even KAF's.

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Photo by Sharon Cho

Next time, instead of opting for a three-course meal from FoCo (or even a four or five course for the ambitious), whenever you get above the median on an exam or your parents come to town, treat yo' self to a gourmet meal at PINE.

Location: 2 East Wheelock St, Hanover, NH 03755
 Hours of Operation: Mon – Wed 11:30am-10pm, Thur – Sat 11:30am-11pm, Sun 10am-10pm

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