News
New eatery has the corner on Burritos
Kearsarge Cafe now open
By Tom Eastman
The Conway Daily Sun
July 15, 2009
NORTH CONWAY - Burritos, tacos, lobster rolls, hot dogs and soft serve ice cream is what you'll find at the newly-opened Kearsarge Cafe, located at the corner of Main and the newly rebuilt Kearsarge Street in North Conway Village. Operated by Matty Braun of Matty B's of Attitash fame and local chef Dennis Delmonico, the new establishment opened earlier this month in the former location of Minny Korner Kitchen, which operated for 50 years right next to the North Conway 5-and-10 Cent Store, which is listed on the National Historic Register and which this year is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
In addition to the counter seating inside, the cafe also features two canopied tables outside for streetside dining.
Braun continues to operate Matty B's in Bartlett, which he opened four years ago and in the time since has helped it grow into a popular establishment, especially for apres ski in winter.
He saw the vacant Kearsarge Corner location as a good opportunity to expand his business ventures into North Conway Village. "You can't get any closer to the heart of North Conway Village than right here at the corner of Main and Kearsarge," said Braun this week, as customers stopped in for their California-styled burritos and tacos, all of which are made with the freshest and healthful ingredients, notes Delmonico, who says he learned much of what he knows about Mexican cooking by working with a Mexican family at a farm stand for four years in California.
"Our tacos are in the style of Baja California - tempura-battered featuring mahi-mahi, the fish so good they had to name it twice," said Delmonico, who also has had experience working in the restaurant trade in New York. When he's not helping out partner Braun, Delmonico works as the chef at the Severance Lodge Club in Lovell, Maine. Together, they worked at the White Mountain Hotel for many years, with Braun working as the food and beverage manager and Delmonico serving as the sous chef.
"We make everything from scratch here at the kitchen," said Delmonico, saying the cafe's rice and beans really set it apart from other establishments.
"We use a lot of herbs in our rice," said Delmonico, who learned those secrets from his friend at the farm stand, Juanice, of Durango, Mexico.
Since opening July 1, they note that the response from locals and visitors alike has been strong.
"We're doing something here that no one else in the village is. We offer great Mexican food and at great prices," said Braun. In winter, at the Kearsarge Cafe, they plan to offer homemade soups as well as burritos and tacos. The burritos and tacos start at $6.The burritos menu includes vegetarian (beans, rice, cheese and salsa), carnitas (pork, beans, rice, cheese and salsa), and pollo (chicken, beans, rice, cheese and salsa).
The three tacos menu includes vegetarian (beans, rice, cheese and salsa), carnitas (pork, beans, rice, cheese and salsa), pollo (chicken, beans, rice, cheese and salsa), and fish (mahi mahi, cabbage, lime cream and sala). Sides of guacamole and sour cream are available.
The chorizo sub features Spanish sausage, poblano peppers and onions.
The lobster rolls include lime cream, mayonaise and cilantro.
The cafe also serves a $5 hot dog special with chips and soda.
Ice cream treats include vanilla soft serve brownie sundaes and chocolate chip sundaes.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
For further information, call 730-7087. The cafe and Matty B's also do catering.