We have been coming to the Restaurant at Burdick's for years now, and there is literally nowhere I have ever gone that is as consistently above and beyond as this place. It is simple bistro food executed perfectly, time and again, supplemented by an amazing wine menu and cocktail list. Set in Walpole, NH, which epitomizes small town New England, it is an event to come here. Always a special treat. And since we have to drive a little over an hour to get here, we usually do save it for special occasions. And it never, ever disappoints. Oh, did I mention acclaimed film-maker Ken Burns lives and works in Walpole? He frequents this restaurant. There is even a salad named after him.

Tonight, we are meeting a business associate who lives in the area. He frequents the place and they certainly know him. I have never met him before. He is an older gentleman with impeccable manners and a certain panache, so I like him instantly! We chit-chat a bit and do the small-talk thing, and then place an order for appetizers. Bob and I choose to share the duck liver mousse with blueberry jam, pickled mustard seeds, cornichons and crostini, while our dinner companion chooses a lobster bisque. When the appetizers come, the lobster sits in the bowl while the hot bisque is gently poured over it tableside. I am sure the lobster is tender and not over-cooked. This is proper technique in my mind for sure.

The gentlemen are headed toward business-like conversation, so I choose to take some photos while there is stil daylight. We all have a job to do, after all. The Restaurant at Burdick's is attached to the L. A. Burdick's Chocolate Shop. If you have never heard of these chocolates, you must educate yourself immediately. They are purveyors of tiny artisanal chocolates of the best quality with nuts, herbs and a myriad of fillings/toppings/additions that you never would think would work, but they do. Oh how they do! Their signature chocolate is the chocolate mouse, with little chocolate-dipped almonds for ears and a silky tail. There are chocolate penguins too! The chocolates come packaged in a wooden box with a ribbon and some sealing wax. They make a great presentation for gifts, wedding favors, etc. Or just buy some and rip that sucker open. One is all you need, maybe two. Did I mention they make fine European desserts? Please click along the right hand side and enjoy the view. Locations in Walpole, NH, Boston and Cambridge, MA, New York City and Chicago. Get some soon, they are absolutely amazing! Available online at https://www.burdickchocolate.com.

Anyway, it is time to order the entrees and I have no idea which way to go. The duck liver mousse is on my palate and I need something to complement it. Our dining companion asks the waitress if there is any duck breast available and if we could have it. She checks and then comes back answering in the affirmative. We are all going off-menu. Duck breast with a ramp and fiddlehead medley and a lovely sauce of some sort which is just amazing. Mine comes out cooked perfectly to my specifications.

After enjoying an excellent meal, we continue the conversation, but dessert is pending. It is not to be skipped here. The restaurant sources many of its desserts from the chocolate shop and makes a few of its own. I know exactly where I am headed. I have the "Harvard Square" (Burdick's has a location in Cambridge, MA) with a 10 year old tawny port. Bob has the coconut chocolate cake as he is a coconut guy, plus a 10 year tawny as well. And our dinner companion has something fabulous and tries a tawny port for the first time. He finds it quite good!

The owners of the restaurant also own a small grocery shop in the same building, with some of the best meats, fish, cheeses and produce you will ever see, homemade charcuterie, as well as wine, beer, international items, floral arrangements, baked goods, etc. Around town there are other small shops and things to see. One of my favorites is Ruggles and Hunt, which sells a most wonderful collection of children's items, gifts, housewares, womens clothing, shoes and accessories. Totally worth a trip. I get a lot of stocking stuffer items here around the holidays. http://www.rugglesandhunt.com. There is a pub with live music on weekends, and you can throw a stone across the Connecticut River and hit Vermont. So if you are looking for a day trip/road trip, I cannot recommend this town highly enough. Have brunch, have lunch, have dinner, or have a hot chocolate and dessert in the chocolate shop. But go to Walpole, NH and do not forget to stop at The Restaurant at Burdick's and/or the chocolate shop and tea room. You will thank me for this. So you're welcome in advance. http://www.47mainwalpole.com/the-restaurant.html.