Camping Redemption: Polly's
The redeeming factor in our "motel-ing" experience of this weekend was our trips (yes, multiple on the way there AND on the way back--it's that good) to Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill, NH.
Sugar hill is about an hour away from Lancaster and although not completely "on the way" isn't too far off of I 93. We discovered Polly's last year lost in the depths of a Google search for "NH Maple Houses." It was worth slogging through all those SEO sights at the very top of my Google screen, because Polly's (though not completely unknown) is a true off-the-beaten-path gem.
Perched on a hillside, it's vista captures the towering beauty of the White Mountains in the distance and a blooming field of purple lupines, complete with cantering white pony in the foreground. You can't get much more NH than this.
But it's what's inside that we were really interested: thee BEST pancakes…EVER. This is no joke. If you have been in search of the Glory of Pancakedom it can be found on a plate at Polly's. What makes Polly's pancakes so great is really the whole experience: the cramped dining room packed to the gills with pine tables and painted red chairs, the maple-sampler tray (contains every possible maple product know to man--that "man" being my Husband, who unashamedly samples everything…repeatedly), the hickory smoked bacon (you can see the smoke house out back), and of course the pancakes.
Polly's has five kinds of pancake batter: buttermilk, oatmeal buttermilk, buckwheat, whole wheat and cornmeal and a multitude of add-ins: homemade maple granola, blueberries, bananas, walnuts and more, but the real deal is ALWAYS their special of the day. On the days we went (Friday and Sunday) the specials were Apple-Cinnamon Whole Wheat and Gingerbread. Angelic voices should have ushered in the Gingerbread pancakes because, they were, without a doubt: H-E-A-V-E-N-L-Y!
What is great about Polly's is you can mix and match your pancake selections, that way, if it is your first time, you can try one of everything. Whatever you choose you won't be disappointed. Somehow, Polly's manages to cook-up a perfectly fluffy, yet hearty pancake that, when dressed with butter and their maple syrup, literally melts in your mouth. Some pancakes are rubbery, some cakey, some chewy, some tough, some dense…but not Polly's pancakes. Polly's pancakes are perfect. My personal favorite is the whole wheat, they are hearty and wholesome yet maintain a fluffy texture that isn't easy with a whole grain, all in a four-inch orb of goodness. The only reason I know the pumpkin pancakes were so good is because I kept stealing bites off my husband's plate when he wasn't looking (shhh don't tell:-)
What made it all the more fun, is that Sophia was with us and sat--for the first time--in a big-girl restaurant high chair (though propped up on all sides by a blanket). She thought she was the best thing since…well since Polly's Pancakes, and let everyone around her know it with her open-mouthed grin. She was the delight of the whole restaurant!
And, so, our weekend wasn't a total wash: we at least had belly's full of delicious pancakes!
(I apologize for the lack of pictures of all the things I wrote about. I chided myself when I got home: I really should take more pictures, especially if it involves delicious food and maple-sampler trays!!)
