Tuscan Kitchen Portsmouth, the third location from Tuscan Brands’ founder Joe Faro, became the newest addition to the Portsmouth, N.H. culinary scene when it officially opened its doors to the public on March 1.
“We are so excited about our new location,” Faro said. “Portsmouth is a fantastic culinary destination and is the perfect place for us to introduce our unique style of authentic, artisan Italian cuisine. We are very proud to be joining this community and are looking forward to sharing our newest endeavor in such a vibrant and thriving area.”
Faro discovered the location by accident when he noticed the former Jerry Lewis Cinema on Lafayette Road and determined it was the perfect site for a new restaurant and market.
The 16,000 square foot location also includes a 75-seat patio that will open for lunch and dinner weather permitting, as well as an adjacent Tuscan Market that will open in June offering meats, cheese, pasta, freshly baked breads, prepared meals, coffee, handmade desserts and more.
The spacious new restaurant held a private VIP opening gala that was attended by hundreds of friends, family, Portsmouth business owners, local officials and media and was hosted by NESN’s “Dining Playbook” hosts Jenny Johnson and Billy Costa. The menu will be the same as sister locations in Salem, N.H. and Burlington, Mass., while Chef Nimesh Maharjan – a protégé of celebrity Boston Chef Todd English – will locally source seafood, meats and produce and lend his own creative touch to several dishes and specials.
Faro, who has a long history of supporting local charities in communities where he owns businesses, has already partnered with a local homeless shelter and is planning more philanthropic endeavors in Portsmouth. In addition to Salem, Burlington, and Portsmouth, a fourth location is set to open in Boston’s Seaport Square development in the fall. Tuscan Brands is also developing Tuscan Village in Salem, N.H., which will include a new flagship Tuscan Kitchen & Market, as well as a hotel, conference center and new restaurant concepts from Faro and his team.