Gula, Lori

English

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Media Relations Administrative Offices
4-12-2002
UNHs Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom
Gourmet 100
Lori Gula
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Gula, Lori, "UNHs Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100" (2002). UNH Today. 2175.
https://scholars.unh.edu/news/2175
10/23/17, 10)54 AMUNH's Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100
Page 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/april/lg_20020412phantom.html
UNH
Whittemore
School of
Business
and
Economics 
 
UNH's Acorns Restaurant named
to Phantom Gourmet 100
Establishment was popular critic's write-in
favorite
By Lori Gula 
UNH News Bureau
April 12, 2002
DURHAM, N.H. -- Acorns Restaurant on the campus
of the University of New Hampshire has been named
one of the top 100 restaurants in New England by
Boston's popular television restaurant critic, the
Phantom Gourmet.
Acorns was one of only six New Hampshire restaurants
to make the Phantom Gourmet 100. After reviewing
thousands of restaurants, Phantom selected his favorite
100 in New England. An anonymous restaurant critic,
the Phantom Gourmet dines in disguise, never revealing
his identity and always paying his own bills.
According to the Phantom Gourmet 100 review,
"Acorns easily out-paced all other write-in votes for the
Phantom 100. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling
windows that bring the surrounding woodlands inside.
The staff is primarily comprised of culinary students
whose youthful exuberance translates into attentive and
friendly service. Acorns serves Sunday brunch with a
constantly changing menu."
The Phantom was "particularly delighted" by Acorns
breakfast items, including waffles and made-to-order
omelets, and lunch menu items chicken florentine,
baked sole, steak calabrese and honey ham.
"The staff of Acorns Restaurant, Cafe and Lounge and
myself are excited and honored to be mentioned among
the finest restaurants in New England," says Jeff
MacDonald, food and beverage manager at Acorns
Restaurant. "We were selected not only because of our
10/23/17, 10)54 AMUNH's Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100
Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/april/lg_20020412phantom.html
dining excellence, but also because we received
overwhelming e-mail and mail-in support from our
customers."
MacDonald credits much of the restaurant's success to
executive chef Rick Smith, who designed the menus
and runs the back-of-the-house operation, and
restaurant manager Desiree Leavitt. "They have
committed themselves and their staffs to providing
exceptional food and service quality. They are able to
meet our high standards with a staff that despite its
youth is talented, energetic, hardworking and
dedicated," he says.
In January 2000, the Phantom issued a Restaurant
Report Card for Acorns, awarding it a score of 88 (out
of 100) and rating it "Gourmet Greatness." The
Phantom evaluated the restaurant on food and drink,
appetizers, menu, portions, service, atmosphere,
cleanliness, desserts, location and parking and value.
Acorns scored a perfect 10 on portion sizes, with the
Phantom noting, "Limitless buffet portions are very
appealing to an anonymous restaurant critic with a
limitless gut."
The Phantom considered the baked sole the "best bet."
Acorns is a learning laboratory for the Whittemore
School of Business and Economics' Hospitality
Program, exposing students to the practical aspects of
the restaurant business. "It has been a relationship that
has been beneficial to both parties. It has allowed
Acorns Restaurant and the New England Center to
contribute to the university's mission while at the same
time giving the hospitality students the unique
experience of learning in a professional environment,"
MacDonald says.
First broadcast in 1993 on New England Cable News,
the Phantom Gourmet is the most recognized name in
the region for restaurant reviews and information.
Back to UNH News Bureau


UNHs Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices4-12-2002UNHs Acorns Restaurant Named to PhantomGourmet 100Lori GulaFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationGula, Lori, "UNHs Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100" (2002). UNH Today. 2175.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/217510/23/17, 10)54 AMUNH's Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100Page 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/april/lg_20020412phantom.htmlUNHWhittemoreSchool ofBusinessandEconomics  UNH's Acorns Restaurant namedto Phantom Gourmet 100Establishment was popular critic's write-infavoriteBy Lori Gula UNH News BureauApril 12, 2002DURHAM, N.H. -- Acorns Restaurant on the campusof the University of New Hampshire has been namedone of the top 100 restaurants in New England byBoston's popular television restaurant critic, thePhantom Gourmet.Acorns was one of only six New Hampshire restaurantsto make the Phantom Gourmet 100. After reviewingthousands of restaurants, Phantom selected his favorite100 in New England. An anonymous restaurant critic,the Phantom Gourmet dines in disguise, never revealinghis identity and always paying his own bills.According to the Phantom Gourmet 100 review,"Acorns easily out-paced all other write-in votes for thePhantom 100. The restaurant has floor-to-ceilingwindows that bring the surrounding woodlands inside.The staff is primarily comprised of culinary studentswhose youthful exuberance translates into attentive andfriendly service. Acorns serves Sunday brunch with aconstantly changing menu."The Phantom was "particularly delighted" by Acornsbreakfast items, including waffles and made-to-orderomelets, and lunch menu items chicken florentine,baked sole, steak calabrese and honey ham."The staff of Acorns Restaurant, Cafe and Lounge andmyself are excited and honored to be mentioned amongthe finest restaurants in New England," says JeffMacDonald, food and beverage manager at AcornsRestaurant. "We were selected not only because of our10/23/17, 10)54 AMUNH's Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2002/april/lg_20020412phantom.htmldining excellence, but also because we receivedoverwhelming e-mail and mail-in support from ourcustomers."MacDonald credits much of the restaurant's success toexecutive chef Rick Smith, who designed the menusand runs the back-of-the-house operation, andrestaurant manager Desiree Leavitt. "They havecommitted themselves and their staffs to providingexceptional food and service quality. They are able tomeet our high standards with a staff that despite itsyouth is talented, energetic, hardworking anddedicated," he says.In January 2000, the Phantom issued a RestaurantReport Card for Acorns, awarding it a score of 88 (outof 100) and rating it "Gourmet Greatness." ThePhantom evaluated the restaurant on food and drink,appetizers, menu, portions, service, atmosphere,cleanliness, desserts, location and parking and value.Acorns scored a perfect 10 on portion sizes, with thePhantom noting, "Limitless buffet portions are veryappealing to an anonymous restaurant critic with alimitless gut."The Phantom considered the baked sole the "best bet."Acorns is a learning laboratory for the WhittemoreSchool of Business and Economics' HospitalityProgram, exposing students to the practical aspects ofthe restaurant business. "It has been a relationship thathas been beneficial to both parties. It has allowedAcorns Restaurant and the New England Center tocontribute to the university's mission while at the sametime giving the hospitality students the uniqueexperience of learning in a professional environment,"MacDonald says.First broadcast in 1993 on New England Cable News,the Phantom Gourmet is the most recognized name inthe region for restaurant reviews and information.Back to UNH News Bureau

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UNHs Acorns Restaurant Named to Phantom Gourmet 100

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