Foodie's Delight

From burritos and tapas to flatbread pizza, Exeter offers a range of restaurant options within walking distance from the Academy.For students looking to enjoy a romantic dinner or a night out with friends, Pimentos provides the perfect atmosphere. Located adjacent to IOKA theater, this restaurant and lounge is a casual dining area known for its original twists on traditional American cuisine and comfort foods, as well as for endorsing locally-sourced produce. Pimentos strives to prepare their dishes using fresh foods from a wide variety of farms in the Exeter vicinity. A separate upstairs and downstairs seating areas accommodate many patrons.Owner Ken Linn hopes to attract more students with a revived menu and a 10 percent off discount for Exonians. “A lot of people like to come and eat downstairs in our lounge area, but we’re trying to encourage more students to also go upstairs so that area can become more utilized as well,” said Linn. “We think offering a special would help.”If the flatbreads, tapas, and burgers on their seasonal menus don’t attract Exonians to Pimentos, than the overall character of the restaurant does. Upper Jessie Yeung said, “Pimentos feels cozy and warm without feeling cluttered. The food is nice, and it’s stuff that is unique to Pimentos in the sense that you can’t get it other places in town.”The Green Bean, famous for their outdoor seating area and cozy lounge tunes, is a popular site to grab a quick lunch or sit down for dinner with a friend. Founded by Lori Whitney and Jeff Turner, Green Bean has been catering and serving students for over 16 years in their downtown location on Water Street. Exonians craving homemade soups, fresh salads and gourmet sandwiches can find a meal to fit their wishes in this homey restaurant.Many Exonians found the staff at Green Bean and the atmosphere to be a pleasant experience.“They have unique combinations of sandwiches that I enjoy, and the staff is always so friendly. Even when they’re very busy, they greet you with a smile,” upper Mei-An Nolan said. “It also has a great location, and it’s especially nice on a sunny day to go there and eat outside.”“Another plus is that the food isn’t too expensive, which is good for students,” Nolan added.For those students craving Mexican food, Las Olas (or Las O) is the place to go. Established by Matt and Julie Burke in 2008, this lively taqueria is located on Portsmouth Avenue and is busy with customers at all hours. The cheerful interior features a wave-themed decor, with aquatic-themed paintings and pale blue walls, in keeping with their name, with in Spanish means ‘the waves’. Their food is fresh and affordable Mexican and Latin food ranging from chicken burritos to steak salads to locally raised chorizo nachos.Lower Caroline Sullivan enjoys Las Olas as a hangout spot to visit with friends. “Their food is amazing because it’s really fresh and not very expensive for what you get. It has a great atmosphere; Exeter is such a stressful place and Las O is just very relaxing.”