Foodies' Return

Blue Moon Evolution, a restaurant that evolved from its roots as a local health food store and café, is the perfect site for Exonians looking to enjoy an organic meal.Tucked away on Clifford Street near downtown Exeter, Blue Moon has been charming students for 18 years with its intimate environment and friendly staff. Their dishes, made from locally produced foods, reflect on their mission to endorse the local organic movement.Popular not only in the town of Exeter but also regionally, Blue Moon has been awarded with Billy Costa’s TV Diner Gold Plate Award and recognized as the Taste of the Seacoast magazine’s Best from 2009-2012 and New Hampshire Magazine’s Best of NH in 2005 and 2013.Many students find the cuisine and mood of the restaurant enjoyable. “The atmosphere is homey, cozy, and very earthy,” lower Stajz Saar said. “The food is local, and they make it a point of telling you where everything is produced. There’s no way you can go wrong with anything on the menu.”“It’s pricey, but it’s worth it,” she added. “It’s a nice change from the standard food.”For students craving homestyle eggs and hash browns, Rogan’s Bakery and Restaurant offers breakfast all day long, along with lunch and homemade baked goods that compliment their freshly brewed New England Coffee.Conveniently located on Portsmouth Avenue, Rogan’s attracts the attention of many students with its pale blue walls and diner-esque checkered floor, along with their booths that are capable of lodging large groups of people.Established in 1990 by James Rogan, this simple restaurant adheres to its original theme of “just make good food at a fair price” by providing its customers with affordable prices.Upper Clara Hobbie enjoys the variety of foods offered. “I love Rogans!” she said. “It’s like the classic greasy and fatty breakfast stuff from a diner, but that makes it super yummy.”Students in the mood for a hot cup of Joe can walk over to Water Street and enjoy the variety of different options found at D Squared Java (not that it needs its witty name to attract students).A highly favored study area, this snug coffee-shop is almost always bustling with students and locals alike. Home to a friendly group of well-trained baristas, this café is notorious for its casual setting, trendy decor, and the fresh aroma of coffee that clings to your clothes.Located in the heart of downtown Exeter, D Squared has been serving the Exeter community for a little over a year and is home to many different foods, such as chai lattes, teas, and various pastries, designed to satisfy every customer. With their main source of coffee beans coming from New Harvest Coffee Roasters found in Rhode Island, D Squared strives to provide the community with superb coffee.“I think it’s a great place to go if you are searching for some truly exquisite coffee,” lower Audrey DeGuerrera said.“Their lemonade is really good, but I’ve never had their coffee,” upper Ashley Brown said. “I think D Squared is a good, quiet place to go and study, especially if you want to get off campus for a while.”