BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL
Some conversations just take on a life of their own.
You sit down thinking you’re going to talk about one thing… and before you know it, you’ve covered everything from wings to seafood to hidden gems you didn’t even know you needed on your list.
That’s exactly what happened when Brent from Bikes & Bites joined me on Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast.
And honestly, those are my favorite kinds of conversations.
Because when you love food, it’s never just about what’s on the plate. It’s about where you found it, who you shared it with, and the story that comes with it.
“It’s all about the experience.”
Where it all started with wings
We kicked things off at Granite Tapas in Hooksett, and I have to say starting a conversation with salted caramel wings and garlic parm is never a bad idea.
And yes, they are exactly as good as they sound.
That set the tone right away.
Because this episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast wasn’t about overthinking food or analyzing every detail. It was about enjoying it.
Trying things.
Talking about them.
And just seeing where the conversation goes.
No ego, just curiosity
What I loved most about Brent is how simple his approach is.
There’s no ego.
No pressure to have the “right” opinion.
No need to overcomplicate anything.
He just likes finding good food.
Whether that means hopping on his bike and heading somewhere new, or scrolling through New Hampshire Eats to see what people are talking about, he’s always exploring.
And honestly, I relate to that so much.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what this is supposed to be.
Fun.
The places you didn’t know you needed
We talked about so many spots during this conversation, and I’ll tell you my list definitely got longer.
Amphora.
Messy Mike’s BBQ.
And of course, we got into the North Shore roast beef world, which if you know, you know.
That alone could be its own episode.
But that’s what I love about conversations like this.
You hear one recommendation, which leads to another, which leads to another.
And before you know it, you’ve got five new places you want to try.
Seeing food from every angle
What makes Brent’s perspective so interesting is his background.
He’s worked in the seafood industry.
He’s supplied restaurants.
He’s seen how things work behind the scenes.
And that changes how you look at food.
On Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, you could hear that in the way he talked about everything.
There’s an appreciation there.
An understanding of what goes into getting food from the source to the plate.
And that adds a whole different layer to the experience.
Sometimes the simplest things say the most
We wrapped things up with some fun rapid fire questions, and I always love this part.
Because it brings everything back to something simple.
Favorite dishes.
Go to orders.
The little things.
And honestly, those are usually the things that tell you the most about a place.
A really good coleslaw.
A perfectly done wing.
Something small that’s done right.
Because if a place cares about those details, you know they care about everything else too.
Final thoughts
This episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast was just fun.
Real.
Easy.
The kind of conversation that reminds you why you love food in the first place.
Not because it’s complicated.
Not because it’s trendy.
But because it brings people together.
It gives you something to share.
Something to talk about.
Something to go out and discover.
So if you’re looking for your next place, take a few notes from this one.
Try something new.
Go somewhere you haven’t been.
And enjoy the journey along the way.
Because that’s really what it’s all about.
🎧 Listen to Episode 35 of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast
Watch and listen to my full conversation with Brent from Bikes & Bites and discover new places, new flavors, and new reasons to explore.
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ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON
Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.
Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com | @redarrow24diner