Rita McCabe of Sub Zero Ice Cream makes a tasty treat at Jo Louise Beauty during Wednesday’s Taste of Downtown Nashua.

NASHUA – Whether nibbling on a chicken lemongrass dumpling from Stella Blu, upside down shepherd’s pie from The Arbor or a crostini with slow braised beef short rib with onion chutney from Fratello’s, Wednesday night’s Taste of Downtown Nashua was a finger licking, mouth watering good time.

In an event which one attendee described as being like “trick or treating for adults,” local restaurants are paired with downtown merchants to offer a taste of all downtown has to offer.

“The Taste of Downtown event is designed to allow visitors to get up-close-and-personal with the chefs from Downtown’s award-winning restaurants and at the same time explore downtown shops,” event organizers, Great American Downtown said on the event website.

Johanna Payeur is the owner of Jo Louise Beauty, a new storefront on Main Street. The evening’s host to Sub Zero Ice Cream, also a new face in the Nashua restaurant scene, Payeur said it was exciting to be “diving into the downtown community.” Plus, she said, as an ice cream lover she was glad to have been paired with Sub Zero.

Moving down Main Street smells of all different types of cuisines tempted wandering attendees to stop into any of the 28 stops along the map.

Ashley Davis and Geoff Rollins, Nashua residents said they heard about the event through Facebook and as food lovers, thought it was a no brainer.

Working their way down the street the pair were able to try out “all the places we’ve talked about but have never made it to.”

But aside from the “outstanding” food at all of the locations, particularly New Taj India and Fody’s Great American Tavern, what they really found was a sense of community.

“It’s been really nice to see everyone come together and everyone we’ve talked to has been so friendly,” Davis said.

Paula and Frank Iovieno, having worked their way through the long line inside Scontsa’s Fine Jewelry and Home Decor were sipping coffee and eating quiche from Terragia. They have gone to Taste of Nashua before, and always find the event to be worthwhile.

They decided to use Wednesday night, like Davis and Rollins, to try some of the local restaurants they haven’t been to.

The newly opened City Moose was on their list, as was New Taj India.

This, they agreed, was part of the real spirit of the evening.

As Paula Iovieno said, “You get a chance to see the businesses you might not usually walk into and try the food from the places you might not usually eat.”

Hannah LaClaire can be reached at 594-1243 or hlaclaire@nashautelegraph.com.

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