Business of the Week: Old Amsterdam

It's 5 o'clock on a Saturday, and the regular crowd is shuffling in to on Temple Street.

Alison Bankowski, bartender and event/promotion manager, is ready and waiting for them behind the bar, along with bartender Jared Bracci and general manager Kerry Barnes.

Bracci was voted Hippo Press 2011 Best Bartender in Nashua for his mad improvisational skills behind the bar (and his Harry Potter deemed Best Drink.) As he spots a regular make his way to a seat at the bar Bracci knows what's up, and immediately gets to work on that customer's favorite drink, Midori-colored Jessi Juice, while Barnes updates the chalkboard with the evening's dinner specials.

Bankowski serves up a plate of tenders and fries to her mom, Lynn Bankowski, who makes a habit of stopping by once a week for dinner. It's one of the perks of having a child in the pub/restaurant business.

"I just kind of show up for the fries. I leave the business side to Blake," said Lynn Bankowski of her son, Blake Bankowski, who is the visionary behind this concept bar, nestled in a quiet corner just off Main Street.

After two years, this family business is building a reputation as something unique with a local flair, off the beaten downtown path of other eateries, where the emphasis is on great food, live music, one-of-a-kind cocktails, and overall big-fun atmosphere.

There's an upstairs where the music options are toned down on weekends, while a DJ spins downstairs for those party people who want to rock the house a little.

Now that Barnes has joined the team, Amsterdam is ramping up its schedule of weeknight activities, which are rounded out by consistently delectable menu offerings and weekend party atmosphere.

Monday night is trivia night; Tuesday is Texas Hold'em poker, run by TaverntainmenT; Wednesday is , a themed food and drink night featuring ingredients from local vendors; Thursdays usually involve music in some way, rotating between DJs or live bands and local favorites; Fridays and Saturdays feature DJs; and Sunday "Funday" is still evolving into some kind of game night.

Yes, there has been a learning curve, stepping into the bar/restaurant world from scratch, said Alison Bankowski. But her brother knew that, if nothing else, it would be a fun challenge.

"He started looking in the Boston area, but Nashua is home, and when this place became available, that was it," said Alison Bankowski.

Cultivating a loyal crowd of regulars has to start somewhere. So when Sara Gual and Frona Avery of Nashua walked in the door for the first time last weekend, Barnes took notice.

She introduced herself to the ladies, who had come seeking a well-cooked meal in advance of a performance "Stuart Little," at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre, just a brisk walk away.

"My granddaughter is performing and we wanted a front row seat, so we got there early and decided to find a place to eat," said Gual, finishing the last of her fries.

They'd seen Old Amsterdam before, but hadn't ventured in, until now. The verdict? Four thumbs up for the food, and the ambiance.

"I'm a chef, so I can be grumpy about bad food. I appreciate the chef here," said Avery.

"And we love , which we understand they feature here," added Gual.

That, they do.

Partnering with local business owners like . on Amherst Street, and other local vendors, is a strategy that appeals both to diners and chef Travis Tessier, formerly of in Merrimack, who draws inspiration from the possibilities.

For example, tonight's Amsterdam Local menu has an Irish theme in anticipation of St. Patrick's Day, including Irish Nachos (potato chips topped with cheddar cheese, bacon and scallions), and traditional shepherd's pie and corned beef and cabbage. Bracci always surprises with a corresponding drink special that is as stimulating visually as it is to the tastebuds.

Bread will be from Great Harvest, and produce, from Lull Farm in Hollis.

On Saturday Old Amsterdam will go green with "Sham Rock the House," starting off at 9 a.m. with "kegs and eggs," upstairs/downstairs live music options jazz combo Tonkin Toys, Jimmy D and DJ J Styles, and a variety of drink specials, from Irish Car Bombs and Pot 'O Gold Punch to Lucky Shamrock Shots.

Along with Tessier's spin on the revamped dinner menu, Old Amsterdam just added lunch hours Wed. - Sun. starting at 11 a.m. with affordable sandwich, wrap and burger options all for $8 or less.

Sure, there's plenty of competition for downtown dining options. But Alison Bankowski says there's still room for what Old Amsterdam brings to the table – which, in her opinion is some of the best local fare and creative cocktail options in town.

"Once people come through the door they'll see what we have here is something different," Bankowski said.

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Take advantage of this week's NH.com Daily Deal featuring 50 percent savings at Old Amsterdam.