Two Ceres Street Makes Practicing Sustainability Taste So Good

PORTSMOUTH — Described by a recent patron as “Portsmouth’s best date spot for the wintertime,” Two Ceres Street, a martini and wine bar, features inspired drinks and delicious bites in a welcoming atmosphere.

Open in the winter at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, Two Ceres Street changes its menu often. “We try to source local foods and organic produce. That’s why the menu changes,” says Marlisa Geroulo, who co-owns the place with her husband, John Golum. “We use organic foods as much as possible, whatever is local that we think will be successful.”

Its focus on local foods and organic produce is no accident: The establishment practices sustainability in several ways, and it is a business partner of the Green Alliance, a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices, and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members. Green Alliance members receive a 10 percent discount on meals and drinks and can save more than $3 on a meal consisting of a martini, shrimp tacos, and PEI mussels.

The aforementioned patron, Gavin Barbour, a Kittery, Maine, resident, left impressed with the menu. “It was incredible,” he said. “Portions were a good size, the food tasty, the selection diverse, with great complementary drinks that you can’t get anywhere else. The restaurant has unique dishes to choose from that are also affordable. It makes Two Ceres Street the best date spot for the winter, a cozy, warm environment – and not just because it has a fireplace. It’s well-lit and the bar is beautiful.”

The deep fried avocado proves continually successful, and always popular are the spicy Korean tacos. Also popular now are the lobster mac and cheese, black bean and corn fritters, salads, red snapper Vera Cruz, and eggplant medallions with green chili sauce.

“We had a bunch of stuff off the food menu, ordering at least half of what Two Ceres Street offers and we loved it all,” Barbour said.  “Portions were a good size, the price was great and flavor fantastic. The variety was just right – we had no problem finding a bunch of things that appealed. Patrick, the server, made some great recommendations and was very complimentary and knowledgeable on the new menu.”

Besides focusing on the establishment’s regular fare, the chef is busy redoing the catering menu. In that vein, the establishment hosts a lot of parties this time of year, many of the functions attended by repeat customers. This December, Two Ceres hosts a function pretty much every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

Two Ceres offers drink specials every night, exciting cocktails that include various martinis, sparkling sake, Margaritas, classic Caipirinha and wines that patrons find especially appealing.

With the exposed beams, reclaimed wood artwork on the walls, reclaimed wood stumps as seats, and beautiful LED lighting, Two Ceres Street makes patrons feel right at home as if they were in their own living room — a green living room. The metal bar stools were chosen for shape and design as well as their low impact environmentally. Local and world renowned blacksmith Peter Hapney designed and fabricated both the railing upon entering and the fireplace screen.

The bar top, as well as shelving and the vanity top in the restroom are made from Paperstone, one of today’s greenest architectural surfaces. Paperstone is manufactured from 100 percent post consumer recycled cardboard. The floor they chose is called Altro, made from recycled plastic milk bottles.

When you do come for a visit, remember Two Ceres’ motto: Relax, gather, unwind.

For more information about Two Ceres Street, visit www.twoceresstreet.com. And for more information about the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz.