Parker's Maple Barn

I had noticed in the news last week that the maple syrup season was beginning, and the thought of a stack of fresh, fluffy buttermilk pancakes with delicious local maple syrup was irresistable.  So, I researched all the local sugar shacks and found "Parker's Maple Barn" in Mason, New Hampshire, just 40 minutes from my house.  This place looked ideal, I could check out the sugar house and see how maple syrup is made,then sample the product in the restaurant next door.

Here are some pictures of the metal evaporator used to heat the sap.

We were lucky to see some sap in one of the boiling vats but were told that it has been too cold recently, so they had no more to boil that day.  Apparently, the season depends a lot on the temperature.  When the night temperatures dip into the 20's and the day temperatures soar into the 40's, the maple tree sap starts running. So sap is collected through February, March and April, but due to uncertain weather conditions the dates to tap the trees are ever changing.  Maple trees are tapped with lines or a bucket is hung to collect the sap. The sap is boiled and the water evaporates and the sweet syrup is left behind.  It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.

So, after seeing and smelling all that delicious syrup, I was hungry for my pancakes!  The restaurant next door was a huge barn warmed by a cute stove in the middle of the room.  The walls are full of old fashioned memorabilia and was cozy and inviting.  Luckily today, there was no waiting and we were shown to a table straight away.

The menu is quite large, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I already knew what I wanted  but Rick was wavering between the Parker's breakfast special and the dish of the day (french toast filled with cream cheese and cherries). As you can see from the picture below, he went for the breakfast special. It was a huge plate of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, home fries and choice of pancakes or french toast.  A side of toast was also offered, but I think that was over kill...

As I was ordering pancakes, Rick got the french toast he was salivating over..

The buttermilk pancakes were as big as the plate!  I slathered them in butter ( yes, butter - we only eat Best life or Smart balance buttery spread at home) and poured warm maple syrup over the top.  Heavenly!! I managed to wrestle an egg and sausage from Rick's plate and that the made my breakfast complete. By the way, the coffee was served in a thermos on the table and was strong and hot.

Needless to say, we didn't eat for the rest of the day. But, if you're in the Mason area this month, and you love pancakes with real maple syrup, then give Parker's Maple Barn a try.  You'll love it!