2 New England Spots Are On Yelp’s Best New Women Owned Restaurants

In celebration of Women's History Month, Yelp released a new report that details the 25 best new women-owned restaurants across the country. A wide range of establishments were highlighted coast-to-coast, and two New England restaurants made the list.

"From vegan crispy chicken in California to Peruvian ceviche in Wisconsin, this list features an eclectic array of food brought to the table by big dreamers all across the country who opened their doors in the last year," Yelp says.

In order to find, try, and compile this list, Yelp laid out some specific criteria. First, the restaurant had to open within the past year. Each of them had then opted into the "Women Owned Business" attribute on Yelp. Total volume, reviews, and ratings were then factored into the naming of the 25 best.

In New England, you will have to drive a bit out of Boston to hit these spots. However, if you are heading to Portland, Maine, or the Danbury, Connecticut area, these new women-owned establishments are not to be missed.

Located at 505 Fore Street in Portland, Bread and Friends is a hot spot for brunch. Their success as a farmers market bakery eventually led to a full restaurant in the Old Port neighborhood.

Now, shared plated such as deviled eggs, mini pastrami biscuits, and crispy red bliss potatoes are served daily. Sourdough bread loaves, banquettes, and croissants are also still at the centerpiece of their menu.

The bakery and brunch options are available daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dinner seating is seasonal and expected to return in late spring.

Last but certainly not least on Yelp's list is this spot in Danbury, CT. It is located at 30 Germantown Rd. It is open seven days per week for lunch and dinner. On Sundays, they also serve brunch.

At J Law Kitchen and Craft Bar, the menu is extensive. Nine different bar-friendly appetizers start things off. This is where you will find nacho and beer cheese pretzels.

Then, you have the choice between nine sandwiches, nine artisan pizzas, or eight main course dishes. This is all in addition to soups and salads.

As you can imagine by the name, drinks are also top of mind at J Law. There's a full menu of beer, wine and specialty cocktails. Plus, Thursday is Martini Night.

These popular new spots in New England also happen to be in great company on the best women-owned restaurants on Yelp's list. An establishment called Hey, Sunshine Kitchen in Culver City, California took the #1 spot. This is owned by sisters and is a plant-based menu.

In addition, women-owned restaurants in Hawaii, Indianapolis, and Virginia Beach were all recognized for being among the best new spots.

As much as I love my south shore area of the Northeast, sometimes there is nothing better than a quick pause. We are fortunate in New England that there are so many great options that are a short drive away. It's not hard to embark on that perfect weekend getaway escape.

With summer coming to a close and the hustle and bustle of all the fall activities kicking into overdrive, here I will look at some of the best places for a weekend getaway in New England based upon all of those I have visited.

Many factors can be considered when nailing down that perfect two-day plan. We, of course, are graced with all four seasons of the year, so depending upon when you are traveling, different activities may be available to you. Then again, perhaps you don't want any activities at all.

Food options are important to me. However, I don't make trip plans based around what place has the best restaurants. I tend to lean towards exploring the local area in hopes of tripping across a local gem.

Driving distance is another thing I heavily weigh. Although I don't mind the occasional long road trip, my preference is to maximize my time on a weekend adventure. Therefore, time in the car is ideally under four hours. Cost is always a factor.

Lastly, I must preface this list by stating I am an outdoorsman. A good book or movie can certainly do the trick. I always opt for great ocean waves, a rope swing, or mountain over an extra hour of sleep.

In recent years, I have been to each of the places on this list over various months of the year. They each have their own unique characteristics. Their common bond is that they are all great destinations for a New England weekend getaway.

Cape Cod is an obvious location. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, there is perhaps no place that is more popular in Massachusetts. To me, it's about finding that specific corner of Cape Cod that is right for you. You can camp or find cottages along Cahoon Hallow Road that will enable amazing trips to the beach. Trekking those sand dunes, hitting the three-foot waves (yes, sometimes there are shark warnings), and then getting food at the Beachcomber while listening to the great live music, is my perfect day.

There is never a bad time to visit this charming town. You can ski Cranmore in the winter. Hike, hit the waterfalls, or visit Storyland in the summer. Either way, you will be graced with some amazing local restaurants. In fact, North Conway flies under the radar as one of the best pizza towns in New England. The hotels like Eastern Slope in accommodate any season, and are right in the middle of town where all the bars, restaurants and stores are. This weekend getaway is probably the least "quiet" but has the most amount of options at your fingertips.

The river that runs through Woodstock has a way of speaking to you. It's serene but can also provide a thrill of pushing you down stream. It's calming to provide that fresh water cleanse to rid yourself of all that comes with the lights on the city. Lastly, the various rope swings scattered around the town provide a liberating rush. From the climb up the rocks to the swing, to the plunge, you focus on nothing but the joy of that ride. Ramunto's Brick Oven and Brews is also an essential stop upon each visit.

Lake life just hits differently. Depending upon where you go around Lake Sebago you get the feeling that nowhere else on the planet exists while you there. Frye Island has the magic of no public cars, local watering holes, and the ability to bike incredible dirt roads. There's a history there to learn about and local taps to enjoy. It's common to see jet skiing or pontoon boating anywhere you look within the glistening waters. Furthermore, certain towns offer that one and only general store that has everything you can imagine, from household cleaning supplies to steaks to grill for dinner.