Fire and Spice Bistro gets new home: Why owners are leaving Newfields for Dover
NEWFIELDS — Fire and Spice Bistro is packing its fiery flavors and heading to a new home in downtown Dover as part of what owners called “the next step” for the restaurant.
Co-owner Melani Taillon said she and her husband, Kevin, have been searching for a larger space since last year. She said they chose Dover because of its energy and diverse culinary scene.
“The city is just bustling and has a fantastic restaurant scene already,” said Melani Taillon. “Adding Fire and Spice to it will just make it even more fantastic.”
Formerly located in a colonial barn along Route 108, Melani Taillon said the new space at 47 Washington St. in Dover will allow them to offer more than 100 seats compared to the 52 in Newfields.
“We’re going to double the seating,” she said of the space at Cocheco Mills that formerly housed the Aviation Brewing Company.
Fire and Spice Bistro is known for its eclectic mix of cuisines and prides itself on having “an extensive gluten-free menu” to meet customers’ dietary restrictions and offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options.
Within the past three years of operation, Fire and Spice Bistro has had a successful run in Newfields. The restaurant was consistently in the top three in the Best of Seacoast in the Best Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free, Best All Around Restaurant, and Best Chicken categories, among many others.
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Will Newfields favorites be on the menu in Dover?
Melani Taillon said the Dover location will serve an identical menu, including popular offerings such as the Smokey Blue Flatbread, Big Sexy Burger! and Cajun Chicken and Waffles.
But another advantage of moving to a larger space is the ability to expand the menu. Customers at the Dover location, she said, can expect more variation of the food that they have known to love.
“I think we bring a unique dining option for the city that isn’t really represented there as much,” said Kevin Taillon. “We have some competition, for sure, in certain parts of our menu, but in other parts of our menu, people come just for that.”
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A new start for Fire and Spice Bistro
Melani and Kevin Taillon, founders of Naked Hot Sauces, opened Fire and Spice Bistro in 2020. The couple is also behind the tapas bar Tequila Rae’s in Newmarket, which opened last October.
Melani Taillon announced the restaurant’s move on the Facebook page Seacoast Eats on Sunday, which was also their final day in Newfields. The post garnered nearly 50 comments and 20 shares within 24 hours from customers throughout the Seacoast.
While some were sad the restaurant was moving away from Newfields, Dover residents expressed their excitement for a new eatery in the city.
“I can't wait to come to try your vegan food as there's not enough places that offer more than one vegan option for dinner,” commented Jen Birmingham. “Welcome to Dover.”
Melani Taillon said the move is a “bittersweet” moment for the couple. She said they spent this week packing up their old space to move into their new location. The goal, she said, is to start operating at the Dover location within four to six weeks.
“The Newfields community, this entire area – Newmarket, Stratham, Exeter – the community has been absolutely amazing,” she said. “They have embraced us, they’ve become like family, and we’ve made so many fantastic friends and we hope that they’ll come to Dover.”
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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Fire and Spice Bistro: Dover new home for Newfields restaurant
