Epoch Gets New Food Director

Epoch Restaurant & Bar in Exeter appointed Robert Phair to director of food and beverage services. Phair, a long-time NH-based corporate executive, has in recent years worked at Robert's Maine Grill in Kittery, Maine; and for several years prior to that, he managed the restaurant and corporate events operation at Bonta Restaurant & Bar in Hampton.

Phair will team closely with Executive Chef Robert ("Bobby") Bean to maximize the success of Epoch, which has garnered TV Diner's "Platinum Plate," won several Best of NH awards, received recognition as a "Hot New Restaurant" by New Hampshire magazine, and earned Wine Spectator's "Award of Excellence."

"I am excited to work with Bobby and his creative culinary team. He's a young guy with a great deal of talent, who shares with me a vision of what we want Epoch to be. He's down to earth, loves to create simple dishes and make food people like to eat. A real focus on the best products - for example his burgers are far better than the next guy's. Rather than a product straight from the wholesaler's shelf, he mixes in-house brisket, short rib, top round and suet fat - so it's more like eating a steak in the form of a burger," Phair said.