7 Nights Guide to Vermont Restaurants and Bars

Gorgeous...but: Reviewed by RudigerVT on May 16, 2013; This is a stunning room. No doubt. We visited as long-time denizens of Burlington Wine Shop and Church Street Wine Cellars. Now granted, those are both essentially wine stores who run tastings. This is a wine bar that offers tastings as a bit of a side line. It was great to see Nate, who did a terrific job. And yet. We split one of the white and one of the red tastings. We left a respectable tip (well deserved, I'll add). But sheesh. For $40? Basically 2 glasses of wine. This is a laudable venture, but I don't think we'll be back.; read more about this restaurant

It's true: Reviewed by RudigerVT on February 19, 2013; This place lives up to the hype. Excellent service. Expecting to be seated immediately (it's Tuesday; it's raining; I'm having a fussy moment; I've not eaten all day) the very able hostess and one of the owners literally made a table for us. I'd listened to so many people rave about the beet and avocado salad, I ordered it almost on a dare. It was that good. Satisfying, but it whetted my appetite. I had the pizza Margherita. Nowhere to hide, a tour de force of balance and, well, truth. My companion's arugula (aka Rocket) salad was also very fine as was his fennel sausage pie. Wines are unique without being weird. It does add up: $88 for 2 (3 glasses of wine, total, and I am a big tipper). But for a big-city experience in little old Burlington, I think it's worth the price. When we return, the fig and Gorgonzola has my name on it.; read more about this restaurant

Stunning: Reviewed by RudigerVT on September 23, 2012; Apparently these people can do no wrong. I've been there 3 or 4 times in the past week or so. Everything is just achingly good. The best roasted chicken I've had in my life. Yummy sides. To-die-for baked goods (the cookies are tremendous and a serious bargain). Awesome soups. I showed up on Friday afternoon, asking for some garlic bread on Saturday. Came back to get it. Best. Ever. Gorgeous, hit-of-the-party, beautifully prepared. Pinch-me-now pricing. Remind me: why do I cook? I may just leave that to the professionals. Look, Burlington's a food town. There are lots of people doing really great stuff, and I will not disrespect them with comparisons. Every element of Logan's is being done well, very well, in other spots. But this is a potent and, frankly, unique compilation of food, wine, and provisions. It's not cheap--McDonalds is cheap. But they offer tremendous *value.* I can't make this stuff for this amount, and I can't do it this well. Welcome, Nick and company. We're glad you're here.; read more about this restaurant

Always a solid option: Reviewed by RudigerVT on September 17, 2012; I've never had a bad dining experience at B-Bay, and for years, we ate there so often, we called it "The Inevitable Burlington Bay." But that's because it was (and is) dependable. Their grilled sandwiches are tasty and often feature nice, fresh fish. The lobster bisque is rich and filling. Service is always polite. Last couple of trips over the past year or so, no regrets. Too bad they gave up their on-site liquor license, as they had some appealing stuff on tap and by the glass. But day in, day out, they do a good job.; read more about this restaurant

It's good: Reviewed by RudigerVT on August 22, 2012; It's nice to get BBQ from several regions in one spot--here, actually. Each element is good. What I miss--and what, in general, I don't quite like in the Bluebird franchise--is a sense of balance. It seems that nearly every dish gets funneled toward a sought-after spot of rich, flavor-layered-ness. What I really crave is an overall experience, with some vegetal austerity, bracing acidity, and the up-and-down roller coaster that's the result. They've lightened and brightened the Riverside space and the outdoor dining remains some of the best in the region. I will be back.; read more about this restaurant

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