romatic dinner in burlington vt

All you chowhounds were helpful in the planning of my valentines day vacation dinner in new hope pa....

here comes the anniversary, and im hoping someone out there can help. we're going to burlington vermont in mid july for a long weekend, and i want to take him out for a nice dinner -

romantic but not overly fancy (we'll be hiking and biking during the day), up to about $75pp, any type of food, a restaurant (or boat??) with a view or scenery is a plus....

any thought? thanks!

[katiepie]

I haven't been to the Daily Planet in years, but I never had a bad meal there... it was usually quite good. However, I cook so much at home that when I go out I want a "knock your socks off" meal so I prefer a place like Trattoria Delia (or a 2 for $30 meal at Leunig's or Pauline's, because of price.)

I wouldn't steer anyone away from the Daily Planet, but I haven't been there in so long it just doesn't come to mind anymore!

Glad to hear you had a nice meal at the Trat, Tony... I think I need to take a trip there again soon!

[alicat]

No one has mentioned Daily Planet? My husband and I ate there one cold night last March and loved it so much, we made a point of going back on our 5th wedding anniversary this year. Drove all the way from Warren for dinner, in fact. I love the intimacy of the dining room, the wine list is eclectic, the food very consistent, with plenty of choice for everyone from meat lovers to veg heads. I've had duck there twice now and it's been done perfectly both times. We'd go back anytime.

[TonyO]

Went to Trattoria Delia last night. Appetizers (Carpaccio, Duck leg confit with roasted peppers and roasted beet salad) were all excellent. Entree choioces were Osso Bucco with polenta, Vael Saltimbocca, and Medium Rare Duck Breast over Pumpkin Rissoto were all excellent. Would have liked some type of reduction sauce (maybe cherry / Port) with the Duck but it was cooked perfectly. Hats off to this establishment for consistently excellent performances.

[jhberkley]

Went back to Sonoma Station Friday night for the first time in 6 months. A delightful and delicious meal. I love champagne by the glass. The service was just right. Try it if you haven't, and go back if you have.

[louise8]

In Burlington, I recommend Smokejacks. Great local cheese tasting course and good wine selection.

Christoph's on the Green is an alternative to Black Sheep (both in Vergennes). More expensive and more elegant but certainly not as much fun as Black Sheep.

EAT is good for lunch in Vergennes. Stop by Champlain Valley Creamery afterwards to see Carlton making cheese.

In Middlebury, I recommend the Middlebury Inn for dinner. Really interesting menu and relaxing. Venison, snails, duck confit, meatloaf, local ingrediants. The desert menu is terribly dull though and the options are all too sweet. I don't think the Inn itself is anything to write home about. However, the Inn has just been sold, and should probably get more interesting (and rennovated) next year. HOpefully they will take down the hideous shutters.

EAT is the more stylish and citified option for dinner in Middlebury. Slow service (read not good for kids, even though they have a good kids menu and pb&j if all else fails).

New this week in Middlebury is a Thai place on route 7 on the east side of the street just south of the Breadloaf architecture offices. Very interesting development and good cheap fare. Take out.

[GG Mora]

“New this week in Middlebury is a Thai place on route 7 on the east side of the street just south of the Breadloaf architecture offices. Very interesting development and good cheap fare. Take out.”

Music to my ears. Middlebury is such a wasteland in the lower-end dinner department, and we very often find ourselves in need of a quick dinner there with the kids. Can't wait to try it.

[louise8]

with kids in the middlebury area, (or without -- it manages to be romantic, comfortable, pubby, traditional, and kid friendly at the same time) The shoreham inn is amazing. unpretentions, lots of toys general okness with toddlers doing loops around the bar / dining area. great beer, interesting wines by the glass, food generally better quality than the fancy places in middlebury.

shorehaminn.com/menu/index.php

[TonyO]

I agree with Trattoria Katiepie. They are the exception in a world of no ambiance, onion blossom serving, flourescent lit, Woodbridge pouring, quick table turning, Ragu sauce covered slop houses. It is always a great night at Trattoria from the minute you step down the stairs into the dining room (especially on a cold winter night and are greeted by th ecrackling fireplace). The pocket rooms are especially cozy and the all Italian wine list has some real treasures. The Osso Bucco and Barolo finished tenderloin are first rate !

[katiepie]

The most romantic restaurant in Burlington, hands down, is Trattoria Delia on St. Paul street. Old world Italian, great wine, excellent service. Cozy table nooks by the fireplace. Reservations are a must though!

[touringvt]

I must say I had an excellent experience at Sonoma Station last week while in the area for business/fun. Sat in the window seat and enjoyed an excellent bottle of zinfandel at a resonable price! You can't beat the food, right up there with many more expensive restaurants. The service was attentive but not in your face. Bravo! I will be back! This cute little place seems to have it all! I can't wait until the snow flies, as I will be back!

[LisaLou]

We finally went to Sonoma on Friday and had an excellent meal. The duck special was cooked perfectly. Good desserts. The crab napoleon could have used a little less lettuce. The squash soup was good as well. And my FIL ate all of his tuna before anyone else could sample it. Service was good. I agree attentive but not in your face. We had family in town that were willing to take us somewhere nicer than Bridge St. Cafe. They were also accomodating for children which was nice. As parents it's nice to be able to go out for a nicer meal than most family restaurants and still be able to accomodate a child. Overall a nice experience.

[touringvt]

LisaLou,

Glad you liked it, I will definately go back the next time I am in town! It's too good a place to pass up, with all the bad food there is out there! Just waiting for the slopes to get a good base and I will be up there again! Take care.

[OCatswell]

Black Sheep is a good value- Haven't tried the chef's new place in Shelburne yet.. Bearded Frog.
Starry Night is good but I think it used to be better-
I live an hour out of town but enjoy Taste of Burlington very much- worth the commute in my humble opinion. Best wine glasses in town and a unique selection of food, wine, art and music.

[OCatswell]

Here's my tripadvisor review of my last visit to Taste (with a date!)

I don't know where to start!?! Wonderful service and food! My date and I dined out side after drinks at the bar- The bartender Kip is quite an exuberant fellow! My "Champlain Sunset" martini was fabulous as it was made with freshly squeezed juice- My companion had a "Blueberry Breeze" made with Stoli Blueberry Vodka and garnished with sugar sweet fresh blueberries... For dinner, we dined outside under the awning and watched a beautiful sunset over the Adirondacks- Appetizers were the crab cakes (FULL of meat with very little bread crumbs!!!) and the grilled quail stuffed with whiskey soaked cherries and toasted walnuts. Dinner was short billed marlin (much of Taste's fish is flown in weekly from Hawaii our server told us) and the Black Angus ribeye steak- (a little over the top at 18oz... but I was having the fish so whatever;) I don't agree with the comments of "pricey" regarding Taste. The setting, decor, service (not snoooty or over bearing- very familial- perhaps that is the turnoff for some???) and especially the wonderful dishes are well worth the cost. The kicker this evening- (8/25/06) was a show of "fire twirlers" in the parking lot. I didn't know what was going on when I saw the flashes through the windows. It turned out to be some of the employees (so the chef told me) practicing thier "poi" which is the term for spinning burning balls of cotton on the ends of chains- They were syncronized like a dance- What a unique way to end the evening with my dessest wine! I just can't get enough of this place-

[TonyO]

Here are my toughts on the dining options in the Greater Burlington area:

L'Amante : College Street, Burlington: Excellent service and creative food. Nice ambiance as well.

Kitchen Table, Rte 2, Richmond: First rate cuisine that is always spot on. A well thought wine list that can be a bit agressive in pricing

Old Brick Cafe, Rte 2 Williston: The BYOB is a huge plus and the food is very well done. Not quite as polished as the Kitchen Table but will save you quite a few $$.

NECI, Essex Jct: AWFUL on ALL categories

Martones, Rte 15 Essex Jct.: best sandwiches in Vermont

Enjoy !

Another vote for Starry Night. I would choose it over Black Sheep any day. Worth booking as it does get busy over the summer. They have tables outside overlooking a pond which is rather lovely but don't forget the anti mozzie spray.

Smokejacks in Burlington, Black Sheep Bistro in Vergennes and Starry Night Cafe in Ferrisburgh might fit the bill for price, great food and ambience - I've enjoyed lovely meals with my honey at all of them. None of those have much of a view, though (although Starry has a pond and patio out back if the weather's nice). I've never been myself, but I've read very positive posts about Taste in Burlington - good chef, and it's right on the shore of the lake.

Let me also throw out a suggestion for lunch at Four Corners of the Earth in Burlington. The multiculturally-themed sandwiches are delish (Greek Artichoke and Japanese tuna are my faves), the decor is a hoot, and the owner is a real character. It's at 310 Pine Street - a little ways off the main drag, but worth the search!

Link: http://www.tasteofburlington.com/

Our anniversary is in 2 weeks and I can tell you all the restaurants we considered. I didn't look for anything specifically in Burlington b/c we've been to most of the restaurants that we can afford and since the child we rarely go out for a nice dinner so I wanted to try somewhere new for us-

The Kitchen Table
Sonoma Station
Black Sheep Bistro
Starry Night Cafe
Toscano Cafe Bistro
Mary's Restaurant at the Inn at Baldwin Creek

We're going to Black Sheep. Hubby balked at the cost of The Kitchen Table which was my first choice. But Black Sheep sounds like it might be up your alley, too. You could do a hike on Snake Mountain.

Link: http://www.sevennightsvt.com/7n/listi...

Black Sheep is excellent. If they still have the venison dumplings on the menu be sure to give them a try.
Where is Sonoma Station?

It's in Richmond where Blue Seal once was. I've heard it's good simple food.

Sonoma Station is in Richmond Village, and took the space where the Blue Seal used to be. We ate there twice last week, once for our anniversary and again with familly over the weekend. Everything the first night was perfect -- pork loin and a duck special, champagne by the glass, great service. The second time service was spotty, there was a new menu with some new (higher) prices. The food was still good but this place is still in its formative stages.

Sounds good...thanks for the tip. We'll have to check it out.