Middle Eastern Food in Manchester, VT
Since people are always looking for food rec's in the Manchester area, I thought I'd give you all a little review of a restaurant I just tried last night. It's actually a furniture store with a small restaurant in the middle of the store. It's called Depot 62 and it's on the Route 11/30 strip in Manchester Center, just about a mile from Route 7A. It's next to Zoey's Deli.
I dined with a friend who eats there pretty often and says it's really the only place she'll eat in town. She was late (typical) so the furniture store aspect of it provided a good distraction while I waited. Of course, everything in there is outrageously expensive, but it's a wealthy area, so I suppose they must do o.k.
To the food...We started off with a roasted eggplant dip, like a babaganoush, but it bit lighter than what I've usually had. It was served with freshly baked pita, which they cook to order in a huge wood-fired oven. It's pretty cool to be able to sit there and watch your pita expand to impossible proportions in the oven. For dinner, I had the kofte kebab, ground lamb and veal in little patties, served with roasted tomatoes and a green pepper, all in a nice yogurt sauce. It came with more fresh pita. I have to say, though, that, like the eggplant appetizer we had, we were both adding a lot of salt to our dishes and even then, they still seemed to be missing something. They were delicious, yes, but somewhat underflavored, which is surprising for middle-eastern food which is usually so tasty. My friend had some roasted lamb kebobs which were so incredibly tender. They came with more pita and some raw tomatoes and onions, which offset the long-roasted meat nicely.
For dessert, we each had some homemade organic baklava which was the best baklava I've ever had. I usually don't order it because it's generally so incredibly sweet, but this had the perfect balance of sweet and buttery flakiness.
They also have a menu of pizzas, which my friend tells me are very good but it was a chilly night, so we opted for the heavy comfort meat dishes. They had a wine list, too, but I didn't take a very good look at it.
The service was a bit slow but friendly and the staff all seemed to do everything. Waiters were cooking, cooks were waiting tables, etc. My friend told me there's usually a woman working there who is Soup-Nazi rude, but she sort of just chalked it up to part of the place's "character."
I'd driven by this place a million times and saw the sign for the "cafe" but thought it was just a typical little coffee/lunch place. It was a totally unexpected experience and I'd definitely go back.
dukegirl
Jan 25, 2007 06:14AM
Thanks for the tip!
I cannot WAIT to try this place. It's such a shame that there is zero ethnic food in this neck of the woods. If you know of anything else, please pass it along...We currently drive to Williamstown MA for Indian.
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I heard that the Indian restaurant in W'town will be opening a new place in the former Lulu's in downtown Bennington. I hope that's true! I also heard from someone that Izabella's is going to close it's Benn. location due to skyrocketing rents, but I haven't seen any further proof of that.
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Wow!!!
I would be so excited if the Indian restaurant opens a Bennington location. Last time I called for take out, I begged the person on the phone to open a Bennington location. This is truly exciting news!
Less exciting news is the Izabella's rumor. It would be a damn shame if they leave. Izabella's is the only place in town for a decent lunch, IMO. Sigh. Another vacant storefront on Main Street....
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Have you tried the Bean & Leaf cafe in the Paradise Motor Inn? I haven't, but my husband has and he says it's great. Not too much lunchtime selection but very good food.
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