Wanted: Recommendations for Great VT/NH Restaurants

[carissal]

My husband and I are planning a week-long ski vacation in December. We'll be staying at Ascutney, but we're planning on hitting several resorts in both VT and NH throughout the week. I'm looking for recommendations on must-try places within reasonable driving distance from Killington, Okemo, Sunapee & Ascutney (less than 30 minutes drive would be great, considering we'll be trying to pack in as much ski time as possible during the day). We're trying to keep a reasonable budget but are up for one or two splurge-y meals. Would love to find some local brewpubs and/or gastropubs but we are really up for anything delicious.

I'm also considering a day trip to Burlington . . . is it worth it? If we opt for a rest day, what are the must-eats in Burlington?

[plien69]

For one of the splurges, I recommend Hemingway's on Rt 4 just south of Killington. Go for the Tasting Menu if you're into wines. They have a couple of dining rooms, one of which is the wine cellar with only 2 tables, if you want some seclusion.

[carissal]

Thanks for all the recommendations! We'll be there the 12th - 19th and it looks like we have plenty of options to keep us well-fed for the week. I'll report back with results, but it may not happen until after Christmas. Thanks again!

[mainemal]

Carissal, any report? We're headed to that general vicinity early in Feb, and are looking for possibilities.

[VTer]

Three undeservedly overlooked restaurants in this area are: (1) Keeper's in Reading -- this is the closest if you're really going to be at Ascutney. Delicious, fresh, wonderful atmosphere, priced right. My "meat and potatoes" husband is crazy about the spinach. (2) Parker House in Quechee. They actually share a parking lot with the much-lauded Simon Pearce. Parker House is for a special night out. Inventive, tasty, beautiful room. Wonderful in the summer when you can dine on the porch but go anytime. (3) Tip Top Cafe in White River Junction. Worth a trip. We always take guests here and can count on them being pleased. As with all local restaurants, check ahead to see if they are open the night you want to go...especially on Mondays and Tuesdays.

[vtchopper]

You should also check out:
1) Skunk Hallow Tavern (Wed. Nights are open mic starting around 9pm)
go over the Brownsville/Hartland road 15 minutes maybe
2) Keepers in Brownsville
Head out route 44 West then take a right on 106 15-20 minutes
3) The Weatherfield Inn I heard is great but have not been there
Head out route 44 West then take a left on 106 20-25 minutes (not 100%)
4) The P&P in Woodstock is Classic and always good
Head out route 44 west to 106 north head into Woodstock 30-35 minutes
5) The Hanover Inn is really good
take route 44 east towards Windsor and head on 91 north, take the Norwich exit then cross the bridge into NH. go up the hill and you will see the inn at the light
6) Home Hill Inn (I have to say I love this place, Paula Snow is a fellow Chef and does a great job)
Head route 44 then head into Windsor, go across the Windsor-Cornish Covered bridge into NH then head north on route 12A (I believe its route 12...when you get off the bridge go left) Follow that road into Plainfield and look for Rivers Edge Farms on the left and also McNamara Dairy. Follow that road 4-5 miles and Home Hill will be on the left.. this should be your #1 dinner, do the tasting menu..

I think thats all I can think of..
enjoy!
JEM

[ChardonnayQueen]

I have a couple of suggestions for Killington. The first is Choices, a chef-owned restaurant. He is known for his rotisserie meats, but I love the filet mignon and my friend always gets the NY strip steak. Whenever monkfish is on the menu as a special, I dive on it. Succulent.

The next is Santa Fe. This is a steakhouse with a decent salad bar and creative specials. I flipped for their salmon stuffed with goat cheese and red peppers.

Another is the Wobbley Barn Steakhouse. In addition to their sundry beef selections, they often offer game. All three of these are reasonably priced and consistenly good.

[box]

If you're going to be in Killington, you have to try Simon Pearce! My family has a summer home in the area and we always make the trek for dinner at least once during the season. It is not only a restaurant but a glass blowing studio and weaving center. The restaurant overlooks a river, as it is in an old mill. The scenery alone is gorgeous enough for the price, but the food is consistent, delicious, and well-thought.

[chonak]

If your route goes through the St. Johnsbury area, Juniper's at the Wildflower Inn in Lyndonville is worth a visit. Actually, the inn has two eateries; there's also a lunch-only place at the inn's spa. The beef is from cattle raised on-site.
http://www.wildflowerinn.com/dining/j...

[JPR]

I highly recommend Yama in Hanover. It also has another location in Lebanon. Great lunchboxes. Mollys Ballon in Hanover is good for drinks and pizza. I second Salt Hill and Three Tomatoes. There is a good Mexican place by the Newport, NH airport called Little Red Baron. Do not let the name and location discourage you, very fresh food. Good if you are skiing Sunapee and heading back to Ascutney. There is also a new Common Man restaurant in Claremont which is not far from Ascutney. Owned by a very well respected restaurant guy in NH and his places feature good, wholesome comfort food. If I was staying in the Ascutney area, I would probably check it out for apres ski.

[wondertrev]

We go to Hanover once or twice a year, and have had good grub at the following places.
Yama: tiny, very good Korean place
The Fort: a truck stop with hearty b'fasts, great corned beef hash, stick to your ribs chow, on last visit clientele included truckers, college kids w/hangovers and Dartmouth profs discussing Edith Piaf
Salt Hill Pub: good fish and chips, pot roast, very relaxed, live music at night
Murphy's on the Green: by Dartmouth, better-than-expected pub chow, Travel and Leisure says their Murph Burger is one of 50 best in US
Gusano's: some bitch, but as a native Texan, I find the food to be pretty damned good. Go early to avoid crowds. Owner is from Monterrey MX.
Three Tomatoes: standard Italian fare, small chain with locations in Rutland, Burlington, W. Lebanon.
Ramunto's: many say best pizza in area. Location by Dartmouth is largest, has good beers
Long Trail Brewery: by Killington, good onion rings and burgers, growlers to go, closes early (by 6?)

Try the skiing at Whaleback and Storrs Hill (all 2-3 runs). It's very low-key, much like skiing in the old days

Burlington is kinda neat, but IMHO not worth the drive.It's much livelier in the summer.

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Yama Restaurant
96 Main St, West Lebanon, NH 03784

Salt Hill
2 W Park St, Lebanon, NH 03766

Salt Hill Pub
64 Main St, Newport, NH 03773

[Shann]

In the Killington area, but off the access road, I like Countryman's Pleasure, just off route 4 in Mendon. In downtown Rutland, Little Harry's and Table 24 are also good. If you want to travel a little further, Cafe Provence in Brandon also does a nice job. I know that Countryman's has a few mentions on here, but don't know how to link.

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Little Harry's
121 West St, Rutland, VT 05701

Cafe Provence
11 Center St, Brandon, VT 05733

Table 24
24 Wales St Ste 7, Rutland, VT 05701

[zootsi]

There are lots of good places to eat in the Hanover/Lebanon/Woodstock area, which are all less than 45 minutes to Ascutney. Hanover is the home of Dartmouth College, so there is a good selection of mid priced places to eat. Perhaps the best (and highest rated) is the Yama Korean place. We are not big fans of Korean food, but the ambiance is great, and lots of people love the food. Also in Hanover is the Canoe Club, a somewhat pricey but very comfortable restaurant/tavern with live entertainment every night. Just down the road in Lebanon is Three Tomatoes, right on the Lebanon green. Very good, creative Italian food in an 'urban trattoria' atmosphere. Just across the plaza is Salt Hill Pub, which offers very hearty and inexpensive pub food, a great selection of beers, and live music on weekends. Woodstock Vt. is a more upscale touristy kind of town with many interesting places to eat. Simon Pierce, which is just down the road in Quechee, is perhaps the best known. Top notch food in a beautiful setting. For something very casual and unique, check out the Angkor Wat Cambodian place just a few blocks east of the downtown. This is a hole in the wall mom & pop place with some authentic Asian food, and one of the very few byob's in the area. Check out the uvfood website for more ideas.

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Canoe Club
27 S Main St, Hanover, NH 03755

Yama Restaurant
96 Main St, West Lebanon, NH 03784

Salt Hill
2 W Park St, Lebanon, NH 03766

Korean Place Restaurant
110 Hanover St, Manchester, NH 03101

Salt Hill Pub
64 Main St, Newport, NH 03773

Angkor Wat
61 Pleasant St, Woodstock, VT 05091

[whs]

FYI, Korean Place has closed. Mama retired and son opened a new place in Concord NH called...Sunny's Place. If you're near Walpole NH, stop at Burdicks for amazing chocolates and pastries. In Plainfield NH, Home Hill Inn has reopened--any reports?

[Scargod]

I go to this area occasionally and have a collection of restaurants. I have not been to many, but they are "Chowhound approved", so to speak. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&...