MRV where to chow?

[hrstrat57]

Ok, thanks primarily to AZ input I got the lodging for the MRV whirlwind ski trip all set.

Now, where to we go to eat? :beer:

Recommendations please....MRV only...will drive for skiing but not far for food!

Thanks!

 

[Greg]

Hyde Away and Egan's are my favorites, but I haven't sampled too much of the local cuisine. Wasn't impressed with the Common Man; too highfalutin for my taste. American Flatbread typically gets high marks for 'za, but I haven't tried it yet.

 

[nelsapbm]

American Flatbread is a MUST. It's most likely unlike any pizza you've ever had. Greg, you must try it out next time you are up. There is also one in Middlebury and Burlington, and a "chain" of Flatbread restaurants which are an offshoot of sorts.
Anyway....check out the website for hours as they are not open often: www.americanflatbread.com
Other than that...I have not eaten out much in the valley. I had lunch at Jay's once which was OK.
Too bad you don't want to drive far because a visit over the mountain to the Bobcat Cafe in Bristol would be great...love that place.
Have fun!

 

[bman]

hyde away is real good and reasonable, ate there last time I was in the valley. It is right on the road to MRG, 3 or so miles from the mountain.

 

[WWF-VT]

Easy Street is a good option. - creative menu at reasonable prices. Alchemist in Waterbury is a slight drive but worth the trip for their beer.

 

[billski]

American Flatbread is a MUST. It's most likely unlike any pizza you've ever had. Greg, you must try it out next time you are up. There is also one in Middlebury and Burlington, and a "chain" of Flatbread restaurants which are an offshoot of sorts.
Anyway....check out the website for hours as they are not open often: www.americanflatbread.com
Other than that...I have not eaten out much in the valley. I had lunch at Jay's once which was OK.
Too bad you don't want to drive far because a visit over the mountain to the Bobcat Cafe in Bristol would be great...love that place.
Have fun!

I second that. Very casual. "hippie pizza". great imaginative choices. Only open for dinner, they have two "seatings" so plan ahead.

 

[riverc0il]

Easy Street is a good option. - creative menu at reasonable prices. Alchemist in Waterbury is a slight drive but worth the trip for their beer.

Two of my friends stayed at the Alchemist and rate the Alchemist as one of the best breweries they have ever visited, this coming from my friend that has personally reviewed 600 individual brews and sampled hundreds more (domestic and abroad). Pretty high recommendation, IMO. Not exactly in the Valley but a pretty short drive to Waterbury up 100. I guess the food is good too, but......

:beer:

 

[severine]

Millbrook is a bit fancy. We ate there in 2004. Food was decent but pricey.

I haven't eaten at THE American Flatbread, but we've been buying their pizzas for years from the health food store and the chain in Canton, CT is phenomenal. Natural and organic, local sources of the ingredients, and very tasty. I imagine the original is even better. I love that the kitchen is open to the dining area and you can see them prepare and bake your pizza in the wood-fired open stone oven. Nice touch.

 

[madskier6]

American Flatbread is a MUST. It's most likely unlike any pizza you've ever had. Greg, you must try it out next time you are up. There is also one in Middlebury and Burlington, and a "chain" of Flatbread restaurants which are an offshoot of sorts.
Anyway....check out the website for hours as they are not open often: www.americanflatbread.com
Other than that...I have not eaten out much in the valley. I had lunch at Jay's once which was OK.
Too bad you don't want to drive far because a visit over the mountain to the Bobcat Cafe in Bristol would be great...love that place.
Have fun!

I totally agree with this post. American Flatbread in Waitsfield is a must do experience. They're only open Friday & Saturday nights. Because it gets crowded & there's not a huge seating capacity there, what I have done is to go there right after your ski day (sometime between 4:00 & 5:00, depending) & put your name on the list. You also ask them the estimated seating time or how many tables would be ahead of you. Then you show up for dinner about an hour later (depending on what they tell you).

You may still wait for a table but you will cut-out the long wait (unless you're willing to eat right after skiing or whenever they first start serving dinner). Leaving your name is not really a "reservation" nor does it guarantee you a specific time but it gives you a leg-up on the people who just show-up ready to eat who then have to wait.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

The Big Picture Show Cafe is a bar/bistro type place not too well know yet but have heard it's good and it's been busy everytime the wife and I have gone to see a movie.

Sev - your right..... the flash frozen version of an AF pizza is good but nothing like a fresh pie made with fresh ingredients served hot from the rock cave oven . You feel like your eating in the pizza version of the Keebler Elf cookie factory. Very high fun factor.

For fine dining the Pitcher Inn, Common Man and Timbers are also very good.

For lunch you can ski over to Sugarbush Village for alittle wine and cheese at Chez Henri and there is a new grinder/deli place over there which is getting great reviews. Timbers also does lunch.

 

[KingM]

We frequently get guests who want to rewrite American Flatbread's business model. They can't figure out why on earth they aren't open more days, why they don't take reservations, etc. They just don't get it.

(Having said that, I think it's ironic that they make such a huge deal about their environmental stewardship, but make you drive in to put your name on the list, then drive back an hour or so later to actually eat.)

 

[smootharc]

A few observations....

Flatbread....an experience....well worth the need to show up and wait. The wait is a nice mingle with other pizza minded folks.

Common Man.....I don't find high falutin', personally. Sit at the bar, and grab the bistro menu. Bistro menu also available at tables. Keith (owner) and Greg (barkeep) and the whole waitstaff crew are friendly and skilled. Ross and the kitchen crew delivers consistency at the highest level....visit after visit after visit. I put a lot of stock in that level of consistent excellence. I love the mellow atmosphere. I beat (I mean eat) the same dead horse everytime.....the Beet salad with goat cheese, (excellent bread comes, too), Petit Filet with spicy little thin fries and green beans, Schneeball for desert, with an Espresso. If you haven't had a Schneeball (dense vanilla ice cream in shape of snowball, rolled in toasted coconuts, and floated in a puddle of warm chocolate sauce)....you haven't lived.

Egan's.....excellent, generally. Great atmosphere. Friendly crew.

Blue Moon/Easy Street: excellent, friendly, nice atmosphere. Hell of a breakfast there, too.

 

[MikeTrainor]

In addition to the places mentioned Chez Henri is another favorite of mine.

 

[smootharc]

Oy vey....

In addition to the places mentioned Chez Henri is another favorite of mine.

....how did I forget Chez H ?

 

[Brettski]

You don't mention where you are staying...but Chez's a fav of mine

Mostly we cook in the condo

Ski hard, jacuzzi/margaritas, get fire going, more margaritas, whip up something simple, eat, more margaritas, pass out in front of the fire listening to Jean Luc Ponte...maybe a little takaradi


Get up early and hit the first chair

 

[castlerock]

My Fav's

In no particular order,
Chez Henri: Real French Bistro
Local Folk Smokehouse: Kids can run around, Great Tap beers, Pulled pork is excellent, Econmical
Big Picture: Don't tell anyone, OK?
Mutha Stuffas: THE place to get a sandwich, (really a grinder), enough to split.
Flatbread: But I only go in the summer

 

[Greg]

Common Man.....I don't find high falutin', personally...........I beat (I mean eat) the same dead horse everytime.....the Beet salad with goat cheese, (excellent bread comes, too), Petit Filet with spicy little thin fries and green beans, Schneeball for desert, with an Espresso. If you haven't had a Schneeball (dense vanilla ice cream in shape of snowball, rolled in toasted coconuts, and floated in a puddle of warm chocolate sauce)....you haven't lived.

See, that all sounds highfalutin to me. Give me some wings, a burger with blue cheese, and a few IPAs and I'm a happy man.

 

[KingM]

Have you guys tried Sweetwood Grill and Bar? It's just down the road from our inn and very good. That, Common Man and Chez Henri are my favorite for a nice night out with the missus.

Also, Timbers is good and has a great view of the mountain.

 

[MikeTrainor]

So Hyde Away and Local Folk are cheaper options? I am planning on Chez Henri on Saturday but am looking for a cheaper option on Friday.

 

[CapeSkier]

Sweetwood is outstanding. Jeff Lynn does some amazing things in the kitchen, especially if he is making his house-smoked filet mignon. He also makes the best burger ever, hand made to order. I eat there as frequently as possible. Not the best place to bring small kids, however, unless they are very well behaved in restaurants.

Localfolk is good if you have kids, since there are games in the back room. BBQ is pretty good. Casual atmosphere.

Hyde Away is the ski-bar for locals, food is great, everyone is friendly there.

Want wings? Waterbury Wings is the best, right up the block from the Alchemist. Worth the drive.

Easy Street has wonderful breakfasts.

Enjoy your stay in the MRV.