stowe -> best place for demo ski's and dinner

[davidpitkin]

Hey AZ'ers

I am going to Stowe this weekend to stay and need some demo's for my wife! Any great places to hit?

Also a best bet for dinner!

--
David

 

[deadheadskier]

Pinnacle is my favorite ski shop in town.


Dinner:

Fine Dining: Michaels on the Hill (between Stowe and Waterbury)
Casual elegance: Olives
Pub Fare: Gracies
Apres Ski: Matterhorn
Late Night Party: Rusty Nail
Last Call place to pick up drunk local girls before heading home: The Backyard Tavern (though this probably doesn't apply to you as you're married) :lol:

 

[RISkier]

Pinnacle ski shop on Rt. 108 is a Ski magazine demo center. Have never done business with them but you should be able to rent a fairly wide range of skis. Don't know what kind of restaurant you're looking for but I'd give very high marks to Tanglewoods which is actually in Waterbury and probably 8 miles or so South of Stowe just off Rt. 100. It's a converted barn with a casual, warm, friendly atmosphere. We've always had really good service -- not at all pretentious but the wait staff we've had have known what they were doing. And we've eaten there with fairly large groups of folks a few times and I don't recall anyone who wasn't really impressed with the food. It's not inexpensive but prices are not over the top and it seems like good value. You might need reservations on a weekend evening or holiday week. Several locals have said Michaels on the Hill is really really excellent though they've added you need to be ready to take out a second mortgage to pay for the meal. It's also South of Stowe on Rt. 100. Gracies and the Shed have good pub grub. The Matterhorn has really good wings and the pizza is pretty good as well (haven't tried anything else there). We used to really like Trattoria La Festa and made a point of going there almost everytime we were in Stowe. It's a moderately priced Italian. That said, the last time we went we weren't nearly as satisfied, don't know if we caught it on a bad night or if quality has gone down overall. Cactus Cafe has real solid Mexican fare. Locals have recommended the Blue Moon though we've not tried it.

 

[JD]

Iride has demos, Nordic barn also good, as well as pinnacle. I cook at the Blue Moon, good but pricey, call ahead on w/e. Catus Cafe is good but mad pricey for peasant food. Alchemist is Waterbury is great bang for the buck with the best local beer ever, anywhere, IMO.

 

[hardline]

i really like charlie b's at the stowflake. they make really good food. plus if you score a seat by the fireplace its pretty romatic. if you are so inclined. i never new about the backyard ill have to try that one when im solo.

 

[billski]

I've done a LOT of demoing at Pinnacle. Book online, save five bucks.
I get regular rentals too for the kids.
opens early, stays open late.


you'll need reservations for dinner on the weekend at the best spots.
Tons of good eats. [SIZE=-1]Trattoria La Festa is great Italian, reasonably-priced (just ate there last week).[/SIZE]

 

[davidpitkin]

Demo's reserved at Pinnacle and Dinner at Tanglewoods on Sunday at 8! On the mountain the rest of the weekend!

Thanks!!

 

[RISkier]

Demo's reserved at Pinnacle and Dinner at Tanglewoods on Sunday at 8! On the mountain the rest of the weekend!

Thanks!!

Hope you enjoy Tanglewoods. Post a restaurant trip report, I'd like to hear what you think of it. It's become one of my favorite restaurants.

 

[BeanoNYC]

I cook at the Blue Moon, good but pricey, call ahead on w/e. .

Thanks for the feta stuffed eggplant on Tuesday night.

 

[JD]

Thanks for the feta stuffed eggplant on Tuesday night.

What'ya think...and Be honest. I have my own opinion of the place, and Stowe eateries in general. Really nice feta used in those.

 

[campgottagopee]

JD---Mr. Pickwicks still around????

 

[JD]

Still there, but the chef left this summer to open an italian place in Burlington. A guy at the Blue moon took the head chef job, and I was hired to replace him. Then he came back after a month, couldn't deal with the overly controling owner who refused to hire anyone descent because he didn't want to pay them more the 10 bucks an hour. Fortunately for him, most people can't tell the difference in the food they eat so now the Sous chef is running it with a bunch of kids. Not what it used to be. I just moved to Northfield so Bill is getting his job back at the Blue Moon and I am hopefully working in either waitsfield or montpelier as soon as I can find a descent job.

 

[campgottagopee]

Thanks---was just wondering if it was still around because hadn't heard it mentioned anywhere. When I lived in Smuggs (86-90) it was a cool place to eat and an even better place for some beers. Sounds like it has changed a lot. Too bad.

 

[BeanoNYC]

What'ya think...and Be honest. I have my own opinion of the place, and Stowe eateries in general. Really nice feta used in those.

It was good. I was glad to see interesting vegetarian fare. I was expecting it to be more of a rollatini with feta though.

 

[BeanoNYC]

JD---Mr. Pickwicks still around????

I love that bar. Great selection of beers.