I experienced my first visit to The Publyk House back in the simpler times of the spring of 2018. My husband and I were visiting Bennington at the time, staying at the lovely Harwood Hill Motel while trying to find an apartment to rent for our upcoming move that summer. We decided to try this restaurant due the proximity to the motel, and we were both quite glad we did.
There is a cozy and inviting atmosphere at the Publyk House. The entrance is carpeted, the bathrooms are clean and spacious, and candles are present on each of the tables. In the winter, they set up the fireplace, which I appreciated greatly when we ate here to celebrate my January birthday in 2019. Outdoor seating with pleasant mountain views is available when the weather allows. It is one of the larger restaurants in Bennington, but it is also popular, so reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and Fridays. The prices for entrees range between $20.00 and $35.00, making it one of the more expensive options in the area. The Publyk House is open 7 days a week during dinner hours, 5:00 – 8:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 4:00 – 8:00 PM on Sunday.
Most entrees at The Publyk House come with access to their salad bar, and we have been continually impressed by the offerings of their salad bar since the first visit. In addition to the usual salad ingredients (lettuce, tomato, etc.), they also offer hard boiled eggs, roasted red peppers, several kinds of pasta salad, and an assortment of crunchy toppings including slivered almonds. At the time, the only downside to the offerings here was the potential to easily fill up ahead of one’s meal. I believe the restaurant did discontinue the salad bar for a time during the pandemic, though it was open the last two times we visited, during this past summer of 2021. My husband and I have different salad bar strategies here: he usually piles what appears to be every topping on top of his lettuce base, while I like to split my salad bar plate into halves, one with a simple salad of lettuce, tomato, peppers, and dressing and the other with whatever pasta salads they are offering. Both strategies can be delicious, but both can also lead to a meal that’s potentially way too filling.
Salad bar fun!
Lobster mac and cheese.
A very enticing dessert menu.
Another special feature of the Publyk House is a honey wheat bread loaf served with whipped maple butter, offered as a complimentary starter for all meals. It’s a crumbly bread that can make quite a mess (or at least it can when I eat it…), but it’s also quite tasty and freshly baked; the butter is a great mix of creamy, savory, and sweet.
The dining room menu has a wide variety of appetizers and entrees to choose from, as does the tavern menu. There are also daily specials in all categories, which is always a plus, and special menus available during holidays like Thanksgiving. I’m not super into steaks or meats, but I sure do love carbs and seafood, so some of my favorite dishes at the Publyk House have been the buttermilk calamari appetizer, the lobster mac and cheese (pictured above), and the stone kitchen pasta. The last two times I’ve visited the Publyk House, I have been pregnant (I am 8 months pregnant while writing this), so I was not able to try any of the amazing looking drinks on their cocktail lists, but I definitely made a note of some to try in the future; the caramel apple mule and the key lime pie martini sound particularly interesting to me.
Awesome way to end a meal: brownies, fudge, and ice cream.
Though I could not partake in all of the beverages during pregnancy, there was certainly nothing stopping me from having desserts (in fact, cravings were encouraging this to happen a whole lot more than usual). There was a special s’mores brownie dessert that totally made my meal recently, and over the summer I was delighted to split a Reese’s peanut butter pie slice with family members who were visiting; it tasted just like a peanut butter cup in pie form. I also have a distinct memory of enjoying a special, homemade cinnamon ice cream during that time went here for my winter birthday in 2019. The establishment has certainly left a positive impression on this dessert-appreciator.
The Publyk House is a lovely restaurant that provides tasty food and a pleasant atmosphere. Though it is on the expensive side, the inclusion of the salad bar and the excellent bread and butter makes everything feel like more of a value. The only issue is the crowds, though of course that is an issue most restaurants would like to have! I would recommend this restaurant to any individual or family; just make sure you either go at a quiet time or have a reservation.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Vermont sunset views by the patio at the Mount Anthony Country Club Grille.
My husband and I first tried out the food at The Grille back in 2019, when things like “restaurant week” were, indeed, a thing. We’ve visited once in the post-covid times, as well, and both were enjoyable times featuring a pleasant atmosphere and many rounds of delectable dishes.
The Grille is the restaurant that is part of the Mount Anthony Country Club in Bennington, VT, which is also noteworthy for its golf course, swimming pool, and winter cross country skiing/snowshoeing trails, all available to members. You can also look into booking the club as a wedding venue or even for a kid’s birthday pool party. Knowing less than nothing about the sport of golf, I’ve only experienced this area as a diner, but even so, I was still able to appreciate the peace and natural beauty of the grounds during each of my visits.
My husband and I first became aware of the Grille in November 2019 due to “restaurant week”, which is and has been a fun event in the Shires of Vermont where restaurants in the area offer prix fixe menus for great prices in order to encourage more people to come see what they have to offer. Events like that are things that I will certainly not take for granted after the COVID-19 pandemic made such things difficult or impossible in 2020. In our case, we enjoyed a prix fixe dinner – including appetizer, entrée, and dessert – for $30 per person.
Fireplace seating available!
A special Restaurant Week menu.
Delightful sweetness.
Since it was November and the worldwide pandemic was not yet even a figment of our imaginations, we ate indoors, in a room with fireplace, which was a spacious and tastefully decorated for the fall season with small touches like pumpkins and gourds. It’s been awhile, but I know I ordered a perfectly cheesy French Onion soup for an appetizer, a vegetarian burger with mushrooms and caramelized onions for the entree, and a really delightful ice cream-inclusive dessert. I can’t quite recall what came with the ice cream but you can witness its glory in the photo above; this dessert was exactly the right ending to the meal. Everything was delicious without being overwhelming and we were able to leave feeling comfortably full and satisfied. It was exactly the kind of experience you’d want for trying out a new place during “restaurant week”.
We visited The Grille again recently, as I had a week off for spring break and wanted to try to fit something fun in amidst the doctor appointments, car purchasing, and all the boring stuff I can barely make time for when school’s in session (especially as almost this whole school year has been this very unique thing called “hybrid”, which basically means double the planning for teachers). Even though I’ve now received a COVID-19 vaccine, I still feel like eating outdoors is the safer option and, quite simply, I love being outdoors, so we ate on the patio area for this second visit to the Grille. I really enjoyed eating with the view of the pristine golf course backed up by the comforting presence of those ever-beautiful green mountains. At the end of our meal, it was the perfect place to view the sun setting.
Outdoor dining options available!
Mushroom Arancini.
Sparkling rose is the perfect spring drink!
Glorious views aside, the food was also a fantastic experience. We don’t eat out very often, especially these days, so we really went all out and ordered everything we thought we could handle. I enjoyed the whole thing with a sparkling rose that had just the right combination of strength and pleasant taste. My husband and I shared two appetizers – buffalo wings and mushroom arancini, which are risotto balls topped with parmesan and set upon a bed of arugula. The wings were a good size and I was all about the cheesy, savory flavor of the mushroom dish. For the main course, I ordered shrimp scampi, and the whole plate was filled with plump and juicy shrimps. Though my husband was plenty full after he ordered a perfectly medium rare steak, I still had room for dessert and have absolutely no regrets about trying the dark chocolate Oreo cookie pie. Much like my previous experience, it was the most satisfying ending to a great meal, though the fullness level was definitely closer to the max this time than it was previously.
A star attraction at The Grille.
Even when it’s not “restaurant week”, The Grille offers a great selection of food with a mix of American and Italian styles. The prices are reasonable and reflect the value of what you are getting (e.g., if you order shrimp scampi, your plate is going to be covered in delicious shrimp). The service is friendly and currently servers wear masks and adhere to safety guidelines, though the timing of your emal may vary – when we went in 2019, everything arrived at our table quickly and efficiently. However, in 2021, there was a notably longer wait between courses. This may have been because we were the only people eating outside while there were considerably more people dining inside, or because of adherence to different safety protocols in these post-covid times. The good news is that, with the mountains in view and the sweet taste of sparkling rose in my mouth, I was in no hurry.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Back in the summer of 2020, things were difficult but they did seem a little brighter than they did here in the winter of 2021, at least for me personally. Even with the pandemic raging across the country, there was no problem with finding a lovely trail to explore outdoors and the constant fresh air did wonders for the spirit. The summer was greatly appreciated for me as an educator, being preceded by a sudden change to remote learning and being followed by complete uncertainty. Knowing I might not feel this would be a safe activity after returning to work in person, I took advantage of the opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy some culinary indulgences through outdoor dining. The Dutchman’s Tavern offered a great experience in this area.
My husband and I first visited this establishment in June, after I had just completed a bigger roller coaster of a school year than I would have ever imagined. I was a bit nervous, as this was my first time going anywhere populated since COVID-19 had closed Vermont’s school buildings in mid-March. However, my worries were put at ease when it was clear how many careful precautions were taken by the staff. All staff members were wearing masks and clear directions were posted for customers to do the same, when not eating at their individual tables. Before even looking at a menu, we were asked to sign a paper with our names and numbers so that contact tracing could take place if needed. Seeing the precautions being taken seriously made it easy enough to relax and enjoy a great meal.
Cheese on cheese = my kind of appetizer!
A fish sandwich with a side of coleslaw.
A refreshing beverage on a summer evening.
On this perfectly sunny and warm June evening, I enjoyed the selection you see above: mozzarella sticks, a fish sandwich, and one of the lighter ales on the drink menu. Everything tasted just as delicious as I would have hoped and it was so enjoyable to simply sit outside and chat with my husband after spending such an enormous amount of time inside our home over the previous months. He ordered the Gouda Burger and let me have a bite; I was quite impressed with how savory it was and, when he finished, he declared it the best burger he’s eaten in Vermont (an honor that still stands). We left feeling pleasantly full, tranquil, and ready to return in the future.
We ended up enjoying the outdoor dining experience one more time, closing my summer with another visit in late August, before I would return to a most unique school year. Since this was a bit of a “last hurrah” before getting back to business, I was in the mood to indulge. So when I saw the option to add cheese and truffle oil to tater tots as an appetizer, I was in no place to resist. I ordered that just for myself, which ended up being a mistake. While it was one of the tastiest “starters” I’ve ever had the pleasure to try, the fat from the oil and cheese filled me up extremely quickly so I could only handle so much while also saving room for a burger. My husband was very pleased with this development, as he agreed wholeheartedly on the tastiness factor. He ended up eating most of them. I tried the Cajun Burger, based on the excellent taste of the burger during our previous dining endeavor, and I was not disappointed – it had just the right amount of heat. Even though my stomach was bursting at the seams following this particular experience, there are no regrets; everything was memorably delectable.
A spicy Cajun burger.
Tater tots with truffle oil and cheese = an experience like no other.
Tater tots with truffle oil and cheese, Part 2 – takeout edition.
Once school began again, I elected to be as careful as possible out of concern for my coworkers, my students, and their families, as I’d rather be too careful in this regard than not careful enough. So, in 2020, I did not partake in any outdoor dining from September on. That being said, I have been fairly comfortable with supporting local businesses through takeout/curbside pick-up and decided to try the Dutchman’s Tavern’s menu this way, for my January birthday.
A “Forbidden Sour”. Shh, don’t tell!
This time I knew what I was getting into with the cheesy truffle tots so I ordered some for my husband and myself to share, taking the added precaution of eating very little during the earlier parts of the day to prepare for the richness of this dish. With preparations in place, we were both able to enjoy the truffly, cheesy goodness without going overboard. I also ordered a Gouda burger for myself, with fond memories of the one bite I had taken back in June in mind. Again, this turned out really well. The roasted red peppers were an excellent accompaniment to the smoked gouda and bacon, and the medium rare burger was cooked to perfection. Since it was for my birthday, we also ordered drinks to go. The Dutchman’s Tavern posts specials every day on Facebook and the post on this day advertised the “Forbidden Sour”, a cocktail with pomegranate liqueur, grenadine, and cherries. I was most interested and was even moreso when my husband arrived home from picking up our order with gigantic mason jars filled to the brim with this “forbidden” cocktail. All in all, it was a great meal that definitely helped me feel better about getting older during the winter of the pandemic.
I would recommend a visit to the Dutchman’s Tavern to anyone. They do currently offer indoor dining for those who are comfortable with that option, and the takeout, in my experience, involved food just as tasty as you’d get “in-house”. The service is great, with staff members following safety precautions and a positive attitude all around. The prices are super reasonable and the daily specials keep coming. If you follow the Dutchman’s Tavern on Facebook, be prepared to feel super hungry and thirsty every day as they share dinner specials for every day of the week in addition to the occasional (and irresistible) drink special.
This is an excellent pub/restaurant and I’m thankful it’s part of my town.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Back in those beautiful, carefree pre-pandemic days, I had a big goal set for myself for the summer of 2020: I was going to run my first marathon right here in Vermont, the Mad Marathon. (I’ve previously run several 5Ks and 10Ks as well as two half-marathons, so do not worry for my sanity; this plan did not just materialize out of nowhere!) Of course, the pandemic did, in fact, begin, and I didn’t have any desire to do a virtual marathon, which was what was offered as a substitute. However, as part of my potential marathon planning, I had booked two nights at Grunberg Haus Inn for a place to stay before and after the race that never, in actuality, happened. As luck would have it, this charming little lodge reopened a month before the July dates we had booked, so my husband, our corgi Fiddle (always ready for any adventure!), and myself figured we’d try going despite the lack-of-marathon, and have a relatively social distant weekend away.
It ended up being quite an excellent time, with not too much of a difference in restriction than any trip or vacation we’ve been on with our dog in tow. Here are the highlights of our adventures in Waterbury and Stowe:
Little River State Park
It was a rainy Saturday morning when we arrived at Little River State Park, which is located in Waterbury, Vermont. There is a $4.00 (per person) fee for visiting this park, as there are often fees with state parks.
I had been checking the weather way too frequently before our arrival, so I was well prepared with quick-drying clothing, a rain poncho, and a brand new hat that would pull the double duty of providing shelter from the rain as well as shade during the sunny times. Our corgi, Fiddle, who is now one-and-a-half years old, was undeterred by any inclement weather we encountered for this whole weekend and happily got himself wet regardless of whether water was falling from the sky or not.
Enjoying my new rain/sun hat.
Fiddle is always happy to get wet.
The rush of Stevenson Brook.
We had been planning to hike a trail called the Stevenson Brook trail, but on our pursuit of this trail, we also happened across trails such as the Nature Trail, the Dalley Loop, and the History Hike. They all appeared to be connected and it was not clear to me where one trail ended and the other began. That being said, they all were easy, mostly flat trails, which was appreciated when the ground was slippery from the rain. The History Hike aspect involved many signs explaining about what farms had been standing in this park in the past, and who lived and worked on these farms. The Stevenson Brook featured throughout all of the trails, and its rushing sounds were pleasing to the ear on a misty morning. It wasn’t too long on the trail(s) before the rain cleared up and the sun started to shine. Overall, it was a pleasant time and a decent workout, with some education related to local history infused throughout.
Grunberg Haus Inn (& Cabins)
After a morning in the woods, it was time to check in to our lodging for the next two nights, which was the Grunberg Haus Inn (the full business is called the Grunberg Haus Inn & Cabins, but we stayed at the inn, so there you go). On the website, this inn is listed as part of Waterbury, but according to our car’s GPS the location of the inn was Duxbury. (Further research has shown me that Duxbury and Waterbury have the same zipcode. I am still not clear if Duxbury is part of Waterbury or if they are separate towns – please feel more than free to leave a comment if you have that answer!) Upon our arrival, my husband and I were both impressed by the lively personality of the outdoor decor, as well as the welcome we received from the two dogs who live there.
The inn is owned by a married couple and their two dogs, a cute little dachshund named June and a magnificent Alaskan malamute named Neko, are considered mascots of the property – I even drank my morning coffee from a cup with Neko’s image on it. One of the two owners, Duane, was the person on call during our stay – it was likely only necessary for one person to be around to take care of the guests as there were not many guests. He had a super relaxed and friendly vibe, and he was happy to help in any way we needed, such as letting us borrow an extra water bottle for a hike when Fiddle’s water bottle broke.
Aside from ourselves, there was a family with kids staying in the inn the first night that we stayed, and a pair of young ladies staying in the cabins the second night. The small amount of guests allowed for very easy social distancing, though I am hopeful that, as time goes on, the Grunberg Haus Inn & Cabins will eventually return to their pre-pandemic guest numbers.
A breakfast parfait, featuring the most delicious yogurt of all time.
A comfortable place to sleep.
A sweet spot on the deck.
Our room, just like the exterior, was full of charm and kitsch, and even though there was no AC, the way the fans were arranged allowed for us to stay comfortably cool whether it was day or night. A second fan was provided for Fiddle, which was appreciated, as, like most dogs, he gets hot easily. Right from our room, we could walk out on to a deck which had lovely views of the nearby woods. My husband and I spent both evenings on this deck, spending hours just talking, eating, drinking, and playing games while Fiddle relaxed nearby.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some restrictions applied. Since we are Vermont residents, we did not need to sign up for a text alert system, but travelers from certain out-of-state areas would have needed to do so. Hot breakfast was also not available, but Duane provided us with many other breakfast options, such as granola bars, fruit, English muffins, and so on. He also personally made us each parfaits each of the two mornings we ate at the inn; these were incredible, as they were made with Cabot Triple Cream Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt – quite the contrast to the plain nonfat store brand Greek yogurt I regularly have for breakfast during the week.
Two great friends. (Please note that the water on the floor is from my husband spilling a water bottle; these are good dogs who know where to go!)
I must add that our time with Neko, the lovely fluffy lady pictured above with Fiddle, was especially memorable. The Grunberg Haus website specifically states that you should be comfortable with the presence of their dogs so you can take this into account before you book. However, in our case, her presence seemed to be much more ubitquitous than normal, as she really liked Fiddle (and, really, who could blame her?). During our first afternoon/evening at the inn, she was with us the whole time, sniffing things in our room and playing with Fiddle. This was undeniably cute. Later, when night came, she was knocking her head on our room’s door at 4:00 AM, whining to get in with us. About an hour later, she broke the hinge of the door, burst into the room, and jumped on our bed, which was quite the morning surprise. (Fiddle was sleeping in his own separate area on his dog bed, and seemed most confused.) When we shared the story with Duane, he was surprised (as we all were), but he also helped us out by ensuring that Neko was locked out to sleep in her own house, rather than the inn, the next night. She was clearly acting out of love, but it was quite nice to get a full night’s sleep the second time around. Aside from that one moment, our stay at Grunberg Haus was super relaxing in a way that I really needed, after dealing with many personal challenges this summer, including a serious tick-related illness in June.
Prohibition Pig
In terms of Waterbury restaurants that were open for outdoor dining: The Pro Pig was the spot. During the summer last year, we went on a camping trip in Maine with Fiddle, and only ate at establishments with dog-friendly, outdoor seating. So, sticking with the outdoor dining was nothing new for us, though there are now some minor differences in how we do it now, such as the fact that we wear masks when we are not eating, or when one of us walks inside to use the indoor restroom.
One of my favorite beers of all time: “Raspberry Swine Cooler”.
A “pollo asado” plate.
Chips with your choice of guac, queso, and salsa.
The Prohibition Pig has a restaurant section and a brewery section; the outdoor area is part of the brewery section. This is no longer on the menu at the moment (to my great dismay), but when we were here for dinner not too long ago, a sour raspberry ale called “Raspberry Swine Cooler” was available. It was the perfect fruity taste for the evening, and I loved it enough to purchase another can of it to take back to the inn and drink later, while bonding and relaxing on the deck.
The brewery food was a mixed Mexican/American style. My husband and I ordered the chips that came with three options of sauces, all of which were delicious. My husband enjoyed a Cuban sandwich for his dinner, while I opted for the flavorful “pollo asado plato”, which included chicken, black beans, rice, and tortillas. I really liked the portion sizes here: I left feeling pleasantly full, not the type of full where you can barely move, which I feel like most restaurant portions encourage.
In terms of pandemic-related restrictions, all servers wore masks, and disposable menus forks, and plates were used. Tables were arranged outside to encourage distance, though the place seemed to be as packed as it could get while staying within the set restrictions. It was a nice experience, taste-wise, and felt relatively safe, as these things go.
Moss Glen Falls
The titular falls of Moss Glen.
On Sunday, we decided to spend most of our day in Stowe, Vermont. Our first stop in this area was the popular Moss Glen Falls trail.
At the beginning of the trail, the air was heavy with mist and there was a feel to it that reminded me of a rainforest. At first, there was clear signage and a path through various tall plants that added to the jungle-esque atmosphere. The falls itself came into view quite early (before the first mile was up), and it was indeed a majestic sight, with a powerful roar to it to match its gushing force. Yet, after climbing up a steep section near the falls, covered with roots, it was not clear where exactly to go next to remain on this particular trail. A sign below this steep section had specifically stated “stay on marked trails” but I personally saw no markings once we began to climb the root-covered hill near the falls. Eventually, my husband, Fiddle, and myself found ourselves on a wide, flat trail that we believed was the next part of the trail, but, again, there were no markings that we could see. It was still a pleasant walk, with the shade greatly appreciated on a hot morning. We walked along this woodland trail for a good while, with Fiddle stopping to roll in the mud from the previous day’s rain every now and again. The birds were lively and we had an encounter with a little toad, which is always fun. Heading back ended up being a slight challenge, as the only way to avoid walking down the steep hill full of roots involved following a lone arrow and needing to circumvent someone’s personal property. This trail was beautiful and the way the most difficult part is followed by a longer, easier part can be helpful to less experienced hikers. That being said, some clearer signs and markings would be even more helpful.
Idletyme Brewing Company
After getting a few good miles under our belts on the Moss Glen Falls trail, we headed to Idletyme Brewing Company, a Stowe brewery/restaurant for a post-hike lunch. Much like the Prohibition Pig, it was as packed as it could be considering pandemic-related conditions. We sat at an outdoor table where we had a nice view of the rustic, outdoor bar as the bartenders mixed drinks. Like the bar staff, the multiple servers who helped us here all wore masks, and wore them correctly. Here, unlike the Prohibition Pig, silverware and plates were not disposable, though the menus still were.
The food we ordered ended up being a heavy amount, but it was all completely delectable. Personally, I tried their signature Idletyme IPA, which was, as their menu described, a crisp drink with a bitterness to it. I enjoyed it, but I was still obsessing over my love from the previous day’s raspberry ale, so nothing would compare. My husband and I shared the “spicy dry rub” wings for an appetizer, which was just the protein hit we needed for our break in between hikes. For my entree, I ordered the “creamy mac-and-cheese” which I had the opportunity to make extra “creamy” by adding truffle oil to it. It was unbelievably delicious, though once that savory goodness was finished, my stomach was bursting.
Creamy mac and cheese with truffle oil…yes, please.
Perfectly cooked wings.
The “Idletyme IPA”.
That being said, I would absolutely eat (and drink) it all again if given the choice – it was a great meal.
The Wiessner Woods
Thankfully I had some time to digest my epic lunch on the car ride over to the Wiessner Woods, of which 79 acres of are owned by the Stowe Land Trust, following a donation from the Wiessner family in 1992.
All of the trails in the Wiessner Woods were easy; there was absolutely no rock-hopping and there were no steep ascents or descents. There was, however, beautiful scenery everywhere we looked on this well-maintained trail system.
Welcome to the Wiessner Woods.
Maps were available for one to take at the start of the trail, and they detailed several landmarks: a meadow overlook, a vernal pool, a spruce-pine-hardwood forest, and a “gnome home”, where a gnome statue is hidden in a tree. We saw the pretty meadow overlook and experienced the lovely smells of the evergreen forest, but the vernal pool had understandably dried up due to the fact that we were traversing these woods in July. As for the gnome home, I was extremely bummed out that we somehow missed the gnome (or perhaps someone had taken him?). My husband made an effort to make me feel better about the grievous omission from our trek by sticking the trail map in a tree, pointing to a picture of the gnome on the map, and insisting that “we found the gnome”!
Adventures await…
A perfect sunny moment.
Forest beauty.
One especially cool feature of the Wiessner Woods is the fact that, as one walks along the well-marked trails, opportunities to take side trips to private trails present themselves. The privately owned trails are open for anyone to visit, though the signs do say “assume your own risk”. It seems that one always assumes their own risk when hiking, but perhaps this warning relates to the fact that these’s no map for these trails, as there are with the publicly owned portions of these forested lands.
We followed one of these private trails to a gorgeous meadow, with amazing views of the green mountains, as you can see in the gallery above – the risk was worth it, for sure.
Overall, these woods were a delight to visit, with stunning beauty throughout and everything, even on the private trail, clearly organized with care obviously taken with regard to maintaining its beauty, as well its visitor-friendly qualities.
So many stars!
The Wiessner Woods was our last big weekend adventure, before heading back to Grunberg Haus. The weekend itself was a great Vermont experience, discovering a lot more within towns we’d manage to visit but briefly in the past.
Freshly Vermont ratings:
Little River State Park: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
Grunberg Haus Inn & Cabins: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Prohibition Pig: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Moss Glen Falls: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
Idletyme Brewing Company: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
Creamy and savory cheddar ale soup, available in bowls or cups at Madison Brewing Co.
Madison Brewing Company is one of the first places my husband and I ever visited in Bennington, Vermont, which is now our hometown. It was during a rainy, cold April afternoon that we first stepped foot into this popular establishment, looking for a satisfying lunch on a busy weekend filled with travel. Seeing the words “cheddar” and “ale” next to each other was all that was needed to convince me to try the cheddar ale soup and my husband knew a brilliant decision when he heard one. This soup is deliriously satisfying, especially on a chilly day, but this restaurant and brewery has even more to offer.
After this first experience at Madison (where the soup was followed by a large plate of messy wings and the delightfully cheesy Parmesan truffle fries, served with a roasted garlic aioli that I wouldn’t mind adding to all meals, forever), my husband and I have returned many times. Whenever we have a visitor, whether it’s a family member or a friend, we make sure to introduce them to the tastiness of this local establishment.
Since it is called Madison Brewing Company, it’s no surprise that a craft beer menu is provided upon each visit. I really enjoy the way the beer menu changes with the seasons, so that one can revel in pumpkin-flavored glory during the autumn or appreciate the crispness of a German lager as winter ends and spring begins. In addition to the seasonal changes, there are also the mainstay standards that are a taste for all times – my husband has demonstrated a fairly steady relationship with the Sucker Pond Blond Ale while I usually like to check out what’s new, especially if there are any kind of berry-related flavors involved.
Seasonal pumpkin ale, complete with cinnamon rim!
A scallop special.
Dos tacos. fish-style.
In addition to changes in the menu of brews, Madison provides a list of specials for every evening, a few appetizers and a few entrees each night. On their list of specials, I recall being very impressed by a squid ink pasta dish and the lightly breaded, white-wine soaked scallops I enjoyed just a few weeks before the time of writing this blog post. The standard menu is full of variety enough to please any kind of crowd – there are salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, pub food entrees, meat dishes, and so on – plus the side selection is top notch. The portions are generally very large, which is great in terms of value (considering the absolutely reasonable prices here), but not always great in terms of the tightness of pants across one belly. I remember coming here to celebrate completing the first full week of school one September and my husband and I got it all that Friday: appetizers, beers, truffle fries, and, of course, our main meals. It was all delicious but we could barely walk out of the restaurant with how completely full we were. So the only thing I can say about the desserts here is that I’ve been too full to even think of them during each of my visits. I have a sneaking suspicion that these are delicious and beyond filling, as well, though.
A nightly list of specials.
A springtime lager.
J.Law on the wall.
The food is wonderful (if abundant) and the brews are fun, but what about the ambiance? It’s definitely got an interesting look. Across the walls are portraits of various famous people drawn by a skilled hand, but it’s not clear what these portraits really have to with anything. At our last visit, we sat next to portraits of Jennifer Lawrence and Adele. Why these ladies, I don’t know, but I suppose it does give guests some opportunity for discussion. The theme of the restrooms is much clearer, with each gendered room labeled “mALE” and “femALE”. The connection to the brewery can’t get much clearer than that. In addition to the paintings and the restroom play on words, the dining room also features brewery tanks and equipment in plain view, and a full bar (complete with bartenders) near the entrance. This all definitely works well in terms of celebrating the drinks made here, and keeping the guests’ minds on such things.
The service at this establishment is excellent. Despite the fact that it is often crowded at peak times (Friday and Saturday evenings) and one might need to wait a bit for a seat, the servers are absolutely on it once you’re in. We’ve never needed to wait long for any of our courses and everyone who works here has been friendly and accommodating of any request (my husband and I often need extra napkins because we’re not the neatest eaters, and when our friends with a baby visited with us, a chair and general adoration were provided for him with minimal fuss).
Despite the handful of times I’ve left Madison Brewing Company uncomfortably full, I love it for its variety and sense of indulgence, and I am very glad to see how successful it continues to be in the midst of small town where many businesses are having difficulties. We will definitely be back, and soon.
Freshly Vermont rating of Madison Brewing Company: five out of five stars. ★★★★★
The extravagantly delicious Bennington Roll at Fuji
Back in New York City, all kinds of dining experiences were available everywhere. It was a given that even within my relatively smaller neighborhood of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, that one could find a delicious Asian food-related establishment on any block on 3rd or 5th avenue; you could get Hibachi, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and so on, by walking less than a mile from wherever you might reside.
Things are very different, food-wise, in small town Vermont. While there are many great restaurants here in Bennington (as well as in relatively nearby towns such as Manchester and Brattleboro) , Asian establishments are few and far between. Luckily, one of these rarities happens to be Fuji Hibachi & Asian Bistro, a restaurant with a most excellent ratio of taste to pricing and a great variety of delicious options.
I had only heard of this place’s existence because of my coworkers – many of them have taken advantage of the amazing lunch special during a professional learning day and I still need to try this myself – you can get a combination of 2 or 3 rolls, sushi, sashimi, a bento box, or some kind of Thai noodle, with many of these options available for under $10. After hearing only good things, of course my husband and I had to try it for ourselves.
Ginger dressing of the gods!
An okay Pad Thai.
Mochi madness.
During my first visit to Fuji this past August, I went all out: I ordered a plum wine (if there’s wine with the name of a fruit preceding it on a menu, I’m pretty much sold every time), a salad with the most perfectly flavored ginger dressing, pad thai, and a vanilla mochi. Both my husband and myself were highly impressed by the ginger dressing – nothing ginger-related has ever compared for him. As for the pad thai, I was less than impressed. I ordered the shrimp type and while there was a sizable amount of actual shrimps in the dish, the flavor was weirdly sweet. It tasted like there was a thin veneer of sugar over everything and the noodles were a bit gummy. I had a few bites of my husband’s extravagant sushi platter and knew I had made a mistake; his meal was fantastic. I did get over my jealousy when the main courses were done and I indulged myself with vanilla mochi. The plating was beautiful, with ribbons of chocolate sauce embellishing the preciously sweet creation on the plate. It was an A+ dessert, would definitely consume again! Overall, I was pleased with the experience but made it a point that I’d avoid the Thai foods and focus on sushi the next time.
Good news – there has been a next time! My husband and I returned in early November – we were out and about and he needed to eat something quickly due to a health condition when, what luck, we happened to be right near Fuji. This time I kept it simpler. I forgot about my goal to avoid the Thai foods and ordered the chicken satay as a starter – fortunately, this was great, with a really rich peanut sauce. Then I finally got my sushi, in roll form. My mouth is still watering thinking about the Bennington Roll, one of the Chef’s Special Rolls, which contains salmon, eel, crab, avocado, cream cheese, spicy mayo, and caviar on top. The amount of savory items all crammed into one little circle of rice doesn’t sound like it should work so well, but it absolutely does. Every bite is an adventure.
Though I’ve only been two times, I’ve been generally impressed with the food at Fuji. The service is decent and there’s an efficiency with how the food is prepared and delivered. It’s generally not crowded and there’s a great variety of food to choose from. You can enjoy a wine or beer with your meal and if you have more than a half hour to grab your lunch on a general weekday (as I surely wish I did) , you can get a great deal. As long as you avoid the pad thai, you’re golden.
Freshly Vermont rating: four out of five stars. ★★★★☆
The Valley Trail is one of several trails that I’d had the privilege of visiting more than once, both times with my adventure-ready husband and my dear intrepid corgi, Fiddle. The trail is approximately 9 miles long and with one end in the town of Wilmington, VT and the other in the town of West Dover, VT. I enjoyed experiencing this trail on one of the first warm April days of 2019, and one of the last warm ones in later September 2019. In the spring we checked out the river-centric Wilmington section and in the fall we discovered the section located within the lovely but strangely desolate West Dover.
The Deerfield River in Wilmington, VT – late April 2019
Our spring visit to Wilmington was a cheerful one, which took place during my spring break off from school. Back in April, puppy Fiddle was a mere 5 months old and any old walk or hike was a thrill to him, as he could stop and roll his fur all over patches of ice that were slow to melt after the winter chill. Being outside was a thrill to me, too, after months spent mainly indoors during various snowstorms, whiteouts, and plain old cold. Before heading on to the trail, we walked around Wilmington a bit – it’s a super cute town that is constantly on the top of my mental list of “places to return to without the dog”. (There are charming shops, sweet little inns, and a significant number of restaurants and eateries – I hope to tell you all about these things when I do manage to make a visit sans-Fiddle!)
The Valley Trail, starting from Wilmington, meandered around views of the Deerfield River and various meadows, with sojourns through wooded areas as well. In all areas, the terrain was easy and the views were lovely. Due to the timing, our trek was incredibly muddy, but it is rare for someone to avoid experiencing this in a Vermont April. Despite the mud, we ran into a few other people braving the season to enjoy the first warmth of the year – it is definitely one of the simpler places to get muddy, as far as trails go. We enjoyed the views and the feeling of fresh spring air for a good six hours or so, hiking energetically up newly green hills, with Fiddle pulling my dear husband down them at puppy-speed. There were lots of small delights throughout, such as the sad “Vintage Motel” sign pictured below, small man-made bridges, and a portion that most literally went through a person’s backyard, chicken coop included. It was a fantastic April adventure.
Appreciating some spooky signage!
Fiddle needed to appreciate every patch of ice that he saw…
Spring meadow views on the Valley Trail were gray yet lovely.
We returned to this varied and gorgeous trail in September. September is a hard month for me as a teacher – getting back into the school swing takes significant time on evenings and weekends, yet Vermont is at its absolute prime, beauty-wise – especially in later September. However, one sweet Sunday worked out in my favor and I was able to journey back to the Valley Trail with the husband and Fiddle, Fiddle being 10 months old at this time – significantly larger and not much more mature (though still beyond adorable). The vibrant leaves and 65-degree weather felt like a special and exclusive privilege on this day – a privilege well-earned.
Extreme yellow foliage on the Valley Trail near West Dover – late September 2019
This time we traveled through the portion of the trail located near West Dover. During part of the trail, you can elect to travel through this town, which we did. It was fascinating. Almost every establishment in the whole town was closed on this Sunday afternoon. Perhaps it is because this was Sunday, but a quick Wikipedia search tells me that the population of the whole town of Dover (including the non-West part, I’d imagine) is about 1410, so perhaps not. We passed random covered wagons in the grass and an abandoned-looking ski shop with incredibly devilish-seeming mannequins gracing the windows. We were in town around lunch time, so we were keeping an eye out for somewhere to eat. Every restaurant we passed was closed, with the exception of The Saloon.
This restaurant was the opposite of the rest of the town: everyone was here, everyone wanted to chat! We saw a table outside and asked about eating with our dog. The restaurant does not technically allow dogs, but the owner helpfully gave us a place to eat out back. A super friendly waitress spoiled Fiddle with pieces of bacon and talked about Escape Rooms with us. We were technically in the “smoking” section out here, and various men of various ages stopped out for a smoke. I’m not a fan of cigarettes by any means, but I was nonetheless impressed with how friendly each gentleman who came out was, how much all these outwardly-tough seeming manly dudes fawned over a cute puppy. The food was pretty good too – I enjoyed some mozzarella sticks, which were appropriately greasy, as well as a house chili that had a good mix of spicy and savory flavors. I also had to get a cider from the bar, since they were carrying Citizens Cider, which is one of my favorites (to be fair, at least 7 brands of cider are “my favorites”). This was a really good time, though I can’t get over how bizarre it was that this place was bustling like this. (Note to businesses in this area: being open on Sundays seems like a sweet idea, profit-wise…).
Bubbly cider at the cheerful Valley View Saloon.
Ten-month old Fiddle in his fall glory!
The world’s creepiest ski shop…
After this tasty and entertaining lunch, it was back to the trail. Lots of people were also out with their dogs appreciating the majesty of fall on this trail. Much like the Wilmington section, the trail took us through a variety of terrain, including fields, woods, and bridges, with clear markings throughout. The Deerfield river continued to make an appearance. Aside from the beauty of the trees, we managed to appreciate the small loveliness of nature as well, such as colorful caterpillars and wildflowers enjoying their last appearances before the temperatures would drop in October. Throughout the whole experience, there was a feeling of serenity for me, and appreciation of how amazing this (still relatively new) state we live in is, to offer so much within just a mere 9 miles.
The views were quite peaceful.
Freshly Vermont rating of the Valley Trail (admittedly influenced by the stop at the Saloon): five out of five stars. ★★★★★
One of the best restaurant experiences I’ve had so far in my short time as a Vermont resident was at a place I discovered completely by accident. I had to go to Brattleboro to pick up some materials for the girls on my Girls on the Run team. Since it takes a whole hour or more to drive there from our place, I brought my husband and puppy along in the hopes of having a day full of adventures and hikes in a beautiful area. My hopes came to fruition, which was unusually lucky, as this was the beginning of April and a snowstorm was just as likely as the gorgeous, sunny day we had to enjoy.
When our morning hiking was done, all three of us were ravenous. We checked out a few establishments that we had seen listed as “dog-friendly” online – nope! Eventually, the situation became dire enough that we were asking random people on the street for suggestions about where we could eat with our darling corgi Fiddle. The Marina had our back.
Even though it was not technically the “season” (Vermont is pretty sleepy from November through April), they allowed us to sit in the corner of their outdoor section with our handsome little boy on his leash by us. (This was Fiddle’s first restaurant experience and he loved basking in the glory of all the fans his cuteness drew to him, including the waitstaff.) The outdoor seating had a lovely view of the water and felt so relaxing after we had been hiking and exhausting our muscles for hours. The restaurant was reasonably full and many other couples and families were enjoying their food out on the deck during the first genuinely warm day of the year.
Aside from the delightful ambiance, the food was amazing! I started with a glass of Prosecco, which was the perfect amount of refreshing – it tasted like spring was truly arriving after my first full Vermont winter! My husband ordered a swordfish sandwich and was quite excited about its freshness. As a seafood fan, I decided to try something completely new in this genre of food and ordered the “lobster and scallop pie”. It was divine – in fact, I am pretty sure I was literally exclaiming “this is divine!” while tasting it. The Marina did not skimp on the amount of shellfish included in the least, and it was so indulgent and buttery in the best of ways. Speaking of indulgence, since everything was so amazing, my husband and I didn’t hesitate for a moment in our decision to split blueberry pie (a la mode) for dessert. (I’m pretty sure Fiddle got a fair taste of that whipped cream, too.) Another truly divine choice! We left with delighted palates and full bellies.
Overall, the whole experience at the Marina – including service, environment, value, and taste – was fantastic.
Freshly Vermont rating: five out of five stars! ★★★★★
