Scenic Driving Leads to Culinary Art at these Vermont Restaurants

Western Driving Tour: Featuring restaurants in Hardwick,  restaurants in Greensboro, and restaurants in Danville.

This tour starts in Hardwick, VT. A great cross roads for those leaving the Kingdom and heading for Montpelier, Stowe, or Burlington, we decided to start our tour here because it is the first town coming into the Kingdom from the western part of the state, and for those in the Kingdom it is the farthest west you can go.

There are only a few restaurants in Hardwick village, but what you have to choose from is pretty spectacular.

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Driving Dinner Tour #1 – Western NEK Read More »

Pros: Authentic Cuisine; Fantastic Food; Sophisticated Atmosphere; Great Bar with Signature Drinks; Plenty of Free Parking Nearby; Great Place to Watch Baseball

The Downside: Not Recommended for Young Children; Higher Price Point; Service Can Be Slow

Mountain Rating: 8.4/10

Lago Trattoria has been a Newport staple for 19+ years. Serving authentic, award winning, Italian cuisine, the menu is filled with those classic dishes you know and love.

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Delicious Authentic Italian from Lago Trattoria Read More »

Pros: Delicious Food; High Quality Ingredients; Tapas; Menu Items Unique to the Cafe; Full Bar; House Made Delicious Deserts; Location and Venue; Plenty Of Seating; Sunday Brunch Available

The Downside: Some Items Have A Higher Price Point; Not A Lot Of Options for Picky Eaters

Mountain Rating: 7.7/10

The Hardwick Street Café offers an experience you can’t find anywhere else in the Northeast Kingdom.

Located within the Highland Center of the Arts (HCA), this café gives new meaning to dinner and a show.

To begin with, the space is beautiful, warm, and inviting. Large glass windows and glass doors that lead to a patio and yard shared with the HCA really bring the outside in and make the café bright.

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A Cultural Experience Unique to The Kingdom Read More »

Pros: Great Parking, Plenty of Seating, Affordable Prices, Friendly Staff, Community Driven, Large Portions, Menu is Simple and Straight Forward, Full Bar, Family Friendly

Downsides: Service Can Be Slow,

Mountain Rating: 6.8

Everybuddy’s Casual Dining is just that – Casual dining meant for every buddy! Walking in the door you are met with what looks and feels like a very large diner. Friendly staff greet you at the register counter, and there always seems to be a crowd of people enjoying themselves.

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The Locals Restaurant in Lyndonville: Full Sized Restaurant with a Small Diner Feel Read More »

Looking To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

There Are A Lot Of Events To Choose From This Year!

Saint Patrick’s Day is on Sunday, but that isn’t dampening the fun. Here in the NEK, there are events on Sat. and Sun. plus most restaurants are hosting weekend long specials.

We wanted to share all of these events with our readers, and so we have compiled the most extensive list you can find anywhere on the Internet, at least for Vermont’s NEK that is.

Take a look at what’s happening – and check back as we’ll update it as we hear more from other restaurants…

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St. Patrick’s Day: Wearing O’ the Green in the Green Mountains Read More »

Pros: Affordable Food; Take Out Fried Chicken Bucket; Pool Tables; Great Menu Options; Full Bar; Fun Atmosphere

The Downside: Parking can be Difficult; Though Located in the Tasting Center this is not a Local Food Only Restaurant; Acoustics in Space are Challenging

Mountain Rating: 7.2/10

The Warehouse Restaurant has brought something new to downtown Newport. Taking over a large portion of the Tasting Center, there has been some talk about how the restaurant doesn’t fit the theme of that space. But, the restaurant does fill a hole that existed in downtown Newport – One of a local tavern where good food, drinks and a causal atmosphere all come together. And this could be good for Newport’s Downtown.

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Promising Space at This New Downtown Newport Restaurant Read More »

Looking for a Romantic Dinner This Valentine’s Day?

There are plenty of options to choose from in the NEK!

From special prix fixe meals to multi course dinners, from regular menus to chef specials made for the night, there are options for all tastes and budgets.

Below we have compiled as many Valentine’s Dinner events that we could find. Browse through them, choose your favorite, and make your reservation soon. Space fills up fast!

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Valentine’s Day Dinners in Vermont’s NEK Read More »

Pros: Comfortable Atmosphere; Affordable; Full Bar; Great Location; Plenty of Parking; Family Friendly up to 8 p.m.; Plenty of Seating

Downside: Dinner Only Available Thurs. – Sat. Through the Winter

Mountain Rating: 7.2/10

It’s been a while since I found myself in Westmore, mistakenly know as Willoughby due to the overwhelming presence of that beautiful liquid gem. But recently my husband and I made our way to a little restaurant with a lot of personality that just happens to have one of the best views of Willoughyby Gap.

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The Gap: Experience the Heart of the NEK at this Local Restaurant Read More »

Pros: Beautiful Atmosphere; Breathtaking View; Family Friendly, Local Ingredients Used; Full Bar; Relaxing Place to Dine, Outdoor Seating and Beer Garden in the Summer

The Downside: Higher Price Point; Parking Can Be Tight if the Inn is Busy

Mountain Rating: 7.7/10

In December we tried out the new and improved Juniper’s Restaurant. Now, this restaurant has been on our radar for many years as we really love the view and outdoor seating in the summer time. But, over their fall break (the restaurant shuts down from the end of foliage until just after Thanksgiving) they changed their menu!

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Juniper’s Restaurant: Picturesque Vermont Inn Features Paired Down Local Menu Read More »

After sampling some delicious cakes for desert at the Scale House Restaurant in Hardwick, VT, I was excited to  include that restaurant’s feature. I later learned that these cakes came from a local bakery – Bien Fait, in Greensboro, VT.

Now, I was familiar with the bakery as they have been an online fruitcake company for a long time. But on hearing about their new line of restaurant desserts, I had to see what else they were up to. Luckily, I was able to schedule a tour of their bakery, and there’s a whole lot more than fruit cake going on there.

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Bien Fait Cakes: Local Bakery takes traditional holiday classic to a new level Read More »