Valentine’s Day: Despite the Challenges, NEK Restaurants Are Still Getting Creative
| 02.06.21
Despite the pandemic dragging on, here in the NEK we know how to make the best of life’s challenges.
Our local restaurants are putting together some wonderful meals for dine-in and take out so that you and your sweetheart can enjoy a romantic, weekend, Valentines together.
And for those not too keen on the holiday, but that love great food – there are plenty of options and specials available.
We’ve reached out to every restaurant on our list – so check back througout the week for updates!
Restaurants are listed in Alphabetical order under the country and town they are located in.
Click on Restaurant Names for phone numbers and more information.
Caledonia County
Concord
Mooselook: Creating a number of specials for the day, including: Starters: Tomato bisque, seafood chowder, caprese salad, sicilian calamari. Entrees: Coconut shrimp with mandarin dipping sauce, Herb crusted twin beef tenderloin filets with a red wine mushroom reduction; Cedar planked atlantic salmon topped with lemon dill butter sauce; Lobster ravioli in a sherry cream sauce. Dessert: Tiramisu or Chocolate lava cake
Danville
Bentley’s Bakery – Valentine’s Sugar Cookie kits are available – get them quick – you need to order in advance. 1/2 doxen per kit $14.95
Or call to order something special for your sweetheart.
Goodfella’s: For dinner specials Friday and Saturday they will be featuring Prime Rib and Maple Bacon Scallops. Or join them Sunday from 11-5 for a V-Day Brunch.
Three Ponds: Offering themed specials all week (Wed. – Sun.) Menu coming soon.
Lyndonville
The Freighthouse: In the store The have a wonderful assortment of Lake Champlain Chocolates, Chocolate Covered Strawberries and sweet treats for your sweetheart.
Hardwick
Scale House: Serving a Prix Fix meal with some great choices. Apps: Choice of Old Bay Clam Chowder or Red wine poached pear salad. Second Course: Choice of pan seared foie gras with a cherry maple balsamic compote, corstini, and frisee OR Cheve Croquette – mixed greens, honey lomon vinaigrett and tomato jam. ENTREES: Choice of Surf and turt – beef tenderloin with lobster hollandaise, roasted potato and broccolini; Roasted Halibut with crispy potato cake, chimichurri, and wilted savoy cabbage with bacon; OR Chevere and spinach stuffed portobellos with toasted pine nuts and linguine. Desser: Tuxedo Strawberries dipped in white and dark chocolate. $55 for the Surf and turf meal with choice of other courses. $45 for halibut with choice of other courses; $40 for the Vegtarian entree with choice of other courses (costs are per person). Call for reservations or takeout.
Saint Johnsbury
Central Cafe: Reservations required. They are offering 2 chances for a V-day date!
Valentine’s Brunch 9-2 p.m. – Avocado and prosciutto toast, Salmon Benedict, Continental Breakfast Plate; Salmon Greek Salad; Breakfast Halloumi Bowl; Caeesar Salad with Chicken; Mushroom toast; Lox and Bagel; Avocado Toast; Chocolate Crepes; Fruit Plate; Belgian Waffles
Dinner starting at 5 p.m. – Starter Specials: Tuna Tartare, Seared Foie Gras, Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Prosciuto Wrapped Quail. Salads: Kale Salad, Chopped Salad, Heriloom Tomato Salad Main Course: Glory Bay Salmon, BBQ Spareribs, Chicken Al Forno (Salsa Verde, tarragon potato puree, lemon)
Kingdom Taproom and Table: Offering themed specials all week long – call for reservations. Visit their website for their menu – it changes daily.
Salt Bistro: Offering a Prix Fixe Menu from 5-8 p.m.. This 4 course meal includes 1 beer/wine selection. Requires a reservation no later than Sat Feb 13 at 8 p.m.-Reservations over the phone only. Menu includes:Choice of soup: Corn Veloute or Lobster bisque; A Salad; Choice of entree: Blackened Salmon, Filet Mignon Oscar with lump crab; Stuffed Mushroom Caps with risotto; Maine Lobster Ravioli win la vodka sauce; Lamb Chops grilled with rosemary demi-glace, or duck breask with cranberry walnut risotto; dessert choice or Flourless Chocolate Torte or Vanilla Creme Brulee. And they’ve created a ist of specialty cocktails created just for this romantic evening.
St Johnsbury Distillery: Popup brunch 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sweet and savory crepes, some classics (menu not yet finalized.) and special brunch cocktails. Make a reservation to dine in the Speakeasy or order to-go. 802-424-1146. Seating slots and take-out slots will be limited so reserve early.
Wheelock
Maya’s Pizza – A special for the whole family! Buy an 18″ pizza with 3 toppings or more and get half dozen wings of choice all weekend.
Essex County
Brighton/Island Pond
Essex House and Tavern They’ve created a special meal for you and your sweetheart. Dinner for 2 – $100. Includes 2 flutes of champagne, a starter salad per person, a buternut squash bisque per person, choice of app to share – pan seared scallops with braised pork belly in a maple bourbon reduction OR Maryland lump crab caes with remoulade; Entrees (choose two) Reasted root vegetable risotto with cranberries, walnuts, and chevre OR Champagne braised halibut with hazelnut praline and lemon saffron rice OR Roasted beef tenderloin with cocoa spice rub root vegetable mash topped with a rose petal Demi-glaze; Desert to share – red velvet cake with buttercream frasting and chocolate covered strawberries.
Orleans County
Barton
Parson’s Pub and Grill: Celebrating Valentine’s Day all week! Their weekly menu will feature a Prix Fix menu as well as their “regular menu”, which is anything but! Chocolate covered strawberries and heart-shaped pizzas are just a few of their surprises. The rest of the Menu is available Wed. – Sun. For Dine in – we suggest reserving your seats early.
$30 per person prix fixe meal
Apps: Choice of lobster bisque or popcorn shrimp; Main Course: Choice of Prime Rib, Lobster Raviolo, Maple Glazed Scallops, Chicken and Sausage Alfredo; or Boneless pork chop with sweet-Hot glaze; Dessert: Choice of Sweetheart Strawberry Shortcake or a Chocolate Fudge Cake
Other specials are Marry Me Again Chicken in a Parmesan White Sauce; Seafood Alfredo; Scallops in house Alfredo; Sweet and Spicy Pork Loin; Prime Rib; Steak tips in bourbon glaze; Honey Garlic Chicken; or Baked Maple Scallops And specialty cocktail of the week – The Sweetheart: Vodka, Sprite and Cranberry juice.
Barton Baking Company: Call to order a special treat for your sweetheart!
Craftsbury
Blackbird Bistro – This location is teaming up with the Craftsbury General Store and Front Seat Coffee our of Hardwich for a special three course dinner and drink combo. From 5 – 9 p.m. on Feb 14 They are offering a Prix-Fixe meal. Appetizer is puff pastries with Moses Sleeper and Apple from Front Seat Coffee paired with a bottled cocktail; Main Course (by Craftsbury General Store) is Red Wine Braised Beef and mushrooms over polenta with broccolini with your choice of Red, White or bubbly; Desert is a chocolate macha cupcake from Frint Seat Coffee
For One $50; For 2 $100 Reserve on their website by Feb. 11th. Add ons include a flower arrangement by The Flower Basket and additional cocktails. Meals will be packaged to be re-heated and pick up is available on Valentine’s Day.
Chef Nadav– Order these delicious meals by Wed. Feb 10 for delivery or pick up on Feb 14th. Offering Crab Ragoons, fried beef cigars, and fried potato pockets for Starters; a delicious arugula, beet, sweet potato, goat cheese, craisin, walnut, mandarine salad for two servied with Cranberry Thyme vinaigrette; For main dishes – beef wellington, braised lamb shank, or quinoa pilaf (all meals serve 2); and for dessert molton lava cake or Belgian Chocolate mouse. Order online at https://www.chefnadav.com/vdshop Questions? Call +1 (802) 586-0098 or email
me@chefnadav.com. Visit his Facebook page for more details.
Glover
Parker Pie: Chocolate by Nutty Steph’s available in the store for a special gift to your sweetheart.
Newport
Brown Cow: Open for breakfast – reservations required.
Hillmer’s On Main -Chef’s Table, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Every other Saturday beginning February 13th. at 5:00p.m. – A great gift for Valentine’s Day, but only limited space available! This meal includes horderves, appetizers, soup or salad, main course, and of course dessert and wine!! There are only 3 tables available. There’s a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 8 people per table. $55 steak, $49 chicken, $49 vegetarian, $52 salmon. (Orders required upon reservation and a $20 deposit per person). Tables will be 6ft apart for your safety. This is alot of food for the price! Any questions or concerns please feel free to message them on Facebook.
Lago: Open for limited reservations so make yours right away! A special menu will be available and you can order chocolates from Sugar Mountain for your arrival – reserve when you book your reservation or reserve your to go order. Menu coming soon. Chocolate options will be posted to their Facebook page.
Jay
The Junction: Offering weekend dinner specials including Prime Rib, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Shrimp Fest, Chicken Cordon Bleu
and there are some special desserts in the works. Reservations are appreciated. Breakfast will be offered on Saturday and Sunday.