During last week’s Spring Break, we escaped our routines and city life for a little Spring skiing getaway to Stowe, Vermont. If you’ve never heard of Stowe, I can tell you from my numerous trips over the last 10 years that it’s well worth a visit. It’s an easy drive from the Burlington airport and a small Vermont town with lots of charm and lots of really great food. Sadly, I only have a few iPhone photos to show for my trip, because I was too busy eating my way through town.
Names and ownership of restaurants seem to change from time to time, but here are my current recommendations for your future trip planning:
Doc Ponds, 294 Mountain Road
You know you love a restaurant when you go there three times during your visit. This restaurant was new in 2015, and seems to be a clear favorite since it’s always busy. They have an extensive beer list (which includes one of my local favorites: Stowe Cider), and the food is excellent. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss: Mac & Cheese and the blue balls appetizer (risotto balls filled with blue cheese and dipped in honey). I’ll warn you that these two are so good that you may cry, and I don’t even like blue cheese. I also sampled the Falafel pita sandwich and chips, pickled vegetables, salads (go for the Ceasar), French Fries. The kids each ordered a cheeseburger and fries from the kids’ menu and gobbled them up, even after sharing in all of the other treats with us.
Idletyme Brewing Company, 1859 Mountain Road
If you’re a Stowe regular, you may know this restaurant even if you don’t recognize the new name. When I first started visiting Stowe, this restaurant was the Shed, then it changed to Crop Bistro and only late last year became Idletyme. One thing that has stayed consistent is the great level of food served and the large dining room attached to a pub dining room. I’ve only ever dined in the pub area – it’s cozy and has a warm and rustic Vermont feel. The food is delicious (don’t miss the fried pickles and watercress salad) and, while you wait for your order in the pub, you can munch on complimentary popcorn.
Piecasso, 1899 Mountain Road
This pizzeria first opened 10 years ago, a few weeks before my first visit to Stowe, and it’s still as popular as ever. We ordered pizza one night when we were feeling too lazy to head back into town (yes, they deliver) and almost chose to eat here again, because the pizza is so, so good. The crust is on the thin side, the sauce is perfect, and the toppings were amazing. My kids have now ranked this place as among their top 2 favorite pizza restaurants, and I’d have to agree.
The Bench, 492 Mountain Road
Great cocktails, loads of beer on draft and excellent food, all set in a really cool atmosphere! There are two dining rooms and a small bar area that’s tucked to the side – eat in the bar area for a fun and cozy vibe that’s close to the beers on draft. I can highly recommend the Truffle Fries (I just had to order these again on this visit), the Kale Caesar and the Rezitarian (The Bench’s version of a homemade veggie burger).
One final recommendation is that you plan a pit stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill on your drive up Route 100 to Stowe. You absolutely have to get at least a dozen apple cider donuts to enjoy – eat a couple right there on the spot and take the rest to your hotel or rental. This was my husband’s and the kids’ first visit to Stowe, but they’ve definitely enjoyed Cold Hollow’s donuts before.
One final, final note if you’re planning to ski: While eating on the mountain is pricey like any ski resort, the food in the Great Room at Spruce is amazing (especially the veggie burger) and worth the occasional splurge.
