Dining Guide

For the size of the area and its population, there is an inordinately large number and an unusually high caliber of establishments. The following short reviews of some of our favorites are meant to help you decide which of the many restaurants you won't want to miss when you visit Vermont.

American Flatbread — Flatbreads are made with 100 percent organically grown wheat milled into a white flour, with restored wheat germ, unfiltered deep well water, kosher salt and fresh yeast. The menu is simple: organic mesclun salads tossed in a renowned raspberry-ginger vinaigrette; hand-made flatbreads featuring homemade organic tomato sauce fresh from the wood-fired cauldron, organic and locally grown in-season produce, and a variety of fresh seafoods, locally raised chicken or house-made sausage. Add a couple of desserts, some micro-beer, exceptional wines and local sodas, and the feast is complete. Three locations: 115 St. Paul St., Burlington, 861-2999; 137 Maple St., Middlebury, 388-3300;48 Lareau Road, Waitsfield, 496-8856. Middlebury and Waitsfield open only for dinner Friday and Saturday evenings. www.americanflatbread.com.

The Coffee Hound — Colchester’s newest café, located on Malletts Bay across from Bayside Park. Serving great coffees and beverages, hearty sandwiches, homemade soups and tasty bakery treats, all made fresh daily. Eat-in, take out or take in the panoramic view of the lake from the wall of windows in a bright, sun-filled greenhouse setting. Or relax under an umbrella on the new patio overlooking the bay. Coffees, the house specialty, include lattes, espresso, cappuccino, traditional or flavored with Torannhi syrups from Italy, plus a variety of chai beverages and fruit smoothies. There’s free Wi-Fi, too. Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Available for private functions. 97 Blakely Road, Colchester.  651-8963. 

Foodee’s — A world of pizza. Located in Essex Shoppes & Cinema Complex on Vt. 15 in Essex. Foodee’s serves award-winning pizza; the five different crusts are from Old World bread recipes like Bavarian six-grain or San Francisco sourdough. They are heaped with selected toppings to create more than 35 flavors, such as pesto fajita, Reuben, taco and French onion. Choose from an array of specialty sodas, juices and waters or select from more than 60 beers — domestic, imported and microbrews. Foodee’s also offers fresh salads, sandwiches and its signature Stuffn’ Bakers. Enjoy your selections in Foodee’s casual surroundings or take them with you. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. 878-3834.

Junior’s Italian — 6 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, left from Exit 16 off I-89 North. Called “Vermont’s Little Italy,” Junior’s Upstairs offers pasta specialties, including linguine, penne, fettuccine, cappellini, ravioli and tortellini, with a choice of 19 sauces; and chicken, veal and seafood entrées made to order. Downstairs at “The Bakery” are luscious Italian pastries, cakes, cookies and Italian breads. Junior’s Long Island–recipe pizzas include Florentine, Brooklyn  and Greek. On- or off-site catering available. Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. 655-5555;
www.juniorsvt.com.

Leonardo’s Pizza — 83 Pearl St., Burlington; 1160 Williston Road, South Burlington. A hometown favorite, Leonardo’s pizza was voted “Best Pizza 2001-2002” by a local survey. Take it out or have it delivered, but do try the creative offerings that come with an array of toppings — with a particularly wide selection of vegetarian favorites. The Leonardo’s works or vegetarian works are two great choices. There’s free delivery, and Leonardo’s offers corporate charge accounts. Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday
11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 862-7700. 

Leunig’s Bistro — 115 Church St., on the Church Street Marketplace, Burlington. Experience Leunig’s and you’ll believe its motto: “The spirit of an Old World café in the heart of downtown Burlington.” It has charming decor, creative food and a well-appointed bar. At the corner of Church and College streets, Leunig’s offers a prime spot for downtown people-watching (or for being seen). Start your Saturday or Sunday with Leunig’s special blend coffee and fresh orange juice. Serving lunch, dinner and brunch. Open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.. to 10 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.. to 11 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday
9 a.m. to 10 p.m.  (802) 863-3759.

Mexicali — On the green at Maple Tree Place, Williston’s Mexicali Authentic Mexican Grill is a popular spot for lovers of the true, tangy flavors of Mexico. Inexpensive and casual, its menu covers the basics, with interesting variations on burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, chimichangas, tamales, nachos, chiles rellenos and quesadillas. Try one of the homemade salsas, with your choice of zing ranging from mild to XXX  hot.  Appetizers start at $4.29, with dinners starting at $7.50. Awesome food and Fantastic margaritas. Catering available. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 879-9492; 
www.mexicalivt.com.

Nicco’s Cucina — The chefs at Nicco’s say they love to cook, and it shows. The restaurant is conveniently located in Maple Tree Place at the junction of U.S. 2 and Vt. 2A in Williston, just off I-89 at Exit 12, in the Majestic Ten Cinema Complex. Nicco’s Cucina is perfecto for dinner and a movie and always a good choice if you’re in the mood for casual family dining. The menu features everything from pizza to panini, fresh salads and antipasti and Italian favorites like veal parmigiana, lasagna, saltimbocca and cacciatore with sausage and chicken. Everything from Nicco’s Cucina is fresh every day and available to go. Serving lunch and dinner. Patio dining summer and fall. 192 Boxwood St., Maple Tree Place in Williston.  857-2200.

Starry Night Café — 5371 U.S. Route 7, North Ferrisburgh. Midway between Middlebury and Burlington in a renovated cider press sits this fine-dining restaurant. Chef David Hugo prepares creative American cuisine using traditional techniques with a focus on freshness and simplicity and featuring local, seasonal and organic produce wherever possible. Appetizers range from fresh Maine crab to steak tartare. A favorite entrée is grilled lamb chops with tequila, lime and chipotle butter. Prices start at $5.50 for appetizers and $15 for entrées. Desserts include crème brûlée with ginger shortbread. Reservations recommended. Open Wednesday through Sunday 5:30 to  9 p.m. 877 6316;  
www.starrynightcafe.com. 

T Bones Restaurant and Bar — 38 Lower Mountain View Drive, Colchester.  A family-owned restaurant recently opened at the site of the former Lighthouse Restaurant next to the Hampton Inn. Tastefully redecorated to reflect Vermont’s way of life and its history. The menu provides a variety of moderately priced choices. Beef-lovers will enjoy the King of Steaks, a 12-ounce, center-cut New York sirloin; baby back ribs are slow-roasted and smothered in sauce. Steaks are USDA choice and hand-cut on the premises. The menu also features favorites such as grilled Cajun skillets, pork osso bucco and several pasta dishes. The bar boasts a large model train that periodically circles overhead and a long list of martinis. Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. 654-8008. 

Three Tomatoes Trattoria — Since 1992, Three Tomatoes has been serving great Italian food on Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace. Three Tomatoes has become a landmark for casual, fun family dining. A custom-built, wood-fired brick oven bakes the best thin-crust pizza this side of Napoli. From pasta to panini, the chefs at Three Tomatoes prepare simply delicious, wholesome and healthy food. Menu specials include fresh seafood, lamb, chicken and sausage grilled on hardwood charcoal, as well as fresh salads, antipasti and lots of vegetarian pasta dishes. Serving lunch and dinner. Summer patio dining on the Marketplace. 83 Church St. in Burlington. Call 660-9533.

Norma’s at Topnotch — Topnotch Resort and Spa’s patio-style signature restaurant welcomes astute diners who appreciate casual yet creative cuisine. This bustling bistro with its defining open kitchen lets diners watch and enjoy Executive Chef Doug Barg cook up chic country cuisine created from locally grown organic provisions. Families will appreciate burgers (including homemade vegetarian) with root slaw, an upscale macaroni and Vermont cheese with parsley bacon crust, grilled steak and chicken. Couples might splurge on lobster cocktail and beef filet with Grafton Cheddar lasagna, followed by organic vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate chip cookies. Perched on 120 acres near the village of Stowe, Topnotch Resort is a model of sophisticated rusticity. 4000 Mountain Road, Stowe. 253-6445.

Toscano Café/Bistro — 27 Bridge St., Richmond. Opened by chef Jon Fath, a 1995 graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, and his wife, Lucie Bolduc-Fath, this cozy little bistro offers Old World charm in downtown Richmond, just 20 minutes from Burlington. Fresh flowers on the table and soft candlelight create a romantic ambiance. The menu features rustic Mediterranean cuisine with fresh seafood and veal, fine Italian wines and Vermont microbrews. Appetizers include crab cakes with saffron aioli, and Prince Edward Island mussels with white wine, plum tomatoes and basil. Entrées include wild mushroom ravioli with Gorgonzola sauce, grilled salmon with citrus buerre blanc and beef tenderloin with peppercorn demi. Soups and desserts, such as crème brûlée and cappuccino chocolate mousse, are made in-house. Open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday; dinner Tuesday through Sunday; brunch Sundays. 434-3148.

Windjammer — 1076 Williston Road, South Burlington. You can expect simple, classic cuisine at the Windjammer. The fish is fresh, steaks are hand-cut on the premises daily, and the salad bar has the freshest produce available. The Windjammer is known for its prime rib, slow-roasted all day with the right seasonings, making it juicy, tender and delicious. Try it alone or paired with combos of steak, seafood or the house favorite, teriyaki chicken. The restaurant features a boat-shaped salad bar, an abundance of fresh vegetables, and cold salads and fixings that complement each dinner entrée. Serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and dinner only on Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations accepted.  862-6585. •