My (Short) Story

Three years ago Noah Hoffenberg, then-Executive Editor of Vermont News & Media, asked me to write restaurant reviews.  I approached them largely as a reporter--eat out and report on the experience.  I had not trained at the Culinary Institute of America, nor had I worked as a chef.  Noah thought I wrote well, and I had an appreciation for food and the people who worked in restaurants.  

 

I brought that sensibility to a series of articles on food--some of which are linked on this site.  I also began writing for Edible Vermont.

 

When Vermont News and Media stopped food reviewing, friends encouraged me to find an outlet.  Here it is!  

 

I believe that Southern Vermont and surrounding areas have some excellent restaurants, but these are not as well covered as are those in Burlington.  Tourists, second homeowners and locals may not have had experience with a restaurant, and they may be wary of comments online.

 

My goal here is simple: find the best restaurants around and review them, so you have a sense of what you will find if you choose to eat at them.

 

Although online content thrives on negativity and nastiness, I am choosing to be positive in these reviews.  Yes, I may note if a particular dish or drink seems off to me, but my purpose is to draw attention to wonderful places.  Since my tastes aren’t universal (strangely enough), I visit restaurants with friends who know food well--all the while seeking special meals.

 

Why this approach?

 

Partly, it’s my personality.  I don’t want to dwell on the negative, and I’d like to share good experiences.  I also know just how hard it is to succeed in the restaurant business.  To make anything look effortless often takes a great deal of effort.  The staff in the kitchen usually works hard to make it seem as if the dish has been whipped up almost on the spot.

 

And Vermont is not New York or Los Angeles, where some pretentious chef may be charging exorbitant prices and bilking unsuspecting diners.  While reviews that deflate such pretentions may be fun to read, I haven’t run into restaurants around here that would call for this treatment.  Yes, I can think of several places that serve bland food.  You won’t see them reviewed here.

 

I’m not going to dwell on the cost of each place.  You can see menus, so you can readily get a sense of cost.  Sometimes, if you’re not ravenous, an appetizer or two can be filling and keep the cost down.  However,  if the cost is going to get in the way of enjoying a particular place, my advice is: simply don’t go.  

 

You can find two categories listed here: Sumptuous Meals and Good, Honest Food.  Like most of us, I’m not always willing to plunk down$150 for a meal; sometimes, I’m in a t-shirt and shorts and just want a juicy burger.  I hope my reviews can guide you to good choices for either occasion.

 

I’m always eager to hear what you think: let me know!