December 22, 2011
All dressed up, but where to dine?
by Tony Chamberlain/
The Highlands Dining Room has the ambiance of one of those old Christmas romances. (photo: The Mountain Top Inn & Resort)
So you shut the lifts down, spend an hour in the hot tub (after thinking about a gym visit) maybe take a short nap. Now rested, showered and dressed, what’s for dinner?
On most nights, it may be wearing jeans and heading to the local pizza place or brew pub. But tonight is different. Maybe you have a date, or it’s your wife’s birthday. Whatever the reason, you feel like fine dining tonight. Maybe it’s a blazer over your turtleneck, or your finest Dale sweater, even a puff of Polo under your chin. Now you look for a place a cut above in finery. Where to go?
In Vermont, if you like your fine dining with a historic backdrop, wander into Olivia’s at the Grey Bonnet Inn in Killington. While this area is a hub of larger (and noisier) places, Olivia’s presents fireside fine dining in a room redolent of early American antiques.
Olivia’s has a complete wine list from beginnings in the pub, and then to pair with the kitchen’s superb pasta, veal and duck dishes. Find Olivia’s at 831 U.S. Route 100N.
Still in the region in the village of Chittenden, check out the Highlands Dining Room at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort. This has the ambiance of one of those old black-and-white Christmas romances with candlelit dining and a terrific wine list. If you’re popping a ring and the question to your betrothed this month, Highlands is a great spot for it. Fine steaks, pasta and seafood of a wide variety, along with excellent salads and hearty soups make choices difficult.
There is a tavern menu with more casual fare, and a well-rounded children’s menu. The Highlands is found at Mountain Top Inn at 195 Mountain Top Road, Chittenden.
At Plymouth Vermont, the River Tavern at Hawk Inn & Mountain Resort is a nice old fave that serves a really elegant menu within a somewhat casual country setting. Chef Marc Scott has won awards for his varying creations that provide plenty of hearty dishes in winter. Dishes are from world traditions, but also American, with an excellent wine list.
If you are a history bug, combine dinner at River Tavern with a trip to nearby Plymouth, which still maintains the hometown of President Calvin Coolidge, with his house and chapel. Also in town is the Vermont Cheese factory, worth a tour. River Tavern is at 75 Billings Road, Route 100 in Plymouth.
In New Hampshire, one all-time, all-purpose favorite spot is the Wildcat Inn & Tavern in perhaps the prettiest ski town in New England, Jackson, the village just over the red-covered bridge. This is the heart of Mount Washington Valley, and while it’s more casual and provides musical entertainment, the food is a superb mix of fine dining and more pub-style fare.
The New Zealand rack of lamb with a demi glaze paired with a fine merlot was an excellent choice on a recent night, and the pasta dishes are tasty and, of course, filling. The lobster macaroni and cheese was a hit at our table as well. As said, the inn is found in downtown Jackson.
In Kingfield, Maine, One Stanley Avenue is in the discussion for the short list of great New England restaurants. Chef Dan Davis works out his seasonal menu with local Maine (close to home) ingredients such as fiddleheads, blueberries, potatoes and lobster. Meat dishes are hearty and uniquely crafted, with rabbit one of the lighter favorites. A wonderful wine list pairs with the truly wonderful food.
As one would gather, this restaurant is housed in a soaring Victorian house at One Stanley Avenue in Kingfield, close by the banks of the Carrabassett River.
This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of New England Ski Journal.
Tony Chamberlain can be reached at editor@skijournal.com
