Beer Dinner
DESCRIPTION: On Sunday 16 March 2003, the Storm Caf held its first "Beer Dinner". A carefully selected craft-brewed Vermont beer accompanied each of five courses in a prix fixe menu. The food lived up to the Storm's reputation as one of the best restaurants in Vermont and by itself would have made the evening memorable. The beer selection surpassed all expectation. One of my guests, Pete Czerpak, brewmaster at Big Ring Brews in Albany, NY was particularly impressed with the choice of Magic Hat's "Thumbsucker" Russian imperial stout to accompany the beef tenderloin. This event significantly demonstrated that great food and great beer go hand-in-hand.
DATE: 2003-03-17
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : all

Nice Find
DESCRIPTION: We've been to Middlebury a number of times but this was the first time we lunched at the Storm Cafe. What a find! The food was delicious, well presented and plentiful. The staff was courteous and accommodating. Sitting out on the deck while it rained made it quite a Vermont experience. There was not a crumb left on our plates. While we did not have dessert, those patrons who did raved. By the way, the place was packed.
DATE: 2004-08-09
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : tomato bisque soup

Message for the Barmaid, Ahem, I Mean Barhag
DESCRIPTION: Spent a lovely day shopping in Woodstock, but the memory I came away with from the town will be the bar experience at Bentley's on 12/28/03. Upon approaching the empty bar to sit and enjoy a beer, the barhag looks at my party of three and yells out "OH NO, you guys CAN'T sit HERE, you HAVE to be of age!" Now I know I am 24 years old and I know at most bars, common ettiquette is to ID before being served...but for some reason, this lady makes it a point not to even let us sit. I responded to her by saying, "Well if we show you some ID, then can we sit?" Ok, our credentials pass but she then proceeds to ignore the three of us and another bartender takes our drink orders. I have no idea what this lady had against us. Yeah, I may look 18 but at least let us prove it before yelling at your customers and denying them service. Thanks for the pleasant experience, Bentley's!
DATE: 2004-01-07
SERVICERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 4

DESCRIPTION: I was working at Camp Farwell. Woodstock was a great place to go for July the 4th. Bentleys is ok. The food was nice, but you have to remember you're in the woods, so the locals are not used to people from abroad.
DATE: 2004-11-11
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : ribs

Taste of Burlington - A Wonderful Meal
DESCRIPTION: This was my second time at Taste. On my last visit the chef invited us to a showing of his paintings. My companion and I made the trip from Topsham and the atmosphere was wonderful. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres were passed. Once again the wine was superb. I had Kangarilla Road Langhorne Zinfandel for the first time and it is my new favorite Zin. The waitress was kind enough to send the label home with me. I had the Mediterranean chicken with soft polenta and tomato olive relish - delicious! The mix of flavors were very well balanced. The chef and owner (Rick Benson) was in the dining room playing the artist this night and it was nice to know that the food was still as good as last time with him not in the kitchen.
DATE: 2005-11-08
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8

Best Baby Back Ribs - Taste of Burlington VT
DESCRIPTION: Can't say enough about how good the ribs were here. The desk clerk and chef at The Willard Street Inn suggested this as their favorite spot in town to send their guests and it was terrific! The staff was kind and kept this solo diner company - one of the chefs even tasted some wines with me. They had quite a selection of wines from my home state (OR). The ribs were perfect. Tender and falling off the bone. The pineapple BBQ sauce was spicy, sweet and tangy. My first trip to Burlington but when I come back this'll be my first stop.
DATE: 2005-12-17
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : baby back ribs

Summer Fun
DESCRIPTION: With a beautiful outdoor bar and deck overlooking Otter Creek, Mr. Up's is a great place to enjoy beautiful Vermont summers and excellent Otter Creek beer. Nightly drink specials. Weds dollar draft gets bouncing with lots of people from the college and town.
DATE: 2003-05-13
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Otter Creek beer

Definitely Recommended for a Relaxing Evening
DESCRIPTION: A classical American food restaurant in a old style place. It is good, very well located and food is great, though not sophisticated and reasonably priced. It is a place to have a dinner, or a glass, along with friends or family. The terrace on the river has a superb view. Really, a place I like.
DATE: 2003-07-31
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : local beers

Needs Improvement
DESCRIPTION: Food sucks on certain days of the week. Waitstaff could be friendlier. The dishes could look nicer wehn they arrive to the customer.
DATE: 2005-08-17
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4

Mr. Up's Review
DESCRIPTION: Food: good. They need more vegetarian dishes, though. If you go there, get the salad bar because sometimes the service is slow. If it is summer, sit on the deck and watch the squirrels.
DATE: 2006-01-22
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : salad bar. french onion soup, potato skins

OK
DESCRIPTION: We've eaten here a few times and each time, our experience has been mediocre. Service is slow and meal quality is inconsistent. The last (and final) time we went, one of our dishes contained a large shard of plastic - for which we were offered a free dessert - not another entree. The restaurant did not uphold its local reputation.
DATE: 2005-03-04
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4

Fabulous
DESCRIPTION: This is a unique experience and very different from the ususal sit down, eat and go dining. Located on the river, the view is just fabulous, relaxing, and romantic. The meals are served on Simon Pearce pottery and the extensive selection of wines are served in their hand blown glass. For families, it is also a great place to take kids. While waiting for a table or after your meal you can enjoy watching the glassblowers in action as well as the potters. We love their glass vases and have completed our entire Woodbury collection by purchasing a vase every time we went there for dinner. The food is always divine and creative. We sometimes ask for recepes which they email to us. We highly recommend it, and trust me, we're picky.
DATE: 2006-01-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10