stroshow3's Profile
Heritage breeds of turkey
I personally haven't tried a heritage turkey but one of the main reasons for the higher price is that (like most ducks, pheasants, etc.) these birds grow much more slowly than regular turkeys so for the same amount of work (sometimes even more as heritage turkeys are capable of actually flying!) the farmer is left with a much smaller bird to sell (some of this is offset by heritage turkeys eating less grain but not all of it). Also heritage turkeys are more expensive to buy as baby chicks. At least in terms of price, it's not really fair to compare heritage breed turkeys to the standard turkeys most of us are familiar with (did you know that modern turkey breeds have been bred to be so large that they no longer are able to mate naturally; the hens have to be artificially inseminated).
Need simple ideas for Burlington VT?
Seconded. It's expensive for pizza (15-20 for a large flatbread) but it's also fantastic.
Farmers Markets/Farm Stands along I-89 Corridor, Concord NH to Burlington VT
The Richmond (VT) farmer's market is on Friday from 3-6:30 on the Village Green. There's also Killdeer Farm Stand in Norwich, VT which is actually off 91 but it's very close to 89 (about 5 minutes from 89). Killdeer is a really neat farm stand. They've got lots of their own vegetables (including corn already!) and then also things from other farms including fruits, meats, dairy products, even some harder to find local things like flour, apple cider vinegar, maybe even sunflower oil. You can check their web site out at Killdeerfarm.com.
Bluebird Tavern, VT gastropub
Haven't been there but completely agree with Rogan. You say that the portions were more appetizer-sized, well you're basically paying appetizer prices. If I saw a chanterelle and feta flatbread appetizer on any restaurant menu, I'd definitely expect to pay more than $10 for it. Maybe you should have ordered another course.
Fat Hen Market, Vergennes, Vt.
Yes Fat Hen fell victim to the economic downturn (they had been experiencing solid growth until this past fall). I know there is talk of reopening the store as a coop, though, with the same people involved.
Buying Seafood - Upper Valley NH/VT
Wondering what people think is the best place to buy seafood in the Upper Valley. In the past, I've just gone to the Hanover/Lebanon Coops. Is their a better option (quality and/or price)?
What are the best bacons made in New England, especially Maine?
Dakin Farm in Vermont has fantastic bacon.
Vermont Cheese Makers
I'm not dissing Cabot at all. I eat their cheese all the time - their pepper jack makes fantastic nachos. I prefer Grafton Cheddar to Cabot Cheddar but that doesn't really matter. All I'm saying is that based on the first post and the OP's subsequent comments that the Cabot factory tour doesn't seem like a great fit. I love Cabot Cheese (I'm working to get their cheese served here at school, actually), but all I'm saying is that Cabot doesn't seem to be really what the OP is looking for here (as was subsequently confirmed basically).
Like signothetimes, I'm not here to convince you whether or not to buy Cabot cheese, it just seems like it's not the type of place the OP is looking for ...
Vermont Cheese Makers
Yeah. I haven't been to the Cabot factory but I have to imagine that it's great for tourists but not for real cheese fanatics.
Vermont Cheese Makers
I'm sure Cabot's a great tourist destination but if you're really into cheese, something I'm not but the original poster seems to be, there probably are better options, including those listed above.
You've already checked out vtcheese.com, but it might be worth it to take a look at the Vermont Cheese Book (http://www.vermontcheesebook.com/)
Sirloin Saloon in Rutland, VT
I haven't been to the Rutland one ever or the Shelburne one in maybe 6 or 7 years but I think you'd have to be crazy to drive from Chittenden County to Rutland in order to go to the Sirloin Saloon. You'd be passing Starry Night Cafe (Ferrisburgh), Black Sheep Bistro (Vergennes), Cafe Provence (Brandon), not to mention Fire and Ice (Middlebury) if you want the steakhouse/salad bar thing.
Ed's Barrrbq - Barre, VT
Just wondering if you know if any of their meat is sourced locally. I wouldn't expect it but the fact that they use Cabot cheddar for their mac and cheese leads me to ask.
Vermont's North East kingdom
Is the Old Cutter Inn (in Burke) still around? I've had some good meals there although it was definitely a few years ago.
Bar Harbor & Boothbay Harbor, ME
We will definitely consider it and I will keep the strong recommendations in mind.
Also, on the opposite end of the spectrum, what would people say is the best clam shack-type place in the area for fried seafood?
Bar Harbor & Boothbay Harbor, ME
Thanks a lot for the input. The COA farm stand seems like a natural fit. We'll definitely consider the cafeteria but I think we're fairly capable of cooking decent meals. Good suggestion, though, and one I'm sure I wouldn't have come up with on my own.
Unfortunately we'll be missing the Sunday farmer's market. The wednesday one looks like a good possibility and we'll check out nearby towns, too.
As for Burning Tree, can anyone give me an idea of prices (entrees, apps, etc)? This will be a slightly different trip for me but my general philosophy is that I'd rather spend more for a great meal than somewhat less for an ok/good meal. And obviously I guess, we can just check out the menus when we get there.
Bar Harbor & Boothbay Harbor, ME
I'm going to be camping for a few days at Acadia mid-September with a few friends. We're college kids so fairly limited funds. Any suggestions for stores that sell local products, farm stands, seafood/farmer's markets, etc in the Bar Harbor area?
Also, we'll likely eat out a couple of meals. From what I've read, The Thirsty Whale sounds ideal for us (how's their local microbrew selection?) and maybe Cafe This Way if we want to grab breakfast. I guess I'm wondering about suggestions for a lobster pound/fried seafood type place in the area as well as a possible medium level restaurant. Someplace where we don't need to worry about how we're dressed but can get a quality, reasonably-priced, non-fried meal. I've checked things out a little and some possibilities seem to include Poor Boy Gourmet, Burning Tree, Maggie's Classic Scales, or McKay's? What do people think of these. I gather that Poor Boy has good basic food for a good value, Burning Tree is a little more adventurous with an emphasis on local/organic food (a big positive for me) and I don't know much about the other two. What do people think about these places?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
BRIDPORT, VT
I strongly recommend the Black Sheep Bistro. Give it a quick search on here to read past reviews/comments.
Vermont report
FWIW, I ate there a couple summers ago and also found the food good, not great. My fried calamari appetizer was fantastic but my roast chicken entree was just all right (I should have ordered something else, probably). On the night we were there, the service was actually quite slow and it really bothered one of my friends.
On the other hand, my sister took a lunch trip there with her French class and absolutely raved about it.
Burlington, VT area- best steak?
If I were you I'd just pick up some steaks (Sirloin or Ribeye) from one of the local farmers and grill them over some natural hardwood charcoal and do up some butter with pepper, crushed garlic, and chives. Maybe roast some corn, too.
"Fat Franks," Bellows Falls, VT - Go there NOW!
Sounds very intriguing, Redstone. I may have to make it down to check it out. In terms of their ingredients, do you know if any is sourced locally and/or organic?
Upper Valley Restaurants: Carpenter & Main or Simon Pearce
Has anyone been to Carpenter and Main recently? I've got a couple small gift certificates and am thinking about trying it soon.
Black Sheep Bistro, Vergennes VT -- Review
I really think that the Black Sheep is one of the best value meals in the Champlain Valley. I've eaten there several times and always enjoyed my meal. Your comment on the desserts is interesting. It's never really something I've noticed but looking back I have to say that I agree; I've never been as impressed with the desserts as I've been with my appetizer and entree. Still a fantastic meal, though, and you can't beat the price for the quality you get.
Ben & Jerry's Tour
I haven't been to many places in the area but Pie in the Sky is good and open for lunch.
A few days in Hanover, NH!
I would not go to Jesse's; it's very pedestrian (again not being snobby; the food just isn't good). Lou's is fine; it's a Hanover institution and the food is good, not great, and a little overpriced (for me part of what's great about diners is they're so cheap and Lou's isn't). Three Tomatoes is your typical mid-level Italian place with a brick oven: all right but nothing special.
If you're actually looking for locally-grown food, I'd recommend checking out Peyton Place Restaurant in Lyme or Season's in Enfield (both are a short drive from Hanover). I haven't been to either place but have heard great things about both and both make a point of serving local food.
Burlington, VT. this Wed....
While I generally agree, I think it depends what the OP is looking for. If you're looking for a quality simple meal in Burlington, I think Flatbread is a good place to go. If you're looking for a more elaborate meal and are willing to devote some time, then TonyO's suggestions fit the bill.
Rockport, MA - Father's Day Dinner
Thanks again for the comments. Maybe we'll finally try My Place by the Sea. We know about the Lobster Pool and will eat there a couple times over the course of the week but it's not what we're looking for for Father's Day. Thanks, though.
Rockport, MA - Father's Day Dinner
Thanks for those comment.s Anyone have any thoughts on the Greenery or Blacksmith Shop?
