Local town and village restaurants in the Upper Valley are slowly coming back to life after a year-long bout with COVID-19, thanks in part to the lifting of restrictions by Governor Scott in a careful and methodical manner. On March 12, for example, restaurants are now permitted to seat multiple households together but no more than six people can be seated at the same table. Masking, distancing, capacity limits, and other mitigation guidelines remain in place. As a consequence, many of these area restaurants are offering dine-in, delivery, curbside pickup, or take and bake freeze meals. Because the status of each restaurant changes sometimes on a weekly basis, however, it is best to contact the eatery of your choice before attending.

 

MON VERT CAFE

 

THE RED ROOSTER

The Red Rooster at the Woodstock Inn & Resort showcases menus that draw from the best purveyors in New England, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. Specializing in American fare that is vegetarian friendly with vegan options, The Rooster offers a variety of specialties for breakfast and dinner, emphasizing cheeses, beef, and heirloom fruits and vegetables. The Inn Eggs Benedict, for example, includes two poached organic eggs, toasted English muffin, house-made Tasso ham, Hollandaise sauce, and country home fries ($18). The Green Mountain Sampler offers choices of yogurt, melons, berries, pineapple, house-made granola, honey, and banana bread ($14). For dinner, a small plate of Oysters Rockefeller hits the spot for many with arugula, spinach, Asiago cheese, and herb breadcrumbs ($19). A large plate of Crispy Cauliflower Vegetable Bowl may be another scrumptious choice for its coconut cauliflower, Pirlau rice, Napa cabbage, and vegetable slaw with apricot cilantro dressing ($24). For those interested in surf and turf, Land and Sea include seared Georges Bank scallops, braised short rib of beef, butter mashed potatoes, with tomato and leek relish ($32). Contact www.woodstockinn.com or 802-457-6671. Located at 14 The Green, Woodstock, VT 05091.

 

MELAZA BISTRO

At Melaza, visitors can enjoy big plates (Platos Grandes), small plates (Platos Pequenos), side dishes, and desserts (Postres). One big plate, for instance, includes Annatto Rice & Pulled Chicken Sofrito (Arroz con Pollo y Sofrito), a delicious comfort rice dish made with the classic Puerto Rican with fried green plantains, avocados, and chipotle aioli ($16). The Vegetarian Spanish Paella is a vegetarian delight with sauteed zucchini, summer squash, peppers, olives, tomatoes, peas, artichokes, and sweet plantains combined with rice simmered in broth and flavored with saffron threads ($18). For a small plate, diners may enjoy Tapas or crispy Latin turnovers filled with local Boyden Farms ground beef, shredded chicken, and served with guava dipping sauce ($6). Also available is a Classic Cuban Sandwich made with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed in ciabatta bread and served with Yucca fries ($14). For dessert (postres), customers can dip their palette in Ramona’s Caramel Flan (g/f), a crème caramel or light custard where sugar syrup is cooked to caramel stage and is poured into the mold before adding the custard-based and then is turned and served with the caramel sauce on top ($7). Contact www.melazabistro.com or 802-457-7110. Located at 71 Central Street, Woodstock, VT 05091

 

WORTHY KITCHEN

Known for its 100% grass-fed beef, and choice organic chicken, The Worthy Kitchen offers the well-known Kitchen Burger or two smashed VT beef patties, Worthy bun, lettuce, onion, pickles, American cheese, secret sauce, and fries ($14). The Dirty Bird is a chicken and bacon sausage burger on a Worthy bun with pickled red pepper relish, VT maple-infused mustard, Plymouth cheddar , and Worthy fries ($15).  Spicy Poke Bowl contains a choice of tuna or fried chicken with sticky rice, avocado, wakame, tobiko, spicy mayo, kewpie mayo, pickled ginger, and toasted sesame ($20). The Worthy Fishwich is seared Arctic salmon filet on a Worthy bun, bibb lettuce, dill pickles, shaved onion, tartar sauce, and Worthy fries ($15). The Poutine Burger is a New England raised beef patty with cheese curds, duck fat gravy, and Worthy fries ($18) and the House Salad is comprised of fresh roots farm field greens, La Panciata croutons, seeds ‘n berries, fresh veggies, and choice of dressing (add salmon or buttermilk fried chicken) ($11). Contact www.worthyvermont.com or 802-457-7281. Located on Route 4 East, Woodstock, VT 05091

 

PRINCE AND PAUPER

At The Prince & The Pauper, a prix fixe dinner of House Smoked Salmon, Country Pate, Carre D’Agneau Royale, Magret of Duck, Grilled Sirloin Strip Steak, Sesame Seared Salmon, Maine Crab Cakes, and Roast Stuffed Pork Loin is available for $57. Other entrees include Grilled Sirloin Strip Steak, hand-cut USDA prime western beef, grilled to specification and garnished with a slice of garlic-herb butter; offered with vegetable and hand-cut French fries ($30). The Roasted Stuffed Pork Loin is stuffed with brandied apples and apricots and served with pan jus, potato, and vegetable ($20). The Sesame Seared Salmon is Atlantic salmon fillet topped with white and black sesame seeds and oven seared; offered with Thai ginger sauce, Wasabi, pickled ginger, vegetable, and spicy Asian peanut noodles ($30). Maine Crab Cakes are delicately flavored and include shredded lump Maine crabmeat combined with breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, scallions, and herbs; sauteed and offered with tartar sauce and offered with hand-cut French fries and vegetable ($28). The Chicken Pot Pie contains chicken, potatoes, carrots, and green peas, baked in a hearty chicken stock with a touch of flour and local McNamara cream and topped with a toothsome, flaky pastry ($25). Chef Lyda’s Grandmother’s Meatballs are made with beef, pork, and veal and served with linguini with homemade marinara and a side of garlic ciabatta bread ($25). Contact www.princeandpauper.com or 802-457-1818. Located at 24 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT.