manchester vermont

can anyone suggest some roadfood stops? we are staying at the equinox. but have a car and wll travel far for the right chow

My one meal in Manchester was at Up for Breakfast and it was a good one!

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=1739&RefID=1693

thanks. any dinner ideas? also there used to be a great mexican place at the top of the hill by the outlets in town. homemade chips too. is this still there?

My wife and I usually eat at the Sirloin Saloon. I believe that it is a small Vermont chain.

Walt

The Mexican place is still there, across the street from the new Orvis outlet. (The old Jelly Mill). I agree about the Sirloin Saloon. It has a very good salad bar, and if you are eating low carb, they will substitute the spinach souffle for the potato.

Eat the Sunday Breakfast Buffet at the Equinox, it is very good.

Mrs. Murphy's donuts are excellent, right downtown, next to the laundromat. It is fun to go in there, because you will be the only non-local. All the guys in there will be wearing typical Vermont clothes and talking about local gossip.

Mulligans is okay, and a good bar scene. Tijuana Tuesdays mean Coronas are 2.00 and they have cheap frozen margaritas. There french fries are really good. Up for breakfast is good, but sometimes very busy. There is also a breakfast place in the outlet area that has a chicken motif...can't remember the name, but it is good, too.

You will enjoy the Equinox. It is a very relaxing place to go. Bring your swimsuit. If you like spas, it is probably the best in New England.

Oh, I forgot, There is a great Bar up the hill going past route 7. Manchester Bar and Grille, or MBG. If you are there during baseball playoffs, the bartender is a Red Sox fan. They have dollar hot dogs during the games.

One of our places to go in Manchester is the bookstore. I do not know its name but is on Route 7 one block north of that busy intersection in the center of town.

I have never played but the Equinox's golf course is rumored to be something special.

Walt

Just remembered another place to go. The Dorset Inn. You can get directions from the concierge desk. We have been there for lunch several times, and it is very nice. On the way, on the right hand side is an interesting place to shop for kitchen ware. They make their own cutting boards, and they have a gallery where you can stand and watch them being made. I can't remember the name, but, again, the concierge desk will tell you the name. Other than cutting boards, they have everything you can name for your kitchen. "If they don't have it, you don't need it". Their prices are pretty good, too. It is a fun place to stop, and we have never left there without buying something. You can even buy kindling. I hope you have fun at one of our favorite places to stay.

A little north of Manchester on Rte.7 is The Chantecler (802) 362-1616. Open for dinner serving regional/upscale food. Went there 4-5 years ago. The food was very nice.

any place to have dinner that has a fireplace??

The MBG has a fireplace, but it is NOT romantic! The Dorset Inn has a romantic fireplace, but it is in the "living room", which backs up to the dining room. Haven't been to the Chantecler because it is pretty expensive. We are going to the Equinox in November. Will we see you there? Nov. 11-13. The Hotel itself has fireplaces in the Dining Rooms of the tavern, or you can sit in the library and have food brought to you. It has a magnificent fireplace.

we are going this sat and sun. have a 4th floor room in the hotel..what do you think of the rooms? have you been to up for breakfast?

The rooms vary. But many have the same decor, right down to the pictures on the wall. We have never stayed on the 4th floor. Always the 2nd, both overlooking the town (front) and the back. This time of year should be beautiful overlooking the back, because you see the mountain, (Mt. Equinox) and the leaves should be prime.

Yes, we have been to up for breakfast. As you might imagine, you have to walk "up" a flight of stairs. It is right downtown. It is good. If you do go to the bookstore, don't expect a great lunch, and don't expect to order a soda. Soda is bad for you, and they want to dictate what you should eat and drink, not what you want to. I know, it sounds weird, but this is as close to liberal California as you can get on the east coast. I still like it, but sometimes you have to be careful about speaking your mind to a native.

The hotel itself is a delight. We usually stay in the same room, and as it is an old hotel, the floors go a little "down hill". It is part of the charm. We once asked for a bath mat, and now we always get one. They seem to remember you. I absolutely love the place. After you have been there a few times, you will recognize the bellmen, and they will remember you. We even see some of the same guests! If you do not eat in the main dining room, at least go look at it. The chandeliers and matching sconces will blow you away. This time of year, it may only be open for Sunday brunch, and I heartily recommend you go. Their pastry chef is fantastic. Don't go too late, as it seems that if they are not too busy, the meats, etc. stay on the steam trays. If you are thinking of going to up for breakfast on Sunday, go and take a look (you are allowed) before you decide. If is really worth the extra money. If is relaxing, they have a pianist, and you can even buy her music on c.d.s in the gift shop. Have a great time.

quote:

Originally posted by waltpiii

My wife and I usually eat at the Sirloin Saloon. I believe that it is a small Vermont chain.

Walt

I agree. This is a great gem.

Shen, I am waiting to hear where you went, and if you had a good time. I don't think you spent enough time there, but then, I don't know your schedule. We never go for less than 3 nights, because it takes that long to decompress, and see a few old haunts. Did you go to the Sirloin Saloon? Did you go to the breakfast buffet at the Equinox? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ye Old Tavern Not to shabby

20 minutes out of town in Pawlet. Go to Pascal's Bistro for a great meal.

Just heard recently that they closed!

Does anyone else want to make a roadtrip to Manchester after seeing the homepage today? I know I'm Up For Breakfast


http://www.roadfood.com/R.../1693/up-for-breakfast

EatingTheRoad


Does anyone else want to make a roadtrip to Manchester after seeing the homepage today? I know I'm Up For Breakfast


http://www.roadfood.com/R.../1693/up-for-breakfast

When I was a kid my grandparents, who lived in Florida, spent their summers at Bromley Village in Peru, VT which is a few miles outside of Manchester Center.  I used to love walking around down in Manchester, and one of my favorite places there was The Vermont Country Store.... Which is about 100 ft from Up For Breakfast. I never ate their, nor do I know if it was around back then.  But boy oh boy, do I wish I had!  If only my grandparents were still around.....

Bob's Diner is a great little diner with good basic diner fare and some interesting specials.

For dinner, Bistro Henry is a good option.

Well if Minna & Michael still own it, they bought it in 1998:
http://www.rutlandherald....earchID=73199074103990

Brandt's wife, Minna, is the trained chef in the family, with a culinary degree earned in her native Finland. They met in New York, when she worked at the Finnish consulate and he worked in a restaurant kitchen and bused tables.

After they married, they moved to South Carolina and opened their first restaurant, yet soon yearned to live in Vermont. They moved to Manchester in 1996 and two years later discovered that Up For Breakfast was for sale; they took over in 1998.

What a great place:

"We use Vermont-raised products wherever possible," Brandt says. That includes more than 1,000 eggs each week. Cheeses, cream and butter come from Cabot. Fruits and vegetables come from local growers whenever possible. Brandt has been experimenting with new vegetarian fare, since many of the hikers passing through town from the nearby Appalachian Trail that runs from Georgia to Maine are desperate for a filling and nutritious breakfast before they head back up to the trail.

there's a great little hot dog stand on Rte 7A, right outside the Manchester Sport Shop; they serve Boars' Head hot dogs, incredible spicy sausage, and bratwurst...the two women that run it have been there a long time and have a great following. Also have fantastic toppings, like their spicy hot onions- to die for!