If you want to discover the food mecca of the northeast, it's time to check out The Shires of Southwestern Vermont. Take in the scenery and stop every so often to sample craft brews, eclectic cafés, comfortable bistros, and upscale fine dining restaurants. Here are the best plates this year in The Shires of Southwestern Vermont:
Allegro Ristorante - Best Dish: Gnudi with Bacon and Peas ($9): Maplebrook Farm Ricotta gnudi tossed with applewood smoked bacon, peas and a light cream sauce
Bennington Pizza House - Best Dish: Melpo’s Choice ($15-20) Ham, Onion, Green Peppers, Pineapple pizza
Kevin's Sports Pub & Restaurant - Best Dish: Marinated Sirloin Steak ($24) Hand cut sirloin steak cooked to perfection in Kevin’s famous marinade
Lil' Britain Fish And Chip Shop - Best Dish: Fish and Chips ($10) Britain's most popular dish, cooked in Lil’s secret batter
Madison Brewing Co. Pub & Restaurant - Best Dish: Flat Iron Steak ($20) Flat iron steak with seared shrimp, Cajun cream sauce, smokehouse cheddar mashed potato, and grilled asparagus
Northside Dairy Bar - Best Dish: Cheeseburger and Fries ($10) Want a meal that reminds you of the carnival any time of year? Check this classic out.
Pangaea - Best Dish: Vegetable Strudel ($24) Root vegetable strudel over ancient grains with roasted tomato marinara
Ramuntos Pizza - Best Dish: Steak Bomb Hoagie ($11) Seasoned steak, American cheese, green peppers, onions, & mushrooms
Spice Root Modern Indian Cuisine - Best Dish: Chef's Special Grilled Lamb Chops ($26) New Zealand rack of lamb, marinated overnight in coriander, sour cream, peppercorn, ground spices
The Grille At Mt. Anthony Country Club - Best Dish: Roast Pesto Salmon ($25) - Fresh cut Faroe Island salmon rubbed with basil pesto and crushed walnuts served over rice and sauteed baby spinach.
The Publyk House - Best Dish: New England Baked Cod ($23) - Cod with Vermont Cheddar, Butter & Seasoned Cracker Crumbs
The Dorset Inn - Best Dish: Rosemary & Garlic Grilled Pork Ribeye ($28) - Balsamic Glazed Wallingford Locker Bacon, Crimini Mushrooms & Pearl Onions, Mashed Potatoes
Barrows House Inn - Best Dish: Jerk Chicken ($25) - Coconut Lime Rice, Arugula, Lemon Oil Vinaigrette
Your Belly's Deli - Best Dish: The Vermonter ($9) - home cooked roast beef with ham, pastrami, cheese, onions, lettuce and horseradish sauce
Elm Street Market - Best Dish: The Mapleicious ($9) - Honey Maple Glazed Turkey, Honey Maple Glazed Ham, Vermont Cheddar Cheese, Crisp Granny Smith Apples, Baby Spinach and our own House Made Maple Sriracha Mayo on a Delicious Round Roll
Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom - Best Dish: Steak Au Poive ($36) - Classically prepared. Twin filet mignon medallions that are pan-seared with whole peppercorns, cognac, dash of cream, & house-made demi glace.
J.J. Hapgood General Store and Eatery - Best Dish: New England Cod ($24) - Cod in Tomato Lobster Broth, Risotto Cake, Smoked Mussels, Pickering’s Baby Fennel, Saffron Aioli, Madeira Style Bread
The Miller's Toll Dinner Club & Lounge - Best Dish: Baked Brie Plate ($14) - Bourbon Caramelized Apples, Red Wine Poached Pears, Blueberry Preserve, Candied Nuts, Crackers, Toasted Baguette Slices
Union Underground - Best Dish: Vermont Chicken & Waffles ($18) - Sweet Corn Malted Waffle, Country Fried Boneless Chicken, Maple Butter, Sriracha Lime Syrup
Show us that you went to and tried at least 5 of these this year and you could win a Shires giveaway!