Falling in Love With Farmers Markets — Why Your Next Culinary Journey Should be to Vermont

We believe that visitors to Vermont want and deserve an authentic experience, and that’s why our chefs rely heavily on locally sourced fare found at local farmers markets. Our macaroni and cheese that’s on both the lunch and dinner menus in our Mountaintop Tavern, for instance, is crafted with a blend of Vermont cheeses, and our classic grilled cheese sandwich features the renowned cheddar that the state of Vermont is famous for. Don’t let your visit go by without trying our crab and artichoke dip that showcases three quintessential New England ingredients — Maryland crab, artichoke hearts, and Vermont cheddar cheese.

Because our menus are fluid, our chefs have the freedom to work with the freshest possible ingredients as soon as they reach the stands of the area farmers markets. For instance, strawberry and rhubarb pie is a beloved Vermont staple, and you might see it on the dessert menu when these ingredients are in season. The salads in both our Mountaintop Tavern and the Highlands Dining Room feature freshly picked ingredients grown by local farmers.

We can’t talk about Vermont cuisine without mentioning cranberries — and you’ll find that our chefs are wonderfully adept at creating unique, delectable delights with these tart little jewels. The Highlands Dining Room chef Shawn Casey serves a magical cranberry gastrique with pan-seared elk medallions that will make you want to stay forever.

Maple syrup is, of course, another Vermont classic, and you can find it used in everything from baked beans to desserts.

If you’re hungry for a good old-fashioned hamburger, head to the Mountaintop Tavern for an expertly grilled burger made with grass fed beef from a local farm. For a perfect finale to your meal, ask your server what the ice cream flavor of the day is. It’s freshly made in the Tavern’s kitchen using local dairy products and fruit. Be sure to ask what other delectable delights the kitchen has whipped up.

Farm-to-fork isn’t just a passing trend in Vermont — it’s a way of living and eating that has long been a major part of our culinary landscape. That’s why we strongly support the Vermont Fresh Network — an organization of chefs, farmers, restaurant owners, and patrons with the goal of promoting food that has been grown and produced in the state of Vermont.

People visit Vermont for the stunning scenery and abundance of outdoor activities, but they fall in love with the food. Come visit us soon and find out why.