Bistro Sauce, Foodie Tour of Burlington, Vermont, Part 2
I have been wanting to sit down and write this post for days now. As I type this, we are experiencing our first rain in about a week, which means I can take time from the fevered pace I have been working at, enjoy a cup of teeccino (yes, I have finally made the commitment to quit coffee) and get typing! All the while out lovely little seedlings and plants are getting a nice watering!
Although it has been 2 weeks since I enjoyed this meal, the memories are still fresh in my mind. Maybe that is because Bistro Sauce is part of The Vermont Fresh Network, or maybe that is coincidental. I rather think not. Every single eatery I have been to from fine dining to order-at-the-counter places that are part of the Fresh Network have all been memorable.
I really must repeat what I have said before, Vermont is really ahead of the curve when it comes to local eating and the extremely important relationship between farmers and chefs. Without farms we would have no food. Vermont gets that, as do most Vermonters. Gosh, I love my new home state.
(photo courtesy of CrankyCakes)
So to end our fabulous first Foodie Tour of Burlington ( if you missed the first leg of the tour, you can catch up here ) and to celebrate Restaurant Week, Cheryl took us to Bistro Sauce to meet up with Lara, who we had met earlier to kick off Restaurant Week, at one of my all time favorite places, Applecheek Farm .
(photo courtesy of CrankyCakes)
We were really hot when we arrived from a day out in the sunshine, so we started with a local beer at the bar. I had nice and refreshing Switchback which also happened to go really well with my first course – a delicious baby greens salad with pears, aged cheddar and candied hazelnuts. Roberto had the olive plate with grilled bread and the ladies had the Caesar salad with anchovies. Everyone was pleased with their choices.
(grilled olive plate, brandade, baby greens salad, pork shoulder)
The next course was my absolute favorite – Brandade. It was a smoked haddock and potaotes mashed and then fried in a crispy crust, served with remoulade and greens. On top was a beautiful deep fried wild leek, or ramp. The smoked fish and potatoes had the perfect creamy consistency inside to juxtapose the crispy outer coating and the flavor was deep and delicious. Everyone else got the risotto with wild mushrooms and fiddleheads. It was good too, but I was so happy I chose the Brandade.
Third course was pork – Vermont pork shoulder laid on top of garlic mashed potatoes and local spring veggies with a pepita romesco sauce and jus. We all got the same course. Cheryl had some intel that this was the best dish in the course, and we all went for it, not regretting a single bite. The pork was absolutely tender, the potatoes perfect and the sauces divine. Very good course.
For dessert, we all decided to go light with homemade ice cream or sorbet. I went for the bay leaf. I remember how amazing this bay leaf custard was and knew this was a taste I would love. Roberto got vanilla bean, which he felt was not very impressive. Cheryl went for, I believe mango…but the craziest choice, was the cucumber sorbet that Lara opted for. It was totally refreshing.
(photo courtesy of CrankyCakes)
All in all it was a very nice night. For $25 per person, I also believe it was very much a steal. We had a 6 PM reservation, and by 7 PM, the place was packed full of happy diners with smiles on their faces. I would say it was a successful event for Bistro Sauce and a great evening for foodies!
Rosa - June 1, 2010 at 2:28 pm
That is a lovely place and the food looks nice. Not expensive too. A great shot of you!
Cheers,
Rosa
crankycheryl - June 1, 2010 at 4:31 pm
I love reliving the meal through your delicious post!
peter - June 1, 2010 at 5:09 pm
You’re already making yourself very much at home…good, welcoming locals it seems.
vanillasugar - June 1, 2010 at 6:03 pm
i loved part 1 this morning, but could not open part 2 until now it was giving me errors, weird.
so bay leaf ice cream? i am game for that.
and you know even though i am not really a big beer drinker, i really do love those unique kinds–just like these. i love my red stripe beer though.
and yes, $25 per head is a steal. nice writeup sweetie.
Peter G @ Souvlaki For The Soul - June 1, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Hmmm…not sure what teeccino is (will have to research)..but good luck on giving up coffee! As for your new home state, they def lead the way when it comes to restaurants using local ingredients and having a healthy relationship with the farming community. This is the way it should be. It’s great to read you’re settling in well Jenn!
bellini valli - June 1, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Coffee is easy to give up….just putting my two cents in there…wink. Vermont and BC have lots in common as far as what goes on our table, but not everyone follows this same lifestyle.
The Duo Dishes - June 1, 2010 at 11:42 pm
You need to box up that pork shoulder and send it to LA. Pork isn’t a huge favorite, but that one sounds really good.
Maria - June 2, 2010 at 9:23 am
I’ve always wanted to visit Vermont. It seems like you’re adjusting really well and having a grea ttime doing so! That Bistro sounds fantastic too.
kat - June 2, 2010 at 10:34 am
Looks amazing! I have to say I feel the same way about Minneapolis, I feel lucky to have found a city that seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to eating locally. We were just discussing how it seem more at the forefront here than it did in San Francisco
Juliana - June 2, 2010 at 11:17 am
Oh! I never been in Vermont…this place looks fabulous…and everything looks delicious…yummie!
Ivy - June 2, 2010 at 12:52 pm
I wish I could give up coffee. May be this will be my next resolution. The bistro sounds fantastic and quite cheap.
Arlene (MOM) - June 2, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I am drooling over here. That looks and sounds divine.
Crystal - June 2, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Oooh, Jenn, everything looks delicious! Can’t wait to see even more delicious local dishes, how awesome!
tasteofbeirut - June 3, 2010 at 12:13 am
That bistrot sounds great; I would love to live in Vermont! I think!
sippitysup - June 3, 2010 at 10:09 am
I loved seeing the menu and then seeing the food. It made me feel as if I was there! But I gotta admit at 25.00 a person it does indeed seem like a steal. I don’t think you can eat that well at home for that price. GREG
Karl Schatz - June 3, 2010 at 10:29 am
“Vermont is really ahead of the curve when it comes to local eating and the extremely important relationship between farmers and chefs. Without farms we would have no food. Vermont gets that, as do most Vermonters.”
We feel the exact same way about Maine. The support system that exists here for small farmers, foodies, chefs, etc, is fantastic. It begins with organizations like MOFGA here in Maine and ends with the chefs and consumers. The support and passion for local, fresh, healthy, delicious food is tremendous. I grew up in Maine, left for a while, but am glad to be back. I can’t imagine living any where else. I imagine many Vermonters feel the same.
lara dickson - June 3, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Nice recap of a good meal with great company – thanks for reminding me of how delicious VT Restaurant was! Nice pics, too.
lo - June 3, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Every time you talk about Vermont’s farm/food culture, I just giggle with delight. I think that Wisconsin is moving in a good direction, connecting up restaurants with farmers, etc. But, we can always do better. So inspiring to see what other regions are doing right!
Erica - June 3, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Love, love Vermont!!!! I have to visit soon and go to the wonderful places you write about.
Laurie - June 3, 2010 at 4:48 pm
It all looks so delicious! What an awesome tour.. I would love to get to Vermont!
kat - June 3, 2010 at 11:01 pm
everything looks so good!