Shelburne News - August 2003
Shelburne Dines Out
with Maggie Rogers Anderson
The Kitchen Table Bistro
Shelburne News - August 14, 2003
For those of us in Shelburne who really miss the Village Pump House, I am happy to say that the same spirit and good food exists, just a few miles down the road. The Kitchen Table Bistro, right off exit 11 (Richmond) on the interstate, offers a setting and menu that is sure to please all of our readers.
The lovely brick house built in 1795 (formerly Chequers) has been remodeled, keeping the wonderful old windows and charm, but improved with a pastel, warm decor that is so inviting. A large bar with great light is surrounded by small dining rooms, on more charming than the next, all filled with wonderful black and white photography.
Owners Steve Atkins (who grew up in Shelburne) and his wife Lara met while attending NECI and after some time in California returned to Vermont to create a dining establishment that is superb. The menu is very easy on the eye... not overwhelming... and their handcrafted masterpieces fall into three categories, small plates, large plates, and sweet plates. Small plates consist of salads, Hudson Valley Duck Confit, Sweet Corn Bruchetta, Cornmeal Crusted Oysters and more. My husband and I chose the Vermont Farm salad with tons of avocado and a great balsamic vinaigrette. We were admiring the Caesar salad at the next table, with whole leaves of Romaine standing up with shave Parmesan and garlic croutons.
The large plates all sounded so delicious that it was hard to chose. We decided to shard two of the dishes, Pan Seared Alaskan Halibut with Adams Farm Tomato and Potato Ratatouille and the Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Buttered Sweet Potatoes, Fennel and Wild Mushrooms. I can't begin to describe how delicious this food was. We were so excited about our "new favorite place" and relished every bite.
They also offered several specials that evening, a cool gazpacho with basil creme fraiche, garden vegetarian lasagna or a roasted Vermont rabbit. The wine list on the back of the menu offers great wines by the bottle, and a few by the glass. We chose a glass of Whitehall Lane Merlot 1998 and thought it was smooth and full of flavor. Beers on tap and bottles beers are also available.
Dessert is something else! After sharing a Molten Chocolate Cake with Cherry-Vanilla ice cream, we were presented with a sampling of Lara's homemade ice cream and sorbet. This young woman could put Ben and Jerry's out of business. She is up early each morning to create such unique flavors and the end result is a very tasty and creamy product.
The Kitchen Table is the perfect little bistro, romantic, clean with very imaginative food. I am so impressed with it and thing you will be as well. Their menu changes often so I am looking forward to many more delightful meals. They are open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Call them for reservations at 434-8686.