One word: Wow.
I wish I had tried this restaurant sooner. I’d sampled some BBQ pulled pork sliders from the Belted Cow Bistro at the Burlington Wine and Food Festival last summer, but until last week, I hadn’t dined at the restaurant in Essex Junction, VT. I’d heard great things, and somehow had never bothered to make reservations—even though I live about a mile down the road.
My girlfriend and I went for dinner last week and it was a wonderful dining experience. I’m looking forward to the next date night because that is where my husband and I will be dining.
We started our evening with cocktails. I ordered the Pomegranate Margarita (Tequila, Pomegranate Juice, Orange Liqueur, Fresh Squeezed Sour Mix, Salted Rim) and my girlfriend ordered a Lemondrop Martini. My cocktail was fantasmic. Her Lemondrop was a bit on the sour side, but the second one she ordered was perfect. The wine list was extensive, but I was in the mood for a cocktail.
For appetizers, we started the Red Hen Bread Tartine with Smoked Pork, Pickled Onions, and Cheddar Fondue and the Grilled Flatbread with Duck Confit, Vermont Blue Cheese, Baby Swiss, and Black Figs to share. They were both excellent, but the flavor combination of the duck, blue cheese, and figs on the flatbread was food porn at its best. I’d almost wished I’d ordered that grilled flatbread as my meal!
For the main entree, we actually both ended up with the same dish: Seared Atlantic Salmon with Parsley Risotto and Chive Crème Fraiche. I love good risotto and this did not disappoint. Neither of us was able to finish our entree because we were so full, so we didn’t sample dessert, but I’m certain they would have been equally as delicious as the rest of the meal.
Don’t expect to leave without spending a bit of dough, but it was worth every penny of it. Appetizers range from $8–$13 and entrees range from $20–$28.
Planning to go?
The Belted Cow Bistro is located at 4 Park Street in Essex Junction, VT. Call 802.316.3883 for reservations. At the time of posting, their hours are Tuesday–Thursday from 5:00–8:30 pm and Friday & Saturday from 5:00–9:00 pm.
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