SMOKEJACKS

Although I have avoided picking a culinary destination in Burlington so far, despite its close proximity to the Bolton Valley, Stowe and Smuggs ski areas, I felt that it was time. The coming of spring, summer and warmer weather also brings a new culture to the Burlington scene — the well-known outdoor scene on Church Street.

At the beginning of Church Street, located on the corner of Church and Main is an established restaurant and member of the Vermont Fresh Network — Smokejacks. I decided it was time to go back there, having not been in a long while. My interest drew mostly from comments from friends and visitors saying they assumed it was just a hamburger joint.

Although, most of us would likely look at the menu before making such judgments, I do agree that although quaint and French bistro looking, the outside of Smokejacks might not necessarily draw one in, except in the summer time when the restaurant expands outside.

Once inside, the décor is contemporary and artsy with a nice bar, a club or salon-like atmosphere with fabric covered benches with pillows along the walls. Owner Leslie Myers opened the restaurant in 1997, “to provide Vermonters with a high quality, exciting dining experience, but without fluff and pretension.�

To this end Meyers has achieved success. My meal, as was my companion’s, was excellent. We shared from an interesting variety of starters and entrees, including sweet potato skins, (which were the best skins I have ever had), crab cakes and a couple salads. My spinach salad was very good (though a little heavy for me), while the green salad was delicious.

We also shared a cheese plate, as this is one of their signature starters, representing a full list of locally produced cheeses. This is a wonderful addition to the menu, and I champion their commitment to represent a growing and important industry in Vermont. The portions were all generous, including the entrees. We tried both meat and fish. I had the yellow fin tuna, which was wonderful and done to perfection, as was the meat. Finally, the service was excellent. Our server was the perfect mix of professional, warm and pleasant.

So as we head toward summer — but don’t take your skis and boards off just yet as there’s still lots of great snow — think about a stop at Smokejacks. It’s a treasure and they’re open for lunch and dinner.

The Rabbit Hill Inn

As we slowly emerge from winter, and thoughts turn to summer activities, it seems only fitting to pick an inn that sits close to the border of not only two states — located on the beautiful waterway that divides them — but bridges the gap between the seasons as well.

The very romantic Rabbit Hill Inn is located in the Northeast Kingdom, and sits upon 15 acres of unspoiled countryside within view of the White Mountains, in the historical and charming village of Lower Waterford. From here one is able to explore both Vermont and New Hampshire, whether it is Franconia Notch State Park or Lake Willoughby.

There are activities here for any time of the year. In the winter enjoy skiing at nearby Burke, or snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice- skating, snowmobiling and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Warmer weather provides a host of new activities, including golfing at three notable courses.

Most of the 19 lavishly appointed guest rooms and suites have fireplaces and many come with luxurious double whirlpool tubs. The inn is both elegant and comfortable at the same time.

Dining at Rabbit Hill Inn is equally enjoyable, and although tucked away in time this inn serves an elegant cuisine. There is a candlelit breakfast which might include hot entrees such as apple cheddar crepes in a caramel sauce served with a spinach-orange-pecan salad or a cheddar and roasted red pepper egg Napoleon drizzled with sundried tomato anglaise served with a rosemary potato galette.

The inn is a member of the Select Registry of Distinguished Inns and has been honored by National Geographic Traveler Magazine and Zagats as “one of the most romantic places.� This inn benefits from a combination of warm management, a beautiful and romantic location, and a well-known history.

In the late 1700s, Samuel Hodby, recognizing the importance of the location of his land in Lower Waterford, opened the Samuel Hodby Tavern, which served as a tavern, general store and provider of overnight lodging. This was the initial structure of what was to become a centuries old establishment that has been known as the Rabbit Hill Inn since 1919 when the property was sold to Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Davies, who also purchased the entire village of Lower Waterford and refurbished all the homes painting them white with green shutters. The current owners, Brian & Leslie Mulcahy, became the owners of the inn in 1997, after spending three years as assistant innkeepers.

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