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Mon. 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Mon. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tue-Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tue-Sun. 11:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Beautiful house wares, great view, friendly people, educational, yummy food. Add all those up and you get a great experience at Simon Pearce. I sent a pic of the stemware to my boyfriend and told him not to be surprised when they end up on our wedding registry one day.
I love how they give you a pager while you wait for your table so you can look around the showroom or go downstairs to see the waterfall, live glassblowing, and live pottery making. They're very open about what they do which gives so much more meaning to the products they sell upstairs. It also gives justification to the hefty prices. I'd never pay $50 for a drinking glass at Bed Bath and Beyond, but I'd consider it at Simon Pearce after knowing how much skill and care goes into creating each and every piece. I usually celebrate perfection and matching, but the hand blown glass is so beautifully imperfect to me.
I am also very impressed by their purpose and mission. They are very aware of their impact on the environment. They use hydro-electric power from the waterfall outside for the entire facility, recycle food scraps as chicken feed at a local farm, and the head chef uses the used cooking oil to fuel his car!
As far as the food goes, it was very delicious. For brunch, I started with the Vermont Cheddar soup and ordered the wild mushroom and Chevre crepe, a daily special served on sautéed spinach and a garlic cream sauce that was heavenly.
This place attracted a lot of attention, but it's not overrated. It delivers in all forms!
I've eaten in a lot of places in the US and abroad but I have to say that this is one of the most visually stunning places I've ever seen! I could not stop marveling at the beauty of this restaurant and it's location perfectly seated over the Ottauquechee river with an amazing view of the falls.
The service was impeccable and when we told them we were visiting for our honeymoon they gave us complimentary champagne.
The food was good, I had seafood pasta and my husband had the duck. The portions were perfect, the ambience perfect, the experience was perfect! Go to Vermont just to eat here!
What can I add here thats lots of you have not already said....yes was definitely one of the best dining experiences in US...the location is beautiful...the wooden interiors are perfect for the setting....sitting near the window on a crisp fall day...looking at the beautiful river while you eat awesome food....dont think it gets much better than that.
Be prepared for a 1/5 -2 hours of wait time, but there is plenty to do around, just put you name down and go for a drive into the inner roads of Quechee, along the river....
As for the food, it is oustanding, the bread was lovely...and my favorite item of the meal was the dessert...we took the walnut meringue and it was flawless.
If you are in the area, dnt miss this palce, its worth the wait....
A friend introduced me to this VT establishment years ago, and I've been back mostly for lunch and a few times for dinner. While dinner here is delicious, my favorite meal is lunch. A perfect lunch here is cheddar cheese soup and a salad (especially if the salad has cheese also--local goat cheese and fried brie are my favorites here). Let's just say I am glad I'm not lactose intolerant. The soup is perfectly accompanied by "little pillows of heaven", (aka tiny white scones). Since then, I sometimes dream of the the tiny chunks of vegetable in the rich cheddar soup and the chewiness of the scones (always ask for extra)...
The best seats are out on the enclosed porch/deck thing where you can check out the covered bridge and sometimes watch impulsive kids jump off the rocks into the river (scary).
Of course, watching the glassblowers work downstairs a fun, particularly in the winter when they sky is gray for months and the piles of snow are waist high. When they open the doors of the super hot kiln where they melt the glass, you can pretend you are on a tropical beach for like five seconds.
In a contest of stunning location, shear ambiance, and picturesque beauty I think Simon Pearce would hold its own against any restaurant in the country. The elegant dining room is furnished with a craftsman's touch and housed in a historic mill, overhanging a waterfall on the Ottauquechee River, complete with covered bridge in the background. And what other restaurant has ALL its glassware made downstairs in its very own glassworks? Walk down before or after dinner to the glass furnaces where the team of blowers are hard at work, or take a stroll outside to the balcony to see the raging falls over the historic mill dam. A hydroelectric turbine within the dam (installed during the 80's) powers the entire restaurant and glassworks. As for the glass itself, it is all offered for sale next door at the retail space (though it is quite pricey). Though this setup may sound kind of commercial, it's all very tastefully done. Dress code in the dining room varies from dressy to business casual.
The food: I would describe it as modern Cal cuisine with Irish touches, including the dark, homemade Irish bread served before dinner. They pride themselves on using local ingredients as much as possible. The wife and I both had the delicious, horseradish-encrusted blue cod, a long-time, local favorite. (they say that when they took it off the menu once, there was a minor revolt). The wine list is amazing, but I chose a locally made hefeweizen, which was a perfect match with the cod. An impressive kid's menu also makes it a place you can take the whole family.
Service was a bit effete and little slow (it was prime time on Saturday night), and our waitress flubbed one of the kid's orders, but it was quickly corrected and did not impact our meal.
Reservations are a must, and as early as possible. Not a big surprise for such a one-of-a-kind place.
Quechee, VT, is a bit out of the way but definitely worth the trip to savour the wonderful food and gorgeous surroundings of the Simon Pearce Restaurant. Simon Pearce's unique ambiance is at its best during daylight hours when the sun is reflecting off of the river and waterfall, not to mention all of the beautiful glassware showcased throughout the bright and airy restaurant and mill.
I've been lucky enough to dine here six times (even though I live in California) and have never had a bad meal. Favorites include the salmon, the shepherd's pie, the mushroom strudel, the crème brûlée and of course, the must-have cheddar cheese soup. The food is consistently fresh and tasty---a solid four stars. The five stars are for the unbeatable location.
I would give it a 5 star but my standards are very high, but I have to say it is one of the best when you combine the atmosphere and the food. Other than the prices are a bit high, and the wait being a bit long, the food was outstanding and we didn't have enough room left to even try the deserts. A must if you are in the area. Expect to pay about $20 to $30 for entrees plus additional for apetizers, salads, drinks, etc.
Maybe the best kept secret in New England is not that Simon Pearce has a restaurant, but that it's even better than the awards and accolades that it receives.
On V-Day, the $48 per person 3 course dinner was truly a treat. The food on the menu sounds good, but the execution is beyond what I could expect, just pure perfection. The view over the waterfall and the excellent friendly service and wonderful wine list only adds to the magic.
The amazing view as well as the amazing food live up to the ultra high standards of Simon Pearce and do it justice.
The Sunday brunch is to die for: cheap (most entrees are under $15), delicious, and cozily elegant. The cheddar soup is a must-try. It will clog your arteries, but what's the point of living if you can't enjoy some good food once in a while? The desserts shouldn't be skipped either. They serve a mouth-watering apple cobbler, and the walnut meringue with strawberry sauce is a great option for people who want soemthing lighter.
Unfortunately, although Sunday brunch is great, the lunch menu on other days is not as pleasing. I had the beef stroganoff once and the sauce tasted too watered down. Also, WAY too much beef, not enough noodles. Hence, the docking of one star. But still, if you ever find yourself in Quechee, Simon Pearce is a great place to go for a nice meal.
I heart Simon Pearce.
I only get here one a year, which might be a good thing - it makes it all the more special. The hubby and I got here right at 11:30 on a Friday to snag a seat by the waterfall. I got the Vermont cheddar soup and the crispy calamari salad, which is a bargain at $13. Tons of crispy and slightly spicy calamari on mesculin greens with a light balsamic dressing. I also got a glass of the Simon Pearce Cabernet, which was nice and easy to drink. I was a little upset that I paid $7 for the glass, when I could have just gone next door to the gift shop and picked up the whole bottle for $10.50! (They will charge you $28 to drink that same bottle at the table). Hubby got a seafood quesadilla, which looked nice and fresh.
From excellent service to terrific food to gorgeous atmosphere this place has it all. Except its in a ritzy store, which is kind of weird. I really enjoyed everything from appetizer to dessert; the gf wasn't a huge fan of her entree, and it wasn't honestly described well enough (she's a picky eater). But I was very happy with the soup, sirloin and cake that I had, as with the drink and wine selection. The somolier was very knowledgable, but not pushy. Staff was attentive, but let you relax as well, which was very cool. The location is gorgeous, its a mill which is still in use (which did create a weird buzzing/vibrating in the floor a few times, but hey) By Boston standards this is quasi-expensive, but you'd pay 20 more per person for the same quality in Boston.
This is a great restaurant. Unfortunately I haven't had the occasion to venture to Vermont of late, but the next time I do go to the Green Mountain state, Simon Pearce will be one of my first stops.
This lovely restaurant is situated right on the waterfront, and we were fortunate enough to get a table with excellent views. The service was attentive without being overbearing. The meal was wonderful. The Vermont cheddar soup is indeed phenomenal, and the entrees are nothing to sneeze at either. But the highlight of the meal was the creme brulee for dessert - our waitress caramelized it tableside with one of those miniature blowtorches.
It's a lovely dining experience. Don't forget to pick up a hand blown glass vase on your way out!
Quite a picturesque place to eat.. We got a window waterfront view while we ate dinner. The restaurant is attached to their glasswork retail store where it seemed like nothing was less than $25. I kind of thought all the glass pieces were waaay overpriced but they were all "hand blown" justifying the prices somehow. They even have the master glass dudes making their overpriced wares downstairs for everyone to see.
Anyhoo, on to the food..
The Clam Chowder was excellent.. it had a strong clam flavor permeating throughout the soup which is how I tend to judge clam chowders.
Holy Jesus the Mediterranean Lamb Burger was sooooo good! I had it cooked medium rare which turned out to be just right. The Lamb flavor combined with the mediterranean spices was PERFECT. It is most definitely the best burger I've ever had in my life.. and I've eaten a lot of burgers too!
If you are ever in Quechee VT and need a Irish woven rug or a hand blown glass vase or a delicious bowl of Vermont cheddar soup, Simon Pearce might be your one stop shop!
Mike and Katie both started with the Butternut Squash Soup w/ a hint of locally produced maple syrup. They devoured it! I found my sample bite to be a bit sweet for my tastes. My soup on the other hand was ridiculous. I had the Vermont Cheddar soup and it was cheddarlicous. It was smooth, silky, and had a nice sharp bite to it. Big thumbs up! Both Katie and I had the Sheppard's Pie which was served with a mixed green salad. The dish was solid, but nothing to write home about. Audrey had a soup and salad. For her soup she went with the Butternut Squash and her salad was a basic mixed green salad with a nice helping of goat cheese. She enjoyed her selection. Mike might have picked the top dish with the Beef and Guinness Stew. I wasn't allowed a sample bite and can only say that there was no stew left in the bowl.
Simon Pearce is set right along a river and the tables along the windows provide a picturesque view of an old covered bridge and the damn. It's the perfect spot for a romantic evening. The interior is rustic, warm, and provides you with a sense of homey comfort. The service was great. From the hostess to our server, everybody was happy, helpful, and all smiles.
While waiting for your table or after your email I highly recommend perusing their enormous selection of pottery, woven products, and their specialty glass items. In the basement of the shop you can watch glass being blown and pottery being made. We all kind of got caught up in the novelty of it all.
1 Guiness Stew
2 Sheppards Pie
2 Cups of Soup
1 Bowl of Soup
1 Soup and Salad
-------------------------------
$80.00
I realize that dining in NYC and Boston have absolutely spoiled me. By my urban standards there was nothing too special about this food. We started off with a smoked fish plate for appetizer which was so-so. Nothing I couldn't buy and put together from my local Whole Foods. Nice touch was the array of fresh parsley, dill, etc on the side. Other than that, it was an undescript tasting of 2 smoked salmons and a trout.
Next up was a Frisee salad... cider vinagerette, apples, smoked bacon, and fresh VT cheddar. It was wonderful and exactly what one would anticipate from a local dining experience.
My boyfriend tried a lamb special for his main course. While elegantly served, it was topped in potato chips. The lamb and its tomato-based creme sauce were delicious but where on earth did the idea for toping it with chips come from?!
I went with the venison.. as this is somewhat hard to come by in Boston. I wasn't immediately impressed by the sauce but the meet was very tender... and upon finishing my leftovers today, I found that after having sat in its juices overmnight it was much tastier. To boot, there was a piece of venison meatloaf on top. YUMMY!
However, the best part of the meal was the desert... some apricot caramel breadpudding concoction with white chocolate ice cream. I thought I died and went to dessert heaven.
The restaurant also features a very extensive wine list, which we did not delve far enough into to comment.
Aside from the bread pudding, what I would say makes this a definitely do-not-miss experience is the ambiance. As everyone wrote below, sitting aside the falling water is beautiful. As well as all the handmade glass and flatware. However, it is not just these details but the entire restaurant that is charming, with its wooden floors, walls and ceilings. An absolutely perfect romantic evening.
Why had I never had sunday brunch here before? I thought I was in heaven when I tasted the creme brulee french toast with cinnamon apple compote- generous portions, light, fluffy w/ slightly crunchy edges- absolutely perfect in every way. And why was I surprised that the food was, as always, phenomenal?
Without a doubt, my favorite restaurant ever. I've been here countless times, every season and time… Read more »
If you love their Glassware, you will like the food.
Simon Pearce has a stunning location that is attached to their retail storefront in downtown Quechee. The view of sitting above the falls, is really stunning, and the glass and dinnerware doesn't hurt the experience either. We like going here, whenever we are in the area. It is usually a safe choice for an eating experience. However, like anything at Simon Pearce.. it ain't cheap. ;)
This restaurant has a lot going for it. First off, the building is an old brick factory along a beautiful Vermont river. Better yet, there's a waterfall and old-fashioned covered bridge. Downstairs you can watch glass blowers prepare the glasses you will enjoy while dining in the restaurant. The menu these days follows an upscale "Californian" cuisine, and it's a bit improved from just a few years ago. The wine list is perhaps the best in Vermont or certainly in the top five. For romance get a window seat.
Great food in a breathtaking location.
Its a seasonal menu and I've never had anything I didn't like. Be prepared for American cuisine with fresh ingredients and bold flavors. The soups and meat entrees are particularly good. I went to many catered events there, for drug rep dinners, and even in that mass produced setting everything was delicious. Upstairs, above the dining area, are the quarters of where the owners used to live. It's now a reception area and there's a beautiful patio outside of it where you can see the river and eat canapes and drink wine. I don't know who you have to sleep with to get up there if you aren't with a group who has reserved the space, but sneak up if you can.
I used to take out of town guests here for lunch; it's much less expensive than dinner and you still get the great food. Be prepared to wait a long time if you don't get there early. If you have to wait you can always browse the shop. I always came here for my birthday and special occasions. It's really worth it.
Chicks dig the cheese soup, throw in a covered bridge, a waterfall and a guy blowing glass and it's like Spanish Fly in a bowl.
This is a fantastic restaurant in VT. If you are on your way up to Killington Quechee is about 35 minutes before it on Rt 4, just after you get off 89. If youre headed up that way (or to Woodstock) on a Friday night stop at this place, you will not be disappointed (call for reservations) Amazing atmosphere with excellent food, the restaurant sits right on the river and has great views of the waterfall outside. Fantastic date place with the Simon Pearce store attached, you can even venture downstairs where you can watch them blow glass!
I was in New Hampshire for a business trip last summer, and came here with a co-worker and fellow foodie for some fine dining. This place was recommended to us by some other co-workers who were locals. I don't remember exactly what I had for dinner, but I do remember the food was outstanding, as was the setting. What I do remember, however, was the unbelievable price we paid for a '97 Dominus. I thought it was a misprint in the wine list, but we only paid $182 for this blockbuster vintage. The wine exceeded expectations and truly enhanced an already great meal.
I think I can consider this the best dinner I've ever had. Everything we had was original, fresh and very good!
We just LOVED this place. We had lunch here and totally enjoyed the experience. The food and atmosphere were wonderful. Definitely worth the trip. Our waitress was not terribly friendly, (actually, nancy was rather grumpy....) but she got the job done...so we cannot complain too much. Try the crab&cod cake and the lamb burger. Both are to die for! Desserts are wonderful...the strawberry/rhubarb tart is marvelous, as is the chocolate bread pudding. We just loved the view and we saw a blue heron on the water too. The art work within is lovely. Although, I must admit that all of the patrons look as though they just stepped out of an LL Bean catalogue....FYI...Lunch is first come, first serve...no reservations unless more than a party of 8. I want to go back for dinner!
This food is fresh. From the taste of it, it is mostly made from scratch and I feel this is what distinguishes these dishes from the crowd of restaurants in downtown Hanover NH.
I would eat here once a week if it wasn't cost-prohibitive.
THIS IS GOOD FOOD.
david and i went here for his birthday and were so very impressed. (yes, perhaps it was the finding myself deeply and hopelessly in love that made the food so wonderful but i really think it Was as good as it seemed.)
we started off with this incredible autumn soup that had butternut squash (that i don't like) and maple syrup and was pure buttery heavenly delight. i don't normally like most soups and i seriously coveted his. the frisee salad with goat cheese wasn't As wonderful but it was fine. the entre however was simply divine. we both had a filet mignon special that had some maple sauce (yes. there is a theme. it Is vermont afterall) and could be cut with a butter knife. the roasted potatos were small, tender and flavorful and the brussel sprouts steamed to perfection. did i mention the steak? (i am starting to salivate just thinking about it)
our dessert was yummy and they had a great selection of port for winding the evening down. the dinner was quite expensive for upstate VT but was worth it (i think it was $280 for the two of us. we did have a bottle of wine as well tho.) This is the kind of place that would be great for a fall drive to do some leaf peeping or such and stopping in here to dine. you will Not regret it.
Very good food, service, and atmosphere. Nothing more needs to be said.
Quechee, VT
Category: Home Decor
Quechee, VT
Category: Diners
The food has to be good, the atmosphere decent,…
I grew up in central Vermont and apparently, spend…
