Alice Eats: The Barn Door Restaurant at 1824 House

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2150 Main Street, Waitsfield, 802-496-7555

In Burlington, when a yen for handcrafted, farm-to-table fare hits, The Bluebird Tavern and The Farmhouse Tap & Grill are obvious options. Outside of the Queen City, the choices dwindle drastically. Whether you're near Waitsfield or not, I recommend that you hightail it to the The Barn Door.

The 1824 House, right along Waitsfield's main drag, was long known as the spot to hit for a formal, European-inflected dinner. Connie and Dean Mendell — of The Village Porch Bar & Bistro in Rochester —  re-opened the inn this June with a more casual restaurant that strikes both global and local chords. Ever since I saw the menu, I had been gasping to give it a try.

I wasn't disappointed. How could I have been, given that I showed up during "beef week?" Each week, chef Luke Stone — a protegé of Maura O’Sullivan and Charles Reeves of Penny Cluse Café — plans several specials around the goods from one local farm. A small sandwich board on the side of the road trumpeted this cycle's main ingredient: Beef from Orb Weaver Farm in New Haven. Though I was tempted by homemade spaghetti with herb and shallot meatballs and garlic bread, I decided to try a couple of menu staples instead, made with meats from 1824's regular suppliers.

But first, there were rolls. Oh, the rolls! Like wheat Easter eggs with a doughy inside and chewy crust. The spritz of butter alongside was the size of my (small) fist, and was not only eminently spreadable but wonderfully creamy and salty.

The grilled bread on which the burger was served was similarly fresh, chewy, and best of all, buttery. The beef, from Gaylord Farm, was roughly ground in-house. If you don't like your burger a little chunky, this is not the patty for you. The beef flavor was strong and substantial. I would go as far as to say... manly. My first bite resulted in a gush of juice I had only experienced before when chomping on wagyu.

Though the beef was not from Orb Weaver Farm, the cheese was — the farmstead offering resembled a very mild and creamy cheddar. The cheese helped balance out-of-this-world maple-cured, house-smoked bacon and an assemblage of button mushrooms so crisp and salty that they existed merely as an extension of the bacon's awesome power.

A smattering of greens on top provided a refreshing zip, as did a trio of sweet, house-pickled gherkins. Fries were crisp and came with a container of the house ketchup. Not as fruity as the ketchups made in-house at other local restaurants, this condiment tasted mostly of tomato and onion with just a hint of spice. I also got some garlicky aioli on the side, presented in swirls, as if it had come out of a tiny pastry bag.

The house-made bratwurst came with sharp, grainy mustard, but I preferred to enjoy the well-rounded, beer-bolstered taste of the juicy pork on its own. The mild sauerkraut was also delicious and fresh-tasting. To further sweeten the deal, the plate was piled with grilled roots, including a perfectly round potato and a petite onion.

Though already full, I had to give a final salute to "Beef Week" in the form of dessert. Whenever possible, Stone tries to integrate the theme ingredient into a dessert: During cabbage week, there was cabbage and cherry strudel with Guinness-caraway ice cream. Another recent menu included candied tomatoes in vanilla syrup with lime ice cream and almond tuile. This week, it was rice pudding made with beef marrow, surrounded by ginger and anise-marinated melon. It was my duty as a food writer to try it.

Okay, it looked like brains. All rice pudding looks like brains. Get over it. Not all rice pudding tastes like beef fat. The flavor was right out of the barnyard, but still sweet and unquestionably a dessert. Did I like it? I have no idea. It was interesting. Either way, I can't wait to head back and try more Iron Chef-level creativity, using exactly what's at its prime that week.

Comments

[Diana]

My husband and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner at the Barn Door a couple of weeks ago. That experience, along with all of our "research" trips to the Barn Door in preparation, was wonderful. The food is sophisticated and friendly, the service professional and attentive, and the atmosphere warm and inviting - whether for a date or a party of 30! Thanks to everyone there! Highly recommended.

[Susan]

"Outside of the Queen City, the choices [for farm-to-table fare] dwindle drastically"...!?? Is that some kind of joke? I'm sorry, but the Mad River Valley alone has more farm-to-table options than does Burlington- and has for some time. And that's not to mention the great things going on elsewhere. I'm thinking Seven Days needs to get out more often!

[Susan]

Ok, but I have to admit that that rice pudding does look nasty. Not to mention that it was *beef-flavored*? Eew.

[Vermont barn wedding]

You know what is the first thing that came out into my mind when I saw the picture..It's like a jelly ace and ow we s