Claire's Restaurant – Seasonal and Local Food

Last week we enjoyed a tasty, seasonal meal at Claire’s Restaurant in Hardwick, VT. Given the landscape is covered with snow, it’s hard to believe there is much available locally, but this restaurant stays true to the seasons and to what it can find in the region. This includes chicken, steak, and pork chops, but also some lesser known, albeit equally delicious, root veggies such as parsnips and sun chokes. In addition, squash such as pumpkin and acorn showed up in many meal choices. A quick drive through the town indicates the denizens wouldn’t have it any other way. Claire’s address is right next to the local coop and the fliers on the wall advertise all kinds of local eats and gets in the area.

What we ate:

• Pasta w/sunchokes, roasted squash and greens in cheddar and kale pesto cream sauce w/Italian sausage
• Chicken w/sauerkraut, potatoes and bacon
• Pork chop w/apple, green tomatoes, and berry chutney w/roasted potatoes and brussels sprouts
• Steak w/french fries and roasted root vegetables