The main courses are served with a salad which is – or was in my case – almost too pretty to eat. It was a work of art with carved vegetable and a vinaigrette dressing I still remember fondly. We had a choice of beef, fish (I think it was halibut), scallops or rabbit. The food was incredible. I had the scallops which were perfectly done. Not too well done which is what I usually find is the problem with scallops. The reason there is no printed menu is that the menu is new every day.

Something that is different but very appealing is the open kitchen where you can see the meals being created by the chef and sous-chef. The single server is always a few feet away (because of the size of the place but that doesn’t mean that you’re under any pressure or scrutiny. The tiny restaurant is oak paneled and slate-floored and the tables sport silver cutlery, vintage dishes and flower vases.

The meal is not cheap, but it is such an experience that $11 appetizers, $40 entrees, and $5 desserts are definitely not out of line for the overall experience that this turned out to be. And somehow the handwritten bill (with calligraphy none the less) seemed to make the experience complete. Oh – by the way, they only take cash and checks.

There was beer which we didn’t have (I know, shocker!) and the wine list was reasonable with prices in the $30 to $100 range. The open kitchen and the fresh flowers and the intimacy of the small tables, bathed in golden lights gave the sense of being in a dinner theater setting – where you were part of the theater in a cozy, “I-belong-here” kind of manner.

TJ Buckleys is located at 132 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301-3275, You can call them at (802) 257-4922 and be sure to tell them that Tim and Amy from Forty Putney Road B&B sent you!

There is a movement across America to begin purchasing products that are made locally.  Whole Foods, food cooperatives and local grocers have gained serious popularity in the last few years.

I think people are moving this direction for several reasons.  One reason is certainly the recent contamination scares from imported produce.  This year it was salmonella in tomatoes (but really they meant peppers) and don’t forget that last year it was scallions.  Of course, I also think Americans are more health conscious then ever before and they are looking for organic choices for their families.  I am reminded of the line in the Counting Crows song:

Farmer, farmer, put away your DDT, I don’t care about spots on my apples leave me the birds and the bees…please.

Of course for me personally, it is mostly about supporting my small commuity and the people in it.

Here in Brattleboro (and I would venture to say most of Vermont) there is a strong showing of support for the fellow “little guy”.  It’s awesome to be able to support the local economy and eat wonderful locally produced produce – and the easiest way to do both is at the Brattleboro Farmers Market.

The market is held every Saturday between 9am – 2pm (there’s a smaller version on Wednesdays as well).   Set outdoors on a great sliver of land with a covered bridge in the distance and next to the oldest house in Brattleboro, the Brattleboro Farmers Market is a must see for anyone visitng the area.

Some of my favorite vendors include True North Granola (which we offer here at Forty Putney Road B&B), Pottery Works (where my sister got her wedding china), and Dutton Farm.  I just can not get enough of Dutton Farms herbs, flowers and fresh produce.  You can also find hand made jewelry, homemade jams, breads, and pastries.  Be sure to save room for lunch as you will find stand after stand of Thai, Mexican, Indian, South African and more.  We are huge Anon’s Thai fans and find that the farmers market is the ideal setting to enjoy their great Thai food.  Of course its all topped off with occasional live music, great people and some pretty killer lemonade…

If you are looking to visit the farmers market, it is located near the Creamery Bridge in Brattleboro Vermont.  It’s open from 9am – 2pm on Saturdays from May through October.  Wednesdays they move a small version of the market into the Brattleboro Food Co-Op parking lot as well, for the same hours.

Of course, the farmers market is just one of the great things to do around Brattleboro.  We hope that you will spend a night or two at our beautiful Vermont Inn and we will be glad to share some more of Brattleboro’s treasures with you.

What does the Brattleboro Food Co-op have to do with Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast? Well I am a working member of the Brattleboro Food Co-op which in addition to giving back to a great local place also gives us a 10% discount. Tim and I are very interested in supporting our local farmers and other producers and the co-op makes that easy to do. I love the fact that I am using locally made cheeses and locally grown produce at each breakfast. It is lots of fun trying interesting ingredients and unique juices for breakfast. We invite you to join us in supporting the Brattleboro Food Co-op and all of the people and producers that make it so special.