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!

While from the outside, the restaurant seems a bit bland, it’s menu is anything but. The menu includes something for every taste, from light to hearty dishes, mild to hot sauces, from vegan to meat options.

We have been to Three Stones on several occasions in the past few months and have been able to sample many of the selections on the small menu.

The main options include home made corn tortillas, prepared in your choice of 3 ways: Uah which is essentially cooked on a griddle, salbute is deep fried and panucho which is is stuffed with refried beans first and then and pan fried. The panucho is traditionally served at festivals with shredded chicken and red onions blanched in vinegar. Three Stones proudly offers the traditional style panucho, but also offers the options of chicken or pork cooked in achiote, garlic, and banana leaf or seasoned beef. The same choices are available for the salbute and uah tortillas.

Additionally on the menu you will find traditional empanadas (which were fabulous), tamales and the mayan specialty, onzicil (toasted and ground pumpkin seeds). Each of the entrees comes with a fresh salad and of course rice and beans.

For desert, try the chocolate cake with chili, called Boca Negra – spicy, unique and delicious. Just like the rest of the menu.

Entrees at Three Stones will run you about $12 – $15, and they have a small beer and wine selection as well (no liquor though, so Margaritas will have to be had elsewhere). Overall a couple should expect to spend about $50 for dinner with tax and tip.

In the nicer weather, Three Stones offers a cute outdoor deck for dining, covered with an awning and surrounded by a variety of pepper plants. Indoors you will find a small dining room with seating for about 30 and an even smaller bar. The decor is trendy and simple and compliments the menu and atmosphere well.

Three Stones is open from Wednesday – Saturday from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm. Reservations can be made by phone and credit cards are accepted. The restaurant is just about a 15 minute walk from our Vermont Inn, and on street parking is available as well if you drive. Either way, be sure to tell them you heard about them from Tim and Amy and be sure to try the Boca Negra!

Three Stones – Oxppel Tunich
Mexican Mayan Cocina
105 Canal Street
Brattleboro, VT
802.246.1035
info@3stonesrestaurant.com

Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner (call about brunch), the Fairway Tavern menu supplies the basics from burgers and apps to soups and salads. Gourmet options are available on the weekends ranging from duck to fillets as well as seafood and pasta options. Their menu is seasonal and frequently changes so call in advance to check out the latest selection. Great outside dining in Brattleboro is hard to find, but the scenic view and deck at the Fairway Tavern makes this dining spot one of our favs!

Looking for an event venue or a spot for a reception after your wedding at our inn?  The Fairway Tavern hosts group events, conferences and weddings on the beautiful groundsoverlooking the 18 hole golf course here in southern Vermont. Tents flank the rear of the historic pub building providing both covered and open, outside dining options. Ample parking for guests, members, buses and golf carts sit next to the facility as well as the check-in spot for 9 or 18 holes of picturesque golf in southern Vermont. The challenging and historic golf course is just another great excuse to head out to the Fairway Tavern when there’s warm weather. For more information about the Tavern or the course, call 802-254-9864. And check out our website for golf and lodging packages in southern Vermont.   We look forward to seeing you outside on the deck (and hopefully at our beautiful inn for a night or two as well!).

If the Vermonter helped you escape from the city, get off the train (arrives at around 5:30ish) and head east over the bridge to Mount Wantastiquetfor a beautiful nature walk or sunset hike with views of downtown.  Of course,we are happy to pick up our guests at the train station, or it’s an easy walk to our inn.

If you head west from the Brattleboro train “station” (more like parking area),  you’ll find shopping, dining, theaters and galleries.  You’ll also find Burrows sports, a sporting goods store supplying reasonably priced bike rentals and gear for outdoor activities.  Rent a bike for one of the local easiest ways to travel and open up even more entertainment options beyond downtown.  The Saturday farmers market, located in West Brattleboro, has food, artisan crafts, culture and amazing produce.  Just up Route 30 along the West River sits Grafton Cheese, waterfalls and swimming holes.  If you’re looking to get on the water, you can rent kayaks, canoes, tubes and fishing poles just a few blocks North of the inn.

What better way to  escape than one of the easiest ways to travel – a stress-free train ride that drops you off in heart of downtown Brattleboro?  Our inn is a short walk from the train station or a phone call away if you’d rather have a ride.  (It’s partially uphill, we understand.)  So, leave the car at home and enjoy a train ride on the Vermonter!

The owner Tom will personally describe the specials of the evening to you and make you feel welcome. Rumor has it that Tom will never forget your name only adding to that local feeling (we were surprised that he remembered us six months later.)

The rest of the staff is friendly, professional and poised. Peter Haven’s is located in the heart of downtown Brattleboro on Elliot Street. The décor is modern yet still elegant. The lighting is just right making you feel comfortable and relaxed. Because Peter Haven’s is a local favorite you will want to be sure to make reservations in advance as this restaurant will book up quickly. If this is a last minute decision for you and you do not mind waiting a few minutes there are 8 seats at the bar reserved for walk-ins without reservations.

The menu at Peter Haven’s offers variety. You will have choices such as duck, scallops, fish, pasta, chicken, etc. The food is very good and consistent which is important to me when I go to one of my favorite restaurants. I recommend that if Tom is telling you about one of his fish specials you strongly consider ordering it. The fish specials are very fresh and always brilliantly prepared. So if you want to ensure that you will have a great meal while in Brattleboro then Peter Haven’s should be on your short list of restaurants.  Be sure to tell him that Tim and Amy sent you!

The main dining room is upstairs offering a modern décor. I like that the main menu offers half portions on most items, I like to make sure I have enough room for dessert when I go out to eat. Tim and I love the Lobster Bisque as it is filled with lobster and a savory flavor. The menu offers a wide variety of choices without being overwhelming. My favorite part about Alici’s menu is that they are not afraid to use some seasoning on their food, the flavors are unique and all work well together.

On the lower level you can find an enclosed Martini bar and on the outside deck a cigar bar. The Marini Bar is a perfect location to enjoy a light meal from their Light Fare Menu. Tim and I regularly enjoy the live music with great drink and appetizers. If you are a scotch or whiskey drinker like Tim then this is the place for you. There are not many bars or restaurants in Brattleboro that offer a unique scotch and whiskey menu, but Alici’s certainly does. Tim has enjoyed a few obscure single malts while relaxing on the deck at Alicis.

The staff is always attentive and welcoming. The owner can often be found on the floor greeting and chatting with his guests. Best of all Alici’s is only about a 4-5 block walk for our Vermont Inns door step. It doesn’t get any better then that! Be sure to tell them that Tim and Amy from Forty Putney Road sent you for VIP treatment!