tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-105390522011-04-21T13:40:53.686-07:00Percy Whitehallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12414244194530627748noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10539052.post-1107224511114693822005-01-31T17:33:00.000-08:002005-01-31T18:38:22.260-08:00The <a href="http://www.hartnesshouse.com"><strong><em>Hartness House Inn</em></strong> </a>changed ownership in August 2003 and the new owners promised to restore the Inn to its former status as the "place to be." Besides being a romantic and elegant Bed and Breakfast, the Inn also is a favorite location for weddings, receptions, family reunions, and civil unions. The Inn also features its fine dining restaurant "<strong><em><a href="http://www.hartnesshouse.com/frame_files/fine.shtml">The Governor's Room</a></em></strong>". <br /> <br />The <strong><em>Governor's Room</em></strong> is a comfortable, medium-sized room with about 12 tables seating some 36 diners. The room is decorated with fieldstone, tapestries, gold-tone wallpaper, a mahogany Grand Piano, and many windows. The <strong><em>Telescope Tavern</em></strong> with seating for 20 is conveniently located in the next room. The table is padded, and overlaid with two linen tableclothes, and is set with gold-tone chargers, heavyweight flatware, and a beaded candleholder. <br /> <br /> <br /><div align="center"><img src="http://www.hartnesshouse.com/media/Images/Dinin/diningroom2.jpg" /></div> <br /> <br />Our party was promptly met at the door by the manager, Cathleen, who greeted us cordially as though we were old friends. Even though it was busy on this Saturday night, the dining room was not crowded. The atmosphere was congenial and friendly. We were asked if we cared for a cocktail in the tavern before dinner or were we ready to be seated. We choose the latter. <br /> <br />Our table was by a large window overlooking the Hartness House deck. The dining room featured subdued lighting and light popular instrumental music in the background. Cathleen offered us cocktails and introduced our waitress. Service was prompt and courteous. <br /> <br />Our dinners consisted of a Smoked Chicken Breast pate to start with our cocktails. Our appetizers were Crab Croquettes, six crabmeat balls deep-fried and served with a red pepper coulis ($7.95). We also tried the Sauteed Spinach, Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic and Kalamata Olive with Vermont Chevre ($7.95) which was surprisingly tasty for being so simple. Our salads were Mixed Baby Greens wand Mescalun with shaved Romano Cheese and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette. <br /> <br />For our entrees we had a very moist and satisfying Corn Meal dusted, Pan-seared Trout, and a Pomegranate Roasted Duck. I must say that the Duck was excellent and memorable - a real classic - that we have not found elsewhere. <br /> <br />The wine list was notable and very reasonable. Most wines were from $18 to $45 and wines by the glass were available for $6.00 per glass for a large pour. I very much enjoyed my Frei Brothers Sauvignon Blanc. <br /> <br />For dessert, I tried the Raspberry Rum Layer Cake and my partner had the Dutch Apple maple Cheese Cake. Both were very delicious. <br /> <br />We relished our dinner which took 1 hours and twenty-five minutes. The final check, before wine, taxes and gratuities, was $67 or $33 per person. <br /> <br /><strong><em>Ratings- from 1 Awful to 10 Excellent</em></strong> <br /> <br /><strong>Food Quality:</strong> 8 <br /><strong>Ambience: 7</strong> <br /><strong>Service: 7</strong> <br /><strong>Price:</strong> $$ <br /><strong>Value for the Money:</strong> <em>8</em> <br /><strong></strong> <br /><strong></strong> <br /><em><strong>EDITORS COMMENTS:</strong></em> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><div align="center"><a href="http://www.hartnesshouse.com/">Hartness House Inn</a></div><div align="center">30 Orchard Street</div><div align="center">Springfield, Veront 05156</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Reservations requested - 802-885-2115</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Dinner: Tuesday to Thursday 5pm to 8pm, Friday to Saturday 5pm to 9pm</div><div align="center">Tavern: Tuesday to Saturday from 5pm to closing </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/10539052-110722451111469382?l=vermont-restaurant-review.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Percy Whitehallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12414244194530627748noreply@blogger.com3