Dining

The Mad River Valley has more than 40 eating establishments, many of them offering excellent food. Most of them require reservations, so call before venturing out. Valley residents are quite proud of having no fast-food chain restaurants.

The top of the line is Chez Henri (583-2600; $$–$$$), in Sugarbush Village at the base area of Lincoln Peak. The oldest restaurant in the valley, it captures a true French bistro feeling, with low ceilings and a flickering fire. The owner, Henri Borel, personally greets guests and makes them feel at home. He also supervises the excellent wine selection. Chez Henri features lunch, fondue in the late afternoon, then dinner until 10 p.m.

The Pitcher Inn Restaurant (496-6350; $$$$; above) serves contemporary American fare with a New England accent. The understated dining room has a huge fireplace and windows overlooking the Mad River. You can also reserve to have an intimate dinner in the wine cellar. The Spotted Cow (496-5151; $$–$$$$), run by Jay and Renata Young, has gained a reputation for some of the best food in the valley. Pricey to be sure. Don't miss the Bermuda fish chowder; it's worth the trip to Waitsfield.

John Egan's Big World Pub & Grill (496-3033; $$; right) serves excellent food and is a great place to bring the family. There's something to please everyone's taste buds, from innovative to basic. It's owned by extreme skier John Egan, so take time to look at all the ski paraphernalia. Look for it at a new location at the junction of Rtes. 100 and 17.

The Common Man (583-2800; $$–$$$) has attracted a faithful clientele and has a reputation for good food, but for the money, it's not quite as "common" as the name implies. The atmosphere is what might be called a New England Baroque barn with crystal chandeliers.

The Warren House (583-2421; $$), down a driveway to the left as you approach the Sugarbush parking lot, has developed lots of fans and offers an eclectic menu rivaling any in the area, along with a good wine list.

Michael's Good to Go (496-3832; $$), at the Village Square Shopping Center, prepares fine gourmet dinners to go such as Ants Climbing a Tree (organic pork and thin noodles stir-fry) and Jamaican Jerk Chicken. The Steak Place at Tucker Hill (496-3025; $$) serves beef in front of a flickering fireplace under a beamed ceiling. It also has light après-ski and late-night fare.

Millbrook Country Inn (496-2405; $$), on Rte. 17, has a small dining room with a fireplace, original art and antiques. The meals are prepared from local organic produce.

Rosita's (583-3858; $–$$; left) serves "honest and good"—and plentiful—Mexican food at affordable prices. This place is normally packed. Mad River Barn Restaurant ($) has a popular Saturday buffet and serves dinners Sunday through Friday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Worth the effort is the clay-oven wood-fired, organic flatbread pizza at American Flatbread (496-8856; $; below), open only on weekends, at the Lareau Farm Country Inn. A toasty bonfire is a nice distraction during the long wait (anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes).

For families out to stretch the budget and still get good wholesome food, try the Hyde Away (496-2322; $-$$), on Rte. 17. BonGiorno's (496-6265; $), also on Rte. 17, is the place to head for pizza and affordable pasta, with delivery as well. For simple quick food, try The Den (496-8880; $–$$), on Waitsfield's main street. Jay's (496-8282; $) doesn't claim to be anything fancy but i's a good spot for family fare.

The Easy Street Café and Market (496-7234; $–$$), on Rte. 100 north of the Sugarbush Access Road, an eat-in/take-out gourmet deli serving breakfast and lunch, plus frozen dinners, prepares excellent homemade soups, hot dishes, salads and sandwiches. The Valley Pizzeria (496-9200; $) makes real brick-oven, hand-thrown pizza. It's as close to Jersey pizza as you'll ever find in Vermont, one local tells us.

For breakfast, locals tell us Easy Street is far and away the breakfast place in town, and that the Warren Store makes great breakfast burritos. Also try the Hyde Away or Pepper's Restaurant (583-2202; $) at Pepper's Lodge. The Mad River Barn lays out excellent homemade muffins and jams and serves only real maple syrup. At Pete's Eats, you can get breakfast while having your skis tuned at the shop next door.

Condo dwellers can pick up basic staples, baked goods, beer and wine at the Paradise Deli & Market (583-2757) on the access road. The deli also has dinners-to-go. Also pick up goodies to go at the Warren Store (496-3864). There are two supermarkets in town: Shaw's and Mehuron's Market. Shaw's has the better produce. Mehuron's is the local's choice, the bonuses here are the butcher and fish departments.

Dining Legend: $$$$–Entrees $30+; $$$– $20–$29; $$–$10–$20; $–less than $10