Coleman Brook Tavern (228-1435; $$$–$$$$), at Jackson Gore, is the resort's best restaurant and has full-service, all-day dining. It also has an adults-only wine room that allows a quiet, sophisticated dining experience surrounded by wines that make up the most exclusive restaurant wine list in Vermont. Try the lamb lollipops and polenta.

Upstairs is Siena ($$-$$$). Named for Italy's famous horse race, Palio di Siena, the restaurant serves stone-baked gourmet pizzas, artisan breads, and family-style salads. Pasta sautes are the chef's specialty. Siena's is only open on the weekends for dinner Friday and Saturday nights and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

On mountain, don’t miss Epic ($–$$), in the Solitude Day Lodge. This sit-down restaurant has a well-priced eclectic menu, with items such as a smoked salmon BLT, duck quesadilla, and delicious soup specials (apple butternut bisque) attracting a devoted crowd. You'll never want to eat in a base lodge cafeteria again. Epic is only open for lunch.

OKEMO'S BASE AREA DINING OPTIONS

Other excellent on-mountain dining choices are Smokey Jo's for fine prime rib sandwiches, Jump for Chinese food at the Summit Cafe, Sitting Bull for sit-down wraps, chicken tenders and fries and Amigos for Tex-Mex.

Jackson Gore also has the Roundhouse food court with cafeteria fare.

OKEMO/LUDLOW VALLEY DINING OPTIONS

Upscale restaurants serving dinner in the area include the Echo Lake Inn (228-8602; $$–$$$), 4 miles north of town, where Chef Kevin Barnes has been creating gourmet delicacies for more than a decade. It has excellent meals with a gourmet touch. Entrees include dishes such as ostrich medallions, angus sirloin, Vermont lamb loin and seared veal rack.

The River Tavern Restaurant (672-3811; $$–$$$), at the Hawk Inn and Mountain Resort, serves delicious meals. The tortilla-crusted lamb chops with tart cherry chipotle sauce are wonderful.

Castle Hill (226-7361; $$$–$$$$; above) offers refined dining in a most romantic setting at the junction of Rte. 103 and Rte. 131. Enjoy the Salmon Wellington, stuffed pork tenderloin and filet mignon. The Inn at Water's Edge (228-8143; $$$$) serves fixed-price dinners for $30 a person each evening at 7 p.m. Make reservations and select your dinner by noon on the day of your reservation.

A must visit is the Old Town Farm Inn (888-232-1089, $–$$$), a charming, family friendly, restored 1861 Vermont farmhouse in Chester. What really makes this restaurant unique is the Japanese dinners prepared by owner, Chef Michiko, a sixth-generation chef. Everything is made to order, so be sure to allow plenty of time for a leisurely meal. Bring your own bottle.

The following restaurants are not as upper crust, but serve excellent affordable meals, perfect for families. Willie Dunn’s Grille (228-1387; $$), at the Okemo Valley Golf & Nordic Center, offers superb affordable meals. The Shrimp Puttanesca with capers and olives in a red sauce is excellent.

Sam’s Steakhouse, (228-2087; $$), on Rte. 103, serves a filet mignon so tender it can be cut with a butter knife, as well as seafood, chicken, sinful desserts and an incredible salad bar; first come, first served. D.J.’s Restaurant (228-5374; $–$$) gets high marks from locals for its prime rib, steak, seafood, pasta and fabulous salad bar.

The Pot Belly Pub and Restaurant (228-8989; $$) has good old American food like meatloaf, pork ribs, steaks and salads. The dining room and bar are also old American classics. The Killarney (228-7797; $$), at the bottom of the Okemo access road, is new and features classic Irish pub fare with a variety of draught beer selections. The menu features bangers and mash, shepards pie, corned beef and cabbage and traditional American fare.

Cappuccino’s (228-7566; $$–$$$; left) has a strong local following. The pastas and veal dishes are worth the visit. On cold nights, ask for a table by the woodstove. The Combes Family Inn (228-8799; $$$) serves a home-cooked single-entree dinner at 7 p.m. each evening. Call for the day’s menu and to make reservations.

Java Baba’s (228-2326; $) at the base of the access road has over-stuffed chairs and couches, and serves fresh-baked muffins, pastries, homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, desserts and, of course, a variety of coffee drinks.

On Main Street in Ludlow, Trappers Restaurant (228-5477) and The Hatchery (228-2311) are the locals’ recommendations for breakfast. Wicked Good Pizza (228-4131; $) has good pie (pizza pie, that is). Chef Mei (228-4355; $–$$) offers Chinese specialties that you can eat in or take out.

North of Ludlow on Rte. 103 is Harry’s (259-2996; $–$$), an understated place that has a high repeat business because of its moderate prices and international cuisine.

In nearby Chester, stop and have a meal at Raspberries and Thyme (875-4486; $–$$). Breakfast and lunch are always good. Dinner is served Wednesday to Sunday. Or try a meal at Fullerton Inn ($$$; 875-2444) for an elegant affair.

The Inn at Weathersfield (263-9217; $$$$), in the nearby town of Perkinsville, has been a winner of the Wine Spectator Award and many other culinary awards.

OKEMO/LUDLOW VALLEY DINING OPTIONS FROM THE OKEMO WEBSITE

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