Ariana is sort of what you expect for a nice restaurant in Vermont: good food, but not great. I started with the spring salad which had delicious sweet strawberries, tiny roasted onions, and mixed greens. It was a little overdressed. I then had a special: veal, mashed potatoes, and string beans. The veal was overcooked; I wish they had asked me how I wanted it prepared. My server was friendly yet young; she hesitated about suggestions on the wine list and hadn't tasted all the food on the menu. I appreciated that they let me order a half portion. Desserts looked excellent, although I was too full to enjoy one. (I especially appreciated that they had fruit and whipped cream as an offering). Two small steps to get in, with help from a patron on the way in, and Chef Martin's on the way out made this an easy fairly easy venue for my wheelchair. I wish they had outside seating! I did have a seat next to a window, but they heavy plastic insulating sheeting made the view blurry (it was July; not sure why it was up!). read more

Very disappointed. We tried it last week. The food was just okay, too much oil. The dessert was too sweet. What's worse, the waitress was not very nice when we finished and paid. And today, when I check my credit card account, I found that they added 23% tips to my bill! Actually, I already wrote more than 15% tips to them. I think it is really awful if they did this on purpose! I will never go to a restaurant where the staff are not honest people! read more

I had an extraordinary dinner several weeks ago at Ariana's Restaurant. The service was excellent, the food excellent and it was so surprising to find such excellence in an out-of-the-way location as Orford. I strongly recommend the warm spinach salad. I plan to go back again. read more

We were at Ariana's last night for the second time and all I can say is- WOW! This restaurant has the feeling of an old french farmhouse restaurant. It is small, cozy and doesn't have too many tables. The atmosphere is rustic, with exposed beams and a kitchen that can be partially seen over the bar seating. When we walked in the door, Chef Martin greeted us with a giant hello and on both occasions, he's stopped by our table to see how the meal was. Everything was fresh and homemade, from the warm herb rolls to the candied pecans on my salad. My husband started with an onion soup, followed by the veal cassoulet. I had the warm spinach salad and the salmon, which was accompanied by a zucchini fritter and a yummy tomato cream sauce. We shared a chocolate macadamia nut tart for dessert and I can't believe the culinary depth of this experience. It is extremely rare for someone to possess the skills required to handle all the prep, bake the bread, manage the cuisine and still prepare desserts on this level. Of special note is the wine list. There are several excellent wines, all in the $20-$40 range. We enjoyed a french Pinot Noir for $36. We had trouble getting in last night so the word must be out. Two appetizers, two entrees, one dessert, bottle of wine and tip set us back the best $120 we've spent all month! Make a reservation and enjoy the car ride- it's worth it if you're not local! read more

I see a lot of good reviews and maybe I would have agreed with all the comments about the food and service being good but before me my girlfriend and our son were able to sit the host told us to "fuck off." Maybe he did not say it in such words but that's how it sounded in my ears. All the places I've been to in Vermont have been above and beyond my expectations especially for being walkins with a small infant. I just got turned away so maybe I'm letting go of some steam but I wouldn't recommend this place if you have kids or without reservations. Again, the host was a complete dick and I wish diahrea upon him. read more

We were staying at the nearby Lake Morey Resort when we found this restaurant online... It was a Saturday night and we had our 10 yr old with us so we were fine with a 5:30pm seating at the counter - overlooking the kitchen. WOW! What an unexpected treat. I had the mussels and my husband has a warm spinach salad as entree ... he had medallions of beef and I had halibut .. both delicious. My son has pasta with meat sauce (beef & pork) and he was satisfied ... My son had maple bacon ice cream (for the first time) and enjoyed it and this was the weak point of the meal for us - but it didn't matter one bit. We are looking forward to coming back! Highly recommend. read more

We had a fantastic meal. My wife and I had the six course sampling. The Chef has an unbelievable ability to make flavors pop and pair them with wine. read more

The waitress Nancy was amazing. High quality. Farm to table. Nothing but fresh !! Love the owner and chef. So accommodating.

If you have not tried Ariana's.....DO IT! The menu is outstanding! The by-monthly wine dinners are a can't miss! 5 stars and then some! Martin and his crew are top notch! LOVE this place!! read more

Because of its presence on beautiful Bunten Farm (Ariana's is in the Farm's carriage house) we expected a great dining experience. Ariana's surpassed our hopes! Exquisite fresh, local and seasonal food. We loved sitting at the chef's counter. This is a very special restaurant. read more

Absolutely fantastic local/farm-oriented restaurant with a sophisticated spin. One of the best meals I've eaten in years. The atmosphere is sort of barn-y, but well-decorated and the net effect is very homey. Staff were friendly, attentive, and personable. We even met the owner/chef, towards the end of our meal. My father and I ended up each getting an app, entree, dessert, and beverage, and nothing disappointed. I had the braised boneless short rib, which was fantastically cooked - melted in my mouth, with loads of flavor. The squash and root veggie soup (seen in a picture) was great as well - tasted of delicious farm-fresh veggies with a hint of spice. They have a mix of everything - plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, as well as fantastic meat and seafood dishes. As they only have 7 or 8 tables (many of which are two-seaters, or not much bigger!) plus a small counter, be sure to make a reservation on weekends. read more

Well, it is a lot of fun to read the Yelp reviews on this place, and I land squarely among the 5's. I do not join the snobs who dismiss those who do not have 700 and some Yelp reviews under their belts. In fact, based on their flawed opinions, I not only do not join them, I abjure them. The Yelp reviewers with favorable opinions, but fewer reviews under their belts, might be people like me who have eaten out many, many times in many, many places, but don't feel the urge to rate every single dining experience we have ever had. What is excellent about Ariana's is a combination of comfort, high quality and uniqueness. The farmhouse restaurant is pretty rare these days. The last one I was in was in Croatia, in fact, and that one was amazing, too! The farm is also not just a gimmick. A number of their menu items, the cheeses, some of the meat and the vegetables and greens were all produced either on this farm or one adjacent to it. Also, the decor is consistent with its farmhouse character. The service was competent, friendly and also genuine. You can tell when a waitstaff enjoys where they work. The dining area opens up directly to a very large and visible and busy kitchen. Being a Kentuckian traveling on business in New England, I naturally focus my choices on seafood, and I had a lovely flounder special. The New England clam chowder was also really GOOD. My spouse had a soft-shell crab dinner and thought it excellent, too. Also, the desserts add to the uniqueness--I had strawberry rhubarb crisp, and if you crave that like I do, you usually have to make it yourself these days. We didn't try the wine list, but did have a very nice Prosecca. Ariana's was very busy on a Thursday evening last week, so calling ahead is a very good idea. And, although it is far from everywhere, it is worth the trip! read more

The food is phenomenal, superb wine and excellent service. The surprising part is a restaurant this good in the middle of nowhere! So worth the drive- we came from Sunapee. My husband raved about the French onion soup- said it was the best and he is very picky. Also raved about the Beef Wellington. I had the warm spinach salad and Duck Confit - also fabulous! Small intimate restaurant with farm fresh food served with all the elegance you would expect from fine dining. read more

My wife and I were traveling to visit my in laws and yelped for a restaurant for dinner as we are not familiar with this area. We we pleasantly surprised at our experience at this gem of a restaurant. The food and atmosphere are amazing however it is the passion of the husband and wife team that are the owners ( waitress and chef) that made our meal over the top. 5 stars from my wife and I, we have found ourselves a place to stop when we come north to visit in the future. read more

Martin is an extraordinary chef, he uses only the best ingredients, local when possible. It is the best restaurant north of Hanover. All the old favorites have either gone out of business or the quality has faded. The service is friendly and very accommodating. The restaurant is located in a beautiful spot, with a view of the farm. The ambiance is pleasant, one can converse with other guests without having to shout. We dine at Ariana's quite often and have never, ever, been disappointed. There are often very nice culinary surprises awaiting us. Ariana's feels like home. read more

Ive lived in the upper for 3 years now. This was the best meal I have had since living here. I eat out 2 to 3 times a week and was blown away by the service and great meal I had! Everything was fresh and SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! The staff was very nice and always attentive to our every need. It's like they read our minds. Ive told everyone who will listen to me! It's definately worth the drive! Even the dog that greeted us out front was a sweatheart! read more

My husband chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner. We were there last night and I'm almost speechless with delight! We had reservations and were immediately seated at a romantic table-for-2 in front of a charming and large window. What immediately struck us was the lovely view of large purple irises blooming against the outside of the glass. From our table we could look out onto the peaceful farm and its animals----cows, 2 small pigs, a guinea hen wandering around freely. The staff was so warm and friendly. And the food was wonderful! We ordered a bottle of white wine and it was poured and then put into a lovely carafe at the table. Bread and tiny rolls were served with dipping sauce with fresh herbs. My husband had a warm shellfish appetizer in a coconut milk sauce. I had the warm spinach salad, which included mild, creamy blue cheese, soft apple, walnuts and cranberries. For entries, we tried the veal and the seafood stew. We split a dessert of warm gingerbread with pear, topped with a scoop of mocca gelato. As we enjoyed our dessert, the chef/owner, came out to talk to us. Such a lovely person and so talented!! We would highly recommend this restaurant!!! read more

This is definitely the best restaurant in the Upper Valley, but is also an excellent restaurant in its own right, regardless of location. We had crab cakes, escargot, beef tartar, mussels, scallops, and creme brûlée, and EVERY dish was amazing. The service is excellent, and the setting is cozy and very enjoyable. I can't say enough about this place. read more

Great food and I love the open kitchen with 'bar' seating so you can watch the chef and his crew. Try the creme brûlée trio if it's on the menu. Mine had regular, lavender flavored, and one other. Yummy. read more

We had a party of 13 celebrating my father's 85th birthday on Oct.13. I worked with Maggie and chose the Chef's wine pairing dinner in their private wine tasting room. Maggie was a pleasure to work with and was very responsive to our needs, including a few dietary restrictions. Our server Jamie was energetic, knowledgeable, and passionate; a true pro. She and Ryan worked perfectly together - taking the time to explain the plates and the wines, but also attending to the table without any interruptions. The food was off the charts. Chef Martin nailed every plate, including two Vegan diners. All 13 of us agreed that this was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had. Chef Martin took the time to introduce himself to the group and thank us for the patronage - a very classy touch. We agreed to make this an annual event and will be making our reservation for next year. Maggie, Jamie, Ryan and Chef Martin - thank you for a wonderful experience and for making my father's 85th birthday extra special. Bill R. read more

We decided to try Ariana's based on the great reviews. When we arrived on a Thursday night, we quickly realized that not having a reservation may serve as a problem. They ended up being able to seat us almost immediately though. I absolutely loved the open kitchen concept and the chef/owner welcoming us to the restaurant. We ordered the cheese platter appetizer and also the escargot. Both were fantastic. My partner ordered the filet with whipped potatoes and didn't leave a single nibble left on his plate. I got the seafood stew and was thrilled that the scallops and shrimp were cooked to perfection. They were accommodating by making me more fresh grilled bread for dipping into the broth. I got the vegan chocolate mousse for dessert which was rich and creamy with a side of the coffee chocolate chip gelato. My partner got the chocolate cake and gelato as well. We loved everything and are glad we gave this place a try while in town. read more

Best food in the Upper Valley. Make sure you have a rez.

My wife and I decided to try Ariana's out of curiosity, after reading about it online. The family farm house idea is great. Local produce and meats, a plus. Reservations only was different, but fine. The décor and atmosphere was very nice. The service was excellent. Now, the food, albeit pricey, was well worth it. Everything was delicious, presented in a very elegant and gourmet style! High end fine dining in Orford! Who would've thunk it! We look forward to returning soon! read more

Pulling into Ariana's on a frigid January night, we parked behind a backhoe and walked across a frozen dirt parking lot to what looked like a large storage shed behind an old farm. Uh oh, I thought. This could be a little too back woods New Hampshire. But we were welcomed into a warm, cosy, unpretentious place with friendly and attentive staff and excellent food. My wife had the scallops and I had the beef wellington special - both outstanding. Equally good were the crab cakes and onion soup apps. Chef Martin came to the table just after we'd been served our entrees to check on our meals and was gracious and informative. We finished with the chocolate cake dessert (2 spoons) and left feeling very well taken care of from a service and culinary POV. Definitely a diamond in the rough. External appearances notwithstanding, this is a great little restaurant. read more

The first time I went, it was during the winter. So it was their slow season. Never the less, it was REALLY GOOD. I've lived in NYC my whole life, so I have had my fair share of good meals, but this place could compete with every one of them. I really recommend it and if you are far away, it is worth the drive. :) read more

Top notch restaurant tucked away in the mountains...with the sophistication of a big city menu, but perfect in its farm setting, and farm-to-table menu. Absolute best! read more

Ariana's is a welcome addition to the Upper Valley. Chef Martin is what makes it special. His love of food and wine really show. My husband and I have enjoyed sitting at the chef''s counter as well as at the tables. When you eat at the counter, Chef Martin gives you a small amuse bouche which is always a nice surprise. I love that the restaurant is taking advantage of local farm meats and produce, as well as supporting local foragers. That said, we will continue to support the great things going on there. My only issue is the atmosphere. The room needs updating -- even a fresh coat of paint, lower lighting (candles?) and new curtains would help. The service seems okay, if a bit terse at times. Am thrilled to have a real chef in my neck of the woods. The word is out, so call for reservations if you go. read more

We had an excellent meal here and the service was good. The food was local, excellently cooked and beautifully presented. We will return.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary with dinner at Ariana's Restaurant. We enjoyed ourselves because of the good food and the wonderful wait staff and chef. My husband enjoyed the creamed corn chowder. He said it tasted like Paris. (ok?) He ordered the veal in a lemon caper, white wine reduction sauce which was perfect. The veal was melt in your mouth yummy. The steak knife that was brought to my husband with his meal was laughable. You could cut the meat with a fork. I ordered the shellfish stew which was good, but not great. It really did not have much flavor and I was a tiny bit disappointed. While I will not order that again, I can't wait to return to try another option from the wonderful menu. My husband had a chocolate raspberry confection for dessert and I had the upside down gingerbread pear cake with the very best coffee gelato I have ever enjoyed. We will not wait for another anniversary celebration to return. Celebrating Thursday works for me! read more

great new restaurant in the "upper valley region". wonderful experienced staff, talented chef-owner, enticing menu and wine list in a charming country setting. not to be missed if you're in the area. read more

Great date restaurant. Incredible, personalized service; food good but not quite living up to the hype. It should be mentioned that I am a vegetarian and Ariana's menu focuses on local, sustainable meats, so perhaps the experience would be different for a carnivore (indeed, the people eating around me seemed to be very happy with their food). Mushroom/leek/chevre crepes with arugula cream sauce appetizer was delicious. I split this app. with my girlfriend and they thoughtfully plated the dish individually for each of us. She had the shrimp scampi, which she said was very tasty. I had a root vegetable risotto, which was fine but mushy and somewhat bland. Not bad enough to send back, but not nearly as good as the appetizer. The chef came out and chatted with us during the meal, and our server handed my gf a tulip as we prepared to leave. Very nice people, intimate atmosphere, and good food. Good selection of drinks, but our server was not quite knowledgable enough to recommend the right wine (asked for dry house white, definitely on the sweet end). read more