My second visit to Mystico Cucina Italiana, and somehow it was just as impressive -- if not better…read more-- than the first. Consistency like this is rare, and it says everything about the standards they keep. I started with the Pomegranate Granita Oysters, and wow. Bright, refreshing, unbelievably fresh, and balanced perfectly. They were the kind of oysters you slow down for because you don't want the bite to end. I ordered the duck ragu again because I couldn't stop thinking about it from my last visit -- and once again, absolute perfection. Rich, comforting, layered with flavor, and yes... I cleaned the plate spotless. Not a drop left behind. From the hospitality to the execution of every dish, everything about this restaurant screams class, quality, and a superb dining experience. The team makes you feel welcome, the food exceeds expectations, and you leave already planning your next reservation. Manchester is lucky to have a place like this.

We heard really good things about Mystic Restaurant in Manchester Center, VT. We were in town and…read morewanted to give it a try. I had the Rigatoni Alla Carbonara. My friend had the Bucatini Cacio E Pepe. He said his dish was fine. Mine, on the other hand, was pasta coated in this thick orange paste (no sauce), which was absolutely tasteless (no exaggeration). It's as if they didn't even taste it for seasonings. I asked for salt. They offered to remake it, but I opted to try to make it edible adding my own seasoning. With quite a bit of salt, it was "ok", but the consistency left a lot to be desired. I probably should have sent it back and ordered a salad. A restaurant is only as good as it's food. Two stars is the best I could give them. The atmosphere was nice, and the service was good. But the food...

Wow! You have to stop here. This place was about an hour and a half away from us and it is worth…read morethe trip. The wine selection is awesome. The cheese is exceptional. Very good hospitality. We came here for lunch today and were not disappointed. Everything is done with care down to the last detail. These folks know their stuff and it is a small and romantic Wine Bar and shop. We each purchased a glass of wine, a cheese plate, and an eggplant sandwich and the total was about 60 bucks. However, the wine and cheese was so good we ended up in the store and purchased another 70 bucks worth of stuff. This place is small and elegant. Bring this place your business!

Great cheese and "frommagucation"at the Cheese Makers shop also run by this classy couple. Have not…read moretried the busy new restaurant or wine bar but a welcome addition to the charming town of Jacksonville, VT and a wonderful alternative to the few drinking holes if your craving a refined atmosphere and an education in fine wines.

Ooooh so this is where the middle aged singles come to be seen, hangout and drink wine! We had fun,…read morebartender was great and fast, drink menu was awesome.

Strolling through Saratoga confused what to choose from and we walk in to this place as there was…read moreno wait time. No wait time doesn't mean they don't have good food. We ordered soup of the day (Smoked chicken chowder), crab cakes and grilled salmon. The food was consistent and good. My rating of 4 was totally based on food. The food. Like I mentioned earlier was good but I have had the same better elsewhere. The service and ambience are great and would rate it a 5 star. They have a great selection of wines to choose from. This place is good for every occasion and a heaven for someone who loves wine.

What an absolutely lovely space! I had a last-minute lunch here today with friends that are…read morevisiting from out of town (and I happen to be off from work!) The service is extremely friendly/efficient and the dining area is immaculate. Food is excellent! I had the special tabouli salad and it was perfect. Everyone else at the table really enjoyed their meals and the desserts were fantastic as well. I might be in a slight diabetic coma after eating way too much of the amazing chocolate layer cake.... Juniper is open for dinner as well. Evening entrées look very inviting and I look forward to returning soon.

I loved this place! It was so cute inside! The service was excellent! The French onion soup was top…read morenotch! The Melty Fontina cheese was super tasty, the accompaniments were okay. My prosciutto wrapped cod in corn chowder was excellent! They carry Harney and Sons teas which is great! Unfortunately neither of our tea services were served with cream and sugar/honey. I wish I could say nice things about the desserts but unfortunately I can't. Neither of them were good. The crust on the coconut custard pie tasted bitter and burnt even though it wasn't burnt. Just not sure what happened there, unless the crisco to make the crust was old? The lemon tart didn't taste like anything really, definitely not lemon. It was buried in powdered sugar so it just tasted like a mouthful of sugar. It did come with the tiniest little dollop of whipped cream. I definitely wish there was a healthier portion of that because that and the fresh berries on the side were the best parts.

Sunday night pasta night was fantastic. Good drinks, pasta was really really well done and solid…read moreservice all around.

Unique outdoor seating on what's called the " Patio" but is actually a large barn-like covered bar/…read morerestaurant area out in what is a backyard space. Service is efficient and friendly and the pizza is amazing ! It was chilly eating outdoors at night ... so bring your sweatshirt to dine at this unique eatery!

We had the best time food, atmosphere,wine tasting, gorgeous lighting and firplace tables…read more Our waitress Shay was phenominal , friendly, fun to talk to and happy to take care of us. We were beyond happy. This is my second time here and can't wait to go back.

Wow! Decor and night life, chic #af. This place is a night on the town with the possibility of…read morepopping over to the casino or being the all night spot. They have a large seating area with a variety of table tops. It's intimate and trendy. There's also a huge outside area (heated), that people were thriving in even though it was only 10 degrees out. The menu is broad and not your usual chain supply. If you are a picky eater you might have a hard time. Most of the food is in large enough portions you can split and trade with friends or just make it a charcuterie feast for all. Drinks were mint and I mean that in the old cool sense of the word not actually mint, although you could ask for some and they would accommodate. The self poor wine station is a bonus, adding to the uniqueness of this establishment. Reservations highly recommended! 21+ only AMAZING

We came here for drinks before dinner and sat outside and it was great! We got the happy hour rose…read morewhich was good and a glass of red wine which our friend loved! They also gave very hefty pours. The non alcohol drink was also very good. Service was great and the indoor vibe and decor also looked really nice. Great spot to come before a dinner resi.

Stumbled upon this beautiful bar this evening in Hudson. They were having a board games and popcorn…read morenight, so we stopped in before (and as it turned out, also after) dinner. The wine list was robust and we were able to sample a couple of wines before landing upon the refreshing Lambrusco. The outside seating area was comfortable and well spaced, and inside the bar area is very cute and cozy. The bar tender was friendly and made sure to check on us outside. Would love to go back next time we're in the area.

Stemwinders was phenomenal. Our server (the bartender) was so nice and very helpful. The setting is…read morerelaxed with a great bar area and seating upstairs. The tap list and cocktail menu is solid and the food was absolutely incredible. Would definitely recommend.

We are locals ,recently had dinner, and it was anything but a good experience. It started with our…read moreserver, who honestly seemed to want to be anywhere else but serving us. She seemed annoyed about everything and actually said when we said oh we remember you " I'm always here" and at 60 something years old she might want to chose a new profession. Know we've had her before and she depicts unprofessionalism. I won't post her name.. It took 20 minutes to get drinks, had a tasteless salad, cracker crust poorly prepared pizza -$23 for 2? Our brisket as stated on the menu? no- it was actually overcooked 3 pieces of short rib with no sauce( $40 meant to be shared?? . what a joke. My wife and I love Leslie at the wineshop but the restaurant is horrible. I'd stay away until they get better!

What a delightful surprise! A couple of foodie friends and I decided to check out a couple spots in…read moreSaratoga and we landed on a new spot, Familiar Creature. We had read that it was the same people who run Hamlet and Ghost, so we wanted to check it out. The inside is gorgeous, bright and welcoming. Very cute wine bar vibes with excellent cocktails and a small, but mighty, menu. All of our cocktails were gorgeous and well crafted, even some great mocktails. The menu is Montreal inspired, which we noticed immediately, and loved. We just wanted to split a couple things to try, so we ordered the poutine with duck confit and the steak tartare. The Poutine was fabulous! They ultra crispy house made fries had such good flavor on their own, but were made incredible with the gravy, melty cheese curds and decadent duck. This dish was amazing. The steak tartare was also very good and fresh, the house made chips were also killer. Last but not least, the maple soft serve. Heavenly! Ultra creamy and smooth with a great depth of maple flavor. The caramel swirl and crunchy nibs on the top were so good. I am not a big sweets person, but I would order this again for sure. Delicious. This is a hidden gem and surprised us all! I can't believe I haven't heard more about this place. 10/10 recommend.

Quaint restaurant in a quaint area. Parking can be troublesome so allow time to find a place to…read morepark. All dishes are shareable. Everything we ate was so delicious! I loved the Brussel sprouts salad and I hate brussel sprouts. You must also order desserts! The lavender soft serve was the best soft serve I ever had. And the triple layered chocolate cake was heavenly! Not too sweet and super moist. The half chicken was perfectly cut to share and oh so tender! Great visit with friendly service.

You're in the very suburban town of Lebanon, New Hampshire. You've got everything that you need at…read moreyour fingertips but maybe you're looking to enjoy wine or sip a cocktail at a place with more of an urban edge. Drive 5 minutes over the state line to Putnam's in White River Junction, Vermont for that sommelier-staffed experience. Love the ambience and rigorous focus on elevated, quality ingredients, at Putnam's. They have a corkboard-covered 3-ring binder menu which is aptly named a Field Guide. Trust me, this name is earned by the Tasting Notes alone. The field guide is like a thesis for advanced Upper Valley sippers, Vermont or not. If you forgot your book or paper, just saddle up to the Putnam's Field Guide. You'll find an elaborate offering of editorial descriptions of beverages from wine to martinis (6 kinds) to beer and whiskey (one from Japan). Btw, it's rare to find a wine bar that doubles as a gorgeous coffeehouse serving pastries, espresso-based drinks, teas and breakfast sandwiches on weekends. I'm looking forward to enjoying them sometime if I'm back. The offering at Putnam's Vineyard rotates seasonally, so I will describe what was there on my visits. Visit their website for updated menu surprises. As for the evening and weekends Fall menu, they call their offering Picnic Food. It's a modest title for an extensive offering of appetizers and a few sandwiches. Think fancied-up olives, pretzels, Brazilian cheese puffs, a craft beer mix, 2 melty sammies with Vermont cheeses (1 with turkey, the other veggies), beet and chevre arancini, dips and a vast selection of desserts. Vermont cheeses, apricots, Marcona almonds, dried apricots and crostini are looking divine on the cheese board. Oh, and there's also Superbon Madrid potato chips with Osetra caviar and a mini spirit of Gaston Chiquet champagne. Just saying. There is also a weekend brunch menu with bagels and egg sandwiches. As for the wine, I recommend a flight at Putmam's. In the fall season, these flight offerings were named: the Bella Blanca Wine Flight, the Falling Leaves Mixed Wine Flight, Fireside Reds Red Wine Flight, The Forgotten Bunches Mixed Wine Flight and the almighty and an unforgettable Sparkler Flight. In this flight, I slowly savoured 3 wine sparklers at $25 total. (And no, I cannot spell savour without a "u.") These wine flights are a true value. And here are the wines in the sparkler flight: 1.) Cava 2021 by Avinyó 2.) Crémant de Bourgogne Sparkling Brut Rosé NV by Albert Bichot 3.) Lambrusco by Villa Castellazo ROTA The Cava is everything. All three were delightful and I showed up needing warm fuzzies on an evening where there was live music so the total experience was extra lovely. There is also a whiskey flight! The coffee and craft beverages selection for the fall/winter menu includes a nitro cold brew, a brown butter latte with Maldon sea salt and biscotti and a FROLA New Orleans style cold brew slushie with maple syrup and coconut cream. To any craft and coffee beverage you can add Vermont Ice Cream Coffee Liqueur or Whistle Pig Piggy Back Bourbon. Yes, please. If you are making a trip of it, catch the local bbq joint across the way from Putnam's at lunch and then visit the wine bar for drinks. Layer up, because I've been nippy there twice, and then linger over one delightful beverage after the next. Oh, and there is a charming wine shop at Putnam's with handmade gifts to peruse, as well.

Simply the coolest hot spot in this little nook of Vermont. Arriving on a Sunday night, the outside…read moreof this fabulous old depot building looks like it's abandoned. But oh the speakeasy that lies within! Follow it around to the "secret" entrance and you are welcomed in with an impressive industrial chic meets garden / exotic jungle atmosphere. Little nooks of seating areas with their own unique feel. Cannot overstate the oozing charm of this large space that manages to create cozy corners. Friendly service, generous cheese board, a gift shop selection of sassy souvenirs. There is only goodness to be found here in the vine/yard. One of best hidden gems we have ever discovered.