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Johnny Seesaw's

4.0 (130 reviews)
PriceyAmerican
Closed • Closed

Johnny Seesaw's Photos

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JOHNNY SEESAW'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Classy
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Gelato
Nicole B.

Johnny Seesaw's is pure magic, especially in the winter. Delicious food, fantastic service and a roaring fireplace in a rustic log cabin really makes for a memorable experience. We stop here on every ski trip to Stratton and are never disappointed. Everything on the menu is fantastic! Go here! It rocks!

Tony L.

It's a yearly tradition to come up to Vermont to engage in Autumnal activities, so we figured we deserved at least one nice dinner to celebrate. Johnny Seesaw's seemed like the perfect place, having been a fixture of the community for the better part of a hundred years. Reservations were not easy to come by, so we settled for 8:30PM for 4 people and snacked until then. We had heard great things about a former chef who had returned to the establishment and were eager to give it a try. The interior felt like a cozy log cabin (makes sense since it's a lodge) in a ski resort with a fake open-air fireplace in the middle of the restaurant. Our waiter was a friendly and attentive gentleman who was nice to talk to. We went with glasses of wine as well as the bourbon + candied ginger and gin + blood orange house cocktail as refreshments; both were well balanced and smooth, but you could still taste the alcohol. For starters, we got the crab crostini, Panzanella salad, and freshly baked focaccia with eggplant spread. The crab crostini had interesting textural elements from the balance of the freshly shaved chilis atop the succulent crab meat that was piled atop a crispy crostini bread slice; I'd definitely get this again. My companions said the salad was fresh, while the focaccia and spread were a good way to start the meal, though I'm not sure if it were something I'd seek out again. For mains, we went with: Sauteed Sea Scallops (cauliflower puree, spinach, brown butter lemon emulsion, crispy potatoes); Spinach Cappelletti (filled with braised beef short ribs, chippolini onion brodo, and parmigiano); and Tagliatelle all'Bolognese (beef and pork ragu, parmigiano). My scallops were perfectly cooked so that they still had a lightness to them that absorbed the delectable sauce that was paired, and the sides that it came with felt gourmet -- though it was confusing why it was labelled as sauteed when it was clearly seared (and perfectly so). Another naming error existed for the pasta dish because the sauce was not a red ragu sauce, which is what would have been expected -- it was delicious, nonetheless. Lastly, just a heads up that the Spinach Cappelletti felt more like a vegetarian dish since the filling's meat flavour couldn't really be sensed, and another note is that the wetness from the veggies created a pool of liquid which was a missed opportunity to become a nice sauce. For dessert, we shared a slice of olive oil cake which had a flavourful, but light sweet cream that resembled a marscapone of sorts -- no complaints except I wasn't hungry enough to indulge in more than one bite. Overall, a really stellar meal that felt more upscale than casual but still comfortable and cozy. Well worth the money to shell out, but the menus could be more accurate in their descriptions.

Prime Rib French Dip
Shane M.

The Prime Rib French Dip has gotten a makeover by their new chef and it's better than ever!! Incredible sandwich available only on Friday evening so get to seesaws early !!!

Katalina P.

Stayed at the lodge and had to try the restaurant! The bolognese was delicious and filling! For the appetizer, we got the hummus. The pita bread was made fresh, it paired really well with the hummus. I think it might've been beet(?) hummus. There is plenty room for parking. I recommend seating outdoors if the weather is nice. All the employees were very welcoming and kind.

Poutine was excellent! Cheesy with a rich gravy and tasty fries!
Edward K.

My family was recently in Vermont for a fall weekend getaway. We needed a Saturday night dinner spot for 6 diners and I was able to secure a late reservation at Johnny Seesaw's. The restaurant has a modern and cozy vibe. We were seated under a cool mural that was originally painted 80 years ago. Our waitress Emily mentioned that she recently started working there but was a true professional throughout the meal. The menu has a lot of nice choices. I really enjoyed the poutine appetizer, the duck gravy, cheese curds, and fries were perfect together. My wife enjoyed the beet salad and my daughters liked the pretzel appetizer. I went with the halibut special and was very happy with the way it was prepared. The rest of my family was also happy with their entrees. Johnny Seesaw's was a nice place to spend a Saturday night.

The happy patrons.

Food was terrific, great casual local restaurant with cozy bar. Attentive and nice staff and great wine list. Plenty of local beers as well. Not too loud, and great music playing. Menu has plenty of great choices.

Unsmooth mash potatoes on the left, prime rib flooded in some watery sauce, all the FAT from the steak on the right.

We came as a group of seven. I ordered the prime rib which was awful. The mash potatoes were clumpy, and I've never seen so much fat on a piece of meat (see Pic for reference). All of it was sitting in some watery sauce which was not the juice from the meat being cooked. Two in our group ordered the risotto which was curiously bereft of flavor. As if the risotto was cooked with water vs. stock. The risotto tasted like cardboard with canned vegetables. One order was the ribeye that was very medium rare at best instead of medium. It was accompanied by a relatively bland sauce and fairly vanilla vegetables. However, the staff was friendly and our server was nice and kindly received feedback pertaining to the risotto which was sent back. Positive note - the appetizers were very good, the meatballs were delicious!

View of fire pit from front door
Cliff H.

Rustic. Unique. Fun. Johnny Seesaw's is the restaurant lodge component of the larger Seesaw Resort. The lodge is large and historic, previously used by settlers and early explorers, giving it a depth and character you won't find in newer culinary construction. That's said, popularity comes at a price: demand can easily overwhelm capacity on weekends and holiday periods. If you want to dine like a lumberjack, reservations several days in advance are a must. Ambiance is rustic and dimly lit, exactly as you'd expect a lodge to be. Food is decidedly upscale, yet with enough variety to meet most anyone's needs: from basic burgers/dogs to more expensive seafood and delicacy options. If possible, opt for the outdoor seating on the lodge's porch, which overlooks the fire pit and pond, a priceless experience unmatched in the area. Additionally, the ADU mini bar and snack bar down the hill from the restaurant called "the hut" provides a second option for snacks, drinks, and light fare either before or after dining at the primary lodge. In particular, don't miss scoring a plate of campfire magic by overpaying for the hut's all-inclusive s'mores: toasting sticks and nearby fire pit included! In busy times, this is the place to be: live music and a great sense of community abounds. Overall, Seesaw Lodge delivers exactly what it promises: an experience transporting visitors back in time and far away from the drudgery of run-of-the-mill restaurants through its unique blend of atmosphere, history, and attention to detail.

Duck Entree (very small portion)  Should be labeled as an appetizer

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16 years ago

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15 years ago

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15 years ago

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12 years ago

Oh, my God! Closed! Another piece of Southern VT history gone. Many happy memories there.

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Page 4 of 4

Ask the Community - Johnny Seesaw's

Hi, how is this restaurant handling COVID protocols for outdoor dining? Do we need to dress warm for outdoor dining?

I went here in October . They have very spacious Covid friendly seating . You must Wear a mask if you are not eating. They have a QR code for the menu. And obviously less space for dining in. At the time I went it was cold and kind of like sleet and… 

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

The New American Grill - Seoul Food chicken

The New American Grill

4.1(155 reviews)
5.6 mi
•$$

Well, it's VT so of course wait staff are skiers and mellow. Servers are local kids, ours is about…read moreto move away for college. He didn't tell us the specials but that was fine cause we came back next day for them. Was visiting from for just 2 nights and went here. Not a lot of options in this area. It has a Grateful Dead theme going on so of course I loved it. Special was seafood bisque, which was made with shrimp and lobster. Taste was phenomenal though only tasted chunks of shrimp which was fine. I would get it again and my friend took home a bowl for next day. Highly recommend. I heard their soups are often great. We opted to split the half rack of ribs, they were quite good. Little fat, good taste, I recommend this and would get again if I was again in the mood. Tea was served in a carafe I'd not seen since the 70's which I liked. Day before we got BLT to split and that was great. Fries are skinny, hot and not greasy. Good vibes all around.

While staying in Londonderry we were looking for a place to grab dinner after a day of skiing…read more About the only place open in Londonderry was The New American Grill so we headed over to grab some dinner. NAG is located in the shopping plaza at Routes 11 and 100. The decor is nice, simple and comfortable. The menu is diverse with various ethnic dishes along with the kind of dishes you would expect from an American Grill. My friend ordered the Seoul Food and I ordered a Scallop special. When the food came out both dishes were very nice, however after my first taste of the scallop special I realized that the dish was topped with bacon, which had not been mentioned in the description by the server. The server was very nice about the issue and offered to have the dish remade without the bacon, but I opted instead to get the Pesto Shrimp Alfredo pasta; the kitchen managed to get the new dish out promptly. While the shrimp in the dish were good, I found the sauce to be a bit one note and overly heavy; it really seemed to lack the herbal taste I expected from a pesto dish. While not a bad dish I would not order this again. My friend did enjoy the bulgogi flavored chicken. It seemed most of the guests were enjoying their meal, unfortunately I just seemed to have some bad luck with my meal selections. Hard for me to make a strong recommendation for The New American Grill, but of course your experience may vary.

Photos
The New American Grill
The New American Grill - Pesto Shrimp Alfredo, a bit too heavy

Pesto Shrimp Alfredo, a bit too heavy

The New American Grill

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Ye Olde Tavern

Ye Olde Tavern

4.2(436 reviews)
6.9 mi
•$$$

To celebrate America's 250th birthday, my wife and I chose a restaurant with history to match the…read moreoccasion--Ye Olde Tavern in Manchester, Vermont, a landmark dating back to circa 1790. It was the perfect setting for a memorable holiday dinner. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with friendly, attentive service from our server, Jamie. The ambiance was warm, inviting, and rich with history, making us feel like we had stepped back in time. We started with an Old Fashioned made with Smugglers' Notch bourbon for me and a refreshing Blueberry Refresher for my wife. The homemade cranberry fritters served with Vermont maple butter were an outstanding way to begin the meal. Next came bowls of the delicious Cheddar & Ale Onion Soup, followed by the Maple Butter & Walnut Encrusted Brie served with Vermont apples and toasted baguette--an excellent combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors. Our entrees were preceded by fresh field greens salads with balsamic vinaigrette and blue cheese crumbles, along with warm, freshly baked bread. I thoroughly enjoyed the Traditional Pot Roast--tender brisket slow-cooked in the tavern's Circa 1790 Amber Ale with rich pan gravy. My wife chose the Scrod with pumpkin seeds, butter, Chardonnay, and lemon, which was perfectly prepared and beautifully balanced. To finish, we shared the Cranberry & Apple Crisp topped with local vanilla ice cream and whipped cream--a fittingly New England ending to an exceptional meal. The combination of outstanding food, welcoming hospitality, and the unique historic atmosphere made for a wonderful dining experience. If you're visiting Manchester, Ye Olde Tavern is well worth a visit, especially if you're looking to enjoy classic Vermont cuisine in one of the state's most historic settings.

Cute, historical building! Staff was able to get us in at…read more6:30 PM which was great. They really know how to make sure you leave with a full belly... The waitress brought out cranberry fritters with maple butter which were soooo good!! My fiancé ordered the crab cakes and devoured them. Then we got our salads and bread. Salads were delicious, but I had to save room for my main course so I didn't eat the bread. My fiancé loves his seafood Alfredo! My NY Sirloin was ok... it was VERY tough and a bit on the fatty side, but it was tasty. We finished off with a S'more's hot sundae which was gone in about 3 minutes (if that)

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Ye Olde Tavern - Dining room

Dining room

Ye Olde Tavern - Quinoa meatballs

Quinoa meatballs

Ye Olde Tavern - The ambiance was so cozy with a fireplace and calm music

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The ambiance was so cozy with a fireplace and calm music

Seasons Restaurant - Short rib ragu

Seasons Restaurant

3.8(231 reviews)
7.4 mi
•$$

We were staying at the Hampton Inn in Manchester for a weekend of shopping. Seasons Restaurant is…read moredirectly across the street from the hotel and was recommended by the hotel staff. The restaurant has a dining area and a nice sized bar was playing the Celtics game on this Friday night. My daughter tried one of their signature fall drinks. It was a lemonade cider with the whiskey. She could taste the whiskey, but said it was very good. I have a gluten allergy and was excited to see gluten-free onion soup as an appetizer. I got that and my daughter got the baguette bread with butters. Both were excellent. She said the garlic butter was just delightful. I got the petite fillet with crab meat and shrimp cooked, medium rare. It came out perfect. The mashed potatoes were delicious and grilled asparagus was cooked perfectly with a nice seasoning. My daughter got the chicken Parm over fresh ravioli with a vodka sauce. She said it was excellent. There was gluten-free cheesecake on the dessert menu but when I ordered it, the the waitress said they had a different cheesecake that evening that was not gluten-free. Nonetheless, my daughter got the Brulé flavored cheesecake and said it was delicious. We highly recommend seasons restaurant if you're in the Manchester area.

Outstanding dining experience!!!! Everything about this…read moreevent was perfect from our first interaction by phone securing a hard to find table to the awesome staff we intereacted with, to even a local couple that offered us a tip about Peru VT (thank you, you know who you are), to the awesome menu options, the beautiful plating presentations to the flavor and preparations. A home run. Wish you were closer to us in south east PA. Oh well, we will be back again in November. Shout out to Evaluna our server and food guide for the evening. She is a delight!!!!!!! We started the evening with the roasted pear salad... my wife is not a huge salad fan but she was taking food off my plate as we were sharing. What a great start. For our main course, we shared the short rib ragu which warmed our bellys and soul; a hearty dish. We complemented the dish with a glass of KJ Chard for her and Elouan Pinot Noir for me. Can't wait to return. See our delicious food pics included.

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Seasons Restaurant - Ambience and bar area

Ambience and bar area

Seasons Restaurant
Seasons Restaurant - Seven seed salmon, Ribs, and kids chicken fingers and fries.

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Seven seed salmon, Ribs, and kids chicken fingers and fries.

The Trailhead

The Trailhead

4.2(6 reviews)
0.6 mi

Had some pre-dinner drinks at the Trailhead as we were staying at the Sun Lodge over the weekend!…read moreThe bar area is very welcoming while the rest of the restaurant is very simple, and rustic. I had the Fig-Ure It Out which was a gin based drink with fig and olive oil. The olive oil was the ingredient that I was most intrigued and turned off by LOL. It wasn't a bad drink, but different for sure! I had a weird feeling in my stomach when I got there and I think the olive oil made it go away. After that I tried the Apples & Oranges which was bourbon based with cider -- very sweet but delish and perfect for fall! Next time I am in town, I'll be sure to order dinner!

Stopped in for lunch/brunch on a gorgeous Saturday with some friends from out of town. Great…read morefriendly service from Tara who took extra care with my girlfriend's celiac restrictions. Excellent martinis and bloody marys hit the spot to start us off. I was craving a burger and it did not disappoint... cooked perfectly generously piled with bacon & awesome fresh hand cut fries. Also ordered were the omelette, chicken & waffles, and greens & seeds salad (and the pull apart bread as an appetizer). Everyone was more than happy with their meals. Fresh well prepared ingredients and good portions. We sat outside and of course is pretty right there at the base of Bromley. The inside looked nicely recently renovated and we'll be back soon to try out dinner. Great to have a solid new option just 10 minutes from town. (I will take more pics and add them next time!)

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The Trailhead
The Trailhead - Outdoor martini

Outdoor martini

The Trailhead - Outdoor seating

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Outdoor seating

SoLo Farm & Table - Duck

SoLo Farm & Table

4.4(141 reviews)
5.8 mi
•$$$

From the bar to the dining room, the experience and the food are off the charts delicious. The…read morepresentation of the food, the care of the choosing and paring of the fresh vegetables and herbs- every bite is artistry and magic. It's such a special place. We simply love what the owners have done!

We were just driving along these curvy rural roads in Vermont when I happened to see a sign for…read moreSolo - a Farm to table restaurant. We followed it to the 18th century farmhouse in Londonderry, VT. When we got there, it was not open so I took out my phone and made a reservation on the spot for dinner in two days. Since this was the week before our anniversary, we decided to treat ourselves to this experience. The menu left us guessing at first. There was no delineation of appetizers and entrees. When it was explained to us that items at the top of the menu were considered appetizers because of the portion size, it was a little clearer. But we were still left guessing what was the portion size of these items. We thought we would start with the sourdough rye. It came piping warm with smoked butter. The smoked butter had a bolder taste than your typical sweet cream butter. He wanted the House Made Orecchiette which was a duck sausage but our server said it had a bit of spice but would be manageable. Thankfully, she asked the chef and reported back that it really was spicy so he changed his order to match mine which was the Seared Labelle Farm Duck Breast. Labelle Farm is where they sourced the duck. I love that they know where their food comes from! We both enjoyed the duck immensely. It came with Solo's very own farm fresh vegetables. For dessert, we ordered the cheesecake with blueberry compote. Someone brought it with a candle and said, "happy birthday or anniversary." Nice that they put a candle on the cheesecake but I did say it was our anniversary on the reservation. I guess that kinda ruined it for me that she didn't bother to look what special event we were celebrating. The meal was lovely. The farmhouse setting was quaint. You hear all the footsteps of the hardwood floors whenever someone walked. My only critique was that it was VERY warm inside. There was one window that was slightly cracked open but no breeze was felt. It was so warm that we had to ask for ice in our water. I think our meal would have been more enjoyable if we weren't sweating our way through dinner. I guess 18th century farmhouses didn't have air conditioning.

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SoLo Farm & Table
SoLo Farm & Table - Sourdough rye bread Baked fresh daily

Sourdough rye bread Baked fresh daily

SoLo Farm & Table - Cozy ambiance

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Cozy ambiance

Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom

Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom

3.6(312 reviews)
5.7 mi
•$$

We just had a great meal at Raven's den with the most amazing waiter! he was very attentive without…read morebeing intrusive. Never used a notepad and got everything exactly correct! Such a great experience! The decor in the restaurant was very interesting to look at as well, overall, fantastic experience!

Food - Very Bland, we ordered the shrimp scampi and veal parmesan and let's just say the scampi…read moreseemed like it was just boiled noodles and butter. The actual shrimp were salty. The Veal was ok but seemed like it could of have been previously frozen. Not to mention, these two entrees alone cost us ~$80. The appetizers were far better than the entrees. We honestly could of ordered wings and French onion soup and that would have been a better option. The salad was the best thing they served us. And no, not any of the salads on the menu, the complimentary salad that is served by the restaurant. Service - There was one waiter for the entire restaurant. He was really nice and seemed like a good guy, but they probably need to give him some help. We didn't get our drinks until about 30 mins into being at the restaurant and the entrees took over an hour to show up. The two stars here are for our servers positive and friendly attitude. Final Summary Notes - DO NOT come here for a nice dinner on any given weekend or evening. Only come here for appetizers and drinks and only sit at the bar.

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Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom
Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom
Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom - Good looking new restaurant on Rt 11 & 30

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Good looking new restaurant on Rt 11 & 30

Johnny Seesaw's - tradamerican - Updated October 2026

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