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    Johnny Seesaw's

    4.0 (127 reviews)
    PriceyAmerican
    Closed 4:30 pm - 8:30 PM

    Johnny Seesaw's Photos

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    JOHNNY SEESAW'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Johnny Seesaw's

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    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 !!!

    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.

    The amazing fire pit
    Shannon G.

    Our service was amazing as always, food was on point, our table was right next to the fire so we were warm and the smell was incredible. The decor is so beautiful that it makes the whole experience a 10/10.

    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.

    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.

    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!

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

    Been here a few times with my family. The decor inside is very warm and inviting and the outside is very picturesque with a large pond and fire pit. Food overall is tasty. However, the portion size is very small (duck). I Ordered the duck entrée and as a petite woman I was still hungry after eating the whole meal. I was disappointed when the waiter brought my entrée to the table with two small slices of duck breast along with a few pieces of vegetables. Price point is similar to other restaurants around the area however, for a duck entrée at The Social House, which is nearby, they are far more generous.

    View of fire pit from front door

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    4 years ago

    Great food with fun outdoor dining experience & view of Stratton mountain Cabin-like porch setting for nite time dining.

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    4 years ago

    A true Vermont experience - great food, great ambiance, great staff! Highly recommend.

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    6 years ago

    Love love love this place. A savior during lockdown as home cooking gets boring. The burger is

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    4 years ago

    Loud but super cozy! Food was delicious! Went here in March. No problem getting a reservation!

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    Page 2 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… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Silver Fork - The best crab cake and shoestring fries of my life. I look forward to having this each time I've come here.

    Silver Fork

    4.6(384 reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $$$

    Having visited Silver Fork in Manchester on a number of occasions over the years, I finally…read morerealized I've never written a review. Well, now is the time. We re-visited the restaurant recently for our 40th wedding anniversary, and I think it's only fitting to offer a view on what is best described as a bastion of excellence and gracious dining in Manchester village, Vermont. Situated in a refurbished former library building, the Silver Fork's setting, decor, and dining experience is indeed textbook flawless. Inside the upscale eatery evokes mid-century Moderne, a setting for the once popular Madmen TV period drama series; tony, chic, but hardly ostentatious and overbearing. On the contrary the high ceilings, lighting and space combine to offer that frozen glimpse of earlier elegance but alongside very contemporary culinary offerings. Table spacing accentuates a good use of space. We started with a "Rubies are Forever" Pomegranate cocktail with Pomegranate boba. The menu is large but not overbearing; a good mix of meats, legumes and fish. Equally the starters are enticing. French Onion soup is amazing but on this occasion we both chose the Duck egg roll with a special peanut sauce. Simply extraordinary and with generous duck portions. For an entree, my wife chose Mahi Mahi Fish, beautifully prepared over plantain. Despite being tempted by a brisket with horseradish sauce, the evening special, I chose the Ratatouille. Why? Prepared properly, this is often hard to find. The Chef's presentation of the southern French staple, was beautifully interpreted, accompanied with some goat cheese. We accompanied our meal with a glasses of red wine. For desert we shared the incomparable Caribbean Bread Pudding which is always a hit here. Allow to me to say our server Lynn showed a genuine experience both in the menu and wine list along with a pleasant disposition. We equally had the opportunity to chat with Melody the co-owner who, along with her husband Chef Mark, described their culinary Odyssey before coming to Vermont years ago to establish Silver Fork. Silver Fork presents a genuine chef-prepared culinary experience both in terms of cuisine as well as ambiance and flawless service. We'll be back!

    I had been visiting Manchester Vermont on March 24, 2026. I was extremely fortunate to have made a…read morereservation for dinner at the Silver Fork. First I must comment on the beautiful job that the owners had performed in transforming this Library into to a paradise for eating. Tables are spaced far enough apart that you feel that you are having a private dining experience. The art work is beautiful and arranged tastefully. The wait staff are courteous and respectful. You can tell that this is an upscale restaurant as soon as as you are seated. The food is the best I have ever had. I have dined in many Michelin starred restaurants but the food at The Silver Fork is beyond reproach. I must say that the cocktails are on the same level as the food served. I can't wait to return to Manchester so that I may once again experience this perfect meal. Diane & Larry Katz (NJ)

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    Silver Fork
    Silver Fork
    Silver Fork

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    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(140 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 - Ahi Tuna

    Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom

    3.6(310 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$

    We had a great experience on a busy Christmas week night for a large family dinner. The service was…read moreexcellent. Jackson was so good and friendly. The food was delicious. The bar tender even made a special family drink for us. The private room was perfect. Will be planning our annual family dinner there next year!

    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.

    Photos
    Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom
    Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom - Steakhouse burger

    Steakhouse burger

    Raven's Den Steakhouse & Taproom

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    Johnny Seesaw's - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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