As the only bar in town, you would think it would be populated only by college students...you'd be wrong. Taps is a place that caters to families and the college crowd alike. The result is a convivial hometown restaurant that is welcoming to friend and stranger alike.
There is, of course, the typical pub fare. But each of the pub classics has their own twists of local flavor that is not replicated.
I'm a wing aficionado. Though I always want to try new sauces, I'm always called back to the traditional buffalo sauce at Taps, which, as best as I can divine, is a mixture of Frank's hot sauce, cardamom, cinnamon and of course salt and pepper. It is unlike any buffalo sauce I've had in all my travels, and it is by far the best.
Still, each wing night brings a new concoction that is inspired. My favorite, as of late, was a wasabi-soy that walked an artistic balance of not burning your face off, but make you sweat while still maintaining the integrity of the wing's taste itself. Their cola sauce was also brilliant. For those of the faint of heart, their Parmesan garlic sauce even appeals to this chaser of heat. And the sweeter bbq sauces never fail to deliver. Again, I'm not one who likes these sauces. But my wife does, and I try them and think, man I'd actually order this sauce too.
Bottom line, I can think of only one place, a small tavern in Hackettstown, NJ that even comes close to the wings Taps delivers. Thursday wing-night...put it on your list.
When I do depart from the wings, the rest of the menu has bastions of stability co-mingled with unique and timely additions. The burgers are always top-notch and local. The veggie burger is from a local company and out of this world; it tastes like a burger and not sawdust as so many other establishments seem to place the bar.
I'm also someone who has a number of food allergies and the menu has plenty of gluten free options. In my early stops to Taps years ago, even after a few visits, they knew what I could and could not have and took care to make sure I didn't eat something that would lay me out.
Unique features of the menu abound and they are often made from locally sourced food. Perhaps it's recency bias, but on Valentine's Day, my wife, child, and I had dinner at Taps. I had salmon, braised red cabbage, and beet risotto. Unbelievable. My wife had the meatloaf and turnip puree with roasted brussel sprouts. Again, spot on. The food is elevated but it never loses a welcome, heavy dose of comfort.
My daughter loves the place too. All the staff knows her, and they treat her like a little adult; they never, ever talk down to her. Her orders are taken as seriously as any adults and delivered with equal panache.
Finally, get the cheesecake. The owner makes it herself. She can do gluten free crusts too. Whenever I have an event at work, I bring a Taps cheesecake, and it is the hit of the gathering. The flavors are always different from run-of-the-mill factory gelatin slop. But standard, simple flavors are available too. Most recently I brought a lemon and lavender cheesecake to work that was gone in five minutes.
I've traveled a lot; ate at plenty of wonderful places, Michelin star restaurants, etc. However, there is nothing better than Taps, which is right down the street from where I live. Poultney is not a place that will draw people en mass to visit, but Taps is a must place stop to eat. The menu is as vibrant as the service and atmosphere. When I go to Taps, I know I'm home. read more