Preston's turned out to be exactly what I expected. Solid for a hotel restaurant but won't necessarily end up on your short list of top restaurants in Killington. The food ranges from average to good, the cocktails are just so-so (they've got a decent draft selection if you're a beer person) and the ambiance is that of a sports bar/casual American joint. It's kind of the ideal hotel restaurant, though, because while nothing is outstanding, it's got a good variety of items, lot of good options and definitely something for everyone. Hotel restaurants that need to satisfy adults and kids alike are typically somewhat safe in their offerings, which will often leave some to be desired. A large menu is key, which can often mean that quality is lost in favor of quantity. That all said, I do appreciate that Preston's is a well-oiled machine with great staff and a comfy vibe. I think 3.5 stars would be more appropriate, but given my options, 3 is a hair more fitting.
Came here on a Sunday night first to watch the tail end of the 4:25 football fare. The Eagles won, smiles were had by me and me alone because Vermont is indeed Pats country. Sad. Anyway, I had my fun. We first sat at the bar, which is run quite efficiently -- great bartenders, speedy process. Ski towns love their booze, and Killington is no exception. Drinks are poured high and the spirits are poured with a heavy hand. There weren't any tables available when we arrived, so we sat at the bar and had a pair of Bees Knees while we waited. These were a bit too sweet for my liking and there were no lavender bitters present (traditionally the Bees Knees is finished with a couple dashes of these) but it would be foolish to expect speakeasy-grade cocktails here, so I was content overall.
As I mentioned, the draft and wine selections here are probably a better bet if you're looking for good quality. I switched to the oft-featured Citizen Cider (every Vermont establishment seems to tout the local craft) and the bf switched to beer. I don't typically drink beer, but I took little sips of what he ordered and enjoyed both. Given the protein-heavy food menu here, I think beer/cider and red wine might be the way to go.
Food-wise, we wanted to sample a bit of the menu but found that the entrees appealed to us more than the tapas. As I mentioned, the menu is broad. Lots of good shareables, many protein options with an additional list of various steak cuts. Portions are substantial here (skiers come back from the mountain hungry and are always looking for a reward gorge) so you don't need to order too much to be satisfied. This was a splurge night for us so we ordered a lot, but we had quite a few leftovers. Eats, below:
Butter Poached Lobster Tail: B
This was served in a very sad way. One small, misshapen white lump of meat on one small, white plate. It was perfectly fine, but I can see why it's detailed as an add-on as opposed to a standalone. We were expecting an actual tail, so a bit disappointing.
Filet Mignon w/ Mashed Potatoes: B/B+
I wasn't that high on the filet but the mashed potatoes were incredible. I don't know what sort of dairy madness goes into these to make them this good but it's gotta be something fatty and rich. The flavor, the texture, all of it. I've honestly never liked mashed potatoes (yes, I know, please withhold your groans, I've heard them my whole life due to this issue) so it's saying something how into them I was. The meat was fine, but not worth a filet splurge.
Crispy Duck Breast w/ Parsnip puree, farro red flannel hash, baby kale, blood orange reduction, natural jus: B+
Again, the sides wowed me way more than the protein. The duck was just okay -- not as crispy as I would have liked and a bit under-seasoned, but still serviceable. The farro hash was incredible -- earthy, super flavorful and rich, the perfect, warmning winter accompaniment.
Sauteed asparagus: B
Nothing special. A few limp asparagus (asparagi?) on a plate. We wanted some extra veggies but I'd recommend trying something different from the list of sides.
Vermont Artisan Cheese Board w/ Red Barn Lavash, Preston's Pure Honey, salted Spanish almonds: A
Everything was working with this plate. All of the cheeses were super tasty, the honey was rich and sweet and special in all the right ways and hard to mess with Spanish almonds. This is how a cheese plate should be done, especially in Vermont.