A palette-pleasing panoply of plated perfection, Michael's On The Hill puts "epic" in epicurean…read more The Farm to Table restaurant offers fresh local delights, served with carefully concocted condiments that complement--but never overwhelm--the thoughtfully selected appetizers and entrees. The delectable dishes more than make up for the limited number of offerings; there's something for everyone at Michael's On The HIll.
My partner and I visited Michael's On The Hill on a Saturday evening in mid-March; we reserved a table for two after we finished skiing at nearby Stowe. If you want a table during the high season, reserve it early--space is limited.
Andrew greeted us at the door and after escorting us to our table, handed us off to Heather, our server. Heather is a Professional Server and it shows: Throughout our two+ hour meal, she was available but never intrusive and conversational but never too familiar: She's worked at Michael's for more than two decades and knows the menu perhaps better than the Chef--her recommendations were excellent: Rather than pushing the highest-price menu items, she suggested dishes based on her knowledge, experience, and guest preferences.
We started with the local Artisinal cheese plate--three generous cheese selections accompanied by apricot chutney, sweet red grapes, pickled vegetables, candied walnuts, and toast points. The balance of sweet and sour was superlative; the appetizer presented tastefully on a cured wood bark platter--two or three people can pick their favorites and mix and match flavors. The tasteful teaser was a trailer for the main attraction.
For entrees, I had the Maple Glazed Duck Breast with Cider Duck Glace accompanied by sweet potato hash, Orange and Arugula salad, and roasted baby carrots; my partner had the special: Beef Bourguignon on top of a cheese polenta with sauteed spinach and a delightful Mirepoix ("meer-PWAH").
Beef Bourguignon is a classic French stew of tender beef braised in red wine--hearty, flavorful, and filling, this French dish is perfect after a long day of skiing. Executive Chef Hess' flourishes transformed the traditional dish into a magically delicious medley of complementary flavors.
The duck was cooked to perfection: Soft, warm, and tender on the inside with a hint of smokiness--balanced nicely by the maple glaze and the cider glace. The sweet potato hash was actually small, sweet potato "cubes" mostly hidden below the citrusy salad. When I finally forked the sweet potato cubes, they'd soaked up the cider duck glace, detonating a cluster bomb of flavors in my mouth.
We paired the smokey duck and stewy Beef with a succulent bottle of Andrew Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, whose rich cherry-cassis notes and silky tannins enhanced the sauces and spices of our entrees.
Micheal's wine list reads like a Great Novel--long, engaging, occasionally intimidating. Here's where Heather re-enters our Micheal's meal story: In addition to letting us taste an alternative or two from already-open bottles, her familiarity with the menu made our decision much easier.
Finally, because I just can't say no to Tiramisu, we were presented with a generous slice of sponge cake soaked in espresso (beans cured down the street), layered with whipped Moscarpone cheese, topped with cocoa powder. We cherished a couple bites and asked to take the remainder home (by the way, Tiramisu is part of a healthy breakfast).
Yes, Michael's On The Hill is pricey--with a 23% percent tip, our meal was about $275--but every bite was worth it. Find out for yourself.
