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    Stemwinder

    4.4 (94 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 8:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Stemwinder Photos

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    STEMWINDER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Stemwinder

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    SUNY New Paltz '93 in the house!
    Cathy N.

    We were in Ludlow for our girls' college reunion at the dawn of stick season and were lucky enough to catch Stemwinder right before closing for a month+. We had incredible farm-to-table food that I think we will remember for a long time. Not pictured is the old Favorite pizza we also ordered. Everything was fresh and delicious. The staff were lovely and accommodating. We'd decided to try the place after we showed up during their closed hours but were still let in to check out the menu for later and allowed to enter the wine shop from there - where we chatted with a wonderful employee and learned what 'stick season' is! On our way out after our delicious meal, there was our new friend having a meal and a glass of wine! Loved it, loved our experience, and loved our friends we made!

    War Dance Cocktail
    Darlene S.

    This is one of the best restaurants in Ludlow. It is so cozy and inviting and has a great friendly vibe. Everyone that works at Stemwinders is helpful and friendly. I started with a "War Dance" cocktail. I had to have it because War Dance is my favorite run at Okemo. It was a bourbon drink with orange lime and simple syrup with bitters and cinnamon. It was sweet, sour and delicious. This is a wine bar but the bartenders are amazing at concocting tasty drinks. BTY, the restaurant is connect to a wine and cheese shop that is amazing. We had a very fresh salad with pickled onions, feta, pepitoes and blood oranges. It was so light and crunchy. I had ravioli that were not like any I ever had before. It was an Italian and Mexican blend. Black bean Ravioli . Very good. We also had some of the best chicken wings. Very well seasoned and deliciously cooked. Not over done. Get a reservation and go!!!!

    Raz Scal raspberry drink with local VT vodka
    Brooke K.

    UPDATE: Again we have returned the culinary heaven that is Stemwinder and could not have been more thrilled! I felt I needed to update my review of two years ago, and while the raw-ness of the decor, the warm hospitality of the staff and the cordial crowd has not changed- the menu has only gotten more spectacular! Again we started with the summer beet, peach and feta local mixed green salad that only tantalized our tastebuds for the out of this world "pizza" which by no means resembled any other American pizza I've every had. This was like I was back in Lake Como, Italy with the freshest of ingredients and the lightest crust! We then delved into our outstanding entrees of the undone roasted pork shoulder "taco" on a homemade corn cake and the summer pasta with mafalda pasta, fresh corn, VT pesto and feta cheese with garlic- there are no words. Dinner was spectacular! Again, if you are in the area do not miss this place!

    Figgy Pig
    Agnes H.

    Everything is delicious and the services is fantastic. We had the pizza special and I wanted more. The place is super cute and I encourage you to get reservations.

    Specials
    Emma C.

    Had the most lovely time here on weekend trip up to the mountains. We made reservations ahead of time as not many places around town allow for them. Got several dishes and just shared everything- nothing disappointed! We got the dirty potatoes, the ravioli, the salad and two specials. One was fried polenta with mushroom sauce and the other was a pork belly over veggies and rutabaga purée.

    mixed greens with watermelon radish and feta
    Trisha H.

    This place is awesome! We loved it. Came here for dinner after a winter day on the mountain. The place has great ambiance, and the wait staff was super friendly. We sat on the second floor which feels very lodge/cabin-like. The food was delicious: we ordered the mixed green salad with watermelon radish, a thin crust pizza with spicy spinach, and the rolled pork and beef brasciole. Everything was so tasty, including the wine. They have a very nice selection of glasses of wine and options that pair well with their menu items. After dinner we went down to the bar and had a drink and the whole evening was wonderful.

    Seasonal Treat Thin Crust Pizza - tasty!
    H L.

    Stemwinder, a cosy establishment just off Ludlow's Main Street in Vermont, with an eclectic menu of small plates and a great wine list, is the perfect place to hang out after a day of skiing. With a co-owner operating The Wine & Cheese Depot next door, it is no surprise that their wine selection is well chosen. Start with a glass of Colossal Reserva, a Syrah blend from Portugal, a deep ripe red with fruity aromas and a remarkably smooth finish. Vermont restaurants have always been big on showcasing their local produce. Likewise Stemwinder who also makes a point of acknowledging their suppliers on its menu. The regular menu, whilst not extensive, is supplemented by a list of specials handwritten on a roll of paper pinned against the wall. Its offerings could work as individual portions or shared communal style. Our party ordered the following to share: "Bring On The Citrus" - a fresh and wholesome mixed green salad. Blood oranges, grapefruit, and a lime zest infused honey vinaigrette gave the salad a distinctive zing while the sliced red onions, pomengrate seeds and feta cheese added color and layers of texture. Cheese and Meat Board featured Vermont cheeses, charcuterie, bread, olives, pickles and house made jam. A choice selection in terms of quality and variety. Additionally, warm crusty seeded bread slices counterbalanced superbly with the savory piquancy of the salami and cheeses. Boiled Cider Sriracha Wings were delish -perfectly grilled, sticky and sweet, with just a hint of heat. Farmer's Choice Thin Crust Pizza - incredibly crispy thin crust played host to a flavorful spread of chorizo, chicken, mozzarella, BBQ sauce, caramelised garlic and onion plus an added touch of Plymouth Original. Absolutely scrumptious! Seasonal Treat Thin Crust Pizza with toppings of fig jam, feta, mozzarella, bacon and herbs was equally tasty. For dessert, we had the Flourless Chocolate Cake, Mashed Up Chocolate Bark and the Homemade Ice Cream. They were competent but did not leave lasting impressions. In the grand scheme of things, this was just a minor blip. Don't let it stop you from visiting this lovely restaurant.

    Beef brisket
    Fahim R.

    We had an early dinner here with our little kids. Our waitress was very friendly, and they were very welcoming of our kids. The bread was fantastic, as were the beef sliders. The beef brisket was good, but not as soft was I would expect.

    Ann E.

    My sister & I stopped in at Stemwinder for a beer and to explore a prospective place for dinner in the future. We walked through the wine shop which is directly in front of the restaurant. There is also a side entrance to the restaurant. Even though we were there more than 1/2 hour before they officially opened, we were encouraged to sit at the bar and have a drink. All of the employees were busy preparing for the evening dinner crowd. Marissa gladly helped us chose a draft, there were 6 to chose from. She gave us a bowl of popcorn to munch on. The restaurant is crisp & clean, nicely decorated in a rustic theme. The menu is interesting and we are looking forward to dining at Stemwinder. Thanks for the hospitality!

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    4 months ago

    Came here with the family after a long day of skiing. Amazing vibe, great food, and welcoming staff! Will definitely return!

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    2 years ago

    This outfit cashed our deposit to bartend a party. And never showed up or responded to our inquiries

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    2 years ago

    Delish and fun cozy vibe. Fun menu and great service. Recommend getting a reservation

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Stemwinder

    Putnam’s vine/yard - So many cozy corners

    Putnam’s vine/yard

    (19 reviews)

    You're in the very suburban town of Lebanon, New Hampshire. You've got everything that you need at…read moreyour fingertips but maybe you're looking to enjoy wine or sip a cocktail at a place with more of an urban edge. Drive 5 minutes over the state line to Putnam's in White River Junction, Vermont for that sommelier-staffed experience. Love the ambience and rigorous focus on elevated, quality ingredients, at Putnam's. They have a corkboard-covered 3-ring binder menu which is aptly named a Field Guide. Trust me, this name is earned by the Tasting Notes alone. The field guide is like a thesis for advanced Upper Valley sippers, Vermont or not. If you forgot your book or paper, just saddle up to the Putnam's Field Guide. You'll find an elaborate offering of editorial descriptions of beverages from wine to martinis (6 kinds) to beer and whiskey (one from Japan). Btw, it's rare to find a wine bar that doubles as a gorgeous coffeehouse serving pastries, espresso-based drinks, teas and breakfast sandwiches on weekends. I'm looking forward to enjoying them sometime if I'm back. The offering at Putnam's Vineyard rotates seasonally, so I will describe what was there on my visits. Visit their website for updated menu surprises. As for the evening and weekends Fall menu, they call their offering Picnic Food. It's a modest title for an extensive offering of appetizers and a few sandwiches. Think fancied-up olives, pretzels, Brazilian cheese puffs, a craft beer mix, 2 melty sammies with Vermont cheeses (1 with turkey, the other veggies), beet and chevre arancini, dips and a vast selection of desserts. Vermont cheeses, apricots, Marcona almonds, dried apricots and crostini are looking divine on the cheese board. Oh, and there's also Superbon Madrid potato chips with Osetra caviar and a mini spirit of Gaston Chiquet champagne. Just saying. There is also a weekend brunch menu with bagels and egg sandwiches. As for the wine, I recommend a flight at Putmam's. In the fall season, these flight offerings were named: the Bella Blanca Wine Flight, the Falling Leaves Mixed Wine Flight, Fireside Reds Red Wine Flight, The Forgotten Bunches Mixed Wine Flight and the almighty and an unforgettable Sparkler Flight. In this flight, I slowly savoured 3 wine sparklers at $25 total. (And no, I cannot spell savour without a "u.") These wine flights are a true value. And here are the wines in the sparkler flight: 1.) Cava 2021 by Avinyó 2.) Crémant de Bourgogne Sparkling Brut Rosé NV by Albert Bichot 3.) Lambrusco by Villa Castellazo ROTA The Cava is everything. All three were delightful and I showed up needing warm fuzzies on an evening where there was live music so the total experience was extra lovely. There is also a whiskey flight! The coffee and craft beverages selection for the fall/winter menu includes a nitro cold brew, a brown butter latte with Maldon sea salt and biscotti and a FROLA New Orleans style cold brew slushie with maple syrup and coconut cream. To any craft and coffee beverage you can add Vermont Ice Cream Coffee Liqueur or Whistle Pig Piggy Back Bourbon. Yes, please. If you are making a trip of it, catch the local bbq joint across the way from Putnam's at lunch and then visit the wine bar for drinks. Layer up, because I've been nippy there twice, and then linger over one delightful beverage after the next. Oh, and there is a charming wine shop at Putnam's with handmade gifts to peruse, as well.

    Simply the coolest hot spot in this little nook of Vermont. Arriving on a Sunday night, the outside…read moreof this fabulous old depot building looks like it's abandoned. But oh the speakeasy that lies within! Follow it around to the "secret" entrance and you are welcomed in with an impressive industrial chic meets garden / exotic jungle atmosphere. Little nooks of seating areas with their own unique feel. Cannot overstate the oozing charm of this large space that manages to create cozy corners. Friendly service, generous cheese board, a gift shop selection of sassy souvenirs. There is only goodness to be found here in the vine/yard. One of best hidden gems we have ever discovered.

    Mystico 802

    Mystico 802

    (189 reviews)

    My second visit to Mystico Cucina Italiana, and somehow it was just as impressive -- if not better…read more-- than the first. Consistency like this is rare, and it says everything about the standards they keep. I started with the Pomegranate Granita Oysters, and wow. Bright, refreshing, unbelievably fresh, and balanced perfectly. They were the kind of oysters you slow down for because you don't want the bite to end. I ordered the duck ragu again because I couldn't stop thinking about it from my last visit -- and once again, absolute perfection. Rich, comforting, layered with flavor, and yes... I cleaned the plate spotless. Not a drop left behind. From the hospitality to the execution of every dish, everything about this restaurant screams class, quality, and a superb dining experience. The team makes you feel welcome, the food exceeds expectations, and you leave already planning your next reservation. Manchester is lucky to have a place like this.

    We heard really good things about Mystic Restaurant in Manchester Center, VT. We were in town and…read morewanted to give it a try. I had the Rigatoni Alla Carbonara. My friend had the Bucatini Cacio E Pepe. He said his dish was fine. Mine, on the other hand, was pasta coated in this thick orange paste (no sauce), which was absolutely tasteless (no exaggeration). It's as if they didn't even taste it for seasonings. I asked for salt. They offered to remake it, but I opted to try to make it edible adding my own seasoning. With quite a bit of salt, it was "ok", but the consistency left a lot to be desired. I probably should have sent it back and ordered a salad. A restaurant is only as good as it's food. Two stars is the best I could give them. The atmosphere was nice, and the service was good. But the food...

    Brix Wine Bar - Craft Beer

    Brix Wine Bar

    (36 reviews)

    My husband and I love this place. Pete always has a great wine to recommend, and the food is…read moredelicious as well. We always run into local people we know and have an enjoyable time. It is a great date night outing.

    We (three adults) went to Brix on a whim after the Vermont State Fair. We did a quick Google search…read moreof restaurants in the area and the menu looked good. We left so glad that we picked it! The restaurant is small with a limited number of high tops inside, a bar, and a few tables outside. The decorations and vibes are adorable. We were impressed from start to finish. Peter, our waiter, was friendly and chatty (without being too chatty), which we really appreciated, and he definitely nailed small-town Vermont charm. One of us ordered the Salty Chihuahua drink. It was tasty and very well priced. One of us started with a small green salad which was loaded with olives and feta- yum!! There was not a single bite of food that wasn't delicious. It blew us away. We ordered three entrees: chicken sliders, grande salad, and a special: the summer squash skillet, which we added meatballs to. We will be talking about and figuring out what was in those meatballs for years to come. The dishes were on the smaller side, but the prices reflect the amazing quality of the food. We are three New Yorkers with lots of opinions and high standards when it comes to what we eat. Brix exceeded those standards. We have a ski condo on Stratton and don't often make the drive into Rutland, but any time we do, it's guaranteed we will be eating at Brix.

    The Downtown Grocery - Waygu beef, gnocchi, skate - soooooooooo delish

    The Downtown Grocery

    (200 reviews)

    $$$

    Just how bad exactly does a restaurant have to be to make someone reactivate a Yelp account that's…read morebeen dormant for 9 years, just to warn people? Well, apparently this is it. In my nearly 30 years now working in, with, and patronizing the food and beverage industry, I've never experienced such repugnant service as what Suzy and I had at The Downtown Grocery. I should point out that we weren't just the usual tourist who come to Ludlow to ski. We actually lived here for several years, and I couldn't post this review until we moved away because of the owner's repeated behavior of attacking people on social media who disagree with or criticize him. The food here is "fine", it's not actually bad or anything. But it is tiny in portions (a rarity for Vermont), and it's overly "chef-y" without actually executing well. It's one of those places where the chef probably thinks that he would get a Michelin star if only they would come to see him, but I can tell you having eaten at over 100 cumulative Michelin stars in my life this is nowhere close. It fails in flavor, presentation, and execution. But again, not terrible. The setting is actually kind of nice too, somewhat homey which is juxtaposed and ruined by the arrogance of the staff. If you don't mind being guaranteed to wait well beyond your actual reservation time, and then waiting probably another hour just to get some meager first courses, then maybe this is the place for you? I doubt it though, there are so many options just in Ludlow alone, and even more that are worth the 45 minute drive to Woodstock or Manchester to avoid having to eat here if you want a "nice" meal. Whatever you do absolutely avoid coming any time near "stick season" or "mud season" (Vermonters will know) because you're guaranteed to get even worse service then. Ludlow has a ton of restaurants for such a small town, many of them quite good. This is the ONLY place we actively recommended friends and guests of ours to avoid. Even the crappy fake taco place down the street got occasional business over this place due entirely to the repeated piss poor attitude of the two owners.

    Had no clue this gem was here! Popped in on a Wednesday night for a drink and sat at the bar…read morechatting to the wonderful bartender. I had their specialty Ruby Bulleit cocktail with bourbon, ginger liqueur, and blood orange juice - the blood oranges were so juicy and fresh! My partner enjoyed the Smokey Elder, which had mezcal, ginger beer, and some other fun ingredients. After scanning the ever changing menu on their chalkboard - we were inspired to order the maple creme brûlée with fresh black berries. It was delightful. Can't wait to come here for dinner sometime soon. Make sure you make a reservation!

    Stemwinder - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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