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    The Old Courthouse

    4.5 (66 reviews)
    ModerateAmerican, Wine Bars
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

    The Old Courthouse Photos

    Business Info

    THE OLD COURTHOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - The Old Courthouse

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    Reviews With Photos

    Baked Baby Brie In Puff Pastry
    Elizabeth L.

    We went to the Old Courthouse for Thanksgiving dinner and we will definitely be back! It's a small cozy restaurant and from the moment we walked in we were surrounded by amazing smells. The appetizers were individual but absolutely outstanding. Specifically the baked brie with apricot and almonds. Both my husband and I had the traditional Caesar salad and both agree it was the best Caesar dressing we've ever had. Honestly everything was delicious from start to finish. If I'm being completely honest the only negatives we had about our meal was we wished the bread was warm and my husband thought the brown sugar honey sauce was a bit too sweet. The only true negative was the service. We spent more time waiting for our waitress than we did eating. She was trying a bit too hard and if she had taken a breath and relaxed I think she would have done better. Unfortunately poor service can ruin a fantastic meal and is something we always take into consideration when deciding whether or not to return. Overall all we enjoyed the meal and ambience and we will be back (specially for the Caesar dressing)!

    Best pancakes
    Rose M.

    Came here for brunch on Sunday. You can make reservations through their website. Quaint building off of Main Street. Looks like they have lower parking that has stairs to climb. Handicapable people should park up top. Brunch was $20 including food and coffee. They advertised that it included juice but I was charged $3.00 for each juice drink I ordered. Food was good and stars are mostly for disfragmented service and approach to serving food. They have an omelette station made to order. You can also get made to order pancakes, waffles or French toast. Once you order what you would like., they bring it to your table. Meanwhile. You can serve yourself other offerings including pastries, fruit, oatmeal, lox w fixings, potatoes etc. The workers were working hard but our plates piled up with no one removing them from the table. Seating was tight and the set up for the buffet was not thought out well. It was difficult navigating around tables. The juice was watered down with ice. The chef sometimes had to stop what he was doing to pass out the plates to tables and upkeep the rest of the buffet. They look like they serve alcoholic drinks but this was not mentioned on our arrival. The had a fantastic piano player there. He was great!! Food was fresh and tasty. This place has lots of potential for the Sunday buffet but I don't think that I would return. Definitely, worth a try if you haven't been.

    Rack of lamb
    Spyda S.

    I've been on the search for a good upscale restaurant in this area for a while now and the first time I wanted to try this place they were having a private event so plans were changed around. Today, I was looking around for a place to grab some dinner and realized this was an option in the area so I decided to give it a shot. At first, it seemed very well put together, the restaurant is quite beautiful inside and out and if you can ignore the condescending looks from the elderly dining inside its absolutely worth every second because the food is top notch. I'm a bit of a food connoisseur and travel around New England trying different foods, leaving reviews where I find exceptional restaurants and this is certainly one of them. To be frank, the food here surprised me. I was not expecting anything in Newport to be in my NH top 5 but this certainly earned its spot. I had a shrimp appetizer and a rack of lamb and both of them blew me away the flavors were incredible; cooked just right and the portions sized perfectly. My two kids also loved their dishes, a NY strip steak and Lobster Ravioli, they told me I should leave a 5 star review and I agreed! Our waitress was phenomenal and we had excellent service the whole time from when we first arrived and it was packed full of diners to when things calmed down and we were the second to last table still dining. We're already planning our next dinner here and you should too!

    Best homemade pancakes per my hubby
    Roseanne M.

    Came here for brunch on Sunday. You can make reservations through their website. Quaint building off of Main Street. Looks like they have lower parking that has stairs to climb. Handicapable people should park up top. Brunch was $20 including food and coffee. They advertised that it included juice but I was charged $3.00 for each juice drink I ordered. Food was good and stars are mostly for disfragmented service and approach to serving food. They have an omelette station made to order. You can also get made to order pancakes, waffles or French toast. Once you order what you would like., they bring it to your table. Meanwhile. You can serve yourself other offerings including pastries, fruit, oatmeal, lox w fixings, potatoes etc. The workers were working hard but our plates piled up with no one removing them from the table. Seating was tight and the set up for the buffet was not thought out well. It was difficult navigating around tables. The juice was watered down with ice. The chef sometimes had to stop what he was doing to pass out the plates to tables and upkeep the rest of the buffet. They look like they serve alcoholic drinks but this was not mentioned on our arrival. The had a fantastic piano player there. He was great!! Food was fresh and tasty. This place has lots of potential for the Sunday buffet but I don't think that I would return. Definitely, worth a try if you haven't been.

    Outside view at night
    Sandy J.

    Everything was great! The ambiance was nice and our food was really good. The only issue was the service. Maybe our waitress was new but she seemed flustered and we heard her telling tables about other things she didn't tell us. But overall everything was great food wise which is most important to me. The scallops I'd say were the best of all the dishes. The chicken was good too. They rotate the menu every month so it's like having a menu of specials all the time which is pretty cool and probably very cost effective for them.

    Front entrance
    Jay B.

    If you happen by this place, be sure to drive real slow. Otherwise, you'll end up passing the building, twice. Like I did. Know why they call this place The Old Courthouse? Because it literally looks like....an old courthouse. At least, on the outside. As for the inside, the decor appears to be quite formal at first. Though I can assure you if you dress casual, they won't kick you out. We came in for the Sunday brunch buffet. Though it's a rather modest selection, what they produce is pretty stellar quality. Everything is made fresh, including and especially the omelets. It's also nice there was live music. The service was on point, too! The staff were not only wicked friendly; they also didn't rush us out or anything, despite us still being there past closing time. Fair warning though: the interior is quite small. So, you may not wanna bring in a football team's worth of people. It's the epitome of a classic hole-in-the-wall place that really lives up to the reputation of such. But again, it's easy to miss since the street it's on apparently isn't labeled. Parking is on the opposite side of the front entrance. Weird. Helps they have a full bar, too. I drank more mimosas than you could shake an orange tree at. And this Old Courthouse gets 5 ambiguously hidden courthouses on unlabeled roads out of 5.

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    Karen D.

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    1 year ago

    Really great spot super friendly service, cozy atmosphere. Loved the staff and the location

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    2 years ago

    Had brunch and it was very good. It's a nice place to take your significant other. Nice atmosphere.

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

    The Old Courthouse has really good food and a fun location! It's a great place to go for a special evening out.

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    8 years ago

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    2 years ago

    A gracious Sunday brunch at a reasonable price. Parking available, a treat. I would take a guest there.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Nice brunch on Sundays with live piano music. Set on an old courthouse that is very nicely appointed

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    3 years ago

    Great menu that changes monthly. Delicious all you can eat breakfast buffet on Sundays.

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    Ask the Community - The Old Courthouse

    Putnam’s vine/yard - So many cozy corners

    Putnam’s vine/yard

    4.8(19 reviews)
    20.7 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Putnam’s vine/yard - Creative space in which to imbibe and perform

    Creative space in which to imbibe and perform

    Putnam’s vine/yard - Kudos to the design team in mixing materials to create this truly eclectic vine vibe.

    Kudos to the design team in mixing materials to create this truly eclectic vine vibe.

    Putnam’s vine/yard - Bloody gorgeous speakeasy

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    Bloody gorgeous speakeasy

    Brix Wine Bar - Craft Beer

    Brix Wine Bar

    4.8(36 reviews)
    43.8 mi

    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.

    Photos
    Brix Wine Bar - Craft Cocktails

    Craft Cocktails

    Brix Wine Bar - The bar and seating area at Brix

    The bar and seating area at Brix

    Brix Wine Bar - Flatbread

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    Flatbread

    Vino E Vivo - Olives

    Vino E Vivo

    4.9(60 reviews)
    67.1 mi

    What a lovely restaurant. Just for a tip if you find the apothecary it's down the stairs right…read moreafter it. We did have a little bit of trouble finding it but that was kind of fun. Reservations recommended we were seated at a beautiful table for two right near the bar and started off with a Pinot noir and a cabernet. Both wines were delightful. For appetizers we had the braised lamb crepe and the octopus... Both dishes were delicious, presented well with sauces to die for. Followed by the pasta dish and the duck. These were the best dinners of the year for us. The blending of flavors were fantastic and it was augmented by the owner coming over and talking to us about how the food was prepared. I won't bore you with all the details but the octopus is slow boiled for 5 hours.. complete with wine. Corks it was tender and delicious with the Mediterranean flair. We go out to eat our fair share from high end to diners anywhere. The food is well prepared and delicious... This was the top for the year! From the service to the presentation to the wine to the ambiance, everything is top notch here. I will provide a warning. You will drop a pretty penny if you partake in all the courses, but we thought it was well worth it. Thank you to the staff and ownership. We enjoyed our evening.. a true date night.

    So, we finally got to try the chef's table, or "Chef's Whim" as it's officially titled. Eight…read morecourses. In addition to the food, we added the suggested alcohol pairings. I say alcohol because it wasn't all wine but ... since it's a bit of a surprise in terms of what actually appears I'll just leave it at that. However, as to the food ... I'll give a taste, a flavor, a wisp of a whisper of the full culinary adventure. For complete details, see your local sous chef! Here's what we had. In the middle of my photo collage, a blood sausage slider with fennel/jalapeño sauce on toasted brioche bun. Then clockwise from top left - cornbread with maple glaze in a Barbie sized personal cast iron skillet; beet salad with goat cheese half spheres; a dessert tray of black apple cake with hay ice cream (yes, seriously), chamomile pot de creme and a duck fat beignet; an assortment of ice creams - fenugreek, fennel/maitake mushroom/burnt hazelnut (all tasted fabulous and in each you could taste the listed flavors); entree of duck and wild mushroom tart; white bean soup and finally a pasta dish of ravioli with two fillings. Just a note on what it would take to make it yourself. See that hexagonal white blob on the bottom row, middle pic? That's a potato foam. Forgive me for not recalling the full procedure but the prep is roughly 7 hours long. First, the cut potatoes are cooked in a sous vide for 2 hours so that no moisture is added to them. Then a succession of ricing, smoking, drying, undrying, mashing, placing in a foam machine that looked like a whipped cream dispenser and boom - a tiny dollop of potato. It tasted great. But man - that's a lot of effort for a mouthful of potato. I don't think I'll be trying it at home. Over two hours of eating and chatting. I brought a couple of my restaurant-based cartoons as my personal thanks for the meal and was shocked that Justin, their sommelier, had done a cartoon of his own ahead of time for me! Just stick to wine, Justin - I don't need any MORE competition with my magazine editors ... With Dylan ably providing the primary chef duties and Amaya and Justin handling the booze, the meal was a smashing success. The food pairings were masterfully chosen and timing of the dishes meant we were always primed for the next one. Although the succession of what I'd call dessert dishes made me start to feel like a Hobbit enjoying dessert, second dessert and then post seconds. As Anton Ego said in Ratatouille (and they have a cute Reme rat under glass on a shelf) "I shall be returning, hungry for more."

    Photos
    Vino E Vivo - Reservations for 2

    Reservations for 2

    Vino E Vivo - Melon dish

    Melon dish

    Vino E Vivo

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    The Old Courthouse - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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