Burke Publick House — Restaurant in Burke

Hadn't visited this place in a while. I was in over a year ago, and I wasn't impressed. I went tonight for a business dinner, and the place has really turned around. We arrived early. Drew, the only server in the place was also handling the bar. He was attentive and right on top of things. He was also knowledgeable about the food and wine.

For starters, both my business partner and I had the Scottish Egg. Delicious, very well presented, and authentic pub fare. As well as featuring an assortment of tasty local pickled vegetables and a good chutney, the appetizer came with a wedge of the finest Cheddar I've had the pleasure of tasting -- and as some of you may know we Vermonters can be awfully picky in that line. I was told it was Wellesley Cheddar. I'll certainly look for it again.

For a main course, my partner chose the salmon filet, which he proclaimed to be delicious. Our food was nicely presented, and came quickly after we'd finished our starters. I had a healthy portion of "Bangers and Mash." I honestly couldn't eat it all, although the potatoes were as delicious as any I've had in recent memory, and the sausages came from Libbey's, a small local meat market that is known for their unwavering quality and exquisite craft sausage.

The menu features vegetarian entrees, gluten free offerings, as well as authentic pub fare. Dress code is ski/bike relaxed casual. East Burke happens to be one of the top ten mountain biking destinations in the US, so leave your tie at home. Entrees range from about twelve dollars on the low end to a filet mignon for around $30, and there is a strong local and fresh thrust to the menu.

Starters and salads begin at around five dollars. For two, with two glasses of very drinkable house wine, the bill was around $75. It's not the cheapest place to eat locally, but I'm glad I gave it another shot. It was a really pleasant dinner, with good service, and the place was mellow enough so we could get work done. Our server Drew runs a charter boat off Cape Cod summers -- I want to fish with this guy. If he knows fish like he knows front of house, we'll be nailing them....

The food was cold and soggy. Our waitress was accommodating and pleasant but her supervisor was completely rude and her attitude was over the top. We made prior reservations for our party of 12 for a birthday celebration (most of our party was over the age of 55) when we arrived we were seated outside with adjoining tables and ordered our drinks. The supervisor told the waitress immediately to come out and tell us we couldn't sit together and she separated us. Our reservations were clear and they were told our party of 12 were coming for a birthday celebration and there wasn't an issue. We were watched like a hawk to make sure we didn't do anything the supervisor didn't like. We gave them the benefit of the doubt and made reservations recently for a party of 4 and found ourselves screaming to communicate because the music was just way too loud. Upon asking if there was any way to tone down the music so we wouldn't have to scream we were met with attitude and stubbornness from the same "supervior" from our precious visit. Shortly after that we were asked to leave with her stating the reason as others waiting to be seated. There was ample seating all around us for other patrons to sit so her excuse was quite ridiculous. But we left and will never return to such a low grade service establishment. P.s......maybe do better with how employees treat customers who patronize your establishment. Noone wants or needs this treatment, especially when they are paying top dollar for services that are...

Even if there had been multiple dinner options in this small town, we’d have ended up at this gastropub every night.

I encountered a pleasant atmosphere at the bar with friendly bartenders, a wide selection of local beer, and better than average food. The first night I started with an appetizer of Scotch Eggs ($11) delicious and perfectly prepared. The egg came out with a dollop of currant chutney (Sadly the 2nd night, they had run out.) I had the Nashville Hot Chicken ($12) a nice mix of heat tempered by the cool cabbage slaw. My husband surprised me by ordering the Pub Meatloaf with a bourbon sauce ($17) and every bite that he allowed me was delicious.

The second night, since the Scotch Egg was not an option, I ordered the Potstickers ($11) and they were ok, nothing special, just another fried appetizer. My husband went for the Adult Grilled Cheese ($12) and I repeated the Nashville Hot Chicken, because it was that good! It was a Saturday night and perhaps the kitchen was a bit rushed because not as much care was taken with food presentation. Overall, it’s...