Stone Hearth Inn & Eatery — Restaurant in Chester

I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt and put 5 stars on the rooms because there's got to be something keeping this place in business and the restaurant probably isn't it! Stone Hearth Inn & Eatery should separate their Google listings into two businesses so folks can review either the restaurant OR the hotel, but I digress.

My family took me here, per my request, for my birthday dinner. We are somewhat local - only about a 20 minute drive away - I don't mind driving somewhere for good food! I had seen their Facebook posts and menus for some time and it always looked intriguing! I made the reservation, which was tricky via email. I didn't get a response the first time, so had to email again. Making a reservation online is not an option. I was given two times to choose from and neither worked for one of my family members, so he was left out, unfortunately.

Plenty of parking, but it isn't clear which door to enter, so we took the one with the best path/less snow. Apparently that is not the correct door! FYI - don't use the door to the left in the parking lot! Upon entering, we noticed right away that it was very cold in there. All the patrons had their coats on. After about 20 minutes of shivering, sniffling, dealing with icy noses and fingers at our table, we asked them to turn the heat on. They did, somewhat reluctantly, and our fingers were thawed by the time our meals came. The bathrooms were like igloos the whole time - no heat in there! Being in Vermont in December, you would hope any establishment would be toasty, warm and welcoming for their guests... so, this was a disappointment.

We had to order at the counter and then they bring the food. The staff were a little off-putting. They seemed stressed or just grumpy. Not a lot of smiles being shared. There are some specials on the chalkboard near the counter that you can't see from the seating area and no one told us, so we missed out on those. There is a small bar that you have to go up to for a drink. No one is really serving you at Stoneheart Eatery.

The menu is usually posted on their Facebook page weekly, but it hadn't been posted, so we figured we'd find something we like when we arrived. Despite having an early reservation of 5:15, many of the items on the menu were sold out. Several of us had to change our orders. One person in our party decided not to eat because everything she wanted wasn't available. I would suggest calling first to find out what is/isn't available before going to this restaurant because this was a big downer for our evening out.

The food that we did settle on ordering was good. No complaints there - and they even threw in a free brownie for the birthday girl. That was a nice gesture and I appreciated it very much!

I hope that in the future the Stone Hearth Inn & Eatery can improve communications for reservations and menu items, and work on creating a more welcoming and comfortable environment. I'll consider trying again perhaps in the...

I visit Vermont almost every year to visit with a friend from my college days. This year, I brought another friend along and we added an extra night so we could experience the 'new' 200+ year old Stone Hearth Inn - and what an incredible experience we enjoyed. The new owners took over the reigns in 2021, a feat most of us would have shied away from as the hospitality business was still weak from the havoc of 2020. In the nearly 2 years since, they have been bringing the Inn back to life from top to bottom - exposing original hard wood floors covered for decades while updating all the rooms with new furnishings, beds and the modern amenities travelers demand today, like Keurig coffee makers. The family of 3 bring together two culinary experts and the business expertise to create a warm and inviting experience while at the same time preserving and aging structure long overdue for updates and love. You'll arrive as a stranger and leave feeling like family! ||||From the moment we pulled in the drive, the sprawling historic home with beautiful lawns and an inviting porch greet you. You have arrived in another time - and that continues the moment you walk in the front door. Be it the wide plank original hard wood floors or 'stone hearth' fireplace, or a warm greeting from Innkeeper Vicky, you're in for a wonderful stay. Our rooms were on the second floor overlooking the peaceful acres of green space behind the Inn - a true Vermont view, even green on a rainy day. Rooms were spotless with everything in working order - including WIFI, which is free. The sitting room and guest dining room provide for space to unwind, relax and enjoy conversation, no cell phones required! ||||During our stay, the public dining spaces were not open yet as they are under complete renovation. However, guests can still enjoy the amazing food created by talented chefs Georgia & Connor, as we did. The menu changes based on the freshest locally sourced foods available with each season. I cannot wait to return once the full dining operation is open. That said, for guests, we get to experience an amazing breakfast in the dining area of the Inn (for guests only). Like most small Inns (there are 8 rooms here), breakfast options include 2 or 3 choices and the menu was posted in the dining room. You're sure to enjoy the peaceful view overlooking the outdoor green space. ||||Older Inns, like older hotels, are a continuous work in progress. In chatting with Vicky and her family, they have such incredible plans. The rooms and guest common areas are already done as they embark on the restaurant section now. Overall, you're going to have incredible hospitality in a historic home & Inn with chef crafted food - what more could you ask for in Vermont? I would not hesitate to recommend and I can't wait to return when the restaurant operations are...

My mom and I stayed here a night in September and loved it! We ate at the eatery for lunch and dinner and had great meals both times. The portions were generous, the prices were very reasonable, and the food was delicious. I'd describe the menu as classic American fare with seasonal and international twist (specials included some Indian dishes at the time). I had the small portion of both salads for lunch and dinner, respectively, with grilled chicken. My mom had the lobster mac. For dinner we shared the house-made pretzels - they did not disappoint!! ||Keep in mind that if you do go to the restaurant that it's semi-counter service - you order at the counter, then they bring you your meal to your table and clear it for you. There's outdoor dining, as well. I'm not sure about alcohol because we didn't look to purchase/order any. ||The restaurant also has a small bakery with house made cakes, breads, and other pastries that they make daily. ||Breakfast was also delicious, large portions (compared to most B&Bs) and quick. They do a traditional eggs/bacon/sausage and toast option OR their special of the day (which was a Belgian waffle). They also have a cold cereal bar available, along with coffee and juice. ||As for the Inn itself, the general common areas are well appointed and very up-to-date considering the age of the house/property. I can't remember how old they said the building was but it certainly looked to be at least 1800's. Our room was comfortable and clean. I'd say my only complaint is that the rooms themselves need a tad more TLC from a renovation standpoint, but I'm assuming at some point the new owners will work their way around, since it can be no easy feat to renovate an entire Inn in a short amount of time. But there's really no need to spend much time in your room anyhow, because the property is gorgeous and they have nice seating on the front porch and in the rear by the gardens. ||This is the kind of place I could see renting out for a private event (baby shower, celebration of life, bridal shower).||The location was also great - it's a stone's throw (1.3 miles or so) from the center of Chester, VT, which is an adorable town with tons of cute little gift shops, cafes, and a couple restaurants (if you don't eat at the Inn, of course!). It's also fairly accessible from 91, for those traveling from CT/MA/NH. ||Staff/owner(s) were also friendly and available. Accommodated us for an early check-in due to availability. ||Anyway, we...