Tipsy Trout — Restaurant in Stowe

We dined at Tipsy Trout for a special night out during a vacation week in Stowe. We had chosen the restaurant based on its stellar reputation: it was included in several “best of Stowe” media stories that I read when researching special-occasion restaurants. I read about the acclaimed chef and his seafood focused menu and also checked out a sample menu online before reserving ac table. I felt lucky to get a reservation. Our dining experience was disappointing, which was probably due to the fact that we were there on a weekend night during a busy school vacation week in February. We now realize that Stowe restaurants generally struggle during these peak periods, with resulting service and quality problems. This one certainly did not live up to its critical reputation.

For the price, Tipsy Trout should have been excellent. Instead, we ran into disorganization, delays with food and wine, and mixed food quality. Here’s a summary of what happened: Upon arrival, there were two women at the hostess station. Each told us that the other would show us to our table. We stood around waiting for a couple of confused minutes. Walking to our table, we passed a huge tv showing wrestling. We hoped we wouldn’t be seated near the tv and wondered why a high end restaurant (a) had a huge tv in the dining area, and (b) hoped we wouldn’t be seated near it. We were seated far enough away that only one person has to see the screen. The wrestling action was distracting enough that we finally asked the hostess if we could change the channel. She was happy to oblige.

We ordered: -Half dozen oysters ($22) were fresh, sweet, salty and delicious, but hadn’t been fully separated from the shell. glass of Chardonnay, ordered to complement oysters, did not come with the starters.. Had to ask waitress to expedite before main course. She said the bar was backed up. I did get the glass of wine before my main arrived. hamachi buns- (around $20 for 2) pretty good, but ordered as a starter. Instead it was brought with main course hangar steak, ($42) ordered medium, arrived well-done and the side of lobster gratin did not taste like lobster -side of fries, delightfully thin, but arrived luke-warm -skate with spaetzle ($38), skate was breaded and fried, which I hadn’t realized from the menu description. Skate is a delicate fish, but this preparation rendered it heavy. It was unfortunately somewhat overcooked as well. lobster roll with melted butter ($38), arrived hot and was delicious, though it was not the most generously portioned ever. volcano roll- (around $25) . This was a complicated sounding maki roll, based on fresh crab and scallop. When we first ordered, the waitress warned us that the sushi chef was really backed up. After we heard the dinners at the neighboring table discussing with the waitress a delay for sushi of over an hour, we cancelled our order for the volcano roll and ordered the lobster roll instead. To our surprise, the roll arrived nonetheless - just when we were about to order dessert. The waitress apologized for the confusion about getting the cancelled dish, and put it on the house. We were lucky that the kitchen was so disorganized as to lose our cancellation, because this roll was delicious and one of the highlights of the meal.

Conclusion: come ready to spend money and avoid peak holiday periods. Order sushi, oysters and lobster roll with confidence and hope for the best with other...

Hm. Where to begin.

We go there every year as guests. And this year we noticed they changed and updated the bar name and style to “tipsy trout” a more dim lit modern looking space to eat/drink at the bar.

When we got there we were greeted by this blonde bartender who was … oh wait did I say greeted? No she didn’t greet us at all. Left us sitting there while she continued her conversation with the couple next to us and completely ignored us trying to get her attention so we can have a cocktail then food.

I had to wave my hands around after 8 minutes just sitting there while a new employee who was training decided to come over. Mind you this blonde bartender girl—- looked over at us several times and just ignored us - she was right on the right side of us carrying on this conversation. .

Finally I had to ask for a menu - I asked if they had Pinot Grigio - and the new trainee said I’m not sure let me check. Leans over to the blonde bartender aka madam friendly interjects and says “no” And continues her conversation with the next guest over.

I then asked - do you have anything else you can recommend then? The nasty blonde bartender then sighs and responds…. Look … I can give you a taste if you would just pick one then.

I was floored. Then I must have made a FACE, like I was shocked. Another male Bartender which I’ve seen in the past, realizes the experience I was having and comes over to our area, and offers me a solution and a recommendation over the blonde lady who was just rude and nasty to me. I started speaking with him instead. Then it came time for food, the entire time I was there they were six people at the bar, it was right after snowboarding and there wasn’t much traffic yet. Continued her conversation with a couple next to us and ignored our requests for a menu so we can eat. I was so shocked at the service and how this place treats guests now. Even when making a selection of what I wanted to eat it seemed like she was exasperated at me even talking to her. Now mind you we’re paying customers, good customers, and polite ones that would tip VERY well. I would never go back there again. And I’ve been meaning to set up this review because even while watching her interact with other people at the bar, everybody needed service, people were asking for extra napkins, and additional drinks, and on her side of the bar all she cared about was discussing personal conversations with another couple. Didn’t care to tend to people sitting at the bar nor helping them. It was an awful experience and I think you should be aware , after that we went to a completely different bar in different restaurants every day. Where we did receive better service, great food, and a much better experience.

This is who you have training your new staff? I really feel bad for the future of this establishment if this is what you trust running things. Awful.

Too many great places in Stowe to waste your time going to tipsy trout. Save your money and time. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE led by an even more terrible bartender and “trainer”.

GO SOMEWHERE...

We kicked off our visit to Spruce Peak with dinner at Alpine Hall, and it set the tone for a phenomenal stay. The space is open, upscale, and welcoming — the kind of place that effortlessly balances refined dining with a relaxed mountain vibe.

We started with the Steak Tartare and Duck Poutine — both beautifully plated and thoughtfully executed. Tartare is something we order often, and this version brought a creative twist we genuinely appreciated. But the Duck Poutine? That was the star of the show — deeply savory, rich, and incredibly comforting.

Emily opened with a Naked & Famous — a perfect choice to set the tone. Smoky, citrusy, and balanced, it was the kind of cocktail that quietly demands attention. After that, she pivoted to a crisp Sancerre, chosen from a truly impressive wine list. I kicked things off with Edward, a brilliant Pale Ale from Hill Farmstead, and then followed it up with a Focal Banger from The Alchemist — a bold, hoppy counterpoint that hit all the right notes.

Lauren, our bartender, immediately picked up on our curiosity and love for flavor. She guided us effortlessly — no pretension, just pure hospitality. We felt like we’d known her for years. When we met Katie, we dove even deeper into the wine and cocktail program. Her knowledge was generous, her enthusiasm contagious. We left Alpine already planning our return.

That plan changed slightly when we learned Lauren would be closing over at Tipsy Trout, the cozy, warmly lit seafood-forward spot right next door. And with an entirely different beverage selection? We were in.

Over at Tipsy Trout, the vibe shifted in the best way — intimate, fire-warmed, and perfect for sipping. I was floored to see Old Fitzgerald 11 Year on the shelf — a bottle I’ve chased for years, rarely seeing it without absurd markups. It was priced right and poured perfectly. Emily continued her white wine journey, sampling unoaked Chardonnays and revisiting Sancerre.

Lauren reappeared to suggest the Seafood Tower, and we’re glad she did. It turned heads all over the dining room — and for good reason. The oysters were so clean we didn’t even touch the mignonette. Lobster, crab, and other bites followed — all ultra-fresh, well-chilled, and beautifully presented.

We even discovered Bhakta 27 07 — a spirit with a wild, little-known story that Katie generously shared. It’s those moments — the hidden gems, the genuine service, the unexpected whiskey lesson — that truly made both dinners memorable.

If we have one regret, it’s that we only had one night to experience each restaurant. These aren’t just resort dining options — they’re destinations in their own right. We’re already figuring out how to return for Taste of Vermont and...