The Ransom Tavern — Restaurant in Woodstock

Long story short: delicious pizza, perfect salads, carefully crafted flavorful well-balanced cocktails. This is worth a trip out of the way if you are passing through, even if you grab it to-go. This was my favorite food that I ate on a 2-week road trip through New England and East Coast.

My father and I were traveling through Vermont when our drive came to an abrupt stop due to an accident on Route 4. We decided to get dinner and wait for the accident to be cleared. I impulsively chose this restaurant for dinner even though it was out of the way. When we arrived, we found that the restaurant was too full for us to eat in the restaurant, but the hostess kindly directed us to a back garden with tables and chairs where we could eat any food that we ordered to-go.

I ordered our food to-go and it was ready under 15 minutes. We got the prosciutto arugula pizza and a Greek salad. The food was perfect! The pizza crust was flavorful and tender but still chewy. The ingredients were all obviously carefully chosen, because everything- the cheese, the balsamic reduction, the arugula, the prosciutto, and especially the ingredients in the salad- were perfectly balanced, fresh, flavorful, and beautiful.

To make the perfect end to a delicious meal, as we walked to our car to test our luck on route 4 again, there was a tow truck parked next to our car with a wrecked vehicle on the back. I asked the men in the truck if they knew anything about the wreck on route 4. They pointed to the vehicle on their truck and said, "There's the wreck on route 4!" Then they assured me that route 4 was clear. After that, we hopped back on route 4 after a pleasant detour through downtown Woodstock and easily made it to our hotel in Rutland before dark.

I feel very sorry for whoever got into that accident on route 4, and I truly hope they are well and uninjured. However, if it weren't for that accident, I wouldn't have gotten to try this lovely gem of a restaurant. I've been traveling through the east coast from Washington, D.C. to Bar Harbor, Maine for 2 weeks now, and this was my favorite meal I've had on this trip. With the delicious food, the beautiful storybook-like scenery and the strange circumstances that led me here, I think I will remember this meal for the rest of my life.

(I attached a photo I took of the back garden. The mess on the table is all us, the restaurant just gave us the food to go. The table settings inside the restaurant...

5/5 stars across the board until tonight. Return guests multiple times per year for years from Pennsylvania. Always went because of the welcoming staff and excellent food, with a kitchen that accommodates allergies better than most others. This restaurant has given us such good food & experiences that we’ve constantly told other people we know that they have to visit whenever they come to Vermont. We have brought our dog for all of our visits as our dog works for my girlfriend as a service dog as she suffers from a heart condition and multiple autoimmune illnesses. Every visit prior to tonight was fantastic from the food to the service and experience. We have actually found that previously the staff, including the lady who appears to be the general manager, have been very dog friendly, sometimes peering under the table, or in one instance, the general manager carrying her dog to our table to say hello to ours. These were disregarded as non issues as we felt the staff were very friendly, and went out of their way to make us feel welcomed. We went back this evening as this restaurant has been a staple of our visits, for the same general manager to loudly mention that our dog could only come in if she is a “real” service dog. Prior to this we were told to “hold on” because she was not sure we could bring our dog in. Another staff member was brought out who reiterated that “only if your dog is a real service dog” can they come in. This was very uncomfortable and ruined the vibe for us on this particular evening. It was particularly uncomfortable given the volume and location of this discussion, as every patron and staff member at the bar could hear. The bartenders were excellent as were the other guests who were very kind to us, and the food was excellent once again. Unfortunately, the initial experience was enough to make us want to get out of there quickly. We would go back for the food and the vibe of the establishment itself, however, it would be great if the front desk was more approachable and would not handle a service dog in such a loud/almost confrontational manner going forward. We are very disappointed and felt embarrassed by what happened, and only hope that one of our favorite places that we’ve been to so many times - and felt comfortable at - would prove for a more comfortable experience next time. Outside this evening’s discomfort, we love this restaurant, its food and...

I have been a regular patron of The Ransom Tavern and make it a stop whenever I travel to Vermont. I have always brought my service dog along with only minor issues (the older lady who is frequently the hostess bringing her pet dog up to my table and on another occasion trying to talk to my service dog at the hostess stand)… both behaviors being completely inappropriate and arrogant considering that my service dog is working and my well-being depends on her. However, I have continued to go back since service has been wonderful once at a table and the food is excellent. My service dog is well-trained and has never caused any disturbances.

My experience took a disappointing turn during my last visit. Upon entering the restaurant, I was suddenly and publicly confronted by the same hostess who loudly insisted that my service dog was not allowed. She eventually said I need to ask one other person when I explained that my dog was a task trained service dog and requested a seat at the bar. The other person loudly shouted “as long as she is an actual service dog. If the health department shows up we will get in a lot of trouble,” loud enough for the entire front room and other patrons sitting at the bar to hear and become noticeably uncomfortable.

This change in attitude was both unexpected and disheartening as someone who relies on my service dog for daily functioning. Stay away from this restaurant if you have a service dog and don’t cope with confrontation well and/or feel like being publicly humiliated. As someone who has pretty thick skin, this experience left me crying on my ride home. I understand fake service dogs are an issue but this could have been dealt with in a much more appropriate and...