Ransom Tavern | South Woodstock, VT

From the town green in the most picturesque locale in all of New England (Woodstock, Vermont of course) make a right onto Route 106 heading south, just before the majestic Woodstock Inn & Resort, and drive for 10 minutes towards what feels like the middle of nowhere. At least, that is how it seems if you are driving just after night has fallen in early December. It is pitch black and the road is not well lit. 

A beacon at a crossroads in South Woodstock is the Kedron Valley Inn. 

The brick colonial mansion is decidedly more grand and elegant on the exterior than I had pictured. The interior is studded with antiques, artwork that beckons a second glance, and creamy upholstered furniture like velvet royal blue chairs that frame a large print of Abe Lincoln. 

Thick embroidered drapes hang in grand colonial windows. Wide hewn wood floors and worn loom rugs give way to The Ransom Tavern. 

Under a procession of glass lamps and evergreen boughs dangling from them dried oranges and Christmas ornaments - is a bar full of intimate conversation over savory Neapolitan fare. 

The expansive restaurant space feels more modern Vermont: it is brightly lit, full of light wood tables, clipboard menus, cheerfull waitresses and showcases a large open kitchen space backed by a wood fired pizza oven. 

I expected the food would be good; I did not expect it to be soul soothing and executed with such precision, so WONDERFULLY GOOD. Cocktails abound from Nonna's Old Fashioned ($12) to the Wassail ($14) which comes steaming hot in a large round teacup and saucer. The wine list is award-winning, I opt for a glass of R. Stuart + Co. Big Fire Pinot Noir ($14). It tastes of fig, rich cherry and nutmeg. 

The Meatballs and Ricotta ($15) come with two nestled in a glistening red sauce. The Roasted Beets Salad ($15) hits just right with mixed greens, red and gold beets, goat cheese and toasted pumpkin seeds in a maple vinaigrette. 

The pizzas achieve that outstandingly chewy meets crisp Neapolitan excellence, with topping combinations to swoon over. With a trio of mushrooms: shitake, cremini and oyster, plus roasted garlic, mozzarella, arugula and shaved parmesan over a fresh roasted butternut squash puree, The Gardener ($24) should be at the top of your list to consider.

Broccoli Rabe and Sausage ($24) lends a distinct flavor and spice from the fennel sausage, roasted red peppers and an elegant chili oil. The Capricciosa ($28) with tomato sauce, artichokes, cotto ham, fresh mozzarella and basil rounds out the parade of pizzas nicely. 

We dinned here with my sister, brother in law, and their two girls - my sweet nieces Lilah and Sage. There were many groups including multiple families with new babies and young kids. A convivial and welcoming tavern it certainly is. Reservations are recommended. 

We got the kids ice cream sundaes ($8) for dessert and for ourselves a Tiramisu ($12) and a Mille Foglie ($12) which is puff pastry meets layers of vanilla custard, and enjoyed them with final sips of Carpineto Dogajolo Rosso ($11) as we wound down our precious time at the Kedron Valley Inn. 

On the drive towards our home in Killington we opted for the back road route - over the mountains from Church Hill Road to Peterkin Hill, excited when we realized these dirt roads spit us out at Lincoln Covered Bridge to cross the Ottaqueechee River onto route 4. Crossing a covered bridge by happenstance is so quintessentially Vermont, a moment that always deserves just that - a moment.

Ransom Tavern | Kedron Valley Inn

4778 South Road

South Woodstock, VT 05071