Ransom Tavern | South Woodstock, VT

The Kedron Valley Inn is a brick colonial beacon of elegance on a dark December night, situated at a crossroads in South Woodstock, Vermont. Wide hewn wood floors and worn loom rugs give way to a procession of glass lamps and evergreen boughs dangling with dried oranges and Christmas ornaments. The Ransom Tavern is a bar full of intimate conversation over savory Neapolitan fare. 

Thick embroidered drapes hang in grand colonial windows. Eye-catching antiques, soothing artwork, and creamy upholstered furniture such as duo of royal blue velvet chairs framing a portrait of Abe Lincoln meet a festive, modern Vermont dining room. The brightly lit space is full of wooden tables, clipboard menus, cheerful waitresses, and an open kitchen backed by a wood fired pizza oven.  A convivial tavern is bustling with patrons and families. Reservations are recommended. 

The food is wonderfully good, soul nourishing, and executed with finesse. Cocktails abound from Nonna's Old Fashioned ($12) to the Wassail ($14) which comes steaming hot in a joyfully 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. Consider 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 your #1 pizza pick.

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. The kids ordered ice cream sundaes ($8) for dessert while the adults enjoyed a Tiramisu ($12) and a Mille Foglie ($12). With final sips of Carpineto Dogajolo Rosso ($11) we wound down our precious time at the Kedron Valley Inn.

From Church Hill Road to Peterkin Hill, we navigated the mountain back roads and excitedly crossed the Ottaqueechee River over Lincoln Covered Bridge. 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

Thankful

I am grateful everyday for this life! There is so much in it to be thankful for.

In this space I want to thank you guys, my dear readers. Another year and Indulge Inspire Imbibe remains a steadfast hobby that brings me so much joy and opportunity.  

P.S. Pumpkin Spice Mules - Bulleit Bourbon, homemade pumpkin simple syrup, Goslings Ginger Beer / Fill a copper mug with crushed ice, add 2 parts Bourbon to 1 part simple syrup and stir. Fill remainder of mug with ginger beer. 

I realize mules are traditionally made with vodka, but we're all big bourbon fans in this house. Use whatever type of booze strikes your mood. The simple syrup is made by reducing equal parts (1 cup) brown sugar + water, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, and 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spices: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg + ginger; strain through a fine mesh sieve and store in an airtight container.

Christmas 2014.

I know. It is mid January. We've welcomed and settled comfortably into 2015. I have been spending a lot of time in Vermont, skiing at Killington and Jay Peak. Finally, a little time at home has allowed me to sort through photos. I am so glad I captured Leah and Alex's Christmas spread! Her at home bar was churning out grapefruit-rosemary-honey martinis with lemon zest and sugar dusted cranberries. I made the appetizers - deviled eggs and a spinach artichoke dip. We had a salad course. We had a soup course. Alex roasted a chicken. My mom's famous éclair ring made its traditional appearance. It was a happy and relaxed holiday season, the best kind.

Brimfield Fair.

The Brimfield Fair will go down as one of my most cherished days of summer 2012. The small country town neighboring Sturbridge is home to the massive and well known tri-annual event. It is without a doubt an antiques lovers mecca, the treasure hunter seekers playground, and even the food (we ate breakfast and lunch) proves something special. 

 

My favorite purchase was a vintage Easy brand mangle (scored it for $30) a super heavy duty industrial piece which is now a kitchen counter / cookbook shelf / bar cart in my kitchen. Between my Mom and I, we came home with a car full of beloved wares for our homes and gardens, tired and coated in dirt, both fulfilled and enamored. Brimfield was at once hot, dusty, sticky, exhausting, delicious, fascinating and completely rewarding.