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

Worthy Kitchen | Vermont

The week continues with an all time Vermont favorite (2/3)!

Worthy Kitchen | Where: Woodstock | 20 minutes from exit 1 off I89

When: Dinner heading west on Rt 4 to Killington

Worthy Kitchen in Woodstock along with their first location, Worthy Burger in Royalton, have become well known Vermont craft beer bars that serve a coveted burger. Friends, you are in for a treat. Cooked over a hardwood fire The Farm Diner Burger ($13) features Vermont raised beef on a worthy bun with lettuce, red onion, bomb sauce and American cheese. The juicy beef is flavorful and melt in your mouth tender. An all around excellent burger, my personal favorite anywhere!! (Why a photo eludes me of the burger from a place with BURGER in the name is beyond me, especially as I have pictures of so many dishes!!) 

The Cavattapi Mac N Cheese is oh so cheesy + creamy without being too heavy. The Green Curry + Coconut Shrimp Tacos spice things up one evening with green apple, cilantro, spicy mayo and heaps of pickled ginger. 

Can't miss sides include the Truffle Fries and the innovative Pickle Plate - with a rotating assortment of house pickled vegetables and fruit; our plate had pineapple (amazing), cauliflower, mushrooms and onions. And you probably don't want to miss out on their Buttermilk Chicken ($18) with superbly crisp skin encasing juicy chicken over a sweet potato puree with spoonfuls of a lust worthy pesto chevre, fire roasted veggies and garlic honey syrup. 

As you can see, we visit Worthy all.the.time. The menu changes regularly (though you will always find the Worthy Burger.) You can also get your fried chicken in sandwich form with bomb sauce, mango chutney, cilantro and pickles. An ear of street corn on the side...worthy!

Sought after local Vermont brews (18 on draft) include Hill Farmstead, Lawson’s Finest Liquids and Zero Gravity, alongside New England favorites like Jack's Abby, Rising Tide and Maine Beer Co. The counter service method is easy and reliable - keep your tab open as long as you like and the kitchen buzzes you once your food is ready. No hostesses, no wait staff, just casual, comfortable, farm diner digs to enjoy some of the finest local food and beer Vermont has to offer. 

Worthy Kitchen
442 Woodstock Road

Woodstock, VT 05091 

Is it time for a road trip?! Where are your favorite places to eat in Vermont?