Eclipse eats: 11 restaurants, drinking spots ready to welcome solar viewers in Vermont
Brent HallenbeckDining out is always a great idea when marking a special moment. What could be more special than a total solar eclipse?
That celestial phenomenon is rarer than a blue moon – the last total solar eclipse to move across Vermont happened in 1932 – so that certainly makes the one that arrives April 8 a unique cause for celebration. Restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and even sugar houses in this food-and-drink mad state want to ensure that you have just the right experience to make your total eclipse day a total success.
Here is just a sampling of 11 Vermont eateries and drinkeries (listed alphabetically) that are ready to sate you on this super solar occasion.
The Alchemist
It makes sense that the Stowe brewery renowned for its massively popular beer Heady Topper would party on the heady occasion of a total solar eclipse. From noon-6 p.m. Monday, April 8, the Mountain Road brewer promises it will have tunes from DJ Pablo, live music from Mal Maiz, fire dancers from Cirque de Fuego and Alchemist-branded collectible eclipse glasses for the first 500 visitors.
The Alchemist, 100 Cottage Club Road, Stowe. (802) 253-6708, www.alchemistbeer.com/eclipse/
Barr Hill
The James Beard Award-nominated distillery in the Vermont state capital begins its four-hour eclipse party at noon Monday, April 8. Ghazi’s Goodies provides North African and Mediterranean fare, Kingdom Creamery doles out ice cream, the Nobby Reed Project starts playing the blues at 1 p.m., Secret Tarot gives tarot card readings and the first 500 visitors receive free viewing glasses.
Barr Hill, 116 Gin Lane, Montpelier. (802) 472-8000, www.barrhill.com
Blue Paddle Bistro
The Champlain islands seem an ideal spot to hunker down and welcome the light, the darkness and the return of the light. Blue Paddle hosts what it’s calling “The Dimming Brunch” from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, the day before the eclipse. For the eclipse itself on Monday, April 8, the bistro will hold a “Lunar Watch & Wine” from 2-4 p.m., serving cocktails, wine and beer with appetizers. The “Moonlight Delight Dinner” from 4-8 p.m. April 8 will feature dinner specials and unique cocktails to mark the occasion.
Blue Paddle Bistro, 316 U.S. 2, South Hero. (802) 372-4814, www.bluepaddlebistro.com
E.B. Strong’s Prime Steakhouse
The arrival of an eclipse on a Monday isn’t super-convenient for restaurants, many of which shut down for the day after their busy weekends. This Church Street Marketplace steak and wine specialist is normally closed on Sundays and Mondays but will be open April 7-8 to cater to Burlington’s hungry sky-gazers.
E.B. Strong’s Prime Steakhouse, 10 Church St., Burlington. (802) 497-1214, www.ebstrongs.com
14th Star Brewing
St. Albans is smack in the center of the path of the eclipse, so this brewery with a celestial reference in its name sounds like the perfect place to host a viewing party. The “Eclipse Brews & Views” celebration that starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 8 includes food from Grazers and the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck as well as commemorative cans of 14th Star’s limited release Eclipsed New England India pale ale. Music from local band Rushmore will fill the taproom after the eclipse, from 4-7 p.m.
14th Star Brewing, 133 N. Main St., St. Albans. (802) 528-5988, www.14thstarbrewing.com
Four Quarters Brewing
A brewery named for the four phases of the moon has to do something to celebrate a total solar eclipse, right? The event at Four Quarters from noon-5 p.m. will include the release of a beer just for the occasion, No Quarter, an India pale ale brewed with a variety of hops known, most appropriately, as Eclipse hops.
Four Quarters Brewing, 70 Main St., Winooski. (802) 391-9120, www.4qbc.com
Hill Farmstead Brewery
The international award-winning Northeast Kingdom beer maker has long been a destination for serious brew fans; now it can be a destination for solar eclipse fans as well. Hill Farmstead’s taproom is usually closed on Mondays but will remain open from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, April 8 to welcome the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of visitors, who might descend upon Vermont and its prime totality location.
Hill Farmstead Brewery, 403 Hill Road, Greensboro Bend. (802) 533-7450, www.hillfarmstead.com
Palmer’s Sugarhouse
Maple season in Vermont is already a big deal – add a total eclipse to the mix and you’ve really got something. This Shelburne sugar maker is holding an eclipse party from 1-4:30 p.m. Monday, April 8 with music from The Tenderbellies, food trucks, beverages and the expected seasonal sweet treats from the sugarhouse.
Palmer’s Sugarhouse, 332 Shelburne Hinesburg Road, Shelburne. (802) 985-5054, www.palmersugarhouse.com
Santiago’s
Burlington’s vibrant new entry on the city’s dining scene – conveniently located near prime eclipse viewing territory along Lake Champlain – figures a rare extraterrestrial occurrence deserves more than one day of celebration. The Cuban restaurant has announced few details of what it’s calling “Totalidad Carnival” from April 5-8 but did say on social media that it will be expanding its outside patio for “a front view of this incredible celestial event.”
Santiago’s, 3 Main St., Burlington. (802) 540-2444, www.santiagosvt.com
Shore Acres Inn and Restaurant
The eclipse celebration at this Champlain islands institution begins from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7 with “Total Eclipse of the Art,” a sip-and-shop event featuring cocktails and a chance to buy local arts and crafts, much of it with an eclipse theme. From noon-2 p.m. Monday, April 8, Shore Acres offers a pre-eclipse brunch ($40 per person) with eclipse-oriented trivia and invites attendees to stick around for drinks while watching the eclipse itself, then enjoy an eclipse-themed dinner.
Shore Acres Inn and Restaurant, 237 Shore Acres Drive, North Hero. (802) 372-8722, www.shoreacres.com
Waterworks Food + Drink
Admission to Waterworks’ solar-eclipse viewing party from 1-4 p.m. Monday, April 8 along the Winooski River is $5-$35, but the price includes protective glasses and, naturally, moon pies. DJ Craig Mitchell will provide an eclipse-themed playlist, and food and drink will be available for purchase.
Waterworks Food + Drink, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski. (802) 497-3525, www.waterworksvt.com
Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.