WINTER 2021/2022
L I F E A N D C U LT U R E I N T H E C H A M P L A I N VA L L E Y
BLACK FLANNEL BREWING AND DISTILLING IS ELEVATING TASTE IN ESSEX
VOLUME 15 NO 1
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE SHOP LOCAL
BEVS
IS YOUR PET’S BEST FRIEND
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winter features
42 ELEVATING TASTE IN ESSEX
Black Flannel Brewing and Distilling serves excellence and education.
BY MOLLY RITVO
50 SHOP LOCAL GIFT GUIDE
Whether you need a gift for your outdoor lover, fashionista, or something to beautify your home, we asked some of our favorite local businesses for suggestions.
58 YOUR PET'S BEST FRIEND
Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists are best buddies to animals in Vermont. BY JAY MURRY
Contents ON THE COVER: The creative force of Black Flannel Brewing Co., from left: Founder Chris Kesler, Executive Chef Christian Kruse, and Brewmaster Dan Sartwell. Photo by Monique Chaisavan Sourinho @bee.the.love.
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Contents departments
19 PUBLISHERS’ NOTE 20 ONLINE HUB
28 ART SCENE
66 IN THE KITCHEN
15 years of Art Scene.
Pie Empire.
32 CHEERS!
24 GATHERINGS 2022 Vermont Farm Show. BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY
26 PETS & PEOPLE
BY PHYL NEWBECK
A toast to the holidays.
72 HAPPENINGS
BY KAYLA SILVER
A calendar of events.
36 SEASONS’ BEST
79 ADVERTISERS INDEX
Winter wonderland.
News, products, and furry facts.
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40 CRAFTY HOLIDAY Handmade snow globes.
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66
24
the art of stone crafting
Coffee Table Publishing, LLC 32 Hermit Thrush Lane South Burlington, VT 05403 www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
PUBLISHERS
Robin Gales John Gales CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Deb Thompson COPY EDITOR
Jennifer Goss Duby ART DIRECTION/DESIGN
Robbie Alterio ADVERTISING DESIGN
Robbycat Design WEB DESIGN
Locable ADVERTISING
Robin Gales (802) 299-9086 John Gales (802) 558-2719 coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net Keep us posted. Best of Burlington wants to hear from our readers. Correspondence may be addressed to Letters to the Editor, Best of Burlington, 32 Hermit Thrush Lane, South Burlington, VT 05403. Advertising inquiries may be made by emailing ctpublishing@comcast.net or coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net. Best of Burlington is published quarterly by Coffee Table Publishing, LLC, ©2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Best of Burlington accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.
18 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
Winter in the Champlain Valley Welcome to Winter! And the 15th year of bringing you winter in the Champlain Valley. We feel honored and blessed to have been able to do so. We’ve discovered so many stories, people, and places that are quintessentially Vermont. What a remarkable state! nd this inter is no different. ust look and see hat e have in store for you. We drop in on the new Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) Neurologist and take a visit to the annual Vermont Farm Show. The owner of Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market in Essex delivers some recommendations for holiday sparkling wines. Did someone say meat pie? Yes, please! And you’ll say the same once you check out the savory handheld masterpieces from Pie Empire. To celebrate our decade and a half of covering the area, we put together a collage of previous covers, and reprinted three of our favorite Art Scenes. Thank you for allowing us to bring to your home the very Best of Burlington!
John and Robin Gales Happy Winter and Cheers to 2022!
Publishers
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@bestofburlingtonmag Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 19
ONLINE HUB W IN TE
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WWW.BESTOFBURLINGTONVT.COM VO LU
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
LIFE
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NNE K FLA BLAC ING AND W E R G B ILLIN DIST ING
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NO 1 ME 15
AY HOLIDIDE GU L GIFT CA SHOP
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BEVS
T’S UR PE IS YO FRIEND BEST
EVAT IS EL IN ESSEX E TAST
A HEALTHY NEW YOU
Find four steps to improve your well-being at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
FACTS ABOUT STROKE
Learn how to protect yourself and recognize the signs at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
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GATHERINGS BY JENNIFER GOSS DUBY PHOTOS BY STEPHEN MEASE PHOTOGRAPHY
T
2022 VERMONT FARM SHOW
he bounty of Vermont’s agriculture industry will be celebrated February 1 through 3 at the Vermont Farm Show. The show, held since 1935, is the chance for the state’s agriculture industry to exhibit and promote their products as well as to come together to talk, share, and learn. The Vermont Farm Show is one of the state’s biggest celebrations of its agriculture, farms, products, and related organizations. The theme for this winter’s show is “Vermont Agriculture—From Farm to Consumer: Showcasing Vermont’s Agricultural Diversity and Providing an Inspiration for the Future.” The show expects to draw more than 5,000 people
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from all over Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, and Canada. he rst ermont arm ho re out of the Farm Products Show and its purpose was to “foster the Farm Products Show and to conduct a commercial and educational exhibit of farm and home equipment and supplies.” WHO EXHIBITS? All industries are represented, including all those associated with dairy, forage, maple, Christmas trees, beef, sheep, vegetables, and fruit. Growers and producers as well as other related businesses like banks, agricultural education groups and institutions, and related service industries will all be on hand.
For exhibitors, the value of the show is manifold. They have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the attending public. This exposure is a great way to build brand awareness. The show is a sales and marketing goldmine, great for expanding the customer base of a business. Important connections are made in face-to-face encounters with other exhibitors and consumers. Industry associations hold their annual meetin s and offer many informational or educational seminars. Anyone associated with the agricultural industry in Vermont is welcome to the show. Those interested in e hibitin should visit the ebsite and ll out the application.
WHO VISITS? Everyone! From large-scale operations to crafttype producers, professionals in the various industries make a point to be at the show. With everything there is to see and sample, families of all kinds ill nd that entertainment and educational experiences abound. Many folks spend the entire day. isitors to the ermont arm ho ill nd exhibits of equipment and farm supplies, aisle upon aisle of booths displaying produce, dairy and maple products, beef, goat, and sheep products, and more. If it’s made in Vermont, you can probably nd it at the arm ho . VERMONT PRODUCT CONTESTS he rst ermont arm Products ontest was held in 1932 and was the inspiration of the Vermont Dairymen’s Association with the aple u ar akers ssociation. hat rst
contest had about 50 entries and was such a success that other producers, like potato, apple, and chicken farms, wanted to participate. Three years later, the Vermont Farm Show was born, ith the Products ontest a prominent feature. ash pri es are a arded to entries ud ed est of ho lass inner cellent or cceptable lass. or the contest cate ories are hristmas rees reaths iber ool ome Products oney aple and ila e ay. A notice on the website reminds exhibitors and attendees that we are still functioning under the reality of the pandemic which may have an unforeseen impact. Their intention is to run the show as scheduled while preparing for contingencies. The show will be open Tuesday, February 1, 9am–5pm; Wednesday, February 2, 8:30am– 5:30pm; and Thursday, February 3, 9am–4pm.
Fight cabin fever by getting up close and personal with the people, livestock, and equipment that make up Vermont Agriculture at the Vermont Farm Show.
For questions about exhibiting, contact Karen Forbes at karen@delaneymeetingevent.com or (802) 865-5202. Those interested in sponsoring the show may contact Karissa Hasser at kj@expointel.com or (530) 520-6933. Exhibitors and sponsors can register on the website.
VERMONT FARM SHOW Champlain Valley Exposition Essex Junction, VT February 1–3, 2022 www.vtfarmshow.com
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 25
PETS AND PEOPLE SPONSORED BY BEVS
“A true friend leaves paw prints on your heart.”
TREAT YOUR PET FOR THE HOLIDAYS
VEGGIE DOG TREATS 1 cup pumpkin puree N cup peanut butter 2 eggs K cup old-fashioned oats 2 O cups whole wheat flour (more if needed) 1 carrot, peeled and shredded 1 zucchini, shredded 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
Show your furry friends some love with homemade treats this year. Avoid things toxic to pets, including xylitol (a common sugar substitute), which may be found in peanut butter and other products, so check food labels. Common ingredients in human holiday treats such as chocolate, raisins, some types of nuts, and alcohol are toxic to furry friends, so double-check recipes to ensure they are safe. Sources: bestfriends.org, damndelicious.com. 26 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. 2. Use an electric mixer and beat the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and eggs on medium high until well combined, one to two minutes. 3. Gradually add oats and 2 1/2 cups flour at low speed, beating just until incorporated. Add additional flour, 1/4 cup at a time, just until the dough is no longer sticky. Add carrot, zucchini, and spinach, beating just until blended. 4. Working on a lightly floured surface, knead the dough until it comes together. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to desired thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place onto the prepared baking sheet. 5. Place into oven, bake until edges are golden brown, and then allow to cool.
CELEBRATE CATS February is the ideal time to take stock of your cat’s well-being—it’s National Cat Health Month. Review the basic essentials cats need—food, water, litterbox, and exercise—to ensure you’re providing everything your purring friend requires. A key concern nowadays is obesity in pets. “It can lead to diseases like diabetes (feline diabetes is very similar to Type 2 diabetes in people), so keeping your cat at a healthy weight is key,” says Dr. Erin Katribe, medical director for national animal welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society. “Obesity can also lead to arthritis and joint pain,” Dr. Katribe continues. “Your veterinarian can help determine your pet’s best weight and guide you through modifying their diet in order to achieve it.” It’s surprising to many, but cats require exercise just as dogs do. While some cats enjoy walking on a leash, most prefer a more private routine. “Providing toys and engaging them in play with laser pointers or string toys for exercise are great ways to keep them active. This is not only mentally stimulating but can also help prevent obesity that can lead to other diseases,” Dr. Katribe explains. Be sure to schedule regular visits with your veterinarian for vaccines and an examination to keep your cat feeling playful and healthy.
PETS AND SECONDHAND SMOKE In what seems like common sense, a veterinarian with the US FDA warned that secondhand smoke harms people and pets. Pets are also at risk from cigarette smoke residue that remains on skin, clothing, upholstered furniture, carpeting, and other items, or what the agency calls “thirdhand” smoke. Dogs, cats, and other pets that spend time on the floor where tobacco smoke residue concentrates in house dust, carpets, and rugs get it on their fur. They ingest it when they lick themselves. In addition, the FDA warning noted that cats living with people who smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day have triple the increased risk of lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system. Smoking also endangers birds, guinea pigs, and even fish.
IN CASE OF A PET EMERGENCY... COUNT ON BEVS TO BE THERE FOR YOU AROUND-THE-CLOCK.
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802.863.BEVS (2387) • bevsvt.com
Emergency/Critical Care • Dentistry • Internal Medicine Oncology • Radioiodine (I-131) • Rehabilitation • Surgery
Vermont’s only specialty & 24/7 emergency animal hospital Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 27
ART SCENE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
15 Years of Art Scene!
We're celebrating with three of our past favorites to showcase the breadth of creativity here in Vermont Art is a transformative medium through which complex human experiences are communicated. Through that communication, art helps us expand and increase our understanding our world. For 15 years, in every issue, Best of Burlington has shared with our readers some of the best art in the Green Mountain State, showcasing the beauty, complexity, and even whimsy of human experience as presented by Vermont artists. To celebrate this milestone, we’ve selected three featured artists from past issues. To be sure, it wasn’t easy limiting ourselves to just these three!
Katharine Monstream
ADAPTED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY PHYL NEWBECK, BEST OF BURLINGTON, FALL 2020
For Katharine Montstream, the decision to try to make a living from her artwork was an easy one. “It was never scary,” she says. “I was selling real estate and waitressing and I started making little cards, and they were selling really well.”
T
he cards cost ten cents each and Katharine was selling them for $1.50. In two years she made 15,000 handmade cards. “That worked great,” she says, “but at some point, I kind of burned out. You can’t grow a business if you’re doing it
28 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
all by hand, so we took a leap of faith to print the cards in 1991.” Mass production required Katharine to visit stationery stores and find representatives who were willing to sell the cards across the country. That year, she also made the decision to open
Monstream Studio in a $100 a month space at Main Street Landing. “Even 30 years ago I could afford that,” she says. Soon, adjoining spaces became vacant and Katharine was able to expand. “We just kept paying month to month and it just kept growing.” Another transition was Katharine’s move from greeting cards to larger paintings. “Someone asked me to make one of my images bigger,” she remembers. “I thought d try it and then ure out hat to do about pricing.” The larger paintings led to her rst sho at the aily Planet ith multiple 30x40-inch watercolors of gardens and cityscapes. “People responded to my ork she says. “I didn’t try to analyze it, but it happened. Thirty years later, here we are.”
Below: Team Vermont’s winning entry: Rhonda and Her Recycling Robo-Octopus. Team USA-Loveland won Bronze with Bolting from Extinction, a piece rooted in the idea that nature does not know extinction because it knows only transformation.
Opposite: Katharine in her studio at the Soda Plant. Photo by Brian MacDonald. Above: Camel's Hump in Gray, watercolor, 5” x 7”.
Snow Art
ADAPTED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY JEN ROSE SMITH, BEST OF BURLINGTON, WINTER 2016
Creating art out of snow has obvious drawbacks. Both materials and the finished piece are as ephemeral as winter itself, changing with rising and falling temperatures, softened by sunbursts, or made rigid by a freezing afternoon. Much of the artwork’s beauty comes with risk taking...
O
n a sunny February day at the Breckenridge International Snow Sculpture Competition, Team Vermont mapped out their work on a solid block of snow. They laid a crosshatched ple i lass rid over the fro en surface then be an to carve off the ed es orkin to ard the center using ice-carving chisels. At each competition, the teams lay down their tools at a set time, and then hope their artwork will hold together until the judges walk by. Though Team Vermont has had a few close calls—Rhonda began to shed some of her robotic arms about 30 minutes after the judges assessed her—they’ve seen other teams dodge falling blocks of heavy snow, nearly getting crushed under melting artwork. To Team Vermont, though, the risks and challenges of snow sculpture are outweighed by snow’s unique advantages. “It’s the only art where you can make something monumental but with such detail in this short a time,” explains team captain Michael Nedell. “You can’t do it in cement or in steel—you’d need more than a chisel. But with snow you can really go and make something beautiful.” The detail that’s possible when working in snow has attracted a diverse crowd of artists to snow sculpture. Each year, a creative lineup of wood carvers, clay sculptors, and painters work to solve the fundamental engineering puzzles of building with snow, then leave their masterpieces at the mercy of the weather, walking away with just a few photographs. Standout competitors include a on olian artist ho spends off seasons carvin mammoth styrene blocks
and a Hollywood artist who’s often tasked ith sculptin fantastical creatures for lms. Keeping that improvisational spirit alive means that Team Vermont has retained a laid-back approach, and there’s no end in sight. As Team Vermont plans for the future, they’ve got a stack of design dreams and rmly set priorities. Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 29
Lyric Theatre Company S ADAPTED FROM THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE BY PAM HUNT, BEST OF BURLINGTON, FALL 2019
Their mission of bringing Broadway-style shows to the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts is brought to life by the company’s numerous volunteers and supporters. Going into its 46th year, the organization still buzzes with “startup energy,” says newly appointed executive director and Vermont native Erin Evarts.
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he credits this energy not only to the general enthusiastic vibe of the volunteers—both those whom audiences see on stage and those who perform the multitude of behind-the-scenes jobs for each production—but also to their new space on Green Tree Drive in South Burlington, complete with a full-size rehearsal stage. The spacious set-building room initially stood in as a rehearsal space hen the company rst moved into the building. Now, however, the performers have a brand-new rehearsal studio, designed to be the same size as the Flynn Center’s MainStage. “We have rehearsed over the years in daycares, schools, and gymnasiums,” Erin says, including one space that had support poles in the middle of the room—not very conducive to practicing choreography. Work begins on a show up to two years before opening night, though auditions aren’t held until about three months out. “It’s funny,” Erin says, “when we cast, so many people are like, ‘Oh, we’re starting the show!’ but there have already been hundreds and hundreds of hours put in by dozens of people by the time we get to auditions.” Once the cast is selected, however, the timetable speeds up. For example, the costume makers may have selected patterns, fabrics, and other accessories, but the real work starts only when the actors are cast and their measurements are known. Then the wall of sewing machines whirs into action. Some shows require more costume and design work than others, but Lyric volunteers are up to the task. When the troupe put on Les Misérables in 2014, the designers went above and beyond, according to Erin. “They made all of the pants period appropriate, so there were no zippers. Was that necessary? No. Was it authentic? Yes. That attention to detail, those little pieces nobody beyond the fth ro is going to see that, but as an actor, you know it s there and it makes a difference. The importance of the company’s volunteers isn’t lost on Erin; she had been a volunteer for Lyric for 20 years. “Every person plays their part,” she says. “That’s one of the beautiful things about community theater—there isn’t a star credit on the marquee. It just says, ‘by Lyric Theatre,’ and in that sense, we all get the same amount of credit.” Erin’s experience with Lyric over the years has been a positive one, and one that she wants to share with others. “Once you’re part
Opposite: Taryn Noelle and dancers in a scene from Lyric’s first streamed production “Miracle on Green Tree Drive: A Lyric Family Christmas Special.” Opposite bottom: The cast of “A Year with Frog and Toad,” Lyric’s first Theatre For Young Audience performance. Above: A promotional still from “Matilda,” Lyric’s longest show, premiering in April 2022 after a two-year hiatus.
of this community, you want to stay involved. That’s one of the things I want to continue to work on. I’ve always found a home with Lyric, and I want to make sure other people have that same experience.”
Montstream Studio 129 St. Paul Street Burlington, VT (802) 862-8752 www.kmmstudio.com
2022 US National Snow Sculpting Championship Lake Geneva, Wisconsin February 2–6, 2022 visitlakegeneva.com/winterfest
Lyric Theatre Company 7 Green Tree Drive South Burlington, VT (802) 658-1484 lyrictheatrevt.org
FOOD AND BEER TO GO!!
Online ordering or download the Shelburne Tap House app
OPEN: Monday–Wednesday 12-8pm Thursday and Friday 12-9pm Saturday 12-8pm 2989 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT
(802) 985-4040 www.shelburnetaphouse.com Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 31
CHEERS! CERTIFIED SOMMELIER KAYLA SILVER SALT & BUBBLES WINE BAR AND MARKET
A Toast to the Holidays Wine recommendations for your special gatherings Winter weather and the holidays bring thoughts of comforting, warm food. Start now to plan menus, and think about the wines you’ll want to serve with your meals. For quiet family dinners or a special gathering with a few friends, consider trying something new from the suggestions here.
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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS No matter how you celebrate, the holidays are a time of joy, delicious food, and rich moments with our loved ones. For a more traditional holiday table with the classic ham and all the accompanying side dishes, a rich white wine with a nice bite of acidity for balance is just the ticket for those who lean toward white wines. Made by expert producers, Viognier or chenin blanc can be a beautiful expression of fruit, body, and acidity all in balance to ether. io nier is a bit more oral hile chenin blanc classically sho cases notes of reen apples and honey. For those who prefer reds, try a Bordeaux-style red blend but with a twist from Chateau Musar from the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon. It’s savory and dry, showcasing rustic tannins, and pairs beautifully with warm spices and any kind of roasted meat. If you prefer a more classic approach, a Barolo, such as 2016 Reverdito Barolo, smelling of roses, earth, and a touch of leather, is just what you need to cozy up to enjoy a brisk evening and a warm meal.
HANUKKAH OBSERVANCES Hanukkah is an interesting holiday from a pairing standpoint, and if you stay true to the traditional fare, you’d pretty much eat only fried foods—latkes, doughnuts, and so forth. Some folks like to add brisket into the mix just to have a protein. ith all the fried foods in this smor asbord ould choose a dry osel ieslin . little off the beaten path is a dry Furmint. Haven’t heard of Furmint? Well, now is the time to familiarize yourself. he hite un arian ine rape delivers electric acidity and ripe tropical fruit but nishes dry and has a bit more body than a ieslin . t s de nitely meant to be en oyed alon ith all these salty latkes and some sour cream. If you’re having some brisket with a sweet, delicious, sticky sauce, or even if it has a little heat, a lighter red will go with almost anything. I’d recommend a Beaujolais Gamay or pinot noir (French or illamette . n either case these should have smooth silky tannins and nish dry but sho case those classic berry fruit notes and earth just to round it out. Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 33
NEW YEAR’S EVE TOASTS We all know it’s time for bubbles on New Year’s Eve, right? Go for champagne, of course, or a nice cava, a sparkling wine from Spain. If your wallet doesn’t afford champa ne no orries ind your nearest specialty wine shop and ask for higher quality cava. Often much more affordable it e presses similar notes to champagne and has a similar bubble and dry nish. ava is made in the Traditional Method, which is the same as the process used to make champa ne. ava is made ith different grapes and is made in Penedes, Spain, but it has the same care, love, and attention to detail as champagne when made well. A personal favorite producer is Raventos, made by a family-owned operation with biodynamic practices and—picture this— beautiful draft horses who plow and work the vines. Of course, if you’re feeling fancy, champagne is the answer and champagne obviously has some big names: Dom Perignon, Bollinger, Taittinger, and others, but at Salt & Bubbles, we like to work with “grower champagnes,” which are becoming harder and harder to come by. A grower champagne is unique because it was cared for, tended to, and grown by the same producer from start to nish from the vine to the barrel to the bottle. Grower champagnes are made with a lot of love, and I personally believe you can taste the uniqueness of the single producer e pressed. e love obert oncuit lanc de lancs hampa ne. e believe it transports you to a place, a time, and a nostalgic moment to be shared with loved ones as we ring in a new year.
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VALENTINE’S DAY SUGGESTIONS Go with whatever makes your partner happy, but I would love an elegant yet structured red to go alongside a steak dinner or a pasta evening. I love Nerello Mascalese (a prominent grape grown in Sicily) for this style, and it always pairs well with rich pasta dishes. Nerello Mascalese is often a more affordable but ell crafted ine than other notable reds of Italy, which often get into the pricy realm. If you or your partner are vegetarian or want something “spicy” for Valentine’s Day, go for a nice Albarino or chenin blanc. Rule of pairing: Spicy food loves wines with a touch of sweetness to balance the spice. Tannins make spicy food taste even spicier. If you like it hot, great, but for a nice balanced pairing, go for the Feinherb Riesling or the semisweet chenin blanc. Enjoy toasting with your family and friends over the holidays. Here’s to your health!
Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market 19 Essex Way, Suite 412 Essex Junction, VT (802) 662-4877 www.saltandbubbleswine.com
ONLINE EXTRA Find out how to assemble a perfect selection of cheeses, meats, and more for your guests at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com.
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 35
SEASON'S BEST
Winter Wonderland
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What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness —John Steinbeck
Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home. —Edith Sitwell
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 37
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We feel cold, but we don’t mind it, because we will not come to harm. And if we wrapped up against the cold, we wouldn’t feel other things, like the bright tingle of the stars, or the music of the aurora, or best of all the silky feeling of moonlight on our skin. It’s worth being cold for that. —Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 39
CRAFTY HOLIDAY
Homemade
Snow Globes Create your own one-ofa-kind DIY glitter snow globe that captures the magic of the season. Try experimenting with different scenes and materials to get your best results. It's a fun way to involve the whole family. We'll provide the basics to get you started. You provide the imagination. The sky is the limit!
SOME BASIC MATERIALS NEEDED
PREP TIME
TOTAL TIME
DIFFICULTY
10 minutes
Around 20 minutes
Easy
40 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Mason jars, jelly jars, or peanut butter jars with the labels removed Iridescent white glitter Glycerin, baby oil, or clear cooking oil Christmas and winter-themed items like Christmas miniatures, bottle brushes (they make great trees), and cotton balls (for snow) Twine, baker's twine, stringed beads, or holiday ribbons Distilled water Scissors Hot glue gun
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Collect your materials.
4. Pour 1 tablespoon of iridescent glitter and two tablespoons of liquid glycerin or oil into the jar.
2. Remove any labels or stickers from the jars and wash them in warm soapy water to remove any dirt and dust.
5. Fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water. Distilled water will keep your jars clear and mold free.
3. Use a glue gun to secure your holidaythemed items to the bottom of the jar or the lid depending on your desired arrangement.
6. Twist the cap over the jar, and if you have small children, you may wish to hot glue the cap to the jar to eliminate spills.
7. Finally, decorate the jar with ribbons, baker's twine, jingle bells, or any other holiday accessories to complete the look.
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 41
BY MOLLY RITVO
Elevating Taste in Essex PHOTO BY BRIAN DEWYEA
O
n a recent warm summer evening, the biergarten at Black Flannel Brewing istillin ompany as lled ith lau hter live music and even a fe do s happily lappin up ater. nside conversations lled the open dinin room as staff carried pints of 42 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Black Flannel Brewing and Distilling Serves Excellence & Education
beer and carefully plated entr es to diners. ounder and bre er hris esler mi ht say hello to his re ulars but he is usually en a ed in and marketin and mana in company direction vendor relationships uality control and distribution. hris is a serious
and thou htful entrepreneur ho has orked tirelessly to keep Black Flannel thriving, even durin immensely challen in circumstances. hris a t o time inner of the ermont omebre er of the ear started bre in as a hobby on his th birthday. n he
Clockwise from top left: Oaxacan Graffiti cocktail, a favorite at Black Flannel. Photo by Chris Kesler. Founder, brewer, and Certified Cicerone Chris Kesler enjoying a Dent Head Kölschstyle ale. Photo by Hawke Sleigh. Miruvor English Barleywine in a special release bottle. Photo by Chris Kesler. Black Flannel's flagship NEIPA Disco Montage, 6.5% ABV, full-flavored yet lower ABV for the style. Photo by Brian Dewyea. Brunch cocktails include a house-made Bloody Mary and a Beer Mimosa. Photo by Chris Kesler. Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 43
PHOTO BY HAWKE SLEIGH
Top: A Chef Christian Kruse creation—fried green tomato salad. Photo by Jen Wyman. Above: Smoked octopus with warm fingerling potato salad and romesco sauce. Photo by Jen Wyman. Center top: Stormin' the Castle Scotch Ale, a very special beer dedicated to the memory of Chris Kesler's brother-in-law Scott Lawrence. Right: Food and beer pairing dinner course of lump crab salad, snow peas, Shizuka apple, caviar, and compressed melon. Photo by Christian Kruse.
entered his rst beer contest a state ide competition called ake he ut. is isco onta e e n land P scored in the top t o. e then uickly reali ed that bre in mi ht be more than ust a hobby. hris ent on to earn a certi cate from the usiness of raft eer pro ram. e has hosted eer ud e erti cation Pro ram P and erti ed icerone study roups and the re oonan emorial omebre ompetition. lon the ay he has formed friendships rooted in the love of beer education ith the reen ountain ashers. nd all of this hile runnin a marketin company called arthlo ic. 44 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Love Your Outdoors
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802.425.5222
ChurchHillLandscapes.com Aged Agave Dream Agave Spirit (akin to a Reposado tequila), made from organic agave sourced from Jalisco, Mexico, and aged on uncharred oak. Photo by Chris Kesler.
A FIRST BIRTHDAY Today, Black Flannel Brewing and Distilling is just over a year old and has rightfully earned its place as a top brewery, distillery, and restaurant in Vermont’s crowded craft beer landscape. The 15-barrel brewery is unique in many ways, most notably in that Black lannel has four erti ed icerones and multiple beer ud es on staff. “ erti ed icerone is similar to a sommelier for wine,” explains Chris. “It is a professional credential earned through work experience, intense study, and a four-hour exam designed to be one of the harder exams a professional will take." There are only sixteen erti ed icerones in ermont and it s no surprise that Black Flannel has four of them. Additionally, Black Flannel is the only Vermont brewery with an on-site sister distillery. "Starting a business is hard. Starting a combo brewery/restaurant/distillery is harder. Starting in the middle of a global pandemic… well, you can imagine,” Chris says. Yet, his optimism has remained and Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 45
Top: Black Flannel's unique 32-ounce growler allows guests to take any beer with them for home consumption. Photo by Hawke Sleigh. Above: A barrel with Marzen freshly tapped for an Oktoberfest celebration. Photo by Chris Kesler. Center: A Happy First Anniversary cake made with love by Black Flannel Sous/Pastry Chef Amanda Greear. Photo by Amanda Greear.
has helped his team grow. “I’ve aged quite a bit in the past year. But I feel strong, and my own optimism is at an all-time high. Seeing the look on the faces of our delighted guests continues to add fuel to the re and the love we receive on social media on a daily basis makes all the hard work worthwhile.” 46 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
FALL EXHIBITIONS
ON DISPLAY THROUGH FEBRUARY 5, 2022
Unbound, BCA Center installation, 2021
Objects of Empire, BCA Center installation, 2021
PHOTO BY CHRIS KESLER 2021 EXHIBITION YEAR PRESENTED BY
CROSS COLLABORATIONS Black Flannel's tagline, “exceptional craft celebrated at every turn,” highlights the three crafts they offer bre in dinin and distillin . “ ur team came to ether naturally ith every member dra n to the lack lannel vision. hey happen to be some of ermont s best in their respective crafts says hris. hey include ead of re in perations an art ell ead of eer ducation re er re unnin ham ead of arrel Program Aaron Ritchie, Spiritmaster Dave osher ead istiller ravis ohnson ecutive hef hristian ruse and ead of estaurant perations avid yhan. hris adds “ y ife eb is director of accounting; she keeps us all on our best behavior hen it comes to scal responsibility. s the lack lannel ebsite promises “ verythin e offer to our uests ill be a carefully considered and crafted e perience. hris s vision for lack lannel as uni ue from the be innin . e is committed to encouraging “passion, creativity, and collaboration ithin each operation and is dedicated to creating opportunities for each craft to collaborate ith each other. s an e ample the bre ers and distillers have collaborated ith four of their products to produce both a spirit and a beer ith the same batch of rain usin a techni ue kno n as parti-gyle.
BCA Exhibitions are funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and Vermont Arts Council. GALLERY HOURS WED-FRI: 12-5 PM, SAT: 12-8 PM BURLINGTONCITYARTS.ORG
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 47
Clockwise from top left: One section of a total of 52 taps available at two bars on-site in the main dining room and in the barrel room. Photo by Chris Kesler. A busy summer of live performance in the Black Flannel Biergarten. Photo by Chris Kesler. The 2016 Vermont Chef of the Year and Black Flannel Executive Chef Christian Kruse is ready, with his talented culinary team, for a busy dinner service. Photo by Jen Wyman.
FAN FAVORITES Black Flannel is careful to pour only excellent beers. They have a rigorous tasting panel, dubbed the “Flannel Panel,” and frequently test their products, often at Zymology Labs, a local beer testin lab run by erti ed Cicerone Amy Todd. While Black Flannel offers classic avors they aren t bound to tradition. “We focus on traditional styles but really like to experiment,” says Chris. Their best-selling beers are their New England IPA, a Kölsch-style ale, and Märzen. “We tend to brew what we love to drink, and our bre in staff are bi la er drinkers he adds. As for spirits and cocktails, Black Flannel has produced over a dozen unique varieties of spirits including whiskey, genever (Dutch gin), rum, tequila, and “garden spirits” made with fruits and vegetables. “The beer cocktails that infuse both our beer and spirits are quite popular,” he adds. 48 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
PHOTO BY CHRIS KESLER
RAVEN AND ANVIL Black Flannel’s logo is a raven and anvil because it “represents the practical application of craft and the physical work that goes into it,” says Chris, adding that he looks forward to offerin craft beer educational classes a ain in the fall. He also holds in-house education for staff ho are ea er to pursue icerone study. “We believe an educated customer is a loyal customer, and when we have a hand in helping to educate our guests, they will appreciate our approach and quality,” he adds. hile the rst year of lack lannel presented many obstacles due to the pandemic, Chris is proud of what his team has accomplished. “We all get the distinct feeling that we’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what is possible,” he says. “We are very excited for what the future brings, and we are inspired and humbled to be a part of the tight-knit communities of Vermont brewers, restaurateurs, and distilleries.
Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling Company 21 Essex Way Essex Junction, VT www.blackflannel.com
ONLINE EXTRA Learn more about the unique spirits made by the distillery at www.bestofburlington.com.
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 49
SHOP LOCAL
HOLIDAY
GIFT GUIDE for the home Home is where the heart is, and these gifts speak to the heart of your home's special details.
KISS THE COOK Grow your aromatic herbs, edible flowers, and baby vegetables all year round without any effort. Don’t have a green thumb? The Véritable Garden takes care of everything! Veritable Classic Includes four Véritable Lingots: sweet basil, curly parsley, chives, and thyme. Different and additional Lingots are also available! www.kissthecook.net
SLATE The Siempre Blanket is 100 percent recycled, using factory off-cuts that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Instead, the fibers are shredded and spun into recycled yarn, and woven into your new favorite fireside companion. www.slatehome.co
INSPIRED CLOSETS VERMONT Give the gift of a beautiful and organized closet. We make it easy! Gift certificates available. www.inspiredclosetsvt.com 50 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
for the home PHOENIX BOOKS
RENEGADES: BORN IN THE USA
BY BARACK OBAMA AND BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Two longtime friends share an intimate and urgent conversation about life, music, and their enduring love of America, with all its challenges and contradictions, in this stunningly produced expansion of their groundbreaking Higher Ground podcast. Deluxe Signed Edition (limited availability) www.phoenixbooks.biz
SHELBURNE VINEYARD AND WINERY Gift your loved ones with self-care this holiday season! Our spa day gift box contains everything you need to unwind and relax, including local lavender bath salts, lavender mist, a bottle of Celestial bubbles, and a glass to sip it from as you drift off into bliss. Stop in at our tasting room for local pickup or order it online at shelburnevineyard.com for delivery.
THE SECRET TO SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH BY ALISON BECHDEL
Comics and cultural superstar Alison Bechdel delivers a deeply layered story of her fascination, from childhood to adulthood, with every fitness craze to come down the pike, from Jack LaLanne in the 60s (“Outlandish jumpsuit! Cantaloupe-sized guns!”) to the existential oddness of present-day spin class. www.phoenixbooks.biz/book/9780544387652
A LITTLE SOMETHING We have “a little something” for every home, like candles, vases, frames, and more. We work with local or independent designers to ensure everything is creative, unique, and affordable. Open seven days a week with free gift wrapping. alittlesomethingvt.com Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 51
for the home
ART WORKS FRAME SHOP & GALLERY Providing the Champlain Valley and Upstate NY professional custom framing for more than 15 years for all your art, collectibles, memorabilia, family photos, and sport jersey shadow boxes, all done with a creative eye and meticulous attention to detail. We do beautiful work at a great price. artworksvt.com 52 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
SHOP LOCAL
HOLIDAY
GIFT GUIDE
outdoor lovers JESS BOUTIQUE Stay warm but stylish in the sophisticated Soia & Kyo Women’s Ren Wool Coat. www.jessboutique.com
Vermonters love the outdoors, whether they're out playing and exploring in it or bringing the outside in. Outdoor enthusiasts will love these gift ideas!
EXPRESSIONS Express yourself with the Fisherman Out of Ireland Birdseye Stitch scarf and hat made with 100 percent Geelong lambswool. www.expressions.com Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 53
SHOP LOCAL
HOLIDAY
GIFT GUIDE
style and fashion From the coolest designer clothes and accessories to affordable finds, look no further for that perfect gift.
N.T. FERRO ESTATE AND CUSTOM JEWELERS Designed and custom made by Ferro Jewelers in 14k white gold with high-quality diamonds, the “Stowe Strong” diamond snowflake will commemorate our country’s tough fight with COVID-19 over 2020 and Vermont’s resilience, passion, and hope. www.ferrojewelers.com
JESS BOUTIQUE Discover fashion finds like Julie Vos jewelry, 24k gold-plated necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings. www.jessboutique.com 54 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
EXPRESSIONS Express yourself with unique, handcrafted jewelry from Lizzie Fortunado. www.expressions.com
A LITTLE SOMETHING "A little something" for everyone includes clothing and accessories like bags and purses, wallets, scarves, and jewelry. Unique doesn't have to mean unaffordable. Open seven days a week, we're a destination shop that hasn't lost its status as a neighborhood favorite. And as always, gift wrapping is free. alittlesomethingvt.com
BARE MEDICAL SPA + LASER CENTER Make your gift-giving a sleigh ride with a gift card from Bare Medical Spa. Perfect for holidays, birthdays, or just because, gift cards are great for treatments, memberships, packages, and more. Visit the website for details. And, coming soon— our 12,000-square-foot new location will be opening in January 2022! www.barevt.com Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 55
style and fashion
NEW SHOWS ANAÏS MITCHELL 2/19
HASAN MINHAJ 3/1
ECCO From everyday luxury to that special occasion dress, Ecco has everything you need from designers such as Mother Denim, Susana Monaco, Vince, Citizens of Humanity, Velvet, Paige Premium Denim, AG Denim, and Michael Stars. You'll find the latest denim, the most beautiful dresses and tons of great tops, sweaters, shoes, and accessories. We also have an edited selection of the best Designer Men's Denim and great basics! eccoclothesboutique.com
ITZHAK PERLMAN 3/29
DIANA KRALL 4/12
+ many more! flynnvt.org 56 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
RADIANCE MEDICAL AESTHETICS AND WELLNESS SPA It’s more than just a gift card. Give the gift of radiance, confidence, and relaxation with an e-gift card. We want the people we love, admire, and care for to also take the time to care for themselves. Whether they choose a spa treatment to unwind, a laser treatment that will boost their confidence, or a skincare product that will forever change their skin, your gift to them will leave a lasting impact on their happiness, health, and well-being! Perfect for the holiday season. radiancevt.com
Put Your Feet Up. The people who choose to live at Wake Robin, in Shelburne, Vermont, are forever looking forward. Whether it’s making new friends in this Life Plan Community, exploring new activities and hobbies, or learning new skills, the good stuff lies in front of you. If that sounds like you, come check out the community virtually or in-person.
Wake Robin. It’s where you live.
WakeRobin.com 802-264-5100
More than kitchens, Vermont Cabinetry designs and builds custom quality storage solutions for your entire home. For nearly 40 years, all of our cabinets are built with the finest of materials and care here in New England. Call or email to visit our factory showroom and speak with a cabinet professional.
Live with Beauty 5 Dunning Lane | North Walpole, NH 03609 | 802-463-9930 | sales@vermontcabinetry.com www.vermontcabinetry.com Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 57
58 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
BY JAY MURRY
Your Pet's Best Friend Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists are best buddies to animals in Vermont
There is an old saying that dogs are man’s best friend. Certainly, that honor is not limited to dogs. Depending on one’s pet preferences, man’s best friends can also include cats, snakes, ferrets, goldfish, or turtles. Or just about any other animal that gives pet owners joy and comfort.
S
o, if pets are man’s best friends, wouldn’t we want them to have the best care possible? Vermonters are very fortunate to have a place where their pets get that level of care. Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists (BEVS) provides the exceptional care to pets and animals that people expect when they go to human hospitals. Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 59
Clockwise from top: View of BEVS during dusk. BEVS opened the doors to its new state-of-the-art facility in March 2019. Jenny is pictured with a staff member's puppy in front of the surgical prep area. Dr. Allison Cowan pictured with her pup Linus. Opposite: Jessica is a technician in our Emergency Department.
60 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Creature Comforts On its website, BEVS states that “We are a group of individuals truly dedicated to the health and comfort of your pet.” Hospital Administrator Whitney Durivage, MBA, CVPM, says that was evident upon completion of the current BEVS building. “We built a brand-new state-of-the-art facility back in 2019, and when we give tours of the hospital, people make the comment that it is like a mini version of a human hospital.”
BEVS is Vermont’s only 24/7 veterinary specialty hospital. Whitney says that clients who bring their pets in for treatment get the best of both worlds. “We have a combination of specialists who run specialty departments that are here during the weekdays, and we have a 24/7 emergency hospital. The combination of those two really elevates the level of care that people receive for their pets. If they’re coming in for emergency care, they can get transferred
Photo: Ryan Bent
to a specialty department for continued work-up and treatment.” Along with the approximately 20 specialized rooms that can treat and house a variety of pets in a clean and bright environment, there are two impressive common denominators mentioned most by visitors of BEVS, Whitney says. “It’s quiet, which is really nice for the animals to help the healing process. And we have a number of diagnostic modalities that play a huge role in being able to diagnose and treat animals. These capabilities allow us to make our patients feel better faster and minimize the need to transfer animals out of state to Maine, New York, and Massachusetts among other places." It is one thing to possess wonderful technology, but you need experts that can use it effectively.
Dynamic Duo of Veterinarians Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialists has 18 veterinarians on staff and in November, that number will include Dr. Allison Cowan, DVM, DACVIM (Neurolgy). Allison comes from Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital (MVH) in Akron, Ohio, where she was first an intern and then became a neurology resident. Allison will bring an extensive experience in veterinary neurology from MVH, which states, “We evaluate, diagnose, and treat a broad array of diseases that either primarily or secondarily affect the nervous system.” That includes pet seizure disorders, brain and
253-2169 | Stowe, VT | cushmandesign.com
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 61
Clockwise from top left: MRI machine at BEVS. Surgical suite at BEVS. Nurses Jessica and Jen providing treatment on a patient seen through the ER. Emergency veterinarian Dr. Megan Gibeley discusses a case.
62 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
spinal tumors, neuromuscular diseases, and spinal cord injuries. Whitney says Allison’s arrival is welcomed because her expertise is much needed. “It’s a big deal for the community in general because we haven’t had a veterinary neurologist in Vermont.” Allison grew up in southwestern Vermont,
and she is a graduate of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Whitney details the importance of having a neurologist like Allison on staff, saying, “Neurology now is even more exciting because Dr. Cowan is able to perform surgery. Having a neurologist who can diagnose, offer advanced diagnostics, and
Peʻahi
[pay-AH-hee] n.
1. A place on the north shore of the island of Maui in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It has lent its name to a big wave surfing break, also known as “Jaws”. 2. Two tilapia fish tacos topped with mango salsa, shredded lettuce & red cabbage and chipotle sauce on a flour tortilla served with corn tortilla chips and salsa. A Spot favorite.
provide medical management solutions and surgery is the best care available." Another veterinarian who will work closely with the new rehab department is Dr. Pamela Levin, DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVPP. Pamela has run the rehabilitation department at BEVS since 2016. Pamela offers acupuncture, manual therapy, and pain management for her patients. Pamela is the only veterinarian in Vermont who is a certified veterinary pain practitioner, and that certainly certifies her as a pet’s best friend. Whitney heartily agrees. “People and pets really love her! That’s the fun room where pets get all sorts of treats and treatment to make them feel better.” Whitney says she and BEVS are grateful to have Allison on board and able to offer Neurology/Neurosurgery to our community because it can be difficult at times to bring head-of-the-class doctors to Vermont. “Recruiting doctors to come here is very challenging. Vermont’s a great place to live, but it really has to draw a certain type of person. So, it’s kind of a good thing but then also poses significant challenges when you are trying to get people to relocate here.” Allison, a board-certified neurologist, provides today’s most advanced diagnostic testing and treatment for conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, muscles, or nerves of animals.
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Above: The treatment room at BEVS provides nursing stations and tables for outpatient treatment. Right: Surgical nurse Jenny holding a patient after an exam.
Rest assured that your pet will receive the most thorough and thoughtful care available. Judging by the specialists and services available 24/7, it’s safe to say that Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists are a pet’s best friend. Besties and BFFs forever.
Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Specialists 1417 Marshall Avenue Williston, VT (802) 863-2387 www.bevsvt.com Emergency service available 24/7/365 Specialty services hours: Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm
64 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
15 Years!
The past 15 years have been great. We’ve covered an eclectic mix of arts, culture, and local businesses from A to Z, and we have showcased so many of our local favorites on our covers over the years. Here are some of our beautiful covers from the past 15 years of Best of Burlington Magazine. We hope you've enjoyed them as much as we have.
FIRST ISSUE • WINTER 2007
OF BURLINGTON SUM M ER 2010
FALL 2008
WINTER 2008
SPRING 2009
SUMMER 2010
SPRING 2011
SUMMER 2014
SPRING 2015
FALL 2015
WINTER 2016
SPRING 2016
SPRING 2017
SPRING 2019
WINTER 2019
BURLINGTON s u m m e r 2010
BEST OF
BEST
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 43 Barre, VT
SUMMER 2008
L I F E A N D C U LT U R E I N T H E C H A M P L A I N VA L L E Y
Best Burgers Expert Tips, Toppings & Recipes
VOLUME 3 . NO. 3 $4.95
Local Farmers’ Markets Gordon’s Windows Recycle with ReSource
16/05/2010 5:55 pm
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 65
IN THE KITCHEN BY PHYL NEWBECK PHOTOS BY NATHAN STEINBAUER
Pie Empire
I
n 2014, after a trip to Australia and New Zealand, Stephanie Choate was inspired to start her business, Pie Empire, to recreate the savory handheld meals she had discovered Down Under. “My husband and I fell in love with the meat pies we ate on our trip,” she says. “I decided to learn how to make them and then decided to try and sell them.” The business started as a part-time venture, but it has turned into a new career. When she started Pie Empire, Stephanie sold her pies from time to time at the Richmond Farmers Market, but she soon made that a weekly endeavor and joined the Jericho Farmers Market as a part-time vendor. For winter selling, she would set up shop at breweries like Foam Brewers,
66 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
Hill Farmstead Brewery, and Simple Roots Brewing, as well as working at some special events. During the pandemic, many venues limited on-site consumption, so she shifted to direct customer ordering. This winter, she plans to be back in bars and breweries. Stephanie’s background is in ournalism not cookin . t rst she wasn’t sure whether she wanted to cook as a hobby or transition to a new career, but she’s happy she chose the latter. “I’ve always loved to cook,” she says, “but I don’t have any training or professional experience.” Nevertheless, she doesn’t see her change of careers as a big leap of faith. “I’ve always tried to do things slowly and sustainably,” she says. “It wasn’t a huge jump, but it was a complete 180 from what I had been doing. Even without any training in the food industry, it went really
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 67
Along with flagship flavors, Pie Empire offers a series of rotating seasonal specials, including Southern BBQ (above and left), Beef Bourguignon (below), Oktoberfest, and Pork & Pumpkin. All pies are handheld, individual size—four-and-a-half inches in diameter. For a full list of flavors, visit www.pieempire.com.
68 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
well and was a slow and smooth transition.” The hardest part about learning to cook meat pies was making the crust. “It took a lot of trial and error to et a crust that s aky and tender but can stand up to the llin and bein eaten by hand tephanie says. er rst llin as steak and ale follo ed by chicken and bacon ndian ve etables and chicken curry. he steak and ale is still the most popular meat pie, and Stephanie theorizes that it’s because it’s a traditional British avor. er current favorite is uffalo chicken but she confesses that she has had many different favorites over the years. “ ou can pretty much put anythin in a meat pie tephanie says notin that she is currently orkin on a iddle Eastern beef pie and an Italian sausage option with peppers, onions, and a little tomato. So far, none of her ne avors have fallen at. “ hey all took some time to develop she says “and won’t sell something until I get to a place where I’m excited about it.” tephanie proudly patroni es as many local businesses as possible includin aple ind arm and oultrop alley arm in ichmond ollin eado s arm in nderhill dams urkey arm in estford orth ountry mokehouse in laremont e ampshire arre s ermont alumi in rthur akin ompany and abot reamery. “ sin local meats has been really important to me tephanie says. “ hen you start ith really uality in redients it makes a much better product. Our farms are doing great things, so it’s nice to be able to support them.” ith ovid restrictin her ability to do on site events last winter, Stephanie started doing more direct sales. She was thankful to be able to return to the farmers markets this summer. “ hey have been reat she says “and it s a onderful opportunity for people to et out and buy from local producers in a safe local
Jamie Two-CoatS’ ToY ShoP 54 Falls Road Shelburne, VT
In the
l of Shelburne
HOURS: 10AM–5PM MON-SAT, 11AM–4PM SUN | 802-985-3221 Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 69
The Chicken & Bacon pie, a customer favorite, has been on Pie Empire’s menu since it began.
environment. It’s a great way for people to connect with their communities,” she says. Stephanie is hoping to continue to grow her business in a slow and sustainable manner with the possibility of hiring an employee at some point. Her husband, Nathan Steinbauer, helps out at some of the farmers markets, but she is essentially a one-woman show. She is reluctant to open a storefront for fear she would be tied down to a schedule. The couple enjoys traveling, as well as skiing, biking, hiking, and just getting outside. Any expansion would be designed to make the business more efficient and to help her bake more pies. As it is, during the height of the season, Stephanie works roughly 50 to 60 hours each week, making 12 to 14 dozen meat pies in her Fairfax kitchen. “Everything is made by hand and from scratch,” she says, adding that it is sometimes hard to have enough supply to keep up with the demand. Stephanie is unsure what this winter will bring, but she plans to do more direct sales and encourages her fans to sign up for her email list to keep abreast of where she’ll be and what she’s cooking. “My customers have been awesome, and they keep supporting me,” she says. “Pies take a lot of love and a lot of effort. This is really rewarding work. It’s nice to take local ingredients and turn them into something people are excited to eat.”
Pie Empire Fairfax, VT pieempirevt@gmail.com (802) 363-2822 pieempire.com
ONLINE EXTRA Make your own savory pies with recipes you’ll find at www.bestofburlingtonvt.com. 70 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
WINTER HAPPENINGS | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DECEMBER 3
MT. JOY MainStage, 8pm DECEMBER 4
WARREN MILLER’S WINTER STARTS NOW MainStage, 4pm & 7pm DECEMBER 10
AYODELE CASEL MainStage, 7:30pm DECEMBER 11
VSO HOLIDAY POPS MainStage, 7:30pm DECEMBER 14
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS MainStage, 7:30pm
JANUARY 20
DECEMBER 31
SOUNDS OF ZAMAR
BURLINGTON DOES BROADWAY
MainStage, 7:30pm
MainStage, 7:30pm
FEBRUARY 2
CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE (800) 570-5858 | www.champlain.edu
FLIP FABRIQUE
153 Main Street, Burlington (802) 86-Flynn www.flynnvt.org
MainStage, 7pm
DECEMBER 1
MARCH 1
THE GRIND—OPEN MIC
HASAN MINHAJ
Coffee House, 8:30pm
MainStage, 7:30pm
DECEMBER 8
THE GRIND—OPEN MIC Coffee House, 8:30pm
72 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE
WE DO BEAUTIFUL WORK AT A GREAT PRICE!
REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL!
Art Works Frame Shop & Gallery has been providing professional custom framing for more than 15 years for all your art, collectibles, memorabilia, family photos and sport jersey shadow boxes, all done with a creative eye and meticulous detail. We are locally owned & operated and located in the Blue Mall on Dorset St in South Burlington
artworksvt.com
EVERY THURSDAY–SUNDAY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
THE WINTER MARKET IN CITY HALL PARK
Ranked a
“Most Innovative School” by U.S. News & World Report seven years in a row
‘Tis the season! All month, discover local artists and makers, enjoy warm drinks, gather with friends, and revel in the magic of a holiday season in Vermont.
Please see website for details on special events happening December through February on Church Street.
champlain.edu/applynow
Burlington, VT (802) 863-1648 www.churchstmarketplace.com Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 73
WINTER HAPPENINGS | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
VERMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
HOLIDAY POPS VSO’s second Music Director candidate, Peter Askim, conducts the orchestra for our Holiday Pops series, joined by indie-pop/opera soprano Melissa Wimbish. The program features favorites like “Rocket Sleigh,” “White Christmas,” and “Sleigh Ride,” as well as music from the Nutcracker and Polar Express suites. It’s VSO’s treasured way to kick off the holiday season. DECEMBER 10 Barre Opera House, 7:30pm DECEMBER 11 The Flynn, 7:30pm DECEMBER 12 Paramount Theatre, 3pm
2 Church Street, Burlington (802) 864-5741 www.vso.org 74 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
HOLIDAY CONCERT WITH BRASS QUINTET & COUNTERPOINT CHORUS The VSO Brass Quintet joins forces with Counterpoint, under the direction of Nathaniel G. Lew, to ring in the holidays in style! This year’s program includes Elizabeth Poston’s beloved “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree,” carols by American composers Alice Parker, Amy Beach, William Levi Dawson, and Robert De Cormier plus traditional European carols from the Trapp Family Songbook. Don’t miss out on this seasonal treat—a perfect blend of brass, voices, and good cheer. DECEMBER 16 Warren United Church, 7:30pm DECEMBER 17 United Church of Newport, 7:30pm DECEMBER 18 Grafton Community Church, 5pm DECEMBER 19 Manchester First Congregational Church, 4pm
BURLINGTON DOES BROADWAY Ring in the New Year on December 31, 2021, with a special collaboration between Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Theatre Company, and The Flynn. Join us for a one-night-only performance of song and dance dedicated to the bright lights of Broadway, featuring beloved classics and contemporary hits to celebrate our triumphant and beloved New Year’s return to the Flynn MainStage. Benjamin Klemme is the guest conductor. The Lyric Theatre show team includes artistic director Doris O’Brien, music director Howie Kalfus, and choreographers Sue Bailey and Margaret Welch. DECEMBER 31 The Flynn, MainStage, 7:30pm
BURLINGTON CITY ARTS Please see website for details on exhibits.
NOVEMBER–FEBRUARY
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS Unbound Kristin Reynolds Objects of Empire Bradley Borthwick DECEMBER 31
HIGHLIGHT, NEW YEAR’S EVE Highlight is Burlington’s citywide New Year’s Eve celebration, produced by Signal Kitchen and Burlington City Arts. The festival brings Vermont’s leading artists, doers, and thinkers together to showcase our community’s creativity through lively festivities for all to enjoy!
145 Church Street, Burlington (802) 865-7166 www.burlingtoncityarts.org Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 75
WINTER HAPPENINGS | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT Burlington | www.uvm.edu
THE ESSEX EXPERIENCE DECEMBER 3
DECEMBER 4
BEG STEAL OR BORROW
AN EVENING WITH SOULE MONDE
T Rex Theater, 7pm
T Rex Theater, 7:30pm
21 Essex Way, Essex (802) 878-4200 www.essexexperience.com
76 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
DECEMBER 1
DECEMBER 8
UPB’S PUB QUIZ
UPB’S PUB QUIZ
Brennan’s Pub, 9pm
Brennan’s Pub, 9pm
DECEMBER 4
DECEMBER 15
SOULE MONDE
UPB’S PUB QUIZ
The Double E, 7:30pm
Brennan’s Pub, 9pm
SOUTH BURLINGTON RECREATION AND PARKS
DECEMBER 11
MEET CHILDREN’S AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR ASHLEY WOLFF Book readings and signing, refreshments served, 11am DECEMBER 11
WINTER CONCERT SERIES CONNOR YOUNG 12:30pm DECEMBER 29
MOVIE NIGHT EDWARD SCISSORHANDS 6pm
SOUTH BURLINGTON RECREATION AND PARKS HAS MOVED! Visit their new home at 180 Market Street South Burlington, VT (802) 846-4107 www.southburlingtonvt.gov Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 77
WINTER HAPPENINGS | CALENDAR OF EVENTS
VERMONT COMEDY CLUB DECEMBER 16
MOTHRA! A STORYTELLING/ IMPROV COMEDY SHOW 7pm DECEMBER 17 & 18
DEANNE SMITH 7pm & 9:30pm DECEMBER 20
MUSICAL THEATER MONDAY Café, 6pm DECEMBER 21
STANDUP MIC Café, 6pm DECEMBER 22
STANDUP MIC Main, 8:30pm DECEMBER 23
MOTHRA! A STORYTELLING/ IMPROV COMEDY SHOW 7pm DECEMBER 27
IMPROV JAM Café, 6pm DECEMBER 1
STANDUP MIC Main, 8:30pm DECEMBER 2
MOTHRA! A STORYTELLING/ IMPROV COMEDY SHOW 7pm DECEMBER 3
ANTHONY DEVITO (1-MAN SHOW) 7pm DECEMBER 6
IMPROV JAM Café, 6pm DECEMBER 7
STANDUP MIC Café, 6pm DECEMBER 8
WEIRD & NICHE WITH JARED HALL 7pm
78 | www.bestofburlingtonvt.com
DECEMBER 9
DECEMBER 28
MOTHRA! A STORYTELLING/ IMPROV COMEDY SHOW
STANDUP MIC Café, 6pm
7pm
DECEMBER 29
DECEMBER 11
WE’RE LOCALS—2 BOZOS SPEND A WEEK IN YOUR TOWN & MAKE A SHOW ABOUT IT! 9:30pm DECEMBER 13
IMPROV JAM Café, 6pm DECEMBER 14
STANDUP MIC Café, 6pm
STANDUP MIC Café, 8:30pm DECEMBER 30
MOTHRA! A STORYTELLING/ IMPROV COMEDY SHOW 7pm DECEMBER 31
LAURIE KILMARTIN 8pm & 10:30pm JANUARY 1
LAURIE KILMARTIN 7pm & 9:30pm
DECEMBER 15
STANDUP MIC Main, 8:30pm
101 Main Street Burlington, VT www.vermontcomedyclub.com
ADVERTISERS INDEX For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact John or Robin Gales at (802) 5582719 or email coffeetablepublishing@comcast.net. A Little Something .................................................................................. 7 Ardesh Finds & Furnishings ................................................................. 5 Art Works Frame Shop.........................................................................73 Bare Medical Spa + Laser Center.........................................................1 Burlington Acuputure...........................................................................39 Burlington City Arts..............................................................................47 Burlington Emergency and Veterinary Services ............................27 Burlington Marble and Granite ...........................................................17 Catamount Physical Therapy ..............................................................31 Champlain College ...............................................................................73 Chroma Optics....................................................................................... 18 Church Hill Landscapes .......................................................................45 Crown Point Cabinetry....................................................................8, 80 Cushman Design Group .......................................................................61 Davis & Hogdon Associates...............................................................23 Ecco Clothes ............................................................. Inside Front Cover Expressions Boutique .............................................................................9 Ferro Estate & Jewelers........................................................................45 Flynn .........................................................................................................56 Fringe Salon and Lash Bar ...................................................................79 Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery................................................................. 18 Glowaesthetics Medical Spa + Beauty Boutique ...........................21 Green Envy........................................................................................ 13, 19 Hickok & Boardman Real Estate ....................... Outside Back Cover Inspired Closets ....................................................................................39 Istanbul Kebab House ..........................................................................70 Jamie Two Coats....................................................................................69 Jess Boutique ........................................................................................... 3 Kumulia (Kase) Long eXp Realty....................................................... 10 Kiss the Cook..........................................................................................35 Lake Champlain Closets ......................................................................52 Landshapes .............................................................................................75 Lyric Theatre ......................................................................................... 49 Midstate Dodge/Hyundai....................................................................71 NurseGrown Organics .........................................................................77 Oakes & Evelyn ......................................................................................35 Otter Creek Awnings............................................................................69 Outdoor Gear Exchange ......................................................................22 Peregrine Design/Build........................................................................55 Phoenix Books ........................................................................................70 Radiance Medical Aesthetics and Wellness Spa ....................................................................................... Inside Back Cover Red House Building ............................................................................... 11 Shelburne Tap House ............................................................................31 Shelburne Vineyard................................................................................61 Slate ............................................................................................................ 2 The Automaster.......................................................................................4 The Carriage Shed.................................................................................52 The Essex Vermont’s Culinary Resort & Spa............................12, 75 The Spot on the Dock...........................................................................63 Tom Moore Builder Inc..........................................................................15 Total Fitness Equipment.......................................................................47 Vermont Cabinetry ...............................................................................57 Vermont Kitchen Design by Bouchard-Pierce Wolf .....................77 Vermont Real Estate Company............................................................6 Volansky Studio Architecture & Planning ...................................... 49 Wake Robin.............................................................................................57 WND&WVS ...........................................................................................76
Winter 2021/2022 | Best of Burlington | 79
Crown Select by
A whole new line of custom built inset cabinetry with the impeccable Crown Point fit and finish Handcrafted in New Hampshire and available direct, nationwide
www.crownselect.com 603 • 542 • 3399
Beautifully designed and engineered to be budget friendly
Available only from Crown Point Cabinetry
COFFEE TABLE PUBLISHING, LLC 32 Hermit Thrush Lane South Burlington, VT 05403