après
Behind Bars
Beanbag chairs, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and booths named after famous Sugarbush runs – we visit a few of the Valley’s most novel après spots. By CaTherIne Shane Hostel Tevere [Warren] While this hostel has bunk beds on its second floor similar to its european counterparts, its first floor is out of this world: Beanbag chairs hang like swings from the common room ceilings; the walls of the bright lime green kitchen and the blue and yellow entry are peppered with pop art; the bar, lined by Christmas lights, offers a casual seating space; and funky abstract benches, shelves, and side tables (made by students of yestermorrow Design/ Build School) are tucked throughout. Pairing to try Suppli + Fuedo arancio nero d’avola 2009: This medium-bodied red wine from Sicily nicely cuts the acidity of the tomato sauce in the suppli (mozzarella balls rolled in sauce and risotto, then fried). hosteltevere.com, 802-496-9222
Castlerock Pub [SugarBuSh] Location has nothing to do with what makes one of the five booths in this downstairs Gate house Base Lodge bar a local’s favorite; rather, it’s all about the trail name and photo that is mounted above each of the booths, representing five of Castlerock Peak’s most epic runs (rumble, middle
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earth, Cotillion, Lift Line, and Castlerock run). But if your favorite run, ahem, booth, is already taken, a couch with side tables for parking your beer is located in front of the room’s stone fireplace. Pairing to try Steak Sandwich + Pabst Blue ribbon: This heaping portion of shaved steak, veggies, and cheese piled into a grilled baguette has the nickname “the belly bomb,” so if you plan on heading back to the slopes, the only way you might make it is to pair it with something light and less filling. sugarbush.com, 802-583-6594
Big Picture Theater & Café [WaitSFieLd] Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is just a movie house with a dinky chalkboard menu. The building – modeled after a ‘50s diner with chunky white coffee cups, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and other glass and steel elements – is home to two theaters, a bar lounge, a café with 13 tables (all with full menus), and a bakery. Come summertime, the fenced-in outside patio offers picnic- and café-table seating underneath bright red umbrellas. an adjacent playground keeps kids busy.
Pairing to try Jalapeño Poppers + urban riesling 2008: These poppers, filled with cheddar and cream cheese, are super spicy because they are homemade by Chef amanda astheimer, who purposely leaves the majority of the jalapeños’ seeds in. a little too hot? The sweetness in this German riesling helps tone down the heat a bit. bigpicturetheater.info, 802-496-8994
Timbers Restaurant
[SugarBuSh] an enclosed entrance decorated with landscape shots by local roxbury photographer Josh axelrod gives way to the interior of this restaurant, built in the fashion of a round barn. fifty-five-foot-tall ceilings, timber-frame architecture, and a nine-foot-tall stone fireplace surrounded by single-seat leather chairs make up the main room, while four french doors lead to the outdoor patio overlooking the bumps of Stein’s run. Pairing to try grilled vermont yak Sausage + Switchback ale: The bold flavor of this unfiltered amber ale (brewed in Vermont) stands up well to the richness in this beer-infused, locally raised yak meat served over mustard-cabbage slaw. sugarbush.com, 802-583-6800 :
Take a Free ride
SugarbuSh
18
Magazine
sandy macys
no one stepping up to drive tonight? The Green mountain Transit agency offers free transportation on The mad Bus within the towns of the mad river Valley, including Sugarbush, Warren, and Waitsfield, so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. gmtaride.org, 802-223-7287