Hen of the Wood - Waterbury

This is fine dining at its finest, but not fanciest (in a good way). We snagged a reservation for a Saturday night in November, with the kitchen view -- the resy was a necessity as we heard a hostess tell someone over the phone that the restaurant was completely booked for the evening, with just a wait list for bar seating available. The star of our meal: the ribeye for 2 with fried fingerling potatoes. The steak was trimmed up with just a little fat cap on the end, the rest being perfectly marble, tender ribeye that ate like butter at a beautiful medium rare. It was marinated, seasoned, and served over a red wine jus, although all the flavors on the outside were complimentary to the steak and allowed the beef itself to shine. The potatoes were fried nicely, bringing a satisfying, tasty crisp alongside the steak. We also had the mushroom toast, although our particular batch had almost entirely highly cooked down, crispy shavings that were really concentrated in flavor, similar to the hyper salty bits left behind in the bottom of a cooking pan. I wished there were some more of the whole/hearty, less cooked down mushroom pieces in ours to balance the saltiness. We also had a mocktail and cocktail, both mixed deliciously! My wife enjoyed a blend of maple, orange, and lemon, and I had the Be Discreet, kind of a full-size cocktail version of an amaro. Finally, we managed to save room for a vanilla cheesecake mousse, and they gave us a scoop of molasses cookie dough ice cream on the house. What can I say? A pillowy sweet ending to a culinary adventure. I mentioned fine without fancy, because Hen of the Wood was also very approachable in its farm-to-table style. The staff was very helpful, and it was a comfortable environment from start to finish. We hope to be back soon!

My boyfriend brought me here for my birthday dinner and it was the perfect meal and experience! Everything was amazing but especially the grilled rabbit leg. They gave me a bday card and a candle with desert, which was a nice surprise. I also forgot my leftovers, turned around for them (yes, the food is that good), and our waiter held onto them just in case we came back. They thought of everything! 10/10 food and service.

Probably our best meal spot on our Vermont trip. This place has an incredibly good hanger steak, perfect seasoning crust and cook temp. The mushroom toast appetizer is like an eggs Benedict breakfast with super fresh mushrooms, was very good. The tomato, peach, and mozzarella salad they have sounds strange, but was shocking how good the combination was. It actually changed my perspective of tomato’s which I’m normally not crazy for. The cocktails were made to perfection. You can tell the bar tender knows how to make a good sophisticated drink. Their wine list and service is also very nice. For dessert, do yourself a favor and get their honey crème fraiche ice cream. It was so good, it ruined regular ice cream for me forever Fantastic date spot and a true highlight of our trip

Excellent birthday dinner! First time at Hen and it didn’t disappoint!! Friendly, upbeat service, with great recommendations. A couple of great cocktails and small plates to share. Main courses were the duck and hanger steak - both perfectly cooked and delicious! Lastly, who could resist pumpkin tart. From beginning to end everything was very enjoyable!

We’ve been wanting to try Hen of the Wood for years and finally got the chance. We made a reservation at the chef’s counter and weren’t disappointed.The mushroom toast and rabbit liver pate were amazing. We also split the large strip steak with broccolini and potatoes in wine reduction which was equally good. The service was generally good and dishes came out promptly but we did have to flag down the waitress a couple times for drink refills. The menu seemed unexpectedly a little limited. For example, there were options for beef, different types of rabbit, halibut and vegetarian dishes but no poultry (especially given the name of the restaurant). However, everything we ordered was outstanding. Can’t wait to go back the next time we are in the area!

Visited this gem on a Saturday night for a solo fine dining experience. I had made a reservation and was seated right away at the chefs counter. The food was incredible; I had the rabbit liver pate, duck breast, and mint chocolate cake, along with a cocktail. The flavor combinations were perfect, and the duck practically melted in my mouth. Even though they seemed busy all the food arrived in a timely fashion. I believe my waiter was Alex; he provided attentive service without being overbearing. I was never without a refill on my water or fresh silverware, but was also able to enjoy my solitude and take in the beautiful decor and atmosphere. I throughly enjoyed myself, especially getting to watch the Chefs cook behind the counter. This is a pricier restaurant, as any fine dining establishment would be, but not unreasonable given the quality and care that is clearly demonstrated.

Wife and I went nostalgic skiing at Sugarbush, our first ski trip years ago before we got married in December. We’d heard great things about Chef Eric and Hen of the Wood (James Beard recognition carries weight), so we managed to snag a late dinner reservation and drove an hour from where we were staying. Look, I’m not a professional critic, food expert, nor someone who dines and wines for status. But we’ve been fortunate to experience fine dining around the world, and we’re always willing to pay for (the love of) food and hospitality done right. Take this as a grain of salt or simply as context for the value exchange you might expect here. First, kudos to the chefs and kitchen. The food is outstanding. Probably the best meal we’ve had so far this year. We started with beautifully composed beets it was subtle, balanced, and elegant. The scallop crudo was pristine and delicately dressed. The local cheese selection was exceptional; creamy paired with hazelnut jam and crisp crackers. For mains, the hanger steak was cooked perfectly, deeply flavorful, resting over a blue cheese and parsnip purée that was rich but controlled. It was incredible. Drinks were also well crafted. Unfortunately, the overall dining experience was very underwhelming. As silly as it sounds, the lack of polished service overshadowed what was otherwise remarkable food. Here’s what we experienced: 1. Basic precautions. A foundational rule of food service: ask about allergies. Our server (Taylor H.) did not. This is a restaurant serving $100 ribeye. Even a $16 pizza spot in a ski village will confirm allergies as standard practice. 2. Menu knowledge. In a restaurant of this caliber, staff should be able to speak fluently about the menu. We received multiple “What?” responses when asking about wines and had to physically point to items on the list to order. When we asked about a particular cheese from their extensive selection, the description was simply, “It’s soft.” That’s a missed opportunity for storytelling and hospitality. 3. Etiquette and accountability. We ended the meal with amaro (again, we had to point out Averna on the menu) and ordered raspberry ice cream with chocolate chunks. What arrived was chocolate ice cream with almond (the second option on the menu). When we asked if it might have been incorrect, we were told the raspberry ice cream was the chocolate one! Unless we both suddenly lost our taste buds, there was no raspberry. Also, almonds were present in the dish, which could be dangerous for someone with an unidentified allergy. When the bill arrived, we asked the second time, and the only response was, “Let me take that out.” We didn’t care about $10. We simply wanted the correct dessert or at minimum, a sincere apology. Maybe it was an off night. Maybe we caught a late-evening lull. Maybe we didn’t look “ring and bling” enough for elevated service. I don’t know. What I do know is the kitchen delivers excellence. The service, on our visit, did not. And in fine dining, hospitality is inseparable from the food. It’s disappointing because we love sharing great spots with friends and family especially when expectations are high. This one left us conflicted.

The food was fantastic! We shared the duck for two and it was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The veggies were delicious as well. Their cheese menu is top-notch and would highly recommend!

We had a really great experience here. We sat outside on the patio and even though we couldn't see much, the weather was very nice. We started off with the Parker house rolls served with cultured butter. If you love bread, then this is a must! The rolls were soft and warm and the butter just melted on the bread. It was sooo good! We got the HEN OF THE WOODS MUSHROOM TOAST (Grilled Bread, House Bacon, Poached Egg). If you love mushrooms then this is a MUST!! It was so simple but really good. This was one of my favorites of the evening. Other items we ended up getting were the -PAPPARDELLE (Shishito Peppers, Corn, Breadcrumbs). This wasn't bad but was prob our least favorite dish. -Duck breast: highly recommend this dish! Duck was so tender. It was served on a bed of polenta and collard greens and it was deeeelicious! Service was very good as well!! They were so accommodating even when we brought our 4 month old. Def make a resy!!!

The food was fantastic but to celebrate a special occasion, they did not make us feel too special in the moment. So we just got engaged earlier in the day (yay!) and this was where we decided we wanted to celebrate. Reviews seemed good and the daily changing menu and farm to table aspect was intriguing! When we arrived we were given some congratulations (now fiancé let them know when he first went in to check in) and they put a "congrats" card on our table. Our waitress also offered her congrats and we reviewed the menu. The space was cozy, dark, intimate with an open kitchen so it almost was a dinner and a show where you could watch the magic of the kitchen. We decided to get the Parker house rolls, a rabbit tortellini, the NY strip for two and ended with the cheesecake mousse. He also ordered their hen of the wood cider and I grabbed a baileys on the rocks. Everything I highly recommend! The drinks were great, especially the cider! The Parker house rolls were delicious, salty and crispy on the top, yet soft and paired with a high quality butter adding more layer to the bite. Next was the tortellini, which was such a wild card for us because we had never had rabbit so we were hoping for the best. And it was fantastic! The broth was rich, full of depth and allowed the tortellini to really shine. The pieces of pasta were perfectly al dente while the filling was perfectly cooked. Then our strip for two came paired with braised kale, lions mane mushroom, smoked cheddar and polenta. This was plenty big for two to split, we actually took some home as it was too filling. The polenta was impressive with its flavor. The kale was well cooked (my fiance loved it, but kale is not my favorite) and the steak was perfectly cooked to a medium rare request. But the mushrooms, that was one of our favorite bites. They looked like bites of meat, hearty and well colored but added such a round flavor to the palate. Would eat again in a heartbeat. We decided to end our meal with the cheesecake mousse, as it sounded amazing with poached pears and dried fruit slices/wafer like cookies on top. We also ordered some tea and coffee and accidentally our waitress forgot the coffee for a while before we checked in again to grab it. The dessert was out of this world, something I'd order a million times over. The texture was light, airy and the poached pears added such a warm seasoning to the dish. Plus the crispy parts on top was a nice balance of crispy to soft. My ONLY critic other than the forgotten coffee is something that feels almost silly to say. But we had just gotten engaged a few hours ago...other than the few congrats we didn't receive anything special or on the house. I know that sounds like I am begging but the next day when we went to other (lesser) establishments we got a glass of Prosecco to cheers with, or a dessert on the house. Not things we asked for or expected but those establishments made us feel extremely special. To celebrate our engagement at this restaurant, I was hoping to feel a little more special than just a regular dinner. For such a high end restaurant with Michelin star quality food and price tag, I was a little surprised to not feel like it matched what we were celebrating. For us this was a big deal! I might be asking too much, or maybe they don't cater to the tables occasions, just the food, which is something to keep in mind! Overall, this was a wonderful meal, a little let down in the experience for what we were celebrating, but we would come back again to try whatever the chef is serving. I beg him to add that cheesecake mousse as a re-occuring dish!

We have mixed feelings if we would return. We dined here twice with very differing experiences. Our first visit was unplanned - we went early, got 2 seats at the bar and loved it. The bartender was super attentive and our meal was Michelin star worthy. Our 2nd visit was planned but left us confused on how our experiences could have been so very different. Make reservations unless you go early (5pm), are just 2 people and are prepared to eat at the bar. Hen has a fancy farm to table natural rustic feel with mixologists not bartenders. Our first dining experience, the mixologist was terrific, made excellent recommendations and just made the whole experience fun. We ordered fazzoletti - some of the best pasta ever and the plating really did not do it justice as it resembled something regurgitated. Hen of the wood mushroom HOTW toast - the challenge is to ensure each bite has the tasty combination of crunchy toast, gooey egg with the bacon and HOTW mushroom. Oysters were perfect and served with multiple sauces to enhance the flavor. Cucumber spring turnip with duck egg , crispy bacon, herby buttermilk - somewhat bland. Striped bass and duck breast were cooked to perfection. We did not care for the carrot puree. Duck was cooked rare but the presentation was obscured by baby arugula. Dessert 3 cheeses was a nice variety but the crackers coated in a sugar were inedible. We were unable to find a wine by the glass that we liked after trying/having 3 different ones. Dish delivery timing was ideal - every item arrived in prompt order after we'd finish a dish and moved seamless into the next. Otherwise, we were in heaven and could not wait for our next food experience at Hen of the Wood Waterbury. NOTE: They say you are born with a preference for sugar or salt. By our 2nd visit it became very obvious that this chef had a strong preference for sweet (sugar crackers with cheese plate and sweet purees). Our 2nd dining experience was disappointing. We sat in a nice booth and were eagerly anticipating curated feast. Timing was off from the start - everything took awhile to arrive which is unexpected on a Wed at 5:45pm. Hen does not provide any kind of complimentary snack/bread while you wait so we ordered the parker house rolls - this was not a must have. The 1/2 dz oysters were great and did not disappoint. Not sure what we were expecting with the fried green tomatoes but not something we would order again. The heirloom tomato panzanella was uninteresting. The hen of wood arrived but it felt like we received a half order - at the same time, two servers brought what looked like two 1/2 hen of wood dishes and then got confused and left us with one of them. The toast was in half and only 1 piece of bacon. The homemade pasta pansotti was delivered looking not great but unlike the fazzoletti the pansotti did not taste great - the stuffing was not optimal. The NY strip for Two - umm, are these 2 people on a diet? It was not enough food for 2 non-dieting adults to eat - maybe 1.5 adults would be a stretch. The striped bass was served on a pureed green something - perhaps one day we will eat it with a mouse in a house in the rain on a train (Seuss) but the bass was good and the green gunk needed to go (and we love and eat prolific vegetables and up until now have yet to meet a vegetable we did not like). The pac choi was great but with anchovies (ok) but some unknown yellow sauce not listed on the menu. In terms of drinks, this time we stuck to beer and mixed drinks and avoided the wine.

It has been awhile that I have been moved to post about a dining experience up here in the North Country. We visited Hen of The Woods at their Waterbury location. This by far was one of the best meals I have had in the North Country. Reminiscent of the hay days of Liquids & Solids in Lake Placid and on par with their location in Burlington VT. The setting was warm and welcoming. Plenty of room between tables and Farm to table vibe. We sat at the Che's counter which I had requested. Our cocktails were expertly crafted by their superior Mixologists ( I over indulged but they were SO good! ) Our First course were oysters on the half shell with their signature sauces. The ultra fine shaved horseradish danced on the tongue while enjoying the fresh creamy texture of each oyster. Our Second course was the Scallop Crudo swimming in a drop dead delicious light oil/citrus marinade along with slices of tangerines and daikons. Our Third course was a Loin of Rabbit flash fried with a sublime cream and seeded Dijon sauce, and pickled onions. I was going to lick the plate but settled for a spoon for every last drop. The Fourth course was the Steak Tatar with house chips. This dish was a bit acid forward from what i am accustom to but none the less yummy and i love acid. Our Fifth course was the Duck. This cover was cooked to perfection with a puree of sun chokes that reached that blissful velveteen stage! The accompanying stock reduction played second fiddle to the duck but was nicely balanced. All of our covers were on point with seasoning and presentation. We had two desserts: A Chocolate Ganache and the house made Maple Ice Cream, leaving us completely satisfied. Now the service; Everyone and I mean everyone.. was Super Attentive, Professional and reminded me of LB in NYC. Yes, its not the white linen Michelin experience, but the food and service deserved that level of recognition!! Thank you to the chefs and front of the house staff for the perfect evening.

went to Hen of the Woods last night and sat at the chef tables. What a fantastic experience. The service was exemplary , drinks very very tasty and the food was over the top! great to see the chefs in action and would go there weekly if we lived in the area! highly recommended. Jerry & Cathy visiting from Chicago!

The ambience is really bougie and chill, very upscale feeling. We had a very patient waiter and the staff seemed attentive. I wasn't impressed by the food, you could tell that the quality was good, but in terms of preparation I was disappointed. All of our steaks came out cold and one of our orders actually didn't get placed at all so we all split our already small portioned meals with the guest whose meal didn't come out. The cocktails were delicious and we had oysters and those were great. With so many choices in the area, I wouldn't go out of my way to stop here again though. The price point didn't match the quality of preparation. It also bugs me that their sodas are canned and not from a fountain. Invest in a soda fountain.

I saw it to be a true local pride and gem when they came highly recommended by both locals and friends-in-the-know (highly travelled foodies). No, these weren't just common recommendations. Why? I clearly observed the same repeated behavior (that usually annoys me when overly used as a style of expression): the "eye-roll" when describing something is *that* good. But that happened repeatedly; even the friends were at the point of "chirping" in delight just talking about their experiences there as they almost shouted in chorus, "GET THERE EARLY TO LINE UP!" (Even if you didn't know they were there as you walked by, you'd definitely notice the line that piles up as people wait for their doors to open. It's that obvious when you're visiting a town as small as this.) Walking through the doors and up the stairs up to the hostess stand felt somewhat like herded cattle wanting to break loose. You can feel the absolute excitement in the crowd wanting to get seated and partake in such a highly recognized restaurant. I guess I was starting to feel the same excitement after waiting this bloody long to get in (JK, it was just an hour and I did so nearby stuffing myself with other goodness the town offered). Led through the restaurant past their bar and open kitchen (the red hot coals underneath the grill was such a beautiful sight), through the side halls and then down another flight of stairs, our group of varied parties entered the speakeasy (porting into another dimension) and were seated accordingly - talk about a streamlined experience. The atmosphere was filled with continued excitement; bartender was all smiles, chatting, taking orders, and mixing drinks simultaneously like the magician that he was. The supporting team flocked around every party assisting with orders, setting or clearing wares, dropping off orders (that were almost instantaneous upon an order going in ESP oysters, which were being shucked in the kitchen as the first crowds entered)...seamless, fast, and beautiful in their hospitality dance. I think what also caught my attention amidst all that was going on was the simple fact that NA drinks were immediately mentioned when drink recommendations were being made to the crowd huddled around the bar. It's still quite new to me despite having been drawn to it more and more over the years. I skipped the main courses as it didn't sing to me in the moment. The small bites, however, including the oysters were deeply satisfying. The wood smoke that carried itself on the Coppa, the sunchokes, and the mushroom toast highlighted the tasting. Each bite, each element was well prepared and came together as magnificent as the eclipse the next day. I really understand why this place gets the hype that it deserves. For such a small town, this spot has quite the gravity that pulls visitors far from town to navigate through their ever changing menu just to savor their delightful culinary touch. Bravo, bravo. Can't wait to be back again.

My best dining experience in Vermont ever! Perfect private dining for our extended family celebration. Incredible main server with others when needed. Vermont elegance: casual but upscale in that flannel shirt kind of way. Every bite and every course, mostly served family style, were delectable. Warm rolls. Oysters and ham. Incredible ravioli type dish. Best of show: duck. Yummy hen of the woods mushrooms and onions and incredible runner up.

Sat at the bar and had the best meal I've had in a while! I had the Rise of the Valkyries pale ale, Hangar Steak, Beets on the side, and for dessert the Almond Cake. Everything was to die for! The hangar steak was a perfect medium rare, and the blue cheese beets paired perfectly- the bartender did a killer job with the suggestions! The almond cake was dense and moist, with tuile on top that was buttery and crunchy. Service was fast and friendly and I learned about the local gin distillery from the knowledgeable bartender which was a cool extra.

My girlfriend and I came here tonight as a last-stop on our weekend getaway. We have seen people raving about Hen of the Wood, so we were excited to experience it first hand. We began with a cocktail while we waited for our table to be ready: I got the Banana Stand and she got a cocktail with Beefeater, grapefruit, and aperol (can't remember the name). Both drinks were very good, reasonable considering their price point. Once we were seated, we decided to start with half a dozen oysters. Living on the NH seacoast, we were both pleasantly surprised by them. The house mignonette was a great pairing but could have been thinner. We both decided to order the roasted duck breast for our entree, paired with a glass of the Hen of the Wood sparkling Pinot Gris. The entree was great, the duck was cooked to perfection and the reduction on the bottom was exceptional. Overall we were impressed with the meal. Once it came time to pay, we decided to split the check two ways. We were initially handed an itemized receipt that stated the overall total including the meals and tax. Once our server had split the bill between two cards though, we noticed that she had added a 20% gratuity to the bill that she did not mention and was not listed on the itemized receipt. We both thought this was a little weird and almost deceitful. Maybe she thought we would not tip properly since we opted to split the check? I'm not sure. We probably would have tipped more and given the experience 5 stars had it been addressed, though.

I thoroughly enjoyed the hanger steak and the cocktails. The Parker rolls were good but nothing special at all-- would not get again over another potential dishes but saw so many reviews about them and wanted to try. However, I was very unhappy with the halibut. $38 for a small piece of unseasoned fish. Do not get fish here they have so many meet, cheese, and vegetables to try that would likely be a lot better.

HOTW is the first reservation I book when planning a trip to Stowe. Usually the first night's dinner, it's nostalgic and never disappoints. I love being able to watch the kitchen as they harmoniously call and crank out dishes. Service is always friendly. The menu is reliably tailored to seasonal ingredients. This is a real treat that I look forward to every time! Not to mention, the only place outside of the Alchemist with Heady Topper on tap, give it a try!

We decided to go to Hen of the Wood for our anniversary dinner given all the hype. We went in expecting an elegant, relaxing/well-paced, upscale experience. Elegant: yes. Upscale:yes. Relaxing/well paced: No. We felt rushed - being constantly asked what we wanted next... though this can seem like attentiveness (and our server was very energetic and friendly), we could not carry on a conversation without constant interruption. They want you in & out in 60 minutes. We have experienced and enjoyed several high end restaurants in the area including Michael's on the Hill and Edson Hill and have enjoyed well paced meals that were memorable experiences. To return, we would have drinks at the bar - not dinner. Oh.... and it's paid parking:$16 for 2 hours!

After years of trying to get to Hen of the Wood on our annual Vt trip, we finally made it! Sadly, it was overall disappointing. Our waitress and the hostess were both very friendly and attentive. We started with the baked Brie. 5 sad crackers that were not enough to spread the Brie out on to. Baked? More like slightly warmed. We both got the hanger steak and the steaks were not very warm at all. Ok, expected for the medium rare one. The medium well was very chewy and not very warm. The best part about this plate was the feta. They should be served on a hot plate. We decided to try a dessert to see if we could salvage this long awaited meal. Now, the dessert was "bangin'" If I could buy a piping bag of the marshmallow, I would've. Drinks were also good- I did hate that there are no kind of coasters for the table so the wetness from the glasses sweating was annoying. I liked the vibe they're going for but it was a miss for me.

Unbelievable. So so good. Our server was very attentive. Drinks and their presentation oh my We got baked brie and tomato panzanella, beets, and crispy rabbit. I am just so glad we chose Hen of the Wood while we are enjoying our weekend in Vermont. Th food is good, fresh, seasoned well. I'm a huge fan of open kitchen so you can see magic happens in real time. I'd give 10 stars if I could They have a $10 item as hugs for the kitchen and I am all about it

I cannot recommend this place enough. After having dinner right across the street at their sister restaurant we decided to stop for a night cap and dessert. Little did we know they had an extraordinary cheese selection and ended up ordering one cheese after the other with amazing drinks. Their cheese was out of this world delicious and curated from all sorts of farms from the state. Their maple crackers are made in house and I wish they would sell them by the pound because they were so yummy. Great bar, staff, and vibes.

Cheese Board: They have an amazing selection of cheese. It is pretty overpriced at $10 per cheese, though. We got Lazy Lady Farm Nasty Goat, Jasper Hill Farm Bayley Hazen Blue, and Parish Hill Creamery Cornerstone. They were all incredible cheeses. Especially the first two. Comes with some nice jam, crackers, and nuts. It is expensive, but no doubt it tastes incredible. Mushroom Toast: Those mushrooms are an explosion of umami. That bacon was seared perfectly. An amazing piece of toast. Tomatoes: An incredible vegan dish. They had an amazing mix of tomatoes and olives and a unique kind of croutons. The texture of the crouton provided a counterbalance for the soft vegetables, while the acidity of the vinegar and olives balanced with the sweetness of the tomatoes. Any excess acidity was softened by the croutons. Really creative and successful dish. Hanger Steak: The waited recommended medium rare on this one, so that's what we went with. It came out as medium well. The taste was very flavorful, but the texture was not there. They were nice about it and sent out another one. This dish really isn't worth $45, even after they cooked it to the right level. TL;DR this place is too expensive for what it's worth. They do have some very tasty dishes, and are possibly worth a try.

What an amazing stroke of luck to be walking past just as they opened, so we could snag the last couple of unreserved seats at the bar. We'd tried to get a reservation a week ahead of time, but they book up very quickly (understandably!). Thrilled with our luck, we were seated immediately and greeted by friendly and helpful bar staff. The Rabbit Liver Pate went well with the sparkling wine we were recommended, and the smoked hangar steak was the star of the show. Perfectly cooked, tender and richly tasty. The restaurant did get busy pretty fast, so the atmosphere was good and made for a cosy winter dinner. We'd definitely return, if not only to try some of the amazing cheeses we saw being served.

Outstanding food and service. Sat at the chefs counter and were mesmerized by the operation. Mushroom toast , heirloom tomato panzanella salad to start. Wonderful fresh pappardelle pasta dish and one of the best duck breast dishes ever. The folks here deliver a great dining experience.

Couldn't get a reservation, but showed up early on a Sunday and sat at the chef's table. Drinks were very good and food was fresh and enjoyable.

Our best dining experience in Vermont $200 for 2 people Food quality was top notch and flavorful Hen of the wood mushroom was delicious and main reason we went The ambiance was date night and appreciated The main thing that stands out above all else, is the service. Impeccable Thank you!

First time trying the new location in Waterbury on Main Street. The menu is similar and the food and service remain great. Reservations well ahead of time remain a must. It's bigger and more modern than the prior space but the vibe of the old location was special and was missed. Also the parking lot out front is now a 24 hour paid lot where 2 hours is $14 and tickets are being given regularly to violators. If you have time you can find a cheaper or free spot further away but going from a private free lot to this is a step down.

A disappointing experience after hearing such great things. My wife and I ordered the mushroom appetizer and the Ribeye dinner for two. Both were burnt. The steak was tough and chewy and the vegetables were very charred. The waitress ended up comping our cheese plate - but overall it didn't feel like they cared too much about the poor food quality. A very pricey meal that unfortunately was not worth it.

I have never been to the old location of Hen of the Woods Waterbury, but it sure did look cool when I drove by it. I wished I could have dined there, it had so much character. The new location had been closed down for a while and my server at ProPig told me that they had JUST opened back up and I was able to snag a res for a few days later. Awesome, I had been to Burlington and wanted to try Waterbury too, as research told me they are different experiences. That is the truth. This location is far brighter, more open than Burlington. And I like it less. :/ The seating is laid out very strangely, and anyone who has that issue where they want to have their back to the wall will not see many tables at all that give them that comfort. Like maybe two tables I saw were in desirable positions. We didnt get one of those. We saw several parties ask to be moved to different tables, so we aren't the only ones who dont like where the tables are. Our server was good, well-times and knowledgeable. We didn't really vibe, though. It was fine. The food was fresh and excellent. We started with the Hen of the Wood Mushroom toast, and it was spectacular. The hangar steak was very good, and the ravioli with spinach was delightful . We skipped dessert because we were full and kind of just ready to go (loud people nearby wearing an absolutely massive amount of cologne and perfume...they were regulars. Please don't do this people, it can trigger deadly asthma and allergy attacks). Anyway, given the choice, I'd just as soon stick to Burlington location. The atmosphere and vibe were much more my speed.

There is hardly any trace of the bank that had formally occupied this downtown building, nor any of the rustic and magical ambiance that the first iteration of HOTW had at the old mill up the road. Clearly, no expense was spared in creating a dining destination worthy of HOTW's reputation: upscale, contemporary, airy, and exceptionally designed. Whereas when as I descended the well-worn wooden stairs into their former home in the mill only to emerge in a warmly lit stone-walled den that was straight out of a myth, in the new space I felt less enveloped by magic and honestly, just like another customer. The food is locally sourced, with farm-fresh elements and seasonal offerings. It's an inviting menu, with cheeses galore and entree options for all tastes and predilections. There is a fun and inventive cocktail menu that plays on its central Vermont locality. However, neither my appetizer nor main entree truly knocked my socks off. The ravioli was a little dry and my salad was rather pedestrian. Both lacked the depth of flavor that was a signature of my previous meals here. The oysters were briny and sweet, though the spicy oil was too hot for me and I simply squeezed lemon on mine. Service was fine and it was a busy Saturday night, but it lacked the care and attentiveness of their former digs. I felt rushed into ordering entrees soon after our first round of drinks were ordered. Change is the only constant, I know. New diners will love it here and I'm sure the well-heeled crowds from Stowe and the Mad River Valley will fill the seats night after night. The much expanded space triples - quadruples? - what had been previously possible. I wish the owners nothing but my best for their continued success, but given my limited budget, it might be a while before I return.

5 stars Sophie (age 9) -The food was really good. -The waitstaff was really nice. 5 stars Josie (age 11) -Great service! -Food was interesting combinations that she never would have thought of on her own and she liked them. 5 Stars Katie -Old school service. We saw someone making what looked like pasta. When we asked a waitress she said they were maple crackers. We were surprised and delighted by that. When we sat down, the waitress came over a minute later with some for us to try! How delicious and thoughtful! Another waiter stopped by to share riddles with our daughter. He sketched one out, stopped by with a hint, and came back with the answer. We were clearly in a high-end restaurant and stretching our girls a bit, but they went above and beyond to make them feel seen, welcomed, and considered. -Everything we ate was incredible! We had a melted wheel of cheese with raspberry jam and grilled bread. Scrumptious! The broccolini dish had so many layers. The desserts (especially the carrot cake ice cream sandwich) were divine. Bravo Hen of the Woods!! 4.75 Marc -Loved the food! -Everyone should order the broccolini with the namesake hen of the woods mushrooms. -Loved the service up until the end when our waitress appeared to forget about us as it took 30 minutes to get our bill and pay. Family total: 19.75

Went in August 2024 and was disappointed considering this is supposed to be a fine dining experience. I found some things needing seasoning- ie the steak needed salt, the tomato sauce that my zucchini was in needed white pepper, and other dishes were generally underwhelming. I am quite disappointed, but this is not the only reason. I have worked in food service for many years and the service here was nowhere near where it should be for fine dining. Timing of dishes were strange, wait staff made you feel rushed and pressured to leave, and generally there should be more done when things go wrong. We had an incident towards the end of our meal that was out of everyone's control and considering the service staff knew that we were celebrating a special occasion, something additional should have been done or we at least shouldn't have felt as much pressure as we did. Lastly, I have genuine, genuine concerns for the head chef. I sat at the chefs table and not only was uncomfortable because he did not acknowledge us (but acknowledged others at the chefs table), but he brought the vibe significantly down. I am genuinely worried that he may be severely depressed. I would never normally assume this about someone, but I work in mental health and he did not seem okay. Please check on your staff, especially your team leads as they ultimately dictate how your customers feel. I mostly hope he's okay, but he also just seemed burnt out and it made our experience a little gloomy. Overall I would not come here again nor recommend it. The service was nowhere near where it should be, and the chef genuinely made me concerned which distracted from my meal. I highly suggest that proper fine dining service training is implemented among all staff, including management. Or read the book Unreasonable Hospitality. Please consider dining somewhere else!!

Best restaurant in town!!!! Highly recommend! The one in Burlington is a charm too great service, bartenders and staff are well trained, amazing ambiance. Food is so tasty and has great presentation.

Wow, great menu, different and great. The food was a real treat. Every dish was spectacular. Save room for the cheese for dessert. Like to talk beer or wine, expect your waitress or waiter to be fully versed.

This place deserves a Michelin star. Everything is fresh as can be and has the texture of a Michelin restaurant. The sun chokes were cheap and arguably one of the tastiest vegetable dishes I've ever had. And it doesn't hurt that they have draft heady topper!

Wow wow wow wow wow it's to the 5 star. I highly recommend this place. The food is spot on and the excellence of service is what anyone would expect. So love this first time and I personally thanked each cook staff on the front line to say to them. Excellence you delivered! Thank you from a fellow Chef!

My husband and I had an amazing dinner at Hen of the Wood last night. We arrived early to have a drink at the bar first and both bartenders were great to talk with and even exchanged different cocktail recipes with us. Tip: order the Alaskan but ask for mezcal instead of gin It was my husbands birthday and at the table was a handwritten birthday card which is such a nice touch. We definitely over-ordered but glad we did because we got to try so many amazing dishes. The crispy eggplant, cheese plate, hen of the wood toast and Parker rolls were all devoured. Our main dishes of duck and hanger steak were both perfect also along with a side of fried green tomatoes. The space is beautiful, especially the lighting, and there was a nice buzz to the room - you could tell everyone was enjoying themselves. Would definitely recommend and can't wait to come back.

Food was amazing! Creative dishes and drinks using fresh, tasty ingredients. Love the cheese plates options for dessert. One of the best places to have dinner in the Stowe area.

Food was great Ambiance was good but felt kind of out of place. Liked the old location more. Service was great. The parking situation was terrible. Expensive lot.

Killer bar service. Every bite and sip a 10. Can't recommend enough - a must do in. VT!

Me and my 3 friends walked in excited to grab a drink at the bar. When we walked in, we were informed to wait for the hostess. When she came, she let us know they were booked up but we could stand at the end of the bar. There were five empty seats: 2 at the end of the bar, another seat at the front of the bar, then two seats beside a woman. We kindly asked a woman at the bar if she had company and she said no but wasn't sure if the seats were unoccupied. We looked around and determined they were so we grabbed a seat to bring over to the end of the bar so all four of us could sit. The hostess came over and verbatim said: that's not what I said but okay. She sighed heavily and then told the woman to move over. When the other hostess came over, she spoke about how rude we were. My friend tried to speak to her before she asked the woman to move because we didn't mean to upset anyone, but she ignored us. As someone who works in the service industry, it was clear to me that she wasn't working at this restaurant for the hospitality or to be nice to customers. She acted irrationally and unkind to customers who were excited to visit the establishment. She didn't hear us out and gossiped to her coworker right behind us when we tried to ask if we did something wrong. Tbh, it felt a little targeted. We were so uncomfortable that we just left. I've never EVER had this experience before and I felt so sad within just a few moments here. The food and waitstaff may be good but I'll never find out!

Fabulous food. Very elegant and cozy atmosphere. Service was excellent. Menu was interesting and food absolutely delicious.

Nice little restaurant in the middle of town. Not cheap, but nice. I would recommend it, but it wasn't the best meal I ever had either. Overall, we liked it.

We had a wonderful evening dining at Hen of the Wood on a week day several weeks ago. We sat in a corner table inside. I'm a bit surprised at how small the dining room is for such a popular restaurant. The ambience is romantic, enhanced by the dimmed lights and candles. You can see the kitchen from the dining room. The tables are nicely spaced out, and the interior decoration feels rustic but refined. Our server was professional and attentive, which lived up to its reputation as a fine dining spot. We started our meals with cheeses. I believe they rotate their cheese menu so I don't recall the names of the ones we got. The cheese menu is ordered from soft to hard, so we picked two different types. They were fresh and delicious. The apricot sauce and crackers that came with the dish compliments the cheeses nicely. I would highly recommendation trying at least two types as an appetizer. Next, we ordered the mushroom toast, charred cucumber, and braised rabbit. The bacon in the mushroom toast was definitely a highlight. It was crispy, chewy and savory. The braised rabbit was delightful. It was our first time trying rabbit meat, and I would describe it as a more tasty version of chicken. For dessert, we had maple lime sorbet and crème fraîche ice cream. Both were fresh, not too sweet, and unique. Overall I would highly recommend making a reservation for this place if you're in the Waterbury/Stowe area.

I have wanted to eat here for so long but could never seem to get a table. Finally, this time around, I got us in. We parked on the street to avoid the fee at the lot right in front of the restaurant. We walked into a very spacious loft like space with large wooden beams and RH-esque lighting. The cocktail and dinner menu were both quite creative. We started out with cocktails - which were a very nice start to our evening. The large plates were not resonating with us and so we opted for a few small plates and selected a cheese plate. My meal left me feeling not quite sated, but we thought we would at least give the dessert menu a fair shot. So to end our meal, we tried a maple spice sorbet and peanut butter mousse. When it comes to the food, I feel Meg A's review captures it best.

Hen of the Wood has moved! The new location is outstanding. Much bigger space, far more seating, a full bar (yay) and but the same great food. The new location is also much friendlier for those with mobility impairments. Better lighting, more space between tables and a bit more brightly lit. We went on their first official opening day and were impressed! Still a few kinks to work out in the systems, but very, very good! Reservations are still very helpful but now they have bar and kitchen seating that is first come first served. So if you are lucky you may get to try it even if you don't plan ahead! Enjoy!

I really loved dining here. Beautiful ambiance in an old mill along a stream with a waterfall. Farm to table and truly delivered Vermont specialties. We tried a jasper hill cheddar & a sage farm sterling cheese with an ash rind that was divine. served with apple butter and maple crisp crackers. I'll be dreaming of that combo. Parker house rolls with cultured radish butter and flaked salt on too reminded me of my grandmothers thanksgiving rolls. We had the squash ravioli and roasted carrots (both tasty & fresh), as well as the rabbit liver pâté. I do NOT like pate, but I tried this and it was out of this world. It really stood out. For dinner my husband had the braised rabbit with butternut squash, goat milk dumplings and saurkraut. He really enjoyed it. I had the hake white fish with shaved Brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes and mustard cream. Such an intriguing dish, and everything worked well together. Also ordered two sides, which were probably unnecessary given the amount of food we consumed (Brussels and potatoes, both good). Such a thoughtfully curated menu--from the good to the wine and libations. I had a corpse reviver cocktail, which was a nice twist on a classic & my husband had the toronto--fantastic. Our server helped describe dishes we needed more elaboration on and made wine recommendations, as well. She was lovely. Order the cinnamon ice cream for dessert--warming spices and creamy base made this a perfect end to our night. Definitely worth booking a reservation here if you're staying in Stowe or Waterbury area. They have a Burlington location, as well, but I love the history of the space in Waterbury. Will absolutely be returning. Beautiful job, team!

Had dinner at Hen Of The Woods on Friday night. A beautiful setting for a romantic meal, with heavy focus on local ingredients and presentation. Quality: There is a lot to like about Hen Of The Woods. We visited the Waterbury location, which is absolutely beautiful, I only wish we arrived earlier to enjoy the landscape in the sun. Our meal started strong with several small plates. The Tortelli, an eggplant stuffed pasta, was definitely a highlight of the meal. The Steak Tartare was very interesting, adding a lot of extra unexpected flavors. The Hen Of The Woods Mushrooms, was a bit too much like a breakfast toast for me, but the actual mushrooms were great. The true winner was the Short Rib Special, which was remarkably tender and had the perfect pepper accompaniment. The Duck Breast was a good entree to share. My partner and I both liked different elements of the dish, I was particularly fond of the blueberry mix added to it. To close our meal we ordered a Cheese Selection as well as a scoop of Sweet Corn Ice Cream. A nice salty and sweet mix. Quantity: Dishes are all on the smaller side. I think at least one small plate and one entree per person is needed to leave satisfied. Value: $15 for the Tortelli. $18 for the Hen Of The Woods Mushrooms. $18 for the Steak Tartare. $24 for the Short Rib Special. $45 for the Duck Breast. $10 for Cheese Selections. $3 for Ice Cream Scoops. Ambiance: Hen Of The Woods is located in the town of Waterbury in Vermont. Enough can't be said about the absolutely beautiful location. The building is an old mill, that sits right next to a waterfall. When you enter you head to the basement. It was dark out, which made the inside space gorgeous. The mix of industrial equipment and the stone walls, with the modern art and strategically placed candles gave the space a wonderful feel. A small deck sits outside next to a brook with small waterfall. It would have been nice to see during the day, but even at night they have some light fixtures to make sure it is part of the meal. It is a lovely and cozy space, one that can be enjoyed outside on warm evenings and inside on cold ones. Crowd: Reservations are needed most nights of the week. The entire dining room was filled on Friday night and most guests were dressed up. I will note it was a much older crowd than I expected. Service: Our server seemed a bit distracted, perhaps because it was the end of the night, but the restaurant staff overall was very good. Dishes came out quickly and everyone seemed eager to please. Parking: Large private unpaved lot in front of the restaurant.

Four of us dined here in August 2024. Atmosphere is good but the old mill had way more charm. We got the Parker House rolls - butter makes it/roll is nothing special, brie appetizer the size of a silver dollar was good but small and another appetizer that I don't recall. Two of us ordered duck for the main entree. The duck dishes came out first. The next meal didn't come out for 5-7 minutes later! Mind you, the fourth meal still had yet to be served. We were raised to wait to eat until everyone was served. Totally not acceptable! My husband was very upset. They offered to reheat his meal - which would have come back to the table after we had all finished our meals. He opted not to eat and they took the cost of his meal off the bill. I can only vouch for my meal - swordfish. It was the size of my palm, dry and had a very bland sourdough sauce for $45. I ordered green beans with bacon as a side - al dente would have been nice - these were raw. The bacon was like Ba-Co's bacon bits out of a jar. They didn't offer Savignon Blanc or Malbec either. Sorry to say that we weren't impressed.

Easy to make reservation. Very friendly staff. Waitress was very knowledgeable, recommended an excellent Jasper Hill wine washed cheese....paired with the blueberry hazelnut compote and maple sugar crackers, it tasted like a slice of blueberry cheesecake. The duck was wonderful paired with sweet corn, shashito peppers, plum - beautiful palate mosaic. Had to hug the kitchen at this point...which you can do with a $10 "buy the kitchen a round" on the dessert menu. I really enjoyed the experience. The staff's recommendations and service brought it to another level. Scenery is an added bonus.

Best meal I had in Vermont. First of all, make sure you make a reservation. I had a reservation at 7pm but arrived nearly an hour early, and they were unable to seat us earlier as they were packed. On a Wednesday night! Our server, Rebecca was lovely. She had a calm, friendly, and professional demeanor. I appreciated her recommendations and efficiency. Do yourself a favor and get some of the a la carte cheeses, they come with housemade crackers and compote. I'm sure their cheeses rotate every so often but the Sterling goat milk cheese was my favorite. Regardless the flavor and textures of the cheeses were so good. Must try. Hen of the woods mushroom was pretty good. The egg was poached to perfection. The mushrooms were delicious and paired well with the bacon. I can see myself whipping myself something similar to this for breakfast, but not as good. Hanger steak was cooked perfectly. I did think all the flavors from the tomatillo, cheese, and peppers all paired well but overall the dish had a mellow taste. Duck breast was my favorite out of the two large plates. It looked like there was possibly cranberries and some orange sauce. All the flavors were great together. The duck was tender yet firm as well, although this duck didn't have much of the gamey flavor I'm use to. Now let's move on to my favorite item of the night. The ice cream and sorbet. AMAZING! The sorbets were not icy, texture on point. Sweet Cantaloupe is hard to come by, at least in California. The cantaloupe flavor was natural and intense but not overwhelming. The spiced pear sorbet tasted like a pie in a sorbet. It was my least favorite of the three but I loved it too! The sweet corn ice cream was probably my favorite unexpectedly. Like the cantaloupe it had a intense yet well balanced flavor. Delightfully corny. Don't know when I'll be returning to Vermont, but this will always be on the top of my list of places to return to.

The bounty of five star reviews here on Yelp, along with the owners promise of true representation to the local farmers of Vermont in a lovely refined rustic setting, HEN OF THE WOOD did not disappoint nor skip a beat. We were greeted in the beautiful cozy dining room on a snowy night of our seventh anniversary. Our waiter kept us well informed of the day's offerings, as the menu is based on a farm to table method of exceptional locally sourced goods. Tonight's delights commenced with warm baked Parker House Rolls, and a fresh salad to start of crunchy radicchio, green apples, spiced pecans enrobed with a sublime bleu cheese. Our shared entrée of Duck breast roasted crisp on the outside and medium rare as requested, was exquisitely accompanied by sautéed spinach and lovely goat cheese polenta with pine nuts. There's an extensive wine and craft beer list that has a good variety to suit your tastes. We enjoyed a carafe of delicious Verdicchio from Italy. Perfectly satiated with no room for dessert, we concluded the meal with coffee & Amaretto. We will definitely return next summer to enjoy the waterfall outside. Wishing you all a wonderful 2020! **Open Tuesday through Saturday 5 to 9PM** ***Reservations highly recommended***

Wow wow wow! We stumbled on this Hen of the Wood in Waterbury on our way to Burlington. Hubby serendipitously took a wrong turn that brought us closer to Waterbury than our original destination. What a blessing! We were able to sit at the Counter which is where you get to watch the chefs do their thing. Man! What an experience! My husband and I loved watching the flawless execution of the head Chef and his 4 sous chefs. It was like watching Olympic ice dancing and the relay in one event. The communication between the back of house team and the servers is exceptional and everyone is just all about service, not "I only bring food to my customers so that food can sit and get cold". Our server was a delightful, intelligent, knowledgeable young lady named Sydney. If I were local, I'd go back just to request her as a server. In fact, as I was telling her that, a woman sitting next to us said that she IS a local and she does come back and request Sydney's section! Now to the FOOD! We started out with the most outstanding Parker House rolls we've ever - EVER - had. The soft butter that was infused with shallots and the coarse salt on the top of the rolls made these moist and squishy rolls beyond amazing! For the appetize course, I was so enamored by the small plates part of the menu, I decided to try 3 and a side. To start, I had the mushroom toast with a poached egg and the chicken liver pate with blueberry compote, grain mustard and pickles. Unreal!! The flavors made you want to stand on your chair and shout! For my 'main course', I had tagliatelle with chicken with the side of roasted kale with smoked Gouda. The pasta was simple and perfect with a delicate squeeze of lemon, and the kale could have been my meal it was so tasty! My husband had the duck with blueberries. Our food was all 5 stars with an extra 5 stars to the chefs for providing such an epic experience! I know that there are 2 "Hen"s - 1 in Waterbury, and one in Burlington. Sydney told me that both head chefs and their staffs trained under one top chef, but that each location has their own menu and specialties. I can't speak about Burlington, but the Waterbury experience far exceeded our expectations... Which were pretty high! Thank you to the head chef and Sydney for an outstanding dining experience!

This is the best restaurant in the state of Vermont and probably all of Northern New England. It's only a matter of time before they are awarded a Michelin star for all aspects of the dining experience. Food quality, menu, drinks, atmosphere and world class staff are unrivaled. It is the shining epitome of farm to table.