Jane D.
Yelp
It seems that the menu changes depending on what chef Nathan Davis feels like cooking, but as of December 2024 / January 2025, Scrag and Roe is serving the most authentic pan-Asian food in the Mad River Valley and, I suspect, for a good many miles around. It's not just authentic; it's beautifully made with well curated ingredients and extremely delicious, the kind of food that warms you from the inside out in the cold, Vermont winter when the snow has been coming down all day.
The four of us tried a good portion of the menu, comprised of small and large plates that are all meant to be shared, family style:
- smashed cucumbers (sesame, chiles, garlic, cilantro; $7) -- simple, fantastic, very garlicky quick pickles that are exactly as you would find in Taiwan or China. Spicier than what we are used to, excellent.
- tiger salad (leek, carrot, cucumber, peanuts, cilantro; $11) -- We've had this dish frequently at northern Chinese restaurants in and around Hangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai. I don't remember seeing carrot in versions we tried there, but there are many variations. This one was true to the flavor profile, only a touch spicy by our standards, absolutely delicious.
- grilled prawns, smaller portion size (chili-garlic-scallion oil; $12) -- three to the small order. I liked, but did not love, these. The prawns were a bit tough, but pleasantly seasoned. There was a wee bit of heat, but not much.
- tuna tataki (soy, ginger, citrus, sesame; $16) -- Tuna was a high enough grade for the task and not overly fishy. It was perfectly seared, pleasantly dressed. Primary consumer, a newly minted 13 year old who is big on sushi / sashimi / raw neta, but not cooked fish, enjoyed.
- spicy dan dan mian (noodles, ground beef, Sichuan peppercorn, sesame, peanut; $22) -- This dish packs serious (pleasant) heat, which definitely creeps up on you. I have a high tolerance for spice and this (eventually) made me sweat in a very pleasant way. Noodles were springy, sauce was well balanced.
- coconut curry (chicken or tofu, carrot, spices, carrot, potato; $22) -- This is a lovely dish that comes into being at the convergence of many cultures. Fish sauce is often used in this dish if it's Pinoy (from the Philippines) or Thai. There wasn't any that I could detect in this dish, which I'm sure my wimpity wimp family appreciated. It was more similar to versions you might find in Hong Kong and Japan.
Lovely wait staff (our server was tag teaming as the hostess and bar tender -- wow), pleasant cocktails, interesting sake list. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options are clearly labeled on the menu -- very cool.
We were so very delighted by this cozy new restaurant (in the space that used to be Peasant). I suspect that authentic pan-Asian food is kind of a risk in these parts. But it's so darn good that that we really wish we could support it year round. I hope we can keep this place open, Friends! The MRV deserves good things like this!!