The Local Flavor

Author: Andrea Gissing

Just as its name implies, the Bobcat CafÈ is a restaurant that marries Vermont's rustic personality with its refined palate. It boasts a casual atmosphere, from the storefront entrance to the wood-backed booths and long family-style tables, but there are hints of sophistication throughout the restaurant - the walls are decorated with photographs that could belong in National Geographic, and the quality of the food is Fifth Avenue-worthy. Overall, there is an immediate sense of rustic refinement, calling to mind a more intimate and slightly more upscale version of Fire and Ice.

I visited the Bobcat CafÈ with my family on a Friday night - something that I will never do again. The small restaurant was packed with people, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that persisted throughout the night. Since we had reservations, we were seated immediately (if you go on a weekend night and you don't have reservations, you will wait anywhere from half an hour to two hours for a table).

The prompt service stopped there, however. Our waitress was professional and pleasant, but the kitchen was so busy that, despite having ordered our entreÈs around 7 p.m., we did not receive them until 9 p.m. This would be fine if you are looking for a long, leisurely dinner experience, but if you have limited time or limited patience, then steer clear of Bobcat CafÈ on a weekend night.

The downtime did, however, give me a chance to investigate the menu, which reflects the cafÈ's refined rusticity. The menu is only two pages long, but it offers a wide range of foods at reasonable prices. Unlike its gourmet contemporaries such as Starry Night CafÈ, the Bobcat CafÈ has something that will appeal to everyone, even your picky boyfriend who will only eat hamburgers.

The menu starts off with a selection of hot and cold appetizers, which include French onion soup and an assortment of organic salads (warning: they're labeled as "side salads," but they're huge!). Prices for appetizers range from $3 to $8.50. As for entrees, American menu standbys such as the angus burger, lamb shanks, and NY strip steak are revamped to incorporate different spices and sides such as the Bobcat garlic mashed potatoes (which I highly recommend) or sweet potato fries, to name a few. There are also several true Vermont-inspired dishes that feature organic and local products, such as the pumpkin-sage ravioli with spinach, caramelized apples, and cider cream sauce and Laplatte River Farms beef and bean chili with melted Cabot cheddar cheese. Each entrÈe plate is $8 to $18.

In addition, the Bobcat CafÈ has a full service bar that offers typical pub fare such as potato skins and nachos. The bar also offers a sampling of Bobcat's own beers that are brewed in the back of the restaurant and are only available in house. Finally, after a night of wining and dining, the Bobcat has a dessert menu with standout items such as the apple, pear and raspberry crisp and the peanut butter cake, my personal favorite. All desserts are $5.50.

Overall, the food at the Bobcat CafÈ was good and often original. Most importantly, the menu struck a balance between everyday appeal and gourmet flavor. One meal (drink, appetizer, dinner, dessert) will cost about $30, but that's a steal for the quality and the amount of the food that you get. The slow service detracted from the dining experience, however, so I would suggest visiting the Bobcat CafÈ on a weekday night, perhaps the first Wednesday of the month when they feature live music from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Otherwise, you might just become hungry enough to try to eat one of the stuffed bobcat decorations.