Richmond, Vermont, is a small town outside of Burlington, but it doesn’t mean that CamAmCon attendees have to suffer through the event without having several good lunch options. There are many nearby and local eateries ready to provide anything from basic pizza to upscale dining.
The following list of suggestions is divided into three geographical areas: the center of Richmond, the center of Waterbury, and Interstate 89 Exit 12 in Williston. Directions are given for each, along with suggested restaurants and pubs. The guide is not comprehensive and is intended as an informal list of suggestions with emphasis on unique and locally owned eateries.
Directions: from the school parking lot, exit right (downhill) and proceed 0.5 miles to Richmond’s one and only traffic light.
PaPa McKee’s Pizzeria
Directions: turn left at the light, McKee’s is 100’ on the right (38 East Main St.).Fare: pizza, pasta, oven toasted subs, calzones, salads, burgers, and daily specials, beer and wine. Notes: convenient, small, limited seating, inexpensive, and usual pizza house menu.
Toscano Café and Bistro (www.toscanocafe.com)
Directions: proceed straight through the light, Toscano is 100’ on the left (27 Bridge St.). Fare: upscale dining prepared on premises by the Chef/Owner, salads $9-13, entrees $10-12, sandwiches, burgers, wraps $9-11. Appetizers $5-13, full bar, beer and wine. Notes: upscale food, but casual and friendly, favored by both locals and those outside of Richmond, bistro atmosphere.
Bridge St. Café (www.bridgestreetcafevt.com)
Directions: proceed straight through the light, Bridge St. Café is 100’ on the right (30 Bridge St.). Fare: wide selection of traditional café entrees, pizzas, calzones, hot sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, salads, appetizers, fries, panini’s, hot wraps, black angus burgers, soups, “Bridge St. Specialties”, beer and wine, all moderate pricing. Notes: if you can’t find something satisfying on this menu, you aren’t very hungry! It’s the hub of Richmond for locals, ample seating, local grill atmosphere.
On The Rise Bakery (www.ontherisebakery.net)
Directions: proceed straight through the light, the bakery is 0.3 miles on the right, set back from the road, and immediately before the bridge. Fare: sandwiches, wraps, quesadillas, tostadas, soups, pizza by the slice, bakery breads and treats, all vegetarian and artisanal, beer and wine, mostly $5-10 lunch range. Notes: localvore and innovative bakery/diner, located adjacent to a town park on the Winooski River – option of dining outside if weather co-operates. Located in older frame building with rustic and comfortable atmosphere.
Directions: from the school parking lot, exit right (downhill) and proceed 0.5 miles to Richmond’s one and only traffic light. Turn left (east) onto East Main St. (Rt. 2), and proceed 14 miles (about 18 minutes) to the first traffic light in Waterbury (at the corner of Main St. and Stowe St.). Waterbury was hit hard by the remnants of Hurricane Irene in 2011, but its location as a hub to major ski areas north and south, as well as a state office complex, allowed it to rebound to a vibrancy unexpected for its moderate size.
The Reservoir (www.waterburyreservoir.com)
Directions: on the right, at the traffic light (1 S. Main St.). Notes: locally sourced bistro and pub fare done with imagination, 38 beers on tap, moderate $.
Arvad’s Grill and Pub (www.arvads.com)
Directions: on the right, just past the traffic light (3 S. Main St.). Notes: American standard fare done with care, family friendly, pub atmosphere, moderate to slightly higher $.
Prohibition Pig (www.prohibitionpig.com)
Directions: on the right, past Arvad’s (23 S. Main St.). Notes: elevated pub fare with specialties such as smoked meat, large craft beer selection, moderate to higher $ (may be seasonally closed for lunch, check website first).
K.C. Bagel Café
Directions: turn left onto Stowe St at the traffic light, 100’ on right (17 Stowe St.). Notes: classic bagels and bagel sandwiches, moderate $.
The Blue Stone (www.bluestonepizza.com)
Directions: turn left onto Stowe St at the traffic light, 50’ on the right (15 Stowe St.). Notes: “Serious pizza, humble food, no bull” (their words – not ours!), innovative pizza, craft brews.
Cork Wine Bar and Market (www.corkvt.com)
Directions: at the corner of Stowe St. and Main St., upper level. Notes: light fare, cheese plates, panini’s, wine, moderate $.
Blackback Pub and Flyshop (www.blackbackpub.com)
Directions: just below Cork, corner of Stowe St. and Main St., lower level. Notes: food by Mad Taco, light Mexican fare with fresh flair, craft beer, wine, moderate$.
Directions: from the school parking lot, exit right (downhill) and proceed 0.5 miles to Richmond’s one and only traffic light. Turn right (west) onto W. Main St. (Rt.2), proceed 3 minutes to Interstate 89 North bound entrance ramp, proceed on Interstate 89 to the next exit (Exit 12), exit to traffic light, turn right (north) on Rt.2A, total of about 10-12 minutes. This area of Williston is the most concentrated shopping area in Chittenden County and the home of many “big box” stores. The following suggestions are abbreviated due to the number of eateries available at this location. .
Local Direction #1: the next traffic light (400’) is the junction of Marshall Avenue (left) and Maple Tree Place (right). The intersection has;
Ponderosa Restaurant (chain)
Long Horn Restaurant (chain)
Chili’s Bar & Grill (chain) .
Or, left on Marshall Avenue to the next traffic light (300’), left to;
Moe’s Southwestern Grill (chain)
Local Direction #2: continuing north on Rt. 2A to the next traffic light, turn right onto Connor Way, proceed 300’ to Maple Tree Commons. Around the Commons, right to left, are;
Three Tomatoes Restaurant (local)
Mexicali Cantina & Grill (local)
McGillicuddy’s Irish Ale House (local)
Quiznos (chain)
Asian Bistro (local)
Belle’s Café (local)
Local Direction #3: continuing further north on Rt. 2A to the next traffic light (Rt.22 – Williston Road), turn left 500’ to;
Texas Roadhouse (chain)
Or, proceed across the traffic light to a small shopping center on the right, containing;
Ninety Nine Restaurant (chain)
Men at Wok (local)
Bagels Plus (local)
Sushido (local – backside of shopping center)
Ramuntos’s Pizza (local – backside of shopping center)
Chef’s Corner (local – lunch and pastries)
Honey Thai Restaurant (local)
Hopefully this list of suggestions will have something of appeal for everyone, and will instill a sense of confidence while navigating to and from the CanAmCon site.
Bon appetite,
ROS