(Published in 7 NIghts 2006-07)

You hear a lot about famiglia in connection with eating Italian, but one Burlington ristorante really begs for a baby-sitter. Even without the beaded votive candle holders and white linen, L'Amante, which translates as "The Lover," may be Burlington's most romantic dining destination. Its creamy walls, green banquettes and dark wood furniture exude an elegant intimacy.

(Published in 7 Nights 2007-08)

The bustling corner of South Winooski and Pearl looks like prime restaurant real estate. But it's a tough spot. A tapas bar faded away, and before that a string of pizza and sandwich places came and went. All of which makes it even more noteworthy that Asiana House, a hip, hot resto for college students and professionals, has been successfully serving up super-fresh sushi and sashimi for three years.

(Published in 7 Nights 2004-05)

(Published in 7 Nights 2009-10)

The bacon cheeseburger isn’t exactly kosher — and neither is the owner, Glenn Walter — but for Jews in the Burlington area, Sadie Katz Delicatessen is a godsend. With specialty items shipped in regularly from New York City, the diner-turned-deli supplies the Queen City with whitefish salad and lox, H&H bagels and Dr. Brown’s sodas. 

Lake Champlain Chocolates has been making fresh, all-natural gourmet chocolates for 25 years. They offer preservative-free, kosher certified chocolates. Go for a free chocolate factory tour and enjoy the free samples, or checkout their frequent classes and book signings. Visit their Factory Store & Café from 9AM - 6PM, Monday - Saturday and from 12PM - 5PM on Sunday.

Got kale? They usually do at the Burlington Farmers Market. Area food producers take over Burlington City Hall Park every Saturday morning throughout the growing season in a democratic display of edible innovation. Just-picked fruit, veggies and flowers practically sell themselves, but there are local livestock farmers, too, selling fresh meat raised the old-fashioned way. Don’t cook? Homemade baked goods, ethnic treats are the Queen City’s fast food.

Downtown Burlington is dominated by the Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian-only promenade enlivened by shops, restaurants, food vendors and street performers. When the weather’s nice, and the cafe tables come outside, you can get dinner with a side of people-watching. It’s the closest thing in Vermont to an Italian piazza. No Vespas on the cobblestones, though.

(Published in 7 Nights 2005-06)

You can get a basic breakfast at any one of Burlington's downtown diners. On weekends, brunch is served at finer establishments like Leunig's and Smokejacks. But only one "a.m." eatery does it all, every day until 3, for a clientele so devoted it's willing to wait up to an hour and a half for huevos rancheros. Or apple-bread French toast. Or baja fish tacos.