It used to be known as the Chocolate Show. But this year, the local festival — to be held at Burlington’s Doubletree Hotel this weekend — is expanding: It’s now known as the Festival of Sweets. “The vendors reflect the artistry of Vermont confectionery,” says co-organizer Darrick Pitstick.... Read more

TAGS: food, restaurant news, side dishes

Burlington has lots of restaurants, but ¡Duino! (Duende), which opened last week in the former New World Tortilla spot on North Winooski Avenue, is unlike any of them. For one thing, the menu is composed of “global street food,” ranging from American sliders to buckwheat blintzes to an Israeli dish made with rice, lentils, fried pistachios and an exotic sauce.... Read more

TAGS: food, restaurant news, side dishes

He probably won’t be whipping up many $205- per-person tasting menus, but this January, Michael Clauss — who most recently was executive chef at Daniel Boulud’s Feast & Fêtes catering company in New York City — will take over the kitchen of The Daily Planet.... Read more

TAGS: food, restaurant news, side dishes

Santos Cocina Latina, Stowe’s newest restaurant, had its soft opening yesterday. According to co-owner Miguel Garcia Lopez, “Next week we’ll be fully open.”

Located in a new, energy-efficient building on the Mountain Road — where Mes Amis used to be — the eatery will offer fare from Garcia Lopez’s native Puerto Rico, as well as from Argentina, Cuba and Peru. The current menu includes several different types of ceviche, picadillo taquitos and lots of exotic entrées, most of which cost $20 or less.... Read more

TAGS: food, restaurant news, side dishes

A 7 Nights comment last week had us worried — apparently Phuong’s Kitchen on North Avenue had gone dark. But fans of egg rolls, Vietnamese stews and burgers can breathe easy. According to owner Phuong Lam’s sister, Saphe, Lam “just had a baby on Friday.” After a brief maternity leave, the Vietnamese takeout will be back in business. — A.L.

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TAGS: agriculture, food, restaurant news, side dishes

Lots of free community dinners happen around the holidays, but the recipients don’t generally help roast the Vermont-raised bird or share family secrets for cooking sweet potatoes. This Thanksgiving, the Local Agricultural Community Exchange (LACE) in Barre is teaming up with the Salvation Army for an unusual benefit: People can pitch in by peeling potatoes and stirring up shepherd’s pie, then sit down and eat a localvore dinner gratis.... Read more

TAGS: barre, food, side dishes

What with the media blitz around Hardwick, the Northeast Kingdom has made a name for itself in recent years as a foodie haven. The logical next development: a homegrown publication to cover the bounty. With the debut of North Country Cooking, editor Denise Brown has produced just that.... Read more

TAGS: food, publishing, side dishes

The former site of Smokejacks on Church and Main streets in Burlington has stood empty since October 2008, but that’s not because nobody is keen on the space. According to Larry Bohen, who owns the building, “I have had offers throughout the year, and for one reason or another I haven’t accepted an offer. I accepted one, but returned the guy’s deposit because I decided he wasn’t the right operator for the space.” ... Read more

TAGS: food, restaurant news, side dishes

Fans of Elements in St. Johnsbury had a scare recently after catching sight of the restaurant in a local real estate flyer. Never fear, says co-owner Keith Chamberlain. Though he confirms that the contemporary American eatery “has been quietly on the market for two years now,” Chamberlain assures that the team — which also includes his wife, Florence, and Kate and Martin Bertolini — wants to pass it on rather than close it.... Read more

TAGS: food, restaurant news, side dishes

Want your meat fresh, local and cut from a whole animal? You’re in luck.

Cole Ward, formerly of Sweet Clover Market in Essex, has taken his classic meat-cutting skills to Green Top Market in Morrisville. TAGS: food, localvore movement, side dishes