Discover the Hidden Culinary Delights at the Waybury Inn

Fine Dining at the Waybury Inn

The fine-dining menu at the Waybury Inn features elaborate dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. For example, the filet mignon with whipped potato and confit of mushroom ($39) is a masterpiece of culinary art. The tender filet is perfectly cooked and paired with a rich whipped potato and a delicious confit of mushroom. Another standout dish is the Moroccan-spiced rack of lamb with apricot sauce ($46). The combination of the spicy Moroccan spices and the sweet apricot sauce creates a flavor explosion that is simply unforgettable.

These dishes may seem a bit pricey for a normal dining-out budget, but they are perfect for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. They offer a truly luxurious dining experience that is worth every penny.

Tavern Fare at the Waybury Inn

If you're looking for more affordable options, the tavern menu at the Waybury Inn is the way to go. The Waybury's burger ($17), served on a brioche bun with fries, is in the ballpark of what you'd pay at several casual Middlebury restaurants. But the tavern menu also offers some unique dishes that are worth trying.

Steak frites ($26), for instance, is a crowd-pleaser. The crisp roasted potatoes and tender steak draped in a silky peppercorn-brandy sauce are a perfect combination. And the surprise hit of the night was the small plate of za'atar carrots ($15), which balanced the sweetness of the root vegetable with the kick of spicy feta, citrusy sumac, and smoky heat of harissa.

Chef Antonio Petri's Signature Dishes

Chef Antonio Petri, who grew up next door to the Waybury Inn and has cooked professionally in Ithaca, N.Y., Chicago, and Philadelphia, brings a wealth of culinary experience to the inn. He smokes chicken and ribs on-site, and even the eggplant for his eggplant Parmesan ($24) starts in the smoker and ends in a pool of Parmesan cream.

My husband's smoky fried chicken leg and thigh ($25) was a particular highlight. Served with mashed potato, braised kale, and gravy, and finished with hot honey, the flavor of the smoked chicken nicely permeated the beer batter and complemented the sweet, tangy, buzzy marinade of pineapple juice and Aleppo pepper.

Special Deals and Local Appeal

As Petri mentioned, the specials at the Waybury Inn are part of the new owners' play to lure in locals. On Margarita Monday, you can sip $6 cocktails made with a good shot of tequila and house-squeezed sour mix. Other nightly deals include $2 oysters on Thursday and Friday, followed by 75-cent wings on Sunday.

Vermonters play a crucial role in keeping the lights on at the inn, especially during slower tourism months. The Waybury Inn aims to be a comfortable space for all, not just tourists. And with its delicious food and inviting atmosphere, it's no wonder that locals are starting to discover the hidden culinary delights at this charming inn.