Ponce Bistro
4659 Main St, Manchester, VT, 05255
Ponce Bistro Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Manchester for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Manchester for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
4659 Main St
Manchester, VT, 05255 - Phone (802) 768-8095
- Website https://www.poncebistro.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:00 am - 5:00pm
- Mon : 8:00 am - 5:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Mia S.
Who doesn't love byob? But seriously this restaurant is yummy! We started with the pinwheel which was flaky and cheesy and we were able to get it without bacon! I had the scallops that were Thai flavored and very succulent!! And my husband had the broiled steak which he loved....We will definitely be coming back :)
(5)John L.
We enjoyed the food - of our group of four - 2 had the scallops which were very good, 1 had the pork chop which he really loved, and I had the rib eye which was thin, but cooked very well and I enjoyed it. The waitstaff were young, very charming and attentive. The owner chef came out after the meal, and we chatted and we enjoyed the conversation. An added bonus was that it is BYOB which we read on yelp beforehand and were prepared for, and is fine by us and the bottom line. We will come back again!
(4)Betty W.
This is a really cute and cozy bistro that always seems busy, but we were able to have the place to ourselves for an early breakfast on Sunday morning. The barista/waitress is very sweet, and she made some mean lattes -- one of the best I've ever had. I got the Huevos Puerto Rico (huge portion) and hubster got the open faced omlette...both extremely satisfying :)
(4)Meredith D.
Just go and eat. The food is fresh, delicious, and adaptable if you want vegetarian. Lunch, dinner, coffee...just go, I promise you'll love it. BYOB if your thirsty.
(5)Ted N.
Our group enjoyed Ponce Bistro. Nice staff. Well prepared and interesting food, from salads to scallops to steak. And great deserts... Flourless chocolate cake and creme brulee bread pudding. Would recommend it.
(4)Marilyn L.
We just 'happened' upon this great place while traveling thru Vermont. A late lunch is what we were looking for and what a delightful surprise. One table had just become available and we were seated in a cozy room by Ron, one of the owners. We were offered three samples of the soups and each was excellent. Had soup, salad and sandwiches....all fresh and delish! The four of us agreed it the best food we had on this trip. AND no corking charge. Thank you Ponce.
(4)Mskitty M.
Don't miss this absolutely charming bistro. We tried for breakfast and everything was just perfect. The staff, food, decor - you can't fault anything. The scrambled eggs and bacon in the crepe.....amazing !!! Cannot wait to go back and try for dinner.....I'm sure we will have to reserve early at this sought-after bistro. And to the rude owner of the Rooster Cafe who barked at 11:15am...."we're no longer serving breakfast".....you just lost yet another customer to your neighbor !!
(5)Jules V.
This place was wonderful! My boyfriend and I were staying over in Arlington for the weekend at the West Mountain Inn and wanted to try somewhere other than our inn to eat dinner Saturday night. After a fun filled day exploring the area, we were looking for some delicious food and a great atmosphere to relax and have a nice dinner. After extensive searching for a great place we came across Ponce Bistro on Yelp and Tripadvisor and saw that it received such great reviews and went to check it out! We really loved it! The food was delicious from start to finish. We had a wonderful appetizer called the Pinwheel which was scrumptious. My boyfriend had the Pork Chop and I had the mushroom cap pizza's. Mouth-watering! The atmosphere was adorable, cozy and perfect for a nice romantic dinner by the fire. The waitresses were so pleasant and the chef even came over to our table to make sure everything was good. Nice touch! It definitely seemed like a family owned, friendly business will most of the restaurant filled with "regulars". Always a good sign. The only thing I would have to say that is keeping me from giving it 5 stars was the decor. It could use some slight updating, maybe a fresh coat of paint on the walls and maybe more of a barricade on the entrance to the bathroom since from where we were sitting we had a straight shot into the restroom whenever anyone went to use it. However, all in all it was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it to any travelers looking for a great meal in a cozy VT setting!
(4)Lisa M.
Byob w no corking fee Excellent food Great atmosphere Very good prices! Attentive and friendly owners
(5)J H.
Really strong four stars based on lunch yesterday. Generally not a fan of egg salad, but Im a big fan of theirs. Service was excellent. Will definately return.
(4)Alex M.
Excellent sandwich place! Imaginative offerings and excellent baguettes. Went there twice in 3 days. Note that it is BYOB so if you want a beer or wine with your meal you need to bring it (no charge).
(4)Susan R.
I loved this place. The vibe is very relaxed with a bit of an artistic feel. The food is delicious, well thought out, but not too much. We had their salads and quiche for lunch, all of which were delicious. Even the bread and butter were delicious (definitely a good sign of a good restaurant). The attention to detail for this laid back environment were just great. Easy going, but thoughtful at the same time. If they had the ingredients, they'd make it happen. In addition, we went back for breakfast the next day (despite they aren't open for breakfast), and not only were the eggs (over medium) scrumptious with the crispy pull-it-apart freshly made croissant, but the owner sat with us and shared great info about the area, his restaurant, and life in general. Very cool. Can't wait to go back. I also almost forgot: my friend also had a lemon bar and their desserts are also out of this world!
(5)J L.
Could have been better. I like more bang for my buck.
(3)danielle l.
Really a 4.5. Another one we stumbled upon while "camping". I just love roughing it. We sat outside, which was cute with those little iron bistro sets and the little white rocks (WTF do they do if they drop a plate of pasta on those things??). I had the "veggie gobble" sandwich with butternut squash, apple, cran-mayo, and cheese. Really yummy (I had cheddar instead of feta), but the bread kinda cut up my mouth. That's my own personal issue with baguettes though, and I will have to live with it. BF had a turkey and cheese melted paradise that I had major dining envy of, but he's sweet and let me have the cheesy corner bites. We split an order of cous cous, which was EXCELLENT. It was the big Israeli cous cous with cranberries and nuts and a dressing. SO delicious. Service was a little spotty (as in we ended up going inside to pay because we were sick of waiting for the bill). I would totally go there again and destroy some more cous cous.
(4)Tom H.
Closed down
(1)Brad B.
Great late breakfast of smoked salmon and cream cheese on a terrific bread with just the right touches of additives. Very nice.
(4)Ira S.
Very disappointing. 2d visit. Lost reservation. Poor service. And alternate chef did not follow menu.
(1)Stebs G.
Sick spot, everything extremely fresh and well prepared. Appropriately priced as well. A must lunch stop in the area.
(5)Adam P.
Fantastic coffee. I'm a mocha fan there ( they make it with chocolate ganash). Chicken Ronaldo is a fav and the French dip too. Stellar sandwich menu and creative, tasty salads. Daily specials offer some savory options. Desserts aplenty but deep dish creme brûlée bread pudding for dessert (warm it up please)... Then find a hammock. Bring your own bottle of wine or beer. Great food, friendly folk. Highly recommended.
(5)alexandra m.
Same place, same people, but now its called Blue House. Not really sure why. But still, great food, great coffee, and AWESOME service!
(5)Abigail C.
My husband and I stumbled into Ponce for coffee during our anniversary trip to the area, and we went back for both dinner and lunch. All 3 experiences were among the best we had that weekend. We loved their delicious, interesting dishes made with fresh ingredients, and we were surprised at their reasonable prices--especially in comparison to the other restaurants we tried that weekend. Ponce was also the only BYOB restaurant we came across in Manchester, which is always a plus to me. The owners were extremely friendly and even gave us suggestions of other places to try. Even though we were the last table of a slow evening for them, they stayed for an hour just talking to us about the area. The decor is cozy and eclectic; somehow they pull off a comfy coffeehouse and classy little restaurant feel all in one space. Don't visit Manchester without visiting Ponce Bistro for coffee, lunch, dinner, or if you're like us, all of the above.
(5)Jody W.
I wish this was a better experience...but it just wasn't. The original plan was to go for breakfast/lunch/brunch at the place next door but we spotted Ponce and decided to give it a shot. Seating was available and we were put in a different room (not the main area). It took a really long time to order anything - from basic drinks (coffee, iced tea, water) to even getting the opportunity to place the order. The girls that worked there were very nice, but they didn't seem to be very organized. The decor is cute and the back room has a large table - which had been used right before we arrived - and was eventually cleaned...then re-filled with a group of loud-ish twenty-somethings that were using their outside voices. They were entertaining more than annoying. So, the food... I ordered the crab crepe. It is advertised as lump crab with scallions and dill...no mention of any kind of mayo or the white (dill sauce, I guess) that it's smothered in. I wasn't expecting crab salad - very mushy crab that could have come from a can (and it did smell fishy which didn't make me happy) pulverized inside a crepe with a white sauce all over it. I was really hungry - so I ate one of them....but it wasn't great. The slices of watermelon on the side were the highlight. The menu should say what it is....a version of crab salad. The crepe's consistency was so soft that teeth were completely unnecessary. Not my cup of tea. My companion had the breakfast quesadilla - I had a piece of it and it was just OK. Maybe since the brunch/breakfast situation is new they need to work out the kinks? Perhaps they're better for dinner....but based on this experience, I'm not rushing back.
(2)Lizbeth C.
If you're ever in Manchester, VT and hungry for locally sourced and fresh food definitely come to Ponce bistro. Met the owners, Ronaldo Antonio, a charismatic retired investment banker and New Yorican, and Amber; a biology major, Oregonian and, previously, a science teacher. Coolest, most passionate people we've met in a while. They love what they do and do it well. The veggie tartar was spectacular: super fresh and the chipotle sour cream base that held it together complimented the tomatoes, avocado, chickpeas and cilantro so well. The homemade pita chips made in house were so crispy and still warm. And Carlos', my fiance's, simple, but delicious Spanish meatloaf sandwich, an American favorite, was bursting with flavor. Plus, compliments of the chef/owner, Ronaldo, we got a super authentic and also made-from-scratch (no nasty canned beans here) plate of rice and beans. Tons of Latino flavors all throughout the meal with Latino salsa music and jazz playing in the background to boot. The only thing I want to point out is that the rugs and floor need a little vacuuming, but I'm a neat freak. Overall, elegant, but cozy atmosphere and the food was so delicious!!
(5)Sarah W.
Love it here. Very good food. Different then the common fair. Good wine lists and cocktails.
(5)Mark S.
Good food, good atmosphere. French bistro, seems like an odd density of French cooking in Manchester. Raspberry Beets and Goat Cheese Salad: yummy Cottage Pinweel: yummy Thai Curried Sea Scallops: yummy, but the server swore up and down that it was not spicy hot (even though we knew better). Had to rinse them off for my date (more of a Pad Thai kind a gal) Stroganoff: too many onions, otherwise would have been delicious. Try Seasons down the street.
(3)Paul B.
I am dreaming about that spanish meatloaf sandwich right now. Easily one of the top 3 sandwiches I have ever had in my life. Not only is the owner a great guy, but their outdoor seating area has really been spruced up recently and it was great to be able to sit outside on a nice warm afternoon and eat lunch. That sandwich, the soft bread, the meatloaf, the manchego cheese, it all comes together to form sandwich perfection. BY the way, this thing is a mess, do not wear any white clothing to go eat it, but I promise you, it is insane and well worth it!!!! Also had a chocolate chip cookie, which was very good. My wife had the goat cheese, pepper, pesto sandwich, which she liked as well. But forget that, get the meatloaf sandwich!!!! You'll thank me later! Still great, still the best lunch in Manchester...
(5)Ashley J.
Ponce Bistro is absolutely wonderful! Our favorite little spot in Manchester. The atmosphere is welcoming and cozy, almost like you are sitting is someone's living room. The menu is phenomenal, especially for a vegetarian like myself. The chef really knows how to pair certain foods and flavors together. We have never had a bad meal here and are always impressed. Ponce Bistro is also a great spot for a coffee or tea - they also offer a yummy (but small) selection of pastries and deserts! Ponce Bistro is a must when visiting Manchester!!!
(5)Alex T.
This place is fantastic, but FYI it's no longer BYOB! I took my girlfriend here for Valentine's day dinner while we were skiing at Stratton for the weekend, and it was perfect. We were actually 40 minutes late for our reservation because it was snowing and the roads were awful, but the staff was extremely pleasant and accommodating and managed to still squeeze us in even though they were fully booked. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint and great for a date, and the food was stellar. We ordered mussels as an appetizer, salmon pot pie, and Thai curry scallops, and none of them disappointed. Aside from the fact that we had a really great experience here, the other reason I'm writing this review is to make it known that it is no longer BYOB. The Yelp description and many of the reviews indicate that it is, but apparently they had to stop about a year ago because of VT laws. Not to fear though- they DO serve alcohol now! The wine and beer list is not extensive, but we didn't have trouble finding something we liked. If you're in Stratton or Manchester, it's definitely worth a visit!
(5)Laura K.
Ponce is the best place for lunch in Manchester, in my opinion. The sandwiches I've had here are consistently great, especially the smoked salmon, caper, and cream cheese (which I get whenever I'm in town). They're all on excellent bread, and you can request that they put the toppings on a salad if you prefer. The owner is very friendly, and has obviously worked hard to establish a a great little restaurant with nice ambiance. The servers are always friendly and helpful. The only item that I've had which I disliked were the lemon crepes; I found them tasteless and not at all lemon-y. Other than that, every visit has been good.
(5)M. C.
We chose this spot due to the Yelp ratings - wow, it was such a disappointment! I wouldn't really bother reviewing this place but the Yelp rating is just not accurate. The interior needs a good scrub & updating. There was nothing cozy about it, it was stuffy and uncomfortable. We ordered salads & paninis. The salads were small & consisted of half a bowl of raw onions. The paninis were just grilled cheese sandwiches. Pretty awful - thick slabs of strange meat & bread that looked and tasted like Wonder Bread. To call these sandwiches paninis is very misleading. The young women who work here were very sweet & it's not their fault. Not sure how this place charmed so many other reviewers. The food was terrible & there was no ambiance.
(1)julesmary p.
We had: -Fresh squeezed orange juice, so delicious. -Champagne, goes down easy. Two bottles easy. But they're small. -Huevos Puerto Rico breakfast, damn so damn good. -Rosemary and Brie topped scrambled eggs on croissant, yes, it was as amazing as it sounds. And of course coffee. Not a greasy breakfast place -- you won't reek of bacon grease and pancake batter all day long. Very cute decor and nice, down to earth service. Dinner menu also looks fabulous and we'll definitely be back!
(5)Sal S.
What a gem of a restaurant and an equally awesome owner, Ron! On our way back from fourth of July getaway to Lake Placid, we decided to take a detour back to NYC through VT's countryside. It took us a while to reach Manchester by lunch time. We stumbled upon this restaurant after briefly browsing at best restaurants list this town had to offer. It didn't disappoint! We dived into the couch seating area and this meant we were going to have a bit of relaxation time along with food. Ron gave us a brief introduction about the town, its culture and people. He is such a great ambassador of his town. Ponce Bistro has an absolutely wonderful food and wine list. We will definitely revisit. Keep it up!
(5)Judi M.
Had a really nice dinner last night. Food was really fabulous. I had the Thai scallops that were beautifully cooked with just the right amount of heat to complement the coconut sauce. Wine list is a little sparce but I found a passable Chardonnay. Decor is antique unique and the chairs were comfortable. So glad to have this restaurant in town. We will be back.
(4)Jeff F.
Ponce is a 4 star option if you're looking for a French Pastry filled breakfast. Lunch was a miss. They have great outdoor sitting, great salad/sandwich options and a great Chicken Salad. What threw us off was the Couscous Salad - which sounds absurd, but.....Why would anyone serve couscous hot unless it was paired with something else that is served hot? If it's a couscous salad, you serve it cold. At least note it on the menu. All of that being said, Ponce is worth trying if you are in town.
(3)Matt S.
Found this place on Yelp as driving through for lunch. Great spot, had a really good lunch and got some takeaway Coffee & cookies. Had a special and the meatloaf baguette, both of which was good. Service was friendly and attentive.
(4)Jerod S.
TL;DR - Food was average, for the price it was not near worth what we paid. Service was terrible, but not the fault of the single lone waitress waiting on every table in the entire restaurant. The poor woman tried her best and I give her lots of credit, but they should have had at least one more server there. Two beers, one salad and one Stroganoff (almost 100% egg noodles) and an appetizer and our bill was well nearly $90. *Ridiculous*. Full Review: My wife and I were in the area for a long birthday weekend, snowshoeing and enjoying outdoor Vermont in the winter. We ended up at Ponce Bistro one night honestly more out of process of elimination than anything. It was the only place not booked solid for the night with skiers. That probably wasn't a good sign. The location is *okay*. The decor is nice, but our table was super wobbly, so much so that some of my drink sloshed over the edge of the glass a few times when I shifted in my seat! Admittedly, one of the problems may have been the fact that there was literally ONE WAITRESS for the entire restaurant of 15 or so tables that night! She told us that upfront when we were seated but said, "Don't worry you'll still get good service!" The only thing that saved this from a 1 star review was the fact that she tried. She was working her butt off running around, but it was just too much. We were seated and waited 15 minutes for her to come back for our drink order, then waited 15 minutes for our drinks and put in an order for the stuffed dates appetizer (the only really *good* food we had that night). We 20 minutes later we got the stuffed dates. Then we waited some more. After we had been there 30 more minutes, she came back for our food order. I got the Beef Stroganoff, a house specialty according to the menu, and my wife got a salad. For the price, it was not good at all. The stroganoff was 95% egg noodles with about 1.5 ounces of steak off to the side. The sauce was rich, but bland. My wife's salad was reported as "good", but again, not worth what we paid. Then we waited, and waited and waited on our check. Eventually someone came over and asked if we had ordered yet. That's how long we waited. They forgot they had served us. It took an hour and a half from the time we sat down to get our food. We were in the restaurant for nearly TWO AND A HALF HOURS because they forgot about us. As I said above, two beers, one salad and one Stroganoff and our bill was well over $80. Literally the SLOWEST service I have ever had, and I put it all on management for understaffing. We gave a nice tip to the poor overworked waitress. I hope every night isn't that bad for the staff there.
(2)John D.
My wife and I had lunch here. I had the Paprika Egg Salad on a "crossaint [sic]." It was okay, but the croissant was thick & dry and the accompanying cold penne pasta was flavorless. Both items needed seasoning, especially salt, but there was none on the table. My wife had the Santa Fe Chicken Wrap, also with the flavorless penne pasta. Her wrap was fine, but also needed seasoning. Location - 5 STARS Food - 3 STARS Ambience/Decor - 5 STARS Service - 2 STARS This is a delightful place, and with a proper chef and quality help it would be a real winner.
(3)Erica S.
Ponce Bistro was the perfect place to relax and enjoy a wonderful meal after a long day of skiing!!! Our party of 4 sat fireside, on a dangerously comfortable couch. I have celiac and found many delicious options on the menu. (Thinking about the dill and salmon bruschetta I had has me salivating!) The food, ambiance, and service was so wonderful and comforting that we also enjoyed brunch on Sunday morning at Ponce Bistro- can't wait to return!!!
(5)Staten Island X.
fresh...local produce...excellent service...and AMAZING pastries and cookies... kid friendly... reminded me of a cafe in Austrian countryside.... also small dog friendly outside
(5)Christina C.
I'd give it 3 stars but throwing another star for the great service. The food was odd to good. Their "non-pastry mushroom strudle" was basically steamed mushrooms and tomatoes served under a kale leaf covered in caesar dressing. That was the odd. For entrees I had the veal piccata (yum!) and my boyfriend had their salmon pot pie (YUM). That was the good. The people there were so friendly and accommodating. Would visit again.
(4)Ari A.
The cutest place you'll find around! I wish we weren't rushing to the movie theatre in Bennignton and could afford to sit back and relax with a cup of Joe in front of the fireplace. It's the perfect quaint place, with a varied menu and great deserts, with something tasty for everyone. Ponce reminds me of an Apres Ski afternoon, where you're sitting by the fireplace, meeting strangers, and enjoying some hot cocoa, and cheese before stripping out of your long johns. Don't come to Ponce if you're in a rush, but enjoy the serene feel of a lazy Vermont afternoon.
(4)Ryan B.
Spanish Meatloaf Tacos and then the Stuffed Dates, arguably the greatest gift human kind has ever given itself, and then add some cranberry chutney with manchego whatever it is cheese. And a bottle of Malbec. Add on a cookie dough brownie that's big enough for two and you have an amazing meal plus you have to walk around Manchester for a while...cause of the wine. For the record I'm buzzing on said wine while writing this but honestly I think that makes me more judgmental so take that for what it's worth. Which is a bunch.
(5)Donald S.
The Spanish meatloaf is really worth the trip alone. The 'famous' chocolate chip Cookie really completely what will go down as an amazing lunch !
(5)Melissa A.
Had to eat here after reading all the reviews... It was incredible!!! The mussels to start were so delicious but the pork chop for dinner was out of this world! The atmosphere was also fantastic- super cozy and romantic. We spoke with the owners, husband and wife... They were equally as nice as our experience. The fact that its BYOB and reasonably priced is even more reason to like it! Will definitely go back and highly recommend!
(5)B S.
After my first experience here, I would have given this five stars. But with the combined very slow service of both visits and the poor quality of food today, I have to give this three stars. Both times I have been the service has been interminably slow. Today's service was not only slow, but questionable on many levels. My request to "hold the mayo" from my 3 year old son's sandwich was met with confusion and inquiry as to why I would want to do that. There were no napkins, utensils or basic condiments on the table and they weren't delivered with the food which took nearly an hour to come. (This is a lunch spot, and while not fast food, it should not take quite so long.) Half of my turkey sandwich was inedible because it was nearly solid fat and the sliced apple on the sandwich was oddly thick. The salad served on the plate would have been delicious if there were any dressing. I don't like salads heavily dressed, but this was truly virtually dry. I wanted so badly for this cafe to be that gem that I can return to time and again for a delightful lunch. Unfortunately I don't have two hours to eat a sandwich lunch, and one that is riddled with missteps at that.
(3)Sarah h.
Go here!! My friends and I were here on Sunday before heading home from a final ski weekend of the season. We had a wonderful experience. Its a smaller restaurant so if you have a large group I would recomend calling ahead. We showed up unannounced and they were able to accommodate. The proprietors are both super friendly (with some fun and colorful stories). Between the 8 of us we tried about everything on the menu with few criticism (we all prefer a thicker split pea). The farm fresh vegis and poultry was awesome... but their bread and pastries were THE BOMB! The macaroons dipped in chocolate were amazing, and their famous brownie cookie dough combo is sinfully delicious. None of us were drinking as it was lunch time, but I will ne nack fir dinner during our next visit as they are BYOB without a corking fee which I just love. Hands down, check this place out when youre in Manchester. Value and superb cuisine.
(5)Kelly M.
The service here is extremely bad and slow. We waited 1 hour 35 minutes for our meals to come to the table. The waitresses were no where to be found. They never asked if we needed refills etc. my husband had to get up and go ask if they forgot about us. The food was okay. I had a strip steak my husband their chicken dish. It was good but way overpriced for what it was. The owner was friendly and came out to greet us when we arrived. We will not be visiting this restaurant again.
(2)Holly R.
Stopped In for lunch as soon as we came into Manchester, pleasantly surprised as we knew nothing about the restaurant, warm, cozy atmosphere being offered couch seating or table, having been given a table in front of fireplace added to the experience , had the Spanish meatloaf sandwich which was amazing down to the house dressing on the side salad, everything was fresh and appropriate temperature., my fiancé had the antipasto which was not too impressive however I come from an area with great ethnic Italian influence so I may have higher standards but I would think with the availability of so many cured meats and cheeses in this area they could spruce this dish up a bit. Overall would eat here again and would recommend especially if you like a new flair on an old dish, a fresh coffee and dessert after your meal.
(4)Kate A.
My first visit to Ponce and it was delicious. We stopped in for lunch on a Monday and got the last table. The menu was extensive and everything sounded tempting- sandwiches, salads, baguette pizzas. Two of us opted for the Spanish meatloaf sandwich based on other reviews and it was as good as described- moist, flavorful meatloaf with melted cheese on a crusty baguette. We also enjoyed the goat cheese & gorgonzola sandwich with roasted red peppers. Both came with a small salad of mixed greens with a tasty dressing. The desserts looked too good to pass up, so we didn't: a variety of homemade cookies, muffins and pastries were available. Interesting food in an interesting atmosphere! Would love to try Ponce for dinner next time I'm in the area.
(4)Gwendolyn L.
Cozy atmosphere, accommodating staff and fabulous food. All the ingredients for a wonderful meal. Ron really went out of his way to welcome us and catered to my grandparents' Puerto Rican routes. Rice and beans and the meatloaf were fabulous and probably the best coffee and dessert I've ever had. A really lovely experience.
(5)Michelle C.
The food was amazing here! They made it seem as though they were going to be packed all night, so we rushed to dinner only to have dinner in a half empty restaurant. Other than that, the food was great and it was inside a house with modern decor.
(4)Rose L.
Food was decent. Didn't love the abundance of Gorgonzola usage as that's a rather strong cheese u either love or hate. They did have lots to chose from on breakfast and lunch menu. We had lavender goat salad and a panini along w pumpkin bar. The lavender goat cheese was very infused w lavender. Would've like another medallion along w. Ambiance was nice. The decor is quite nice and they do have sweet offerings too.
(3)Toby M.
My husband and I ate here with our two kids (9-11) on a snowy night this past January and it was sublime. The place is super cozy, the service was amazing and the food was delicious. It is now one of my favorite places and we tell everyone it is a "must go to"
(5)Nicole S.
The food, service and atmosphere was terrific! I dined there over the weekend with five friends and we all enjoyed our meals. Most of us tried different entrees and none of us were disappointed. We can't wait to go back. He owners came out to greet us and were both pleasant and entertaining! I highly recommend partaking in dessert too! We not only are dessert there but took some sweets home with us.
(5)Kunal M.
Very nice, cozy, intimate, romantic place. Food was pretty good and portion sizes were just perfect. My fiancé is a vegetarian and even though there was nothing vegetarian on the menu, the chef made a special dish for her and truly delicious. Service is also good and the owner takes personal care of each and every customer. Had some interesting conversations with him. All in all great experience and if we ever come back to Manchester, we will definitely visit this restaurant again.
(5)Lauren H.
Our weekend go to spot for breakfast in Manchester. Also great for lunch and dinner - BYOB makes for a fabulous deal in the evening! For breakfast I love the Huevos Puerto Rico, the crepes and the crustless quiche - all homemade and great ingredients. My husband adores the breakfast Panini. The ambience is casual but tasteful - a well appointed and comfortable space with fireplace, quaint but never feels crowded. The lunch and dinner menus are creative and diverse -(not your typical ski resort fare)- and always well prepared with fresh ingredients. The owners Ron and Amber clearly know good food, and Ron always has great local tips and a good story to tell!
(5)Jessica W.
My husband and I really enjoyed our dinner at Ponce Bistro. There's no doubt that for the area, Ponce deserves 5 stars, but even compared to the top-notch dining scene in Philly (where we live), Ponce would be successful. The chef here is very talented! We split the pinwheel to start with. We were a little worried that this would be very heavy, but were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. The flavor was great! For entrees, we split the scallops and one of the salads from the lunch menu (they are happy to serve the salads at dinner, with just a $2 up-charge). All in all, we were very pleased with Ponce and would certainly recommend it to anyone passing through Manchester!
(4)Maxim S.
The food is amazing. Everything we got was perfect. We were a group of 5 people and we liked everything we got.
(5)Robin G.
We had a lovely dinner here last night. Great service, delicious food and a wonderful chat with Ron, the owner. We loved the BYOB with no corking fee and the eclectic dining room. Our night was not rushed and the food was well-paced. I highly recommend reservations and the creme brûlée bread pudding!! We will be back!!
(5)Kait N Scott L.
Best pork chop I've ever had, melts in your mouth. The intimate atmosphere and the fact that it's BYOB made it a really special experience. It was our first trip to the area and started our weekend off on a high note!!
(5)edith m.
Stopped for breakfast here. Had to ask for coffee....not a good sign! Ordered the breakfast special quiche of the day indicated on the menu to be served with fruit, potatoes, baguette. There was no fruit...only a sad little lettuce and tomato salad. They must have been out of fruit that day as my husband did not get any with his breakfast as well. There was no butter or jelly brought to the table or offered. Waitress did offer to bring salt and pepper! No offer of coffee refill either. Would definitely not stop here again for breakfast. Maybe they do a better job at lunch or dinner.
(1)Lauren T.
Very cute and food good!! Too much butter on toast for sandwhiches. Atmosphere was very quaint and staff were all very kind and nice. It was worth a try but there are better places in Manchester.
(3)Rachel O.
The food alone is more like 3 or 3.5 stars, but the fantastic atmosphere and service make Ponce a solid 4. Definitely worth visiting - and coming back to. We loved the homey, welcoming atmosphere (like being in your living room, but with no dishes to do!) and the very friendly staff. There was a great selection of salads made from fresh ingredients and the kitchen was very flexible with dietary requests. Our table loved the thai scallops and the salads we ordered. The lentil soup was very good. Less stellar were the thai chicken soup (a special) and the veal piccata. (It was a bit tough.)
(4)Minakshi B.
Save your money and your time. Not sure if the place was having an off night, but we had made reservations for 7:30 pm. We arrived and were seated promptly. THIRTY minutes later, someone finally came to check on us, give us menus, and give us some water. TWENTY minutes more passed before anyone came to take our orders. We were starving, otherwise, we would have walked out at this point. However, we ended up ordering an appetizer, which was quite good (a crab cake of sorts, if I remember correctly). We ordered a veal piccata and the beef stroganoff (which was the special and which the waitress had to go to the kitchen to find out). The veal was dry, the white wine/butter sauce was flavorless, and overall, a complete bust. The beef stroganoff had 6 chunks of beef in it which were overcooked to the point of chewy, were not seasoned. While the gravy had the expected flavors (but was bland), the pasta was sorely undercooked. Overall, the dishes were uninspired, lacking in flavor, and we weren't sure how the place had gotten so many great ratings (which is what sparked our interest in the first place). The service was poor to say the least and our waitress (one of two) had no idea what the specials were or what was good on the menu. To top it all off, when someone from the back finally came to bring us our food (ONE HOUR) after we had been seated, neither she, nor the wait staff even acknowledged that we had been waiting so long for our food and had to grab their attention several times to even get our orders taken. Needless to say, we will not be going back and definitely do NOT recommend this place.
(1)George G.
We spent a good 2 hours trying to decide what to eat after skiing Stratton. Found Ponce Bistro via Yelp and the BYOB sold us. They take reservations so it took a while, maybe an hour or so, for us to have a table setup for 6 people. The owner set us up on a nice couch next to a fake fireplace and provided us glassware (no corking fee, w00t!) for sampling our microbrews. During this time, the waitress brought us some delicious hot bread (made in NYC area) with really good quality olive oil for dipping. This was provided gratis :) Finally we were seated. Ended up getting a few appetizers: Prince Edward Island Mussels, Cottage Pinwheel, Sausage and Brie. I tried the Cottage Pinwheel and Sausage and Brie and both were phenomenal! For dinner, most of us ordered the special which was Beef Stroganoff. Some of the tastiest and tender Beef Stroganoff I had ever tasted. Water service was really good throughout the evening. However, one of us ordered espresso and it took a while to arrive (as I think the waitress forgot). The final bill was about 35$ per person which was not bad, considering the high quality of everything. Would highly recommend Ponce Bistro for both (a) romantic dates and (b) group meal outing.
(5)David M.
Breakfast is delicious. Great lattes and the orange juice is literally fresh squeezed. Favorite breakfast place in Manchester!
(5)Henry C S.
No longer BYOB which is unfortunate. Based on the high quality of the food though, I'm sure the wine and beer list they develop will be excellent as well. Very enjoyable evening.
(4)Susan R.
We would give the coffee alone here 5 stars. It truly is the finest coffee we have had anywhere in Vermont! It comes from Washington State, and is obviously expensive.It is perfectly prepared. That means a lot to us. We tried breakfast. The menu was very appealing and the entrees generous. The toasted baguette with unsalted butter was heaven! However, I asked the server if the potatoes were Crisp in the open face omelette, and she told me yes. This was not at all the case...though they were perfectly tender baby potatoes. The bacon in the omelette also should have been crisp but was not. The strawberry crepe was a disappointment...consisting a few cooked strawberries (not a single fresh) and artificial whipped cream. The crepe was also undercooked. Oddly, it was served with the same whole mini potatoes. But we will be back to try other entrees on the "breakfast" side of the menu - (Opposite the crepe side). Though our server was a sweet young lady, she did not provide us with decent service. We waited and waited for her to check on us twice, when we wanted more coffee....and that was when we were the only customers there! I think she needs some guidance from management. The baked goods all look superb, including baguettes The outdoor seating is lovely. Ron, the owner is very friendly. This may well be our go-to breakfast place because of that coffee!
(4)Thomas N.
lunch recently.....small place in an old house, part of the area is a bakery which does a pretty good business....byob.....i had the meatloaf sandwich, the meatloaf was great but the roll was too hard so the meat kept squishing out, made it difficult to eat, wife had a salad which was good.....nice little place
(3)Evan O.
Best place to eat in Manchester. Triple Brie Sandwich and the Meatloaf Sandwich was one of the better things i've ever eaten. Friendly staff and owner, and excellent customer service. Don't go to Manchester without stopping by here for at least a quick lunch.
(5)Ben R.
This wonderful bakery bistros is a treasured find. With live jazz and an accompanying menu of equal creativity, its truly an epicurean find. Their prices are reasonable and offerings not limited to the Parisian fare expected. I had a wonderful stewed Puerto rican rice and bean dish and my fellow diner a delicious and unique tarragon tuna wrap. Their teas and baked goods are many and the atmosphere is well complemented by friendly and attentive waitstaff.
(5)Laura S.
Incredibly good. I loved the hot chocolate. Loved the Gorgonzola and bacon salad. My pork chip was tender but a tad salty. Looking forward to many more visits.
(5)Danny S.
What a great find! Plenty of local flavor - and a relaxing environment. The only thing better then the food is the great service and friendly Staff and proprietors. And don't skip dessert! It almost feels like having a coffee shop and gourmet restaurant in your own house. We stopped by for Lunch and ended going back again for Dinner. I highly recommend the Skirt Steak.
(5)Bill S.
A small, imaginative, tasty gem of an eatery in Manchester. It is artfully arranged with a scattering of tables, sofas and chairs in two cute rooms. You step inside, place your order and take a seat, the food is brought to you. And the food is yummy. Our lunch included some delicious, generously filled sandwiches (Santa Fe Wrap and smoked salmon) and some Earl Grey iced tea (they also have some fine cappucinos). They offer a selection of baked goods; we had a super chocolate chip cookie, soft and gooey and melt-in-your-mouth good. They're friendly, quick, and everything about Ponce speaks to an establishment run by caring people attentive to their customer's needs. We recommend it very highly, even after just one visit. And oh yeah, the prices are fairly structured, too. We'll be headed back here for sure.
(5)Tim K.
What a great find on Manchester. After seeing the reviews on yelp we had to try it. What a great place. We were warmly welcomed by Ron and seated. He made us feel welcome and chatted with us for awhile. I had the rosado beans over rice with avocado , wife had the Spanish meatloaf. They were both well prepared and very good. Just fresh simple meals done right. For desert we shared a bread pudding that was excellent. This is a must place to visit when you are in Manchester
(5)Silvio D.
My wife and I spent a weekend in Vermont and really enjoyed dinner here. The waitstaff was friendly, and the food was excellent for the price point. We tried the mussels and salad as a appetizer. Both were very good. For an entree, I would recommend the scallops. They were a good size, delicate and had a nice flavor. You barely needed a fork to cut them. The chicken alfredo over ziti was very good, also. The sauce was not heavy, which I prefer. If they have the sorbet when you are there, I highly recommend trying a scoop. This place is BYOB, which I did not know, but there is a liquor store close by. The layout makes this place feel more like a coffee shop with couches scattered around coffee tables and a few high tables. If you are in town, I would suggest a reservation because this place was busy.
(5)Sean C.
Food was fantastic. It's a small place but had very interesting combinations of meals. No sandwich like I'd ever had before. I recommend the turkey sandwich! Most definite a place to stop while in Manchester.
(5)Christina E.
As I was driving through the beautiful Manchester Vermont I saw Ponce and read that they served espresso. I was excited to see a place that advertised an espresso bar because they are few and far between. I excitedly parked and went inside. I saw a middle grade industrial espresso machine so I promptly ordered a simple latte. As I watched the girl make it I saw she made my shots of espresso FIRST! Now some people may not know this but that is wrong. She then steamed the milk, while she did it the milk was screaming, this also is not good. I couldn't let her go on. I told her to remake my drink before she even finished. She happily restarted. I informed her that the shots should be made second to make sure they do not expire prior to having the steamed/foamed milk added. She did a better job this time with the milk. Then the shots were remade. She finished making my drink but before I left I watched as the manager carelessly made a latte for another guest, his technique and product were both terrible! As a coffee lover this ruined my experience. If you're going to claim to be a espresso bar learn to make basic drinks like espressos and lattes properly. To say the least I was not impressed.
(1)Howard U.
Update, 2/22/2015. They now offer a selection of wine an beer and no longer can offer BYOB. Still a great place. BYOB for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
(5)Mark L.
Decided to give this place a try with the wife, and it did not disappoint. It was very laid back, with the location in an old home, making the meal very "homey". The chef came out to each table to personally make sure the meal was good. I even looked-on as she came out to clarify with a gentleman who had a few special requests for his meal (and gladly accommodated him). Overall, the meal was excellent. I had the thai curried sea scallops and they were well cooked and perfect portion size. The wife had the chicken alfredo and the homemade alfredo was excellent with good portions. This is a must visit if you are looking for a great, casual sit-down dinner with a few friends or family members. Note: They do NOT serve wine, but provide glasses, so if you want to drink, bring your own!
(5)George H.
What a pleasant surprise. Enjoyed dinner recently - good choice of apps , dinners & desserts , good , friendly service, very acceptable pricing and a warm atmosphere. It is small - seats about 20 max so reservations might be a good idea. Had the halibut wrapped in philo with a yummy sauce- just delicious. As I am a wine drinker , the best part is that it is BYO and that saves one about $30+. One of the best deals in town.
(4)Steve S.
We were in Manchester checking out the outlets and wanted to grab some lunch. We looked at the reviews on Yelp and Tripadvisor and thought we'd give Ponce Bistro a shot. We weren't let down. The food was delicious. My wife had the Cranberry, Scallion and Pecan Couscous and absolutely loved it. Came with a delicious little side of greens with some amazing vinaigrette and a piece of home baked french bread. I had the Rosadas Beans over Rice with Avocado. Absolutely delicious, never had anything like it before and can't wait to go back for me. Perfect for lunch. When you walk in you can't help but take notice of the awesome looking baked goods in the case. The large tray of bread pudding was calling my name when i entered. So my wife and I had to split a piece for dessert. It was a Creme Brulee Bread pudding that was to die for!!! If you're a bread pudding fan you MUST try it!!!!! I guess their chocolate cupcakes are also supposed to be amazing but we just didn't have room for anymore. We highly recommend this little gem of a restaurant! 5 Stars all the way.
(5)Kate L.
This place is great! It is artsy feeling, with jazz/lounge music playing, a few larger tables with cute seating, and then a bunch of higher 2 person tables. They serve soups and salads, as well as a bunch of baked goodies. My lunch companion and I both got sandwiches which were huge and delicious. Fun ingredients like goat cheese, tapenade, jamon serrano, pesto....yum. And cheap! Sandwiches were about eight dollars a piece. Service was friendly. and the chocolate chip cookies are DELICIOUS!
(5)Jay N.
Was in NY visiting the BF's family for the holidays and they always come into VT for their post-Christmas "outlet shopping trip." We had a late start this year and didn't get into Manchester until past noon. By the time we were hungry, a lot of the lunch places were closed (including this family's usual spot) and it was still to early for the dinner spots to open up. I hopped on Yelp and found this spot. When we went in it looked like they had stopped serving food, but the young lady checked with the kitchen and they were able to accommodate us. There were 4 of us but no table available to seat us all together, so we just ended up at two small tables. The atmosphere was really laid back and relaxed, and it truly is a nice escape from the cold outside. The BF and I ordered a salad to share and a sandwich each. The grilled romaine salad was a bit disappointing. I've had this at other places and I think Ponce "cooked" theirs more than "grill." The lettuce was just soggy instead of charred and crisped like it's suppose to be. The sandwich made up where the salad disappoint. The BF ordered the spanish meatloaf sandwich and I had the brie sandwich. Yum. The bread was amazing (soft on the inside, nice crunchy crust) and the filings were a great balance. The BF's parents also thoroughly enjoyed their sandwich and salad. So all in all, this looks like it will be the new "usual spot" for lunch on the annual post-christmas outlet shopping trip.
(4)Rosh N.
Unacceptable customer service!! In spite of making a reservation two days in advance, when we reached the restaurant, one of the servers told us we cannot be seated because we apparently reserved a table for 2 instead of 3. We were surprised - we were on a holiday as a family, with our 4-year old son with us - didn't make sense that we would have reserved a table just for two. In any case, we were prepared to wait, just asked for some consideration. There was absolutely no apology or any attempt to acknowledge the potential miscommunication and find some way to accommodate us. We were just told we'd have to wait 10-20 mins, which then became 25-30 mins. At this point, we said we would go someplace else but would write a review about our negative experience. As we walked to our car, some man (presumably the owner or manager) yelled at us, cursing on top of his voice and repeatedly using the F word as we were getting in our car. He basically said we should write whatever review we want, but in very offensive language. Our 4 year old son who overheard this was very scared after that and asked us if "the bad guy was going to hurt us". Maybe Ponce Bistro has good food, we never got to try it. But we have never experienced anything like this at a restaurant before. If not for the profanity-laced tirade, we might not have even written a review frankly. But to experience that kind of disrespect and wanton disregard for a family with a child was just plain shocking. Have been as objective as possible when writing this review, sticking to the facts that we observed and not speculating on motivations for not seating us or yelling the way that this man did. Needless to say, it was humiliating.
(1)Jason H.
Owner was wonderful and the food was even better. I'm a new raving fan.
(5)Carl J.
Very nice, quaint spot. We went for lunch and were impressed. We had previously only stopped in for coffee. The egg salad sandwich on a croissant and the beans and rice were both excellent. There's also a nice small gas fireplace you can sit next too if it's not too crowded. Keep in mind that this place is fairly small, probably only about 6-8 tables, so maybe not the best for large groups. We will be back to try the dinner, but for now can highly recommend lunch, the coffee, and the pastries!
(5)Guy L.
Food was pretty decent. Ordered 2 apps and ordered the steak and wife had the scallops. 1st app came after 10 minutes and then radio silence for the next hour. I had to ask for an update for the food. 2 entrees came out and they had forgot the other app and close to closing time our food arrived. Would have been nice if the owners at least acknowledged the tardiness.
(3)Tater T.
Food was fine, but the service we received was very slow. She was nice, but they seemed to forget about us. Would try it again, just because of the BYOB.
(3)K L.
Nice place, great food, and friendly service. Was there early October for the foliage season with my parents and my wife's parents. We had a great lunch one day and went back for my dad's birthday dinner. Ron, the owner was there and he went out of his way to ensure we had a great dinner. Try the bread. It's superb! All in all, a great find and will be back next time we're in Manchester! Thanks Ron!
(5)Kay E.
I should have heeded M.C. but instead followed the other reviewers. Had lunch...very disappointing. Antipasto for 2 had 5 each of 5 items and small salad. Sandwiches, which were gods, came with same salad. Water and ice tea was never refilled. Decor was ok but nothing to rave about. Should have gone next door to Rooster. Napkins were very thin paper. Had to get utensils from nearby table for main course.
(2)