The Perfect Wife Restaurant
2594 Depot St, Manchester, VT, 05255
The Perfect Wife Restaurant Menu
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Address :
2594 Depot St
Manchester, VT, 05255 - Phone (802) 362-2817
- Website https://perfectwife.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Susan R.
My husband and I had a truly superb meal here last week. It was delightful sitting in the "greenhouse -like" D.R. - with a great view of the property. First of all, who can resist H.M. cornbread served warm with room temp. butter? There was also a very tasty and crusty French bread in the basket. Our delightful server, Krislyn, was both friendly and super efficient. She offered a refill of bread with a smile. My entree was a delicious Jumbo Shrimp Scampi served over a delicate mozarella and spinach filled ravioli, with some sauteed spinach over the pasta. The sauce tasted predominantly of lemon, but the garlic and butter also came through. The pasta was wonderfully light and flavorful. Five jumbo shrimp were surprisingly filling. The presentation was gorgeous. My guy had the Ahi Tuna in a sesame/soy preparation - and loved it. Everything yelped of freshness (ha ha). He enjoyed a gluten free carrot cake for dessert. I was, unfortunately, too full to have dessert - or I would have opted for tiramisu or a decadent Sundae concoction.. The menu changes frequently and Amy is always an inventive and creative chef. GO!!
(5)Elliot C.
The Perfect Wife has a tavern section and a fancy pants section. I've eaten twice at the tavern and have found the service to be very good and the food to be just fine but generally kind of expensive for what you get. They did have a fun blend of Long Trails on tap which was really good and nice and cold. The children's menu is pretty good extensive, which is always appreciated. So it's a perfectly fine place but it's a bit expensive.
(3)Shawn M.
Amazing. Got the curry appetizer and their burger. Both were just out of this world. We did not go to the formal dining area, but rather stayed on the tavern side which was just lovely. Service was also amazing. Waiter was very patient and addressed all questions regarding the menu. If you find yourself in Manchester you have got to give this a try. Looking forward to my next visit.
(5)jon m.
This was easily the best meal of my trip. We ordered numerous appetizers (wings, mac and cheese, fresh burrata, and caesar salad) each was delicious and made with love! The entrees were delicious and filling (french dip sandwich, turkey schnitzel) Both tasty and filling. Creme brule and ring ding cake for dessert were both amazing. We walked out full and extremely pleased! Highly recommend!
(5)Gabriela S.
We had some beers and dinner at the tavern last weekend. It's atmosphere is cozy and casual. The food was okay, nothing special. We ordered the burger, kale salad. Best thing was the fries, nice and crispy. My husband really liked his beer which was a blend of IPA and pumpkin ale. Attitude from the hostess though when my husband mistook her for the waitress. After waiting for 10 minutes to get our drink orders eye rolls are not welcome, thanks. Once we got our waiter things ran smoothly again. Prices are high for portion size but I'm guessing that's just small town vermont...? I can imagine this place would be satisfying after a day of skiing but nothing worth raving about.
(3)Kenan F.
3.5 stars for above average food (better than Ye Olde Tavern), 4 stars for service. Ambience was more upscale than I was expecting from a pub environment. We had crab cakes and Peking duck rolls to start and filet mignon and shrimp scampi ravioli as entrees. All were good. Nice landscaping outside, even a humming bird stopped by. Would definitely come back here. Maybe try the pub next time. It's wings night Tuesdays!
(4)Ed H.
We ate outside on the tavern side. I had a delicious burger, my wife had the sliders, and my daughter had the pizza. Everyone really enjoyed the food. The soufflé and the brownie sundae were amazing!
(4)Rick Y.
Wow what a surprise and pleasant treat on our way home. Stumbled upon a jackpot of a menu. Friendly staff, great food and affordable! Will definitely be stopping here on future trips and is a must for all to check.
(5)John A.
This review is for the tavern upstairs that's referred to as "The Other Woman." Overall the place offers a pub type feel and a much less pretentious vibe than the downstairs seating area. I wasn't expecting the food to be anything special but I was very surprised to find better than average cuisine. I had the grilled swordfish special and found it to be right on par with some of the better seafood restaurants here in Boston. The place could use a but of updating but the whole experience was above average for a pub. We were here in late summer well before the ski season and the place wasn't quiet but certainly not busy. I could only imagine this place turning into a fun late night haunt during the winter. I'm picturing karaoke and dollar drafts. One area where this place was lacking was the beer list. Seriously, this place is in Vermont where some of the best brews in the world are made! This place must do a better job sourcing more local beers.
(3)John L.
My wife and I ate at The Perfect Wife on the evening of Wednesday, January 29, 2014 and had a really superb meal and service. Everything was great about our experience, and it was the highlight of our short mid-week ski vacation up to Stratton Mountain. What really shows that they do a consistently good job is how much business we could see the upstairs bar tables were getting from people who appeared to be locals (and not tourists like me). As an added plus they have great local artwork on the walls. I look forward to hopefully returning to The Perfect Wife the next time we're in the area!
(5)Christine H.
This review is for the perfect wife restaurant. Ambiance is conservative and romantic. Great place to celebrate a special occasion but you don't need to dress up (jeans and a nice shirt/sweater is just fine). The staff makes you feel very welcome - not stuffy at all. The menu is small, but there is something for everyone. The price points are on the high side - I'd say moderately expensive. They have a full bar and make very stiff and delicious drinks. They also make their own Limoncello which is very good. Portions for all courses are very large. Ambiance - 5 stars Food - 5 stars Price - 4 stars Next time we are in town we are trying "The Other Woman" which is upstairs and offers some additional items on the casual side along with some of the main menu items. The place was packed when we went the other night. RESERVATIONS highly recommended.
(4)Joel S.
Great dinner, love the small plates, allows you to try a number of items. Especially enjoyed my cocktail, a jalapeño lime tequila gimlet and the burato (creamy soft mozzarella) small plate. Red curry PEI mussels were good, the sauce was great. Shrimp entree (large plate) sort of scampi served with mozzarella ravioli was prepared perfectly. Service very attentive and friendly, however slow I suppose as it should be to enjoy a fine dinner of many favors. Was a treat to head up to the tavern upstairs for live music, unexpected really good band, The Grift. Was here for a ski weekend and very happy to have found The Perfect Wife! Hope to rerun!
(5)Kate N.
Tavern review Service 5 stars Amazing waitress she was so on it! Food 4.5 Curry eggplant appetizer 5 stars amazing! Quinoa meatless balls with fried artichokes 4 like a meatless Parmesan quinoa could have more spice/flavor, kale terrific!! Hard cider 5 stars Beer great nice selection Really comfortable environment Definitely will come back!!
(4)Mariam E.
Great service but disappointing main course. Staff were all very helpful and efficient both at the bar (the other wife) and the restaurant, making us feel very welcome. The meal started really nicely with great crab cakes, but our mains were really disappointing. The fish of the day was over cooked and presentation not very nice. I would have expected more gone the good reviews, the good starter and the main course prices. Desert on the other hand was very tasty (pumpkin cheesecake). So overall an average plus experience, that could have easily been a great experience had the main been more refined and creative!
(3)Albert C.
Simple yet great dining! This place was perfect for our family of 5 including a 3 year old. Waitress and staff was very friendly. Food is good and reasonably priced. I had the Yellowfin tuna and it was perfectly cooked. If you're looking for a good meal and great service I'd check this place out.
(5)Douglass W.
A new Manchester Standard for our leaf peaking trip Thanks Yelp, went here based on the many reviews and you all didn't steer me wrong. If you want casual dining, eat upstairs. This review is only for the upstairs (parking lot level). Service: Since we were early, there wasn't really a dedicated hostess at this time, but a waitress quickly caught our bewildered "Do we just sit or wait for someone" look and helped us out. Friendly, competent and professional (compliment). Even put the Patriots on for us! They are even willing to provide opinions if you are having a hard time deciding between two meals! Most places give you the "they are both good" dancing answer. Food: Burgers are are "locally" produced (beef). Excellent. Meat loaf was very good. Kids pizza was good sized and filled my 11 yr old boy. Baby Nachos (starter) was solid. Nice toppings, good size. Not sure how big the normal nachos are, but the Baby Nachos hit the spot for a family of 6 (as a starter). Interesting menu item for Vermont: Cajun popcorn (crawfish) was tasty. Never had it before, but my parents love crawfish and they enjoyed it (was deep fried). Tips: Starts getting really crowded after 6PM. Your choice of seats at 5PM (on this day). Highly recommend and we will be returning during our next Manchester trip.
(4)Zsolt M.
Food is delicious and plated very elegantly. Good balance of portions of meat/fish, vegetables, and grains. Targets customers with different dietary needs since items are clearly labelled as vegetarian/vegan and gluten free. Scratch kitchen helps when you have certain dietary restrictions. Went at 5:30 with two kids. Most other tables had kids as well. They have a good kids menu. Kids food mat with crossword puzzle, maze and drawing area. They also gave us crayons. All around great atmosphere.
(5)Joel N.
Burrata was the best I've ever had (this coming from an Italian and fresh mozzarella lover). Caesar salad was delicious (cornbread croutons added just the right amount if sweetness). Filet was very tender, while sauce was a bit generic. Would totally give five stars but atmosphere was only above average.
(4)Scott C.
I was here tonight and unfortunately had a tray of water glasses dumped on me by a waiter...broken glass on my chair and my jeans were soaked. No manager ever came over and not even my beer was comped. Burger was over cooked and dry, they forgot the cheese and it had to go back. Pass on this place - so many better places to go.
(1)Roman K.
Have been there last week & had Amy's first BBQ - terrific - pork, brisket & chicken + sides & salads - hmm-mm good The week before, had a new item on the menu Hoisin chicken OH MY G-O-O-O-W-D. Now I have two dishes that I can drool for & actually seriously think about driving 4 hrs for. The other, Indian curry & eggplant fries, oh, and also couch potato fries - kind of a better version of poutine - there's bacon So, come on up/down this is the perfect season to come and try The Wife & The Other Woman without the crowds - you won't be disappointed.
(5)Marites O.
Last year we ate at the tavern side and enjoyed it,so we wanted to try the "fancy" restaurant of the place. I have read previous reviews that suggest it as being snooty, but that was not the case on the Saturday evening we were there. I started my meal with a cup of their Tuscan kale and sausage soup. It had a nice spice kick without firing up my mouth. My young daughter tried it and literally stole the cup from me. I went to order another, but she was "kind enough" to leave me the kale. I didn't care because it was wonderful with the ground sausage and small potatoes from what was left of the soup. Now I want the recipe so I can make it at home. The place continued to impress...Had the best shrimp scampi ever! I was blown away at how balanced the lemon and garlic flavors were in the sauce that covered the spinach, homemade ravioli and shrimp. My only complaint on the dish is the quantity of shrimp as I wanted more (only had 5 - they were so perfectly cooked) and less carb, although the ravioli were without a doubt fantastic pillows of cheese. The sauce was light and did not overpower the dish. I was amazed how I could enjoy the "lemoness" without being a sour taste that many places try to correct by overpowering it with garlic. Now I love garlic, but it takes a special hand to know how to bring out the best of it. When I finished my entree and if you picked up my plate, you would have thought I licked the plate! This was the best dish recommendation by our waitress. The waitress Krislyn was excellent. She was patient with our questions...she seemed genuinely pleased we were guests at the restaurant without seeming she was doing a service job. We felt welcomed as if we were at someone's home for dinner. The whole staff was wonderful. She checked in on us without being overbearingly obvious. Was also quick on our drink refills. The only thing I disliked about the restaurant was how loud it was. Of course it doesn't help to be seated next to a party of 15 where half of them were children. Don't get me wrong I don't mind having young behaved ones at a restaurant, but with that high number their conversations were very loud. We are definitely returning.
(5)Adam B.
Deserving of perhaps a 3.5 star rating but to me, the food is boring in the tavern - and that's what this review is for. I think the place smells of a tourist trap and does a lot of business - service is mediocre, food is mediocre as well. Uninspired, and with so many other options in the area I would pass on this place.
(3)Sarah h.
I would give the vibe and bar staff 4 stars, but we were pretty unimpressed by the food. The fried eggplant was limp and the curry was just odd. The fish and chips was thin and greasy. there were 4 of us and the rest of the food was simply bland. that being said, the staff were nice and the band was entertaining. id go back for drinks and music.
(3)Logan S.
The best restaurant in Manchester BY FAR! Good beer selection, great menu, and the specials are always exciting. Friendly serving staff and bartenders!
(5)Marisa S.
The atmosphere is here is livelier compared to surrounding bars. Great place to meet and talk to different folks. Everyone is friendly. Our bartender Andy was awesome. His drinks were always on point. After just 2 visits I felt like a regular there. When in Manchester, you should definitely stop in.
(4)Rich R.
Perfectly good salad like my veggie sister makes topped with big hunk of salmon. Nice beer selection. We prefer the tavern but downstairs is nice too. Fun delicious casual place.
(4)Allie M.
I'm with Jaime B. - The Perfect Wife IS the Perfect Place! While my husband (Matt D.) and I were honeymooning in Stratton, VT, we decided to catch up with Yelp to see what was good nearby, and boy howdy did we find a diamond in the rough. The Perfect Wife has two sections, which are completely separate from one another: the lounge and the restaurant. We chose the lounge for its more casual atmosphere, appealing menu, and more economical prices. We shared the Indian curry dip (incredibly flavorful and served with what seemed to be homemade battered zucchini sticks) and Cajun popcorn (fried to perfection). I had the Hungry Wolf, which is the only vegan item on the menu, and it was out of bounds - so many flavors! Sweet potato hash, curry, mango chutney, wild rice pilaf (#heaven)! Matt had the fried catfish, and having had catfish in Mississippi and Tennessee is difficult to top, but this place nailed it. It had just the right amount of salt, heat and savoriness, and was fried perfectly. We both enjoyed sampling their wide selection of local beer and cider and I essentially inhaled their brownie cheesecake and ice cream dessert (made with ice cream from a local cremerie). If I lived in Manchester, I would be here every week... actually, more like everyday. GO NOW.
(5)Amy K.
Rude hostess, filthy plates (gross), and cheap rough silverware. Not what you would expect for a restaurant with $25 entrees. The warning signs were there, we should have left then. We waited 30 minutes for the food to come out. It was not average, it was inedible. Truly bad food. The place was so loud, we felt like we were at a college bar. An all together absolutely terrible dining experience.
(1)James B.
My girlfriend and I had dinner here today and everything from the service to the food was great! We were there early before the rush,but I feel the bartender(s) handled themselves professionally and were knowledgeable about everything from the beer to the food. I have eaten and drank there many times in the past,and Have never been disappointed. Thank you for yet another enjoyable experience.
(4)Tria G.
We just had the perfect dinner party, at the Perfect Wife. Great appetizers to share, everyone had just what they wanted, and loved every bite! Best of all, we didn't have to rush, fuss, or miss a word or a laugh! Our server, Jen made the relaxed pace we hoped for happen seamlessly and made some very wise recommendations! (Seriously, this girl knows her desserts!). Everyone raved about the delicious food, fun, and how well we pulled off 'our' dinner party! What a memorable night! Thanks for a great experience, we WILL be back!
(5)Brandy W.
We had a lovely dinner last night. We were greeted in the hallway at the hostess stand. The soup of the day was a chowder, which my boyfriend thought was delicious. I opted for the gluten free version of the baked onion soup. Both of us raved over that one! The cheese was nice and gooey, the onions were soft and the broth was rich and flavorful. We shared an appetizer of the Burrata, essentially a caprese salad, but on mixed greens. The homemade mozzarella was creamy and delicious, and the presentation was lovely, we highly recommend it. The reason we decided to go to the perfect wife was for the seafood paella. Since paella is usually a large serving, we decided to split this entree. The server mentioned the word risotto at some point during the ordering process, but some people are not familiar with different preparations, so we didn't think much of it. Sure enough, this was a risotto, and NOT a paella. It was very good, but is mislabeled. For dessert, my boyfriend had the butter pecan cheesecake, which he described as "just all right." I created my own dessert, by getting a scoop of coffee ice cream and pouring a shot of espresso over it to make an affogato- that was a satisfying end to my dinner (though not on the menu) A note on the ambience: it does not appear to be a very stuffy type place, but definitely wasn't a kid friendly environment. It might also be worthwhile to consider that if you are going for romance, the roar of footsteps from the tavern above may detract from the mood.
(3)Eric P.
For dinner, with or without kids, The Perfect Wife, is a great place for dinner. At first I was not sure of it would have a good selection for me (paleo) or the kids, but we all found something and the good was very good.
(4)Charles F.
This place was exceptional. I found myself stranded in the snow. After delicious food and beer, one of the employees drove me back to my hotel to help pull me out of a ditch. The staff went above and beyond, incredibly kind and friendly. I'd recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Nikki P.
Went to grab drinks and apps at the tavern after a long cold day of skiing. If you like a casual, cozy, inviting environment - this is the spot. A lot of VT decor, all so necessary fireplace, juke box, personalized beer mugs hanging from the ceiling - this place had a ton of character. Every employee gave off great vibes, especially our bartender Andy. We took all of his menu suggestions and were very pleased with everything start to finish! Andy let us know that the chef at the restaurant was voted VT top chef of 2013, which is awesome and well deserved! He also informed us that the downstairs dinning room is a bit more "fancy" incase casual dinning isn't your thing. We will definitely be back to visit our friends at The Perfect Wife next time we are in the area :)
(5)Deb H.
The Perfect Wife is the perfect place whether you are in the mood for casual food and atmosphere in the tavern or the quieter downstairs dining room. Favorite dishes were the stuffed mushroom and the ceasar salad. Fish and chips were the special and they were a fabulous treat!
(5)Paul B.
Having been to the wife a few times, I was always generally pleased with the experience. However, a recent visit will have me rethinking whether I will dine there again. The pros: -Tavern menu is nice and extensive -Kid friendly place -The outdoor covered patio is really great and comfortable to sit in. -The fried crawfish tails appetizer was good. -Pretty good beer collection, something for everyone. The cons: -Wife had the burger, it came out well done, she asked for medium. -The ribs...oh the ribs, well as someone who considers himself an amateur bbq expert, these were the pretty much the worst ribs I've ever had. Yes, the glaze was good, but when that glaze covers the dryest, fattiest most overcooked ribs ever served to me in a restaurant, it makes me very unhappy. -When I asked to see the manager about the ribs, I was told the manager was not in the restaurant currently, but the waitress did immediately take the ribs off the bill (she also said they had a lot of compliants about the ribs, wondering why she didn't tell me that BEFORE I ordered them??? hmm..) Overall: The atmosphere in the tavern/outdoor patio is very nice, the place is nice, but they need to work on their quality control for the food. I don't go out to eat for the patio, I go for the food, so please work on it because right now, definitely not the "perfect wife."
(2)JC M.
Unfortunately this review would have warranted 4 stars, but in all my life I have never had a manager come up to our table of 6 with a good size bill of $250 and after an hour and a half and only 15 mins after our bill was paid was settled tell us we would either need to order more or we would have to get up while we were all finishing our drinks we just ordered.
(2)Karen R.
We were hoping for a good bar meal. Started out great with the cheese and bacon fries. My husband ordered a burger (how can you go wrong with a burger at a bar, right?) but it was totally raw. He sent it back and when he tried it again, it hadn't been cooked any more - still too raw to eat. They did take it off the bill but at that point the meal was ruined. Not so perfect.
(2)Katie G.
The Perfect Wife has always been one of my favorite places in Southern Vermont. The upstairs is very laid back and downstairs is a bit snooty. We almost always see people my parents know when we eat here, it's sort of the local skier hangout. I can recommend the BBQ short ribs (and I'm a Texan!) and the curry goat cheese appetizer. I was a bit disappointed with my BBQ meal because the potatoes were cold when they arrived. Tasty, and pretty out of a pastry tube but stone cold. Same thing with my dad's meal. At $19.99 for my meal I expect warm food. The draft selection is decent with some local brews and even PBR. Nice wines thanks to the downstairs dining crowd. My last trip might warrant a 3 star review but I think it might have been an off night. I've been here plenty of times and the food is always good and the atmosphere is nice. My favorite is sitting on the patio in the summer around dusk with a glass of wine and good company but I'll settle for indoors in the cozy tavern if I have to.
(4)Bruce S.
In my book, everything STARTS with three stars and then either rises or falls. The Perfect Wife was certainly a nice place for dinner, and one I would gladly visit again if I'm in the area. Most importantly, the service was great ... from the hostess (amazing) to the bartender at the upstairs tavern for our after-dinner desserts. Everyone was tremendous -- five stars. Good service alone will normally bring me back to a restaurant. Also worthy of five stars was the spinach salad with fried goat cheese ... holy cow. Seriously. It has to be one of the best that my wife and I have ever had. Mmmm. However, the main courses were good ... just not five-star worthy. My wife had the crab cakes (pretty good), but the veggies and mashed potatoes are about as average as can be. Actually, less than average. I had the filet mignon w/ horseradish potatoes, and it was enjoyable. I had a very tender filet, but it was the strangest cut of beef I've ever had ... probably my fault for not knowing more about a cut that was probably very good. The perfect wife is certainly recommended, and I'd be happy to return.
(3)Joanne B.
How wonderful is a place that describes my potential future! I didn't eat a thing but my friends and I shared a bottle of wine. Perhaps some other point in time, I shall dine.
(3)Chris H.
I like the Wife. It is a great place to grab a couple of beers and listen to live music. The food is pretty good.. think burgers and stuff always featuring grass-fed local beef and local cheeses etc. The food used to be better.. the last 3 years or so it has gone downhill... but with that being said.. as far as Manchester goes this is a great place to grab dinner and drinks. Friday night they always have live music and it is usually pretty good.
(4)Bryan C.
A pretty good bar that was really close to our hotel, within walking distance actually. It seemed to have a lot going on with bands playing on weekends. A few VT beers on tap too. Service was really slow. It took forever to get drinks and place an order. The water was a bit off in taste, but the beers and cocktails were good. The food was tasty. I highly recommend the curry and goat cheese appetizer. It was delicious! The crab cake slider was pretty good too.
(4)Lauren W.
this place was awesome! definitely get the salmon, perfection. they also had a thai coconut sweet potato soup that was incredible. prices are very reasonable for the quality. Waitress was super nice too. I had some special dietary needs and asked a lot of questions but she was happy to help!
(5)Jay D.
Visiting Vermont to fish the fabled Battenkill at the end of a long day my bro and I asked the guide ( a long time local) for a recomendation and without hesitation this was it We had burgers at the bar and found them to be excellent The fries and the onion rings were excellent as well I am not able to comment on the downstairs restaurant as I did not even lay eyes on same burgers good review succinct
(5)Laney B.
Good beer, nice feel. Pretty crowded and the juke box is a little too loud. It was a little annoying that kids were running around in my particular visit here. I would have expected more draft beer selection (only like 5) but overall your typical local pub, I'd visit again. The bartenders were really attentive and fast, great service.
(3)Zephyr T.
What a disappointment! We specifically made reservation at The Perfect Wife to celebrate my birthday with friends. It had been highly recommended by people that often visit Dorcet. The service was very very slow and really not interested in the clientele at all. The food was overcooked and not appetizing. I think we only had our water refilled once - if at all. NOT RECOMMENDED!
(1)Brian O.
We are at the other woman, atmosphere was great, we got the curry dip. Mmmm, it was great! Great for kids. Food was flavorful and portions we nice. Wait staff was kind.
(4)Matt D.
Oh man...cant say enough about this place. If i could give more stars I would. Best place ive been to in a while. unique, tasty menu, reasonably priced with so much flavor. Good drink menu as well. If your anywhere near Stratton mt. or in southern VT, make a stop at the perfect wife. But make sure ya head to the tavern part, it's got significantly cheaper prices than the restaurant below, and still has a great menu (if not better!).
(5)Susan T.
On a ski trip to Stratton Mtn. we stopped here for dinner. The wait was a little lengthy, but the food was worth it. I had the Salmon Teriyaki accompanied by broccoli, carrots (done perfectly) & rice pilaf. The fish & sauce was delicious. My husband & daughter both had the Teriyaki sirloin (looked more like rare compared to the med-rare they ordered, but they both said it was fine) & both were happy. Our son ordered the 3 slider meal (burger, chicken & crab) & cleaned his plate. On top of this delicious meal, my daughter won a free dessert (freebie slip wrapped into her napkin & utensils-only 2 given out each night) so she ordered a Belgium chocolate covered brownie w/ ice cream. It was large enough for the 4 of us. A beer, glass of wine & 2 cups of coffee & the bill total $104. $25/pp-not bad at all for a fine, healthy meal.
(5)David V.
"The Wife", as it's known locally, is really two places - the tavern upstairs and a more upscale operation tucked away downstairs. The tavern menu is full of dishes that sound like they'd be really great. Unfortunately, I can't tell you about most of them because I always order the same thing. You see, the name of the place ought to be The Perfect Burger, because their hefty burger consists of grass-fed beef, some of Vermont's best cheddar and (should you choose) a few strips of bacon cooked to perfection. It's good enough to let me look past the fact that the fries are just ok. The beer selection leans heavily on local brews, and those in search of Long Trail, Trout River, Switchback or Magic Hat will not be disappointed. They even have their own custom Long Trail concoction - a blend of their popular ale and blackberry wheat varieties, available only at the Perfect Wife. For $25, you can join their mug club and get a slightly larger pour for the regular draft price, though the best part is probably the fact that you get to decorate your own mug. From the look of it, some people choose to drink from it first and decorate it later. After 10pm, a stairwell leading to the lower level gets covered by a small retractable stage and the front area turns into a live music venue. The lineup is mostly local acts - singer-songwriters, rootsy stuff, jam bands and cover bands. Once in awhile a better-known band from Burlington, Albany or Boston might come through.
(4)Maureen K.
I actually loved the portobello mushroom plate I got, and I'm not usually one to order vegetarian meals. It was also a well-lit empty bar to stop in and get some work done while traveling to Northshire for work.
(4)Gina T.
When we were seated, Mike ordered us a bottle of wine and we had some tough choices to make! Mike ordered one of the day's specials for his appetizer, Split Pea Soup with Ham. We had just been talking about split pea soup the day before, so I think we both had it on our minds! This one was really good, with nice pieced of diced, smoked ham. I opted for the same salad I had gotten the last time we were there, Warm Baby Spinach Salad with spiced pecans, smoked local bacon, local apple cider & maple vinaigrette with a goat cheese fritter. The creamy fritter with a crisp crust was so good with the tart and sweet dressing. The pecans were crunchy and the bacon was perfectly salty. For entrees, Mike ordered the Grilled Filet Mignon with wild mushroom, roasted garlic and Guinness sauce as well as creamy horseradish potatoes. I'm drooling right now just thinking about it. That filet was so juicy and tender. I normally don't order filet mignon, but I wish I had that night! I had the Shrimp Scampi served with wilted spinach and Fior d'Italia arugula-fresh mozzarella ravioli. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and the ravioli were filled with creamy cheese. I really enjoyed the lemon scampi sauce with the pasta! Though we were both full, we knew we had to have a sweet send off! Creme Brulee it was! A perfectly hard sugar top with a creamy and cool creme underneath. It definitely satisfied both of our sweet tooths!
(4)Louise P.
My boyfriend and I ate in the tavern on New Years day for dinner. At first we were sat in the front room where I think the bar would play but we asked to move to a booth near the bar because it was drafty and our waitress was very accommodating. The food was really great. After a long day of snowboarding I really need comfort dishes - cheesy fries, soup, burgers, etc. - and the tavern did not disappoint. I was definitely in a food coma when we got back to our cabin :)
(4)Joseph B.
spent the weekend in Manchester 1/25 through 1/27. Dined at the Perfect wife on 1/25. the food was great and the staff was really friendly and knowledgeable. Nice wine list. Really cozy in the restaurant.
(4)Jaime B.
THE PERFECT WIFE IS THE PERFECT PLACE! We found this place by accident. We first had drinks and wings upstairs in the tavern after a long day of boarding. I asked for my wings well done and sauce on the side. They were perfect and probably the best wings I have ever tasted in my life. My girlfriend asked for a burger medium done. She raved that they nailed it. Both bartenders Mike and the other guy i think "Joe" , both great and both recommended eating downstairs next time. The next time we went there our experience was even better. We got there early, around 5pm. I ordered the spring rolls and the crab cakes for appetizers. We had the pecan crusted pork tenderloins and the filet mingon with scalloped potatoes. Every single dish we had was amazing. At the end we finished our meal with a ring ding cake, that we shared. The chef visited our table at the end which was a nice little touch. We told how pleased we were with her food. The Perfect Wife really gets it. Excellent food, service and atmosphere. All around this is the perfect place. Jaime G & Jaime B Long Island, NY
(5)Jason C.
The food in the tavern was ok. It was busy but our waitress was slow and inexperienced. Overrated place.
(3)Sue H.
I took my out-of-town family here for a birthday dinner. I wanted a nice restaurant with excellent food and atmosphere. I had heard good things. The food was very good, but it wasn't as amazing as it should be for the price. And, the service was robotic considering there were only three other parties in the restaurant. One waitress served one of my party a glass of wine that belonged to another table. She walked away, soon realized her mistake, came back, picked it up and brought it over to the correct table. Shouldn't that glass have been dumped and re-poured if it's left at a table and the server walks away before they realize their mistake? We could have sipped from it or worse. And, there is absolutely nothing special about the atmosphere or decor. It looks dated and tired. Overall, a disappointing experience.
(2)Glenna M.
Perfect ambiance. Perfect Daydream martini. Perfect spinach salad. Perfect shrimp scampi. Perfect service. They live up to their name!
(5)Amy C.
I really, truly wanted to adore The Perfect Wife, and make a stop here every time we visit the Manchester area, but I was kind of disappointed. Granted, we didn't branch out menu-wise, and I think that was a huge mistake. I was eying some pretty tasty-sounding pork chops and a stuffed sole dish, but the kid and I both decided on the highly talked about sliders. I'm sad to report that they were average at best. The crab cake was good (the remoulade accompanying it was tasty, too), but both the burger and chicken were overcooked and dry. I did love the hot German mustard on the chicken slider, though! And the fries were crispy and yummy. We had started with the wings, and I ordered the clam chowder. Both were good, but again, really average. Maybe it's my fault for reading all of these stellar reviews, and expecting to just get blown away! I will definitely try this cute place again soon, and report back... (We received great service, and they were very accommodating regarding the almost-toddler. The sweet waitress instantly got us a lidded cup and some crackers to keep the baby entertained. So nice!!) (We ate at the Tavern, and it's really cool... rustic, you get sort of a log cabin vibe when you enter. It's the perfect place to hang out and have a couple of beers and shoot a game of pool, but it's family-friendly, too, which is sometimes a challenge, I've found. They have a stage, and during the summer, I think there's a live show every Friday or Saturday night. And there's a super cool glass sculpture of twisted Corona bottles displayed in the fireplace. The redhead was fascinated.)
(3)Danny F.
I like the Perfect Wife's food but I love the Other Woman's fare. Best pub food in the area! Burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads have all been great. And their nachos really hit the spot too! Good service and I appreciate them seating us despite our appearance after finishing the tough mudder.
(4)Daniel L.
This place's handicap ramp is really long. The food is really good though and the staff is friendly and accommodating. I had the mahi mahi and it was fantastic. The prices are a little steep for what you get, but it's good stuff. The turkey schnitzel is also really good and portion sizes are just right. The restaurant looks like Christmas.
(4)Xander S.
Vegetarian and vegan options upstairs. The great bar and also the pricey restaurant downstairs, have delicious food. The casual bar upstairs serves great fair from the same kitchen as the superb fancier restaurant. The owners support public radio in Vermont so support this business if that is your thing. Live bands or a Sox or Pats game make the bar funner.
(5)Katherine K.
After a terrible meal at Brasserie L'Ousteau, we were thrilled to find The Perfect Wife the following night. We started with the duck confit and crab cakes, which were both fantastic. My boyfriend absolutely loved the duck. I would ask for the tartar on the side of the crab cakes next time...but they were great. I had the salmon for dinner, and he had the tuna. Both delicious!!! The service was also spectacular. We would definitely go back.
(5)Jonathan S.
If you come to Manchester, VT don't miss the Perfect Wife. Reading other reviews we had to try the chicken pot pie and it didn't disappoint. The mashed potatos on top were a real treat. Also loved the cornbread croutons in my ceasar salad. Overall the vibe of the tavern was really fun and friendly but the only knock on the place is the price and portion size. If they either bring the prices down or enlarge the portions I would gladly give it 5 stars.
(4)David C.
What a terrible experience, please save yourself the hassle. The wait for everything was ridiculously, unbelievably long. When we finally got the food, it was disappointing. I was charged for an extra beer that I hadn't drunk, and it took another 10 minutes to get the bill back fixed. I waited 15 minutes, no exaggeration, for a piece of crap slice of boxed cake that tasted worse than it looked. I was patient because the name of the dessert made it seem like something they prepared fresh. I thought this is supposed to be a chef owned restaurant! What chef uses crappy boxed cakes?!? If it was the last place on earth, I'd learn to cook off youtube.
(1)J F.
The Perfect Wife = a perfect night in Manchester. Great food. Great Drinks. After dinner downstairs we walked up to the bar/tavern and listened to a live band from VT. It was an enjoyable crowd and it a great place to relax. The only thing I can say I had trouble with was the parking. It was hard to find a spot but after eating I know why it was so packed and well worth it.
(5)Vinnie S.
My wife and I ate dinner here on 1/28/12. We arrived early so we decided to have a drink upstairs. The dining room is located downstairs. The upstairs restaurant and bar is very casual and serves bar type food. It is very noisy and full of loud 20 somethings. So if you want a drink at a quiet bar go downstairs. We didn't know but there is a small bar there no one was at. The downstairs restaurant is fancier and more expensive. We sat at a quiet table for two. I had the prime rib and a dinner salad called "salad like mom" with homemade blue cheese dressing. My wife had the Spinach salad and the Osso bucco over spatzel. My salad was good and wife's salad was delicious. My prime rib was cooked medium but I had asked medium rare. No biggie for me. I wish I had more mashed potatoes though. My wife's dinner was very good. The pork was tender, the gravy yummy and the onions tender and sweet. Over all a nice place with good food just on the loud side and alot of kids.
(4)Jeff W.
My review is based on the Tavern. I really liked the atmosphere but the food was ok. I would like to try the restaurant side some time to see if the food is any better.
(3)Jas. K.
A really fun, enjoyable tavern -- with fancier dining downstairs -- just outside of Manchester Ctr. The slider assortment -- a burger, crabcake and chicken breast -- were quite good; the flank steak salad was well prepared as well and the pork chop was done to perfection. On the other hand, the apple crisp dessert we had was anemic portion-wise but tasty. Decent wine selection, eclectic menu and warm, friendly service with a fun atmosphere and reasonable prices make it one of our local favs.
(4)Chris C.
Was up in Manchester the other weekend and stopped in here for dinner. We ate on the tavern/bar side as we were looking for something relaxed. They have a really nice outdoor seating area with a roof that looks out into their back yard which had a weird stone structure and gardens. We actually saw someone from the kitchen go out into the garden and pick some tomatoes from the garden and then go back into the kitchen with them. I thought that was really cool! The beer selection was excellent. They had brews from all the major and some of the smaller brewers in Vermont. They were so amazingly cheap at $4 for a draft. To start we had the turkey chili which was good although not that spicy and the soup of the day which was a corn chowder. We had the meatloaf which was pretty good although we had it with the sweet potato hash instead of the mashed potatoes. The hash was ok, but had way more onions in it than we would have liked. We also had the summer cacciatore that was full of summer vegetables and grilled chicken done in a garlic butter sauce. It was good, but the flavor was kind of basic. We skipped desert as we were kind of full but the menu had some interesting selections.
(4)Molly R.
I have eaten in the upstairs portion several times. This is a good solid restaurant with excellent prices compared to others in Manchester. I have never had a bad experience. The service is always great! I have had several items on the menu but some of my favorite are the Turkey Chili, the Burger and the Stuffed Portabella Mushroom entree.
(5)Jeffrey S.
Food was pretty good. I had a burger that was made perfectly. Service was a bit slow both at the bar and at the table but it wouldn't stop me from going back there again.
(4)Leigh R.
The Other Woman Tavern was the perfect spot for a casual meal while watching a game after a great day on the mountain. The staff was friendly and helpful, service was quick and the food and drinks were very good. The atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for - mixed crowd of all ages, good music, and games on at the bar. We liked this bar so much, we had to buy the T-shirt.
(4)Paul L.
Not good. High priced; not high quality. Portion size small as well. Had the fettuccine with "Maine" lobster; was all vegetables, VERY small portion of pasta and the lobster that was almost non existent was only claw and knuckle meat. Would not go back.
(1)Beth M.
While on a snowboarding getaway in the Manchester area, my husband and I had dinner at the Perfect Wife, after it was recommended by the owner of the lodge we were staying at. We were looking for a nice chill spot to have a few VT microbrews and some interesting comfort food...and that's pretty much exactly what we got. We dined on the tavern side of the restaurant. The tavern side is a bit different from the dining room side, in all the ways you'd expect-- slightly cheaper, more casual food, and no white table cloths. The wait was about an hour for 2 (MLK weekend, apres ski) so we found a spot at the bar and ordered the one beer on tap, Switchback (VT), which was average, but hit the spot. We also enjoyed some really yummy spinach artichoke dip. We were seated faster than expected, and ordered what can only be described as lazy man's chicken pot pie-- thick chicken stew in a breadbowl topped with mashed potatoes....heavenly. It was really really good, and came with a nice light, interesting side salad to even things out. Over all we enjoyed our experience-- the tavern is really cozy and casual, adorned with high shelves of interesting beer bottles and snowboarding trophies. The service was a bit slow, but I think there were only 2 waitresses, and the place was jam packed...it did take a while to get the check and pay, but we weren't in a rush, so it was no big deal. If you're in the area check it out.
(4)daniel w.
Nice. Pleasantly surprised to find good food in ski country. Try the sesame tuna, which was outstanding. One personal quibble--corn bread should not be sweet. It's bread, not cake, and not a muffin. If you make corn bread as bread you should make it in a cast iron skillet and without sugar, like my Louisiana grandma made it. Otherwise a wonderful repast.
(4)Joy D.
Fantastic! Go to The Wife next time you are in Manchester Vermont or on your way home from Stratton Mountain. The tavern (the upstairs door) is super casual and a whole different menu than the formal dining downstairs (I think we each paid $8 for an all natural grass fed burger -- and we would've paid that at Friendly's for garbage food). OUTSTANDING! plus there were live musicians playing while we ate :) More formal dining downstairs is more expensive, but still okay not to be dressed up... Hey, let's be real - it's Vermont, everyone wears jeans, even when out to eat :) Now we're talkin' .... WOOHOO! This food is to die for.
(5)kevin r.
I Iiked this place. Good food, good atmosphere. I had the steak salad which was great. Would have gotten 4 stars but they did two things that we're upsetting: they took our stools away while we were sitting at the bar to make room for the folks behind us!!? WTF. That sucked. We were saddled up for the night after having dinner there and wanted to watch the band. They said they wanted to make room for people to buy drinks. O.K. Then they wouldn't sell shots. Weird, because I was sold a shot earlier. Figure out what you want to be Perfect Wife. Want to love you but I'm torn.
(3)Patrick B.
"The Wife," as locals call it, is the best mix of chef-driven comfort food and live music in southern Vermont. If that's not enough for you, it's one of the few restaurants accessible from Stratton ski country that won't poison you. Thinking of Mulligans or Jonny Sesaw's? Try the Wife. They can deal with young kids or larger groups. Amy Chamberlin, the owner, has been kicking but at this location for probably fifteen years (maybe more?), meaning the food is consistent. Upstairs, you can listen to live music and eat some pub food. Downstairs, you can enjoy the wine list and savory comfort-food offerings. One of the few in its genre, and a five-star choice for an unpretentious moderately priced place.
(5)alexandra m.
Note: my one star is for the restaurant downstairs. We've enjoyed the food in the pub several times, and thought the food and atmosphere were great for the post-ski crowd, although it does get a bit loud most nights. The restaurant--ugh. My son & I tried it one evening when we had initially sat down in the pub, but it was empty and really quiet, so we figured what the heck, lets try downstairs. First of all, the soup of the day was the same in both places. Not good when the downstairs is sold as "upscale" (and believe me, the prices certainly would qualifty.) My son had risotto, it was decent. Not great, certainly nothing special, just decent. I, on the other hand, made a dreadful choice by ordering the tuna. As the menu specified that it was cooked medium-rare, I asked mine to be cooked medium. Big mistake. This thing could've been any kind of fish, cooked all the way through, no pink at all, just hot and rubbery center. As someone who cooks tuna a fair amount, I know for a fact its a difficult thing to screw up. The bill was $100+ for the two of us. No way in heck will I try this place again.
(1)marissa p.
Had dinner at the Tavern upon recommendation from a nearby B&B during my first trip to Vermont. A friendly and casual dining option. I enjoyed the creative and flavorful veggie offering of the Howling Wolf with a switchback ale.
(4)Doug H.
Catching up on reviews from a summer vacation. Had a nice meal here. If I could give 3.5 stars (again), I would. Not quite a 4, but not a 3. Tough call. Just my wife and I, but not a big sample, but I had a slider sampler with 3 different mini-burgers. I've forgotten what my wife got, but she liked it. We were a bit rushed for time and service was quick and friendly. We ate up in the bar area, but there is a full dining room downstairs, too.
(3)V V.
Like the last reviewer I too love!!! the tavern at the Wife!!!! but the downstairs left a bad taste in our mouths. We met friends there last Sat. night to enjoy what sounded like heavenly fare but it turned out to be embarrassingly awful. I too had the tuna dish which sounded delightful, I was shocked at what I was given. It came out rare, very rare not medium rare and all the seeds on it were horribly burnt. You would think a fine dining place would hesitate to send out burnt food and unfortunately when I inquired we discovered that Chef Amy was cooking. How embarrassing for her. My husband's meal was a beautiful plate of dried out pork and our friends did not even finish their meals. For the price we paid you would think that Chef Amy herself would apologize for our food but not a blink of sympathy from the staff about our horrible experience, could this be the norm? Never again shall we dine downstairs at the Wife, and it will take awhile for us to return to the tavern again with the burnt taste of tuna on our palates. Hopefully they stick to the comfort tavern food in the future.
(1)Katie M.
GREAT live music during the week and tasty food all the time.... the wife is where its AT!
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