Elixir Restaurant
188 S Main St, White River Junction, VT, 05001
Elixir Restaurant Menu
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Diabetics at Jason's Deli
Diabetics must not get carried away at Jason's Deli as there are several tempting items on their menu to easily spike your blood sugar. You can try the salads at Jason Deli's or start your meal with hot soup to ensure that you don't stuff too much while at Jason's Deli. You can also pick the right kind of sandwiches to complete your meal.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for Diabetics:
You must skip all kinds of sandwiches, wraps, and paninis at Jason's Deli for their high sodium content. Even among the salads, avoid the regular ones such as Chicken Club Salad, The Big Chef, Mesa Chicken Salad and go for the lighter versions. In addition, it is also recommended to avoid desserts totally while dining at Jason's Deli.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Jason's Deli:
Breakfast Sammy
Nutritional Facts: 250 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3g), 370mg sodium, 23g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 12g Protein
Chicken Club Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 540 calories, 44g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 8g), 900mg sodium, 11g carbs, 3g sugar, 3g fiber, 24g Protein
Mesa Chicken Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 460 calories, 30g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 850mg sodium, 26g carbs, 4g sugar, 7g fiber, 22g Protein
Spinach Veggie Wrap
Nutritional Facts: 350 calories, 14g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 830mg sodium, 51g carbs, 5g sugar, 12g fiber, 16g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in White River Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli
Blood pressure patients mustn't indulge in sandwiches offered on Jason Deli's menu. Most sandwiches, whether Muffalettas or Po'boys, are high in sodium and could easily spike your blood pressure. Be careful while you order at Jason's Deli and opt for healthy food options such as salads, soups, or soups to ease your cravings.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Blood Pressure
Sandwiches must be avoided at all costs at Jason's Deli as they are loaded with sodium. You must also skip the paninis and wraps if possible and stick to healthy salads and soups while dining at Jason's Deli. Skip adding any kinds of salad dressing, extra cheese, croutons, etc. in your order to limit your sodium intake for the day.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at Jason's Deli
Banana Nut Muffin
Nutritional Facts: 220 calories, 10g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 170mg sodium, 25g carbs, 14g sugar, 1g fiber, 5g Protein
A bowl of Fresh Fruits
Nutritional Facts: 390 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 45mg sodium, 23g carbs, 62g sugar, 9g fiber, 6g Protein
Pollo Mexicano (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 800 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 12g), 550mg sodium, 121g carbs, 14g sugar, 11g fiber, 30g Protein
Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 210 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 150mg sodium, 34g carbs, 17g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
Wild Berry Hibiscus Tea with Pure Cane Sugar
Nutritional Facts: 100 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 26g carbs, 26g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in White River Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Jason's Deli
If you are concerned about your cholesterol, then you got to be very cautious at Jason's Deli. Most sandwiches available on Jason's Deli's menu are high in cholesterol and sodium content. You must choose wisely and opt for salads or soups to please your appetite.
Foods to Avoid at Jason's Deli for High Cholesterol
Avoiding foods at Jason's Deli can be trickier if you are a foodie. It is recommended to skip the heavy sandwiches which are both high in cholesterol and sodium at Jason's Deli. You must also avoid paninis and wraps at Jason Deli's or order the lighter version to reduce your calorie intake.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Jason's Deli
Blueberry Muffin
Nutritional Facts: 190 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1g), 180mg sodium, 34g carbs, 19g sugar, 1g fiber, 3g Protein
Nutty Mixed Up Salad (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 430 calories, 21g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 810mg sodium, 41g carbs, 33g sugar, 3g fiber, 21g Protein
Texas Style Spud (Lighter)
Nutritional Facts: 830 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 11g), 740mg sodium, 139g carbs, 27g sugar, 14g fiber, 29g Protein
Jason's Deli Bottled Ginger Ale
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 36g carbs, 36g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Black Currant Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Organic Green Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Hot Tea
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Fresh-Brewed Unsweetened Tea.
Nutritional Facts: 0calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 0mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in White River Junction for healthy meals suggestion.
Q & A on Jason's Deli
When did Jason's Deli open?
First Jason's Deli was started on 30th November 1976 at Beaumont, Texas, United States.
Where's the nearby Jason's Deli?
There are around 275 delis in 28 states of the United States. You can locate a nearby Jason's Deli by using our Restaurant Listings Directory.
When does Jason's Deli open and close?
Jason's Deli opens early in the morning daily at 6 AM and closes at 6 PM on weekdays and 3 PM on weekends.
Does Jason's Deli have a drive through?
Yes, Jason's Deli has a drive-through. Besides the drive-thru, Jason's Deli also set up Jason's Express especially for on-the-go families to make things faster. Drive-thru and take-out options help individuals and families to order and pick their meal quickly while on a busy schedule.
Does Jason's Deli serve gluten-free items on the menu?
Jason's Deli isn't entirely a gluten-free environment, but it does offer a gluten-sensitive menu. You can order food from the gluten-sensitive menu to ensure your food is gluten-free.
Does Jason's Deli serve vegan items on the menu?
Yes, they do. The vegan options are limited at Jason's Deli. You can try the organic vegetable soup, spinach veggie wraps w/o cheese, hummus, salsa, guacamole, and many other options from the salad menu.
Does Jason's Deli Cater?
Yes, it does. You can use Jason's Deli's catering service to serve hot and fresh foods to your guests. Whether you want to feed 5 or 5000, Jason's Deli's experienced team can handle your catering order and ensure timely delivery.
What's on Jason's Deli breakfast menu?
Jason's Deli serves a variety of different items on their breakfast menu. You can try the breakfast sandwiches or wraps prepared with fresh-cracked eggs. You can pick up breakfast as early as 6 AM at any Jason's Deli nearby.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli is a popular bakery restaurant in the United States. Jason's Deli started its operation in Beaumont, Texas on 30th November 1976. The bakery restaurant was started by four partners: Joe Tortorice Jr., Rusty Coco, Pete Verde, and Pat Broussard. Currently, the delicatessen restaurant chain operates in more than 268 locations across 26 states in the United States. Jason's Deli is one of the most successful restaurant chains with under 300 locations.
Deli Management Inc. owns Jason's Deli along with several other deli restaurants in the United States. Jason's Deli is famous for its standard deli style menu where the customers can order from traditional sandwiches to salads, baked potatoes, and pasta. After initiating a health drive in 2000, Jason's Deli successfully eliminated added trans-fat from its food in 2005, later got rid of high fructose syrup in 2008, and finally removed MSG from its food. Today, Jason's Deli offers a wide range of food items including vegan and gluten-free dishes.
Healthy Food Options at Jason's Deli
Jason's Deli offers a standard deli style menu which consists of traditional sandwiches, soups, pasta, baked potatoes, wraps, and salads. If you choose wisely and skip the extra sides or dressings as you order at Jason's Deli, you can find a good variety of healthy food options at Jason's Deli.
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Address :
188 S Main St
White River Junction, VT, 05001 - Phone (802) 281-7009
- Website https://www.elixirrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Greg G.
Really, really great meal. Not sure what this place is doing in the middle of nowhere, but glad we found it. We started with the fries, which were awesome, and the pork belly. I'm used to braised Japanese-style pork belly, so this was a very interesting change, and equally delicious. For a main, my fiancee got the scallops. Scallops - in the middle of Vermont? Sounds weird, but they were perfectly prepared. I ordered the chicken, which was also very well prepared. The place was packed when we got there, and stayed full throughout the night. Next time we're in town, we'll definitely be back.
(5)Denisha B.
We've had dinner here three times and felt service as well as quality was consistent. I ordered the filet mignon which was good but not the best I've had. The creme brulee was great...it was my first time trying it in life so I could be the wrong person to ask. Design of the restaurant is weird. There's essentially no foyer or waiting area for customers when they walk in. If you are a group, you'll feel like you're standing on top of those sitting at the bar which made me uncomfortable. Why the bar is so close to the door, I have no idea. However, management has always been great and service has been fantastic so I'm pleased to continue giving Elixir my hard-earned dollars.
(4)Lorelei Y.
I was here for a friend's first-ever appetizer service back in the winter, and was very impressed by this restaurant's gastropub-y approach to food. Service is excellent here, and our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu. I feel like Elixir is really doing some cool stuff with ingredients, flavors and textures that you don't see very often in rural New Hampshire, which is great to see. I would definitely make another trip back here. Unlike most restaurants in the Upper Valley, where you get a really laid-back vibe, Elixir is obviously making a conscious effort to class it up a bit -- which is a welcome change.
(5)Keith E.
Great food in a urban-like atmosphere in downtown White River Junction.
(5)Taylor W.
This was my first time at Elixir, and I was blown away not only by the food, but by the personal touch the owner puts on making an appearance. He greeted me at the door (after several waitresses had walked past me), and was extremely gracious and welcoming. I ordered the petite filets, which were fantastic, but I didn't touch much of the mashed potatoes as I'm trying to stay away from starches. Skip came back to my table because he noticed I had left the potatoes, and wanted to see if I had not liked my meal. I assured him I had loved my steak, and was touched that he came over himself to ask about the meal. I will make sure to visit elixir again.
(4)Kasey L.
My husband and I were looking for a dinner date spot and landed on Elixir. He is from the Upper Valley and had heard good things, but we'd never been. We easily made a reservation online for a Saturday night! Overall, our experience was very good, though at times things were a little...off? Our food was delicious. We enjoyed the yummy bread and herbed dipping sauce at the beginning, but we both found it odd that the waitress served us one small piece each out of a communal basket. We split the filet mignon (which was perfectly cooked and came with green beans, potatoes, and an amazing sauce that left me trying my best to clean the plate) and Statler chicken (good enough but I probably wouldn't order it again, served with Brussels sprouts and au gratin potatoes). The portions were perfect--large enough that we felt full, but not so big that we had leftovers. We split a creme brûlée for dessert, which was huge (maybe the size of my husband's palm) and so yummy. It wasn't accompanied by any fresh fruit, which I thought might be a nice touch since it looked sort of plain on the plate. The service felt a little hit or miss. We waited quite awhile to even be greeted when we arrived even though we were on time for our reservation. The table service was a little on the slow side and not particularly personal. The price for all of that food plus a tip turned out to be around $60, which I found very reasonable. I would recommend Elixir to others looking for a nice night out!
(4)Katie L.
Food is pretty good but service is really slow (even when the place isn't that busy). we didn't receive water/utensils until we had been seated for 10 min. not in a very nice area. wouldn't recommend unless you have at least 75 min for a meal...
(3)K.C. O.
We love Elixir! It is so fefreshing to have such quality food available in the upper valley in the sea of horrible burger fare. It is fresh, delicious, (can be) healthy, and the portions are perfect size for someone who doesn't need an entire bucket of chow to tide them over. So everytime I have been, I've gotten the wine that's on special, never a bad choice! I have had the salmon, filet mignon, mussels, and several appetizer plates, all have been impeccable. Great plating, delicious flavors, you can just tell that thought and care goes into each dish. The owners are also the hosts, and are kind. The service here is okay, I've never been blown out of the water. I am also profiled normally in restaurants that I don't frequent all the time because I am young and not visibly wealthy, which most places feel they have no time for. (I get that)
(5)Beata R.
Outstanding experience. We were at the freight house and went into elixir between sets. We were celebrating our anniversary and told the others at the bar and encouraged our bartender to join us in a glass of champagne. I love the bar space and always love the bartenders. When we went to close out Jane - Our bartender - (I think that was her name ) shared that the drinks were on is - bought us our drinks for her anniversary I was incredibly touched. Very special. A memory for the books I will be back Beata
(5)Veronica S.
This is one of the few places in the upper valley that offers chicken liver mousse/pate. They also have a great cocktail list and food is consistently well seasoned and delicious.
(5)Doc S.
This is a great place though a bit hard to find. The pork was excellent, nearly melting at the touch of the fork. The combination of spices with the grilled tomato and yellow beans balanced the marvelously. Service was very attentive and courteous. I am adding Elixir to my list when in this area of Vermont.
(5)H p.
Fantastic. Just went here for the first time recently, and was happily surprised at how much I liked it. The menu is relatively small and simple. The food itself was very very good. I'd call it honest food, if that make sense. Ingredients seemed fresh, preparation was flawless. Attractive and unpretentious presentation. Modest portions (no supersizes and no fillers). Our party of five chose beef entrees (tenderloins and short ribs), and everybody was happy with their meal. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including the chicken liver mousse (delicious and much lighter in taste and texture than you'd expect) and the truffled fries (moderately light and crunchy). Our companions' salads looked fresh and appetizing, though I didn't taste them. We shared a bottle of one of the house "special" wines which was perfectly drinkable and a bargain. Service was competent and professional - unassuming, unpretentious, with no fawning or BS. Prices were reasonable, and a bargain compared to Hanover and Norwich restaurants. The space itself is big and airy. Like the food, the restaurant itself is attractive but unpretentious. It felt neither casual nor formal to me. Maybe "dressy casual", a description I've never understood. Chairs were a bit hard on the tush, but IIRC most tables also had upholstered benches which looked comfortable. The only fault I could find was with access to the restaurant itself. There are about 5 fairly steep and difficult stairs to the front entrance, and no ramp or level access. The elder members of our party had to really struggle up the stairs (with the help of kindly restaurant staff). There's a ramp, but it only leads into a wet food-prep area which had some kind of "Do Not Enter" sign IIRC. Also, parking can be somewhat remote. This actually will make a difference in how often I return to this restaurant. I hope Elixer will find a way to provide more convenient access for people with mobility limitations.
(5)A G.
Sat at the bar and ended up leaving with new friends, a to do list, and a pleasantly full gut. Sean the bartender recommended a few of his favorites and I went with the truffled chicken liver mouse and then the chicken breast entree. I recommend sharing the mouse as it is very rich.
(4)Erin T.
Great restaurant. I always get the Caesar salad and truffle fries, sometimes the salmon. My husband always gets the filet mignon. The portions are just right, the prices are good for the excellent quality of food!
(5)Ryanne P.
The atmosphere was very nice and the wines were nicely priced (nearly half of the price I would expect, actually). I ordered a Caesar salad and petite filets with glaze that came with some mashed potato and green beans. Maybe the least exotic item on the menu, but very tasty. My only complaint would be that I asked for the steak rare and got it medium. Still too tasty to complain to the staff, though. I also indulged in some of their house made ice cream... The double chocolate mocha. Winner, winner!
(5)Cathy B.
I dined at Elixir recently and was so disappointed. I too, thought that I was in for a fine dining experience. It was my second visit and the first was very good but this time not so much. I ordered the special risotto. The dish was ok but it was not risotto. Risotto is not just arborio r ice stir fried with vegetables or fish or meat. It is a method of cooking the rice that results in a creamy texture. This dish was not that. I prepare risotto at home and know of the labor involved and always wonder how a chef can replicate that dish in a short amount of time. This chef must have just made up a pot of rice and then heated it up with veggies upon request. Perhaps as a side dish, this would have been acceptable, but as a twenty dollar entree, I was not happy. Plus the bread was stale.
(2)Ashley G.
The food was absolutely delicious and the drinks were just as good! The presentation of the food matched its savory taste! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is not into disappointment. Parking is kind of an issue, but once you get passed that snafu you will enjoy yourself at Elixir! Pros: Great food Professional Presentation Great drinks Clean interior Quaint exterior Cons: Parking
(5)Matthew M.
Fresh food with a diverse menu. I had "fiddlehead" for the first time which is it the top portion of a young sprouting fern. I had their homemade ice cream for dessert which was off the hook.
(5)Desiree W.
My meal was delicious!!! The short rib was the best I've ever had. My waitress was so nice and attentive. Had the ice cream sandwich for dessert. Sooooo good!! Two thumbs up! I would definitely return when I am back in the area!
(5)Craig A.
Lovely meal. The Arlini-tini cocktail was delicious. I had the baked fig appetizer with bacon & bleu cheese, which could have used a slight acidic note, but my husband had the chicken liver mousse which was to die for! I had the cocoa dusted filet mignon which was superb and my husband had the short ribs which literally melted in my mouth. For dessert, I had the bananas foster bread pudding, which was fine, but for my taste needed more bananas foster and less bread. My husband had a trio of ice creams / sorbets and liked them, especially the pumpkin and the date almond Amoretto. The service was delightful and helpful and the owner even dropped by to chat. We will certainly come here again.
(5)Kim Y.
Food was amazing and the service was excellent. Mussel appetizer was the best ever. I had the filet and my husband had the short ribs, both were excellent. Lots of wine by the glass options. Funky parking/location. Inside was cute enough.
(4)Stephen S.
This was my first time here, my wife had been here before and had the scallops, so she wanted to come back. The atmosphere was busy and inviting, with plenty of light. The server was very good, just enough attentiveness and very friendly. Her performance is what saves this review from being two stars. The good part of the food experience: the scallops were amazing, cooked perfectly (Gordon Ramsay would be proud!) and the sauce, vegetables and everything came together perfectly. The not-so-good: I thought it was a nice touch that our server had the kitchen split the portion for us, but the caesar salad was bland, missing any flavor of anchovy or egginess. The braised pork belly was tasty, but the miniscule portion was disappointing, barely three bites. (see the picture in the gallery) The lowest-rated part of our dinner was the filet mignon. I ordered it rare and it came to the table cooked perfectly, unfortunately the sauce was very bland and the "garlic smashed potatoes" were not garlicky at all. If there had been any salt & pepper on the table it might have helped save that dish, but there was none to be found.
(3)Phyllis V.
The menu is pretty simple with not a lot of options (fairly basic options of salmon, chicken, beef) but the food is good and not too expensive. The portions are on the smaller side so order an app!
(3)Phill M.
Stopped by with coworker great bartender and food was awesome. Little pricey for very small portions.
(5)Barbara R.
My fiancé and I were staying in Quechee, VT. On a Saturday night we were looking for a nice restaurant to go to and after reading all of the positive reviews of Elixir we decided to check it out. Parking was an issue because of a very popular fashion show happening next door, which the owner of Elixir told us about. As soon as we walked in he welcomed us. The restaurant itself is very unassuming, but once you try the food you regret not knowing about this place sooner! The food was AMAZING! We ordered the large mussel appetizer with its delicious sauce. For our entrees my fiancé got the scallops and I got the filet mignon. They were both so delicious! The scallops were the most amazing thing I've ever had!! For desert we had creme brûlée, which was very good. We only wish they had fresh fruit to serve with it. Other than that everything was amazing! The food and drinks are also very reasonable priced. I highly recommend this place. Funny thing was that when we first walked in I overheard 2 different tables mention how delicious their dinner was and whenever the owner walked by, they would thank him for it. For me this was a good sign as I was initially worried whether we made the right choice for dinner. If we are ever in the area again we will definitely be going back!
(5)Graham C.
I was passing thru VT on my way to Canada and found Elixir through Yelp. I would definitely go back as the menu was interesting and the food pretty well prepared. I had crispy sweetbreads followed by duck breast with a blue cheese risotto. The sweetbreads weren't really that crisp and I thought the appetizer lacked a little in bold flavors. The main course was excellent; really interesting combinations. The duck skin could have been rendered a little more as it still was a little fatty and not crisp, but the dish was delicious in any case. Service was very pleasant. The place was very crowded for 7pm on a Tuesday.
(4)Dana G.
My wife and I stopped here along the way to a ski trip and had no idea what to expect. It was easily the best meal we had on the trip. There were no tables available but we sat at the bar and had excellent service from the bar tender. He was full of recommendations and made the evening all the more enjoyable. The food was wonderful , great beer selection - awesome service.
(5)Derek W.
The weather outside was frightful - several inches of snow already on the ground, the temperature hovering a few degrees above zero. Fortunately, inside the historic Old Freight House in White River Junction, the owner and staff at Elixir cooked up a miraculously warm and delicious experience that kept off the chill, at least for a couple of hours. Elixir sits in a prime location, adjacent to the train station and just down from the convergence of the Connecticut and White Rivers that gives this sleepy town its name. The charming, gregarious owner, Skip, rushed up to us as we entered to make us feel at home, and well-appreciated for venturing out in the storm. Our server couldn't have been nicer and more tuned into our needs (somehow intuiting which dishes we were sharing, and splitting them accordingly) despite the restaurant's imminent closure so staff could safely return home. We thoroughly enjoyed the array of hearty, modern American comfort foods laid before us over the next hour. The carrot-rutabaga bisque was an earthy delight, made rich with a streak of brown butter. Our salad was a potpourri of fall ingredients, including thin strips of endive, currants, spiced pecans, and a tangy orange vinaigrette. To introduce some international flair along with a small dose of spice, we dug into a heaping plate of mussels with red-curry coconut sauce, a nice complement to the small but excellent mussels. The de rigeur bread dipping was particularly pleasant given how creamy, aromatic (and generous!) the sauce was. Our final foray involved a simply but exquisitely roasted chicken breast. The tender bird had a dense, moist ribbon of pumpernickel-sage stuffing throughout, and a sweet cherry sauce on top. To balance this autumnal feast, the chicken was accompanied by a delectable sweet potato gratin and a few crisp, fresh green beans.
(5)Carole M.
Elixir is a mixed bag. The dining room is inviting and stylish, although the tables are crowded. The menu is ambitious but unevenly executed. Scallops were delicious; shrimp risotto cakes tasteless. And the service is weak, although willing. Perhaps too many tables per server? Parking difficult. I can't say that I think this restaurant would exist in a more competitive environment.
(3)Gina R.
This was my second visit to Elixir, the first being 2 years ago on a hot summer evening. I had made a reservation on OpenTable which was promptly remembered and we were seated in a timely and friendly manner. The service was on point and timely, maybe slightly rushed and a little impersonal. My two friends ordered the shrimp and the napolean squash. The squash dish didnt seem to come together well, the textures with the black beans just didnt mesh together well he said. My friend who had the shrimp was satisfied but not amazed, it was good and fresh but not tasty. I had the filet mignon and if there was cocoa dust on my steak it quickly flew over the dish, and was barely noticeable although the glaze on it was very delicious. The steak however, was cooked perfectly to a medium rare as I had ordered it. The string beans and mashed potatoes were very fresh but again, any garlic mentioned in those mashed potatoes flew over the dish like a G6. The dishes could have been a little larger, the three of us were barely satisfied and we shared 2 appetizers (frites and caesar salad that lacked anchovies or flavor). Bottom line, this is a bit pricey given that dishes are small and lacked some flavor, however the dishes are fresh and thoughtfully prepared. If your tastes dont care for flavor and flare you will probably be satisfied. As for me, I'm on the fence about returning.
(3)Julie B.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. We *almost* decided to pass up on this place when we arrived to a desolate and creepy parking lot. From the outside Elixer looked small and a bit uninviting, but we [luckily] decided to chance it and go in for dinner. After traveling for a few hours from Boston on Friday night, we showed up at Elixer around 5:30 only to be told that we could not have a table because the restaurant was totally booked. I was pretty surprised, but we happily grabbed two seats at the empty bar. From the second we sat down the bartender was so incredibly warm and welcoming. He made great conversation, offered drink and food suggestions, and was attentive to a T. We started with some cocktails and the truffle fries. The fries were piping hot, plentiful and served along a delicious roasted shallot aioli. For entrees we ordered the salmon over spaghetti squash, which was perfectly flaky and moist, and the barley risotto -- a huge portion filled with crispy pancetta and sweet squash. I also am proud to say I ordered my very first dirty martini, which was delicious and filled with bleu cheese stuffed olives. Yuuuum! I'm not sure how much of this was an expectation game, but I was truly impressed by the food, drinks and service at Elixer. The White River Junction-ians are lucky to have such a gem within their reach!
(5)Poppy H.
Outstanding 5-star service. Truffle fries...OMG. Scallops. Yum! Crazy Jane Martini so good!
(5)Tracy R.
What a treat! This was truly an incredible dining experience. Don't be fooled by the muddy parking lot, or the industrial looking exterior of the building, inside you will be treated to the finest dining and culinary experience that rivals any NYC restaurant. The rutabaga bisque is rich and inviting, especially with a swirl of Vermont maple syrup. The cocoa dusted petite filet mignon will melt in your mouth. Top it off with an ice cream sandwich dessert and you just experienced four season dining in one sitting!
(5)JoJo J.
The food tasted great, but your wallet will be empty before your stomach is full. The portions are undersized for their price as is common with a "finer dining" establishment. Good spot if you want "cute food" for a date, but not so much for a big family/friends outing. That being said the garlic aioli fries were addicting.
(3)Gina S.
After reading the reviews here I decided I had to try this place while on vacation with my boyfriend in Vermont. It completely exceeded all the reviews here (possibly because it's hard to put into words how amazing our food was). First of all, yes, there are smaller portions, and we followed other reviewers' directions to order apps/soup/salad in addition to our meal. However, the prices for the quality were reasonable, and this only allowed us to eat more of the amazing food at this place (so we're not complaining). We ordered the curry mussels to start along with a mescaline salad for me and a special mushroom soup for my boyfriend. All were spectacular... The curry on the mussels was perfect. For our entrees I ordered the scallops which came with great veggies (I'm not an expert foodie... Just know it was all fantastic.) My boyfriend ordered the peanut chicken (it might have been a special) and it was incredible. Cooked perfectly with awesome honey/peanut flavors. Otherwise we had the brownie and apple crisp for dessert (both also perfect). The host was really nice, as was our server. She gave us decent time to enjoy our food-we were neither rushed nor were waiting too long for anything. It made for a wonderful ending to a great day in Vermont. If you're in the area, try this place! Make reservations, though! We went on a Saturday night and were running late...I called to say we were late, and they held our table, but the place was packed otherwise. As for the noise level, it was fine. Not so quiet you felt weird laughing out loud, but not too noisy either. A perfect balance of fine dining in a nice yet casual atmosphere.
(5)Chris G.
I have lived in the UV for 5 years and finally went to Elixir for an anniversary dinner with my wife. I won't bore you with details. I had the best meal in any restaurant in the Upper Valley and even beyond. If you are looking for a great meal, great atmosphere and friendly staff Elixir is the spot!!
(5)Megan M.
Portions were just right. Appetizer of baked brie with blackberry coulis was fab. Entree of seared scallops was sublime. Dessert was what dreams are made of. Vegetarian options were limited but divine.
(4)Amy N.
Delicious delicious Eat here and be so happy From drinks crazy jane martini To mesculen greens to amazing filet And oh I forgot those fries. This place is amazing !!!
(5)J A.
Very disappointed in the dining options in White River Junction. The owner was great. He was checked in on guests to make sure they were being well taken care of. That being said, the waitress was very short in her communication. Not sure if was a cultural difference or just her personality (or maybe she did not like us). Whatever the reason the service was less that it should have been. The food was also just fair. Much of it seemed like Food Service Supply standards. My soup tasted right out of a can. While we were there it was interesting for a couple reasons. When we arrived a group of very senior ladies was dining in a semi private dining room. As we were eating several couples came in to fill more of the tables. The men were older with grey hair, most long and with beards. They all had a lady with them, most of the ladies seemed a few years younger than the men. It seemed they were old college professors who had met a female student some years back. Dartmouth College/University is just across the Connecticut river in New Hampshire. As we exited and headed to our car we could not help but notice the lot was filled with Subaru and Volvo cars adorned with numerous bumper stickers. While not an appetizing dining experience it was interesting.
(2)Keith P.
So.....my first time in White River Junction and the desk clerk at the hotel, once I told her no chains, suggested Elixir. Once I arrived I grabbed to seat at the bar and noticed they had a great selection of microbrews, always a good start to the evening! After some banter back-and-forth with the great bartender Keith (the dude has a great name) I ordered the wild mushroom and ginger bisque, it was delicious! For the main course, everything on the menu looked great, so I did my characteristic move and asked Keith to surprise me. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not a huge fan of scallops, so what did I get surprised with... You guessed it scallops! The fact is, I did tell him to surprise me, so I dove into the scallops with shaved root vegetables and a buerre blanc and they were amazing! So I guess I like scallops, at elixir, in White River Junction.....well you get the idea. I will definitely be making a return visit to this establishment. This is a must dine experience !!!!
(4)TeTeDaMouse C.
I went here for my birthday. It was an enjoyable meal: We started with two special appetizers: dumplings and proscuitto with some veggies. I had their Seared Sea Scallops with roasted carrot-farro risotto, sautéed kale & cashews, chamomile-butter sauce. My hubby had their Rosemary Spaetzle with winter vegetables, ham hock, spinach, and ham veloute. My scallops were delicious-part of me wished I got more than three scallops, they were so tasty. Also, the risotto was lovely and yummy. A beautiful dish. My hubby enjoyed his spaetzle although the ham veloute was our least favorite part of the dish. Service: Our waitress, while nice, was not as attentive as the other servers it seemed. While I will go again to Elixir, I do feel that Murphys may be a better bang for your buck, so to speak. The quality of food there is also good, but the servings are more generous. However, I do like Elixir-their chef spent some time at Eleven Madison Park!
(4)Jordan M.
I would like to note first that Elixir has changed hands in the past year. Thank goodness. The old Elixir was a "tapas style" restaurant, the service was very poor, and the food mediocre at best. Since Jane and Skip have started running Elixir, it has been amazing. Skip and Jane are truly wonderful hosts, and run a wonderful operation. My husband and I decided to give Eilixr another try after a bad experience about two years ago. We were extremely pleasantly surprised by everything. 1) The wine list is phenomenal. The bottles range from $19-$195--- something for everyone. They have a great selection, and all the house wines by the glass are $5. 2) The menu is great, and very fairly priced. A couple of highlights-- The crispy goat cheese salad, and the house made pate-- amazing. JP, the chef, is very very talented, and creates amazing dishes. I love love the porcini ravioli in parmesean broth with spinach flan. So delicious. There is also a specials menu that changes nightly. My husband has tried multiple things from here, and they are all worhthy of 5 stars. The lamb shank is also amazing. We LOVE the crispy cheesecake, and the berry crisp to end the meal. 3) The atmosphere is great. In an old freight house, and the bar is great. My husband and I have been to every restaurant in the Upper Valley, and this is by far the best we have experienced. Thank goodness for Skip and Jane, we will will have a place to eat every week! Give Elixir a try, you will NOT regret it.
(5)P.j. P.
Superb. There were four of us, from three states, all veterans of fine dining. So when I say that this place is extraordinary it's not just hyperbole or too much alcohol. It's a few blocks off a slowly recovering downtown WRJ, in a former freight office (IIRC), but please do not let that deter you. We hit on a relatively slow Friday evening, post summer and pre leaf peepers, but it was still mostly full. The drinks, service, food, and ambiance were all superb. We ordered four different entrees, four different beverages, and four different desserts -- all were top notch. Don't miss it.
(5)Chris D.
So when it comes to a place to grab a drink in white river junction, I will almost always choose CJ's at Than Wheelers, because of the price, familiarity and environment. However, if i'm ever in the mood to class it up, you can't hate on Elixer. The drinks seem to be a bit smaller, and a bit pricier than Than's but if i'm here it's either for the food or the environment. It's a pretty classy joint that doesn't feel like it belongs in the area, but we're glad it's there. Food is always amazing, and they have some pretty unique options as well.
(4)D C.
When I walked into Elixir I thought the interior was attractively done and probably one of the nicest restaurants in town. The hostess who greeted me was very friendly, I was alone so I declined her offer of a table and headed to the bar. The bartender quickly came over with menus and to get a drink order. They have a good selection of wine by the glass. The prices for wine are very reasonable too. The bartender was informative and friendly. For dinner I order the petit filets. My meal was delicious and cooked to the temp I ordered. I even had dessert, the Yin Yang. Like a big fluffy Reese's. It was great. I'm glad I found Elixir and will return the next time I'm in town.
(5)Dale S.
Alright, we decided to give this place one more shot since we heard so many good things from others, thinking maybe our last experience was just a fluke. The host was much friendlier this time. We were seated immediately and the waitress was quick to take our drink and dinner orders. However once we got our food, we felt completely neglected. Our waitress was nowhere to be seen. We had to go out of our way to ask for another drink (any decent waitstaff will see your empty glass and immediately ask if you'd like another). We planned on staying for dessert, but after waiting around for 15 minutes to get our empty plates cleared we decided to just to leave. The only reason I awarded 2 stars this time, and not another 1-star, is because the food was excellent. Can Elixir just start doing take-out so we don't have to put up with their poor service?
(2)Brenda C.
Amazing food, nice drinks, good bar company. The other reviewers griping about waiting when there are empty tables need to wrap their minds around the concept of reservations. Duh. Five huge stars. Best meal I've ever had in Vermont, and that includes my mom's Thanksgivings.
(5)Sarah F.
Ate there while on a business trip on 6/19. Good food, good service. A little pricey.
(4)Sutton C.
I really like this place, I like to go here after the theatre let's out because they serve food until 10:30. The cocktails are delicious, try the Captains Mermaid, and the food is extremely tasty. I love the bacon wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese, the truffle fries, and the short ribs with sweet potato puree. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, I have been with large groups and they are great! I would suggest this place to anyone in the area!
(5)Noah P.
Was told there was an hour wait with empty tables
(2)Adam C.
Great restaurant in White River Junction, VT. Haven't been here during the winter yet, but I imagine it is super cozy. They have re-used most of the existing structure including plenty of wood at the bar and the original windows. It has a warm feel to it, although it can be a bit loud at times. Cocktails, apps and entrees are great. When we don't feel like being Dartmouth-ized we love Elixir and am already looking forward to our next visit.
(4)Jonathan D.
Remarkablly fresh and local food at a great establishment! Menu is seasonal and everything is well prepared and delicious. Great service!
(5)Aaron E.
This is a terrific restaurant. Great atmosphere, great food. The chicken medallions are excellent - have ordered them multiple times - as are the scallops and the shrimp risotto. The bar is an especially nice place to sit and have a drink and dinner. It's big and wide and and attractively restored. (The bartender's a pretty friendly guy too.) And if you like a gin martini, they do them up well. I get the house gin - Gordon's - which they work wonders with. And did I mention the apple-chocolate bread pudding? Yum.
(5)Bridget T.
Don't go here if you're starving as the portions are very small (on purpose). The menu offers a cool, "big-city" selection not offered at any other place I've been to in the Upper Valley (so not your traditional "burger and fry" joint). I went with a group of friend before heading down to Briggs Opera House for a play, so it was perfect for that. We all got two martinis a piece (they are $10 a pop, so come prepared). But even the martini menu is ecclectic ("The Cooler" rocks!). Overall, probably not a place I could afford to go to on a weekly basis, but I'd go back when I was planning a night at the theater.
(4)Ruby G.
Absolutely loved everything about this place! The service, the location (right next to Tupelo Music Hall), the food, the wine list, the decor. We didn't have reservations and the hostess went above and beyond to seat us and it was really busy with the crowd from one show letting out and the crowd for the show we were going to go to all filtering in. Our waitress was great, she was knowledgeable about the ingredients in each dish, she was attentive, and so nice. We started out with the Warm Artichoke-Olive Gratin and it was soooo good. The crostini that came with the gratin was perfect and we all know how wrong these can be when they're chewy and not crunchy....these were literally PERFECT and rubbed with a little garlic as a bonus. I had the Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, with winter vegetable ribbons, sautéed greens, in lemon beurre blanc. The scallops were cooked PERFECTLY also, the vegetable ribbons were so unique and delicious and the baked ribbons of parsnips on top made the dish! The hubby had the special, which was Salmon and I wasn't paying too much attention to his meal because I was devouring mine, but I think he had mashed potatoes. He said that he enjoyed it, but he tends to like his Salmon on the "under" side, which was not really a complaint, just a preference. They were also really conscious of the fact that we didn't have much time to eat before the show and brought out our food really quickly and the check as well. I really have nothing bad to say about this place. If you're in the White River Junction area, check it out, you'll be happy you did!
(4)Josephina A.
Great service and classy food.
(5)thomas c.
Went there for dinner the other night. Great place to take a date. The best part of the place is that they had a live jazz band. The drummer was so fun to watch. It was like watching your grandfather getting down. Not too loud, could still chat with my date. The food was pretty good. Basically tapas. We had the olives, which need a little more variety. Next we had the lobster mac and cheese and the scallops with a cream sauce, both were rather good. We were still hungry so we had the jerk pork, which happened to be the best item that we had. Would go back. best place for a date so far.
(4)Karen M.
We ate at Elixir whilst in town for the weekend, having chosen it on the basis of other reviews. We were not disappointed. The food was very delicious and beautifully presented. Our waitress (Nemesis ..... not a name to forget) was very sweet and attentive. The atmosphere was buzzing but not noisy, and wine was $5 a glass. It all made for a perfect evening.
(5)Christopher M.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. This, and the Tip Top, are the two hippest restaurants in the Upper Valley, with inventive menus to back them up. Good for White River Junction!
(5)Paul W.
Stayed in White River Junction for the night. Looked at the reviews and selected the Elixir. Small menu but seemed appealing. Crowded at 6:00 on a Friday night. Sat at the bar to have a drink. Atmosphere is very nice. A little loud, but it was crowded. We were seated at a good table in about 15 minutes. Service was very good. The food was excellent. Wine list is extensive. Local beers on tap. Full bar and Martini list in the menu. Much better than I expected. Presentation was excellent. Price was reasonable considering the quality (compared with Burlington, VT, Portland, ME or Portsmouth, NH). Potion size was reasonable as well. Highly recommended.
(4)K M.
Good food, great atmosphere, great live music. A bit overpriced and the menu is limited. But in the Upper Valley, our choices are limited, so I am definitely a fan.
(4)Michael C.
My wife and I went after swim meet for our daughter. Nice atmosphere and the owner greeted us upon arrival. Didn't care for the TV behind the bar but it was removed enough to not notice. My daughter had mussels in curry sauce and truffeled fries. Curry sauce had good heat but smooth enough for an 11 year olds taste. Fries and aioli sauce were good but not worth the price. I had the braised short rib in wine sauce with potato bed and greens. The meat was very tender and the combination of potato, greens and wine reduction was worth the money. My wife had mushroom risotto with a stuffed fig app. The figs were wrapped in bacon with a balsamic reduction. The cheese could have been more prevelent and bacon a little crispier, but presentation was good. The risotto was nice and creamy and accented the mushrooms well. Glad we came instead of resorting to the chain food that plagues that area.
(4)Kate R.
Boyfriend says the bouillabaisse is the best he's ever had. Good place when you're in the mood for martinis.
(4)John F.
My wife and I stopped in on a stormy Wednesday evening in early July, without a reservation, and had a wonderful dinner with excellent service. My started with a very tasty appetizer of carpaccio with capers. My wife chose her entree of trout with pattypan squash from a daily specials card, and I selected chicken thighs with a smoky paprika and cilantro sauce. This was seriously good food at a reasonable price. If we pass this way again, we'll be sure to stop here again.
(4)Raquel C.
Elixir is a great restaurant. The atmosphere is fun and hip! I LOVE the truffle fries. I have never had better french fries in my whole life. The entrees were great too, although the buerre blanc sauce was a bit heavy for my taste!
(4)Charles D.
Very nice place for friends and date night! Wine list is good. Menu is limited but quality is awesome! Service was very good and staff was pleasant. Atmosphere can be a little loud or very nice depending on the patrons. I would recommend this place to anyone traveling through the area! Bartender Eric is fantastic, owner is lucky have him!
(4)Brittany C.
This restaurant is delicious! We got here a little early (630) and there were several open tables. I was glad to see because we had not made a reservation. By 730 the place was packed with people. The food is amazing. I ordered the filet mignon and my boyfriend ordered the chicken which were both extremely delicious. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(5)Kyle F.
Super fantastic. Great food, great service, great wine selection, reasonable prices. We had the petit filet mignon and the scallops for entrees - both delicious (we shared). Also had the roasted cauliflower soup and mesclun salad for appetizers and the grilled pineapple w/ ice cream for dessert. The food was just perfect in every way. My only gripe is that maybe the cocktails could be a little more well-crafted. But that's a minor gripe, I had your standard old fashioned and it was decent - I think because the rest of everything else is so awesome this stood out a little. Still not taking away that 5th star though. Go here!
(5)Rich S.
Our first time there --but it wont be the last !! The food is amazing because Jane, Skip & Chef Chad let NO detail go without their full attention. It's a 25 mile ride for us; but its worth the ride AND well worth the price of a cab just to be able to enjoy the Martinis by Keith !! You would be hard pressed to find a comparable value in the upper valley. Rich & Gail Scalesse
(5)Doreen C.
Great restaurant. Recommend the truffle fries and baked figs. From the bar...Crazy Jane. Staff was friendly. Service was excellent. Was with a large group. Owner came over to ask how everything was and spent some time talking to us.
(5)Jane H.
This is a very unassuming place that is a bit hard to find -- it is in the back of a small shopping center. They have ample parking. However, be careful on entering -- there are two stairways up to the entrance, and the door can suddenly open in your face if you go up the left stairway. Do stop by though, because it is a great place! The service was prompt and friendly. The drinks were made strong and tasty. The food was really good! Everything tasted great. Best of all, they are open late! (And up in these parts, most places close by 9.) If you are vegetarian, please be wary and let your server know. Even if it sounds like there is no meat, there may be meat. My only issue is that I suspect I had some food poisoning from the rice I had here. I wonder if they save rice and reheat it? It couldn't be anything else, since husband shared everything with me except for the rice, and I have a stronger stomach than he. Yet, in spite of that, I still would come back!
(4)Anne H.
I need to get to that part of VT more often. Absolutely delightful and accommodations for an 8 year old were happily an easily made. Food is yummy, cocktails? even better!
(4)Maribel C.
Excellent, friendly service. The cocoa filet mignon was so divine, I may never get over it. The right portion, perfectly cooked. I would make a stop through White River Junction again just to eat here.
(5)Amy K.
What a great combination between great hospitality and a great chef! We used the Yelp app to find this place, but please note that the if you use the "Directions to Business" button from Yelp, you won't be directed to the right place.... Google Maps has it in the right place. I called and spoke with Skip, one of the owners, and he guided us with perfect directions to the restaurant. We were seated quickly, and the staff was very friendly. We ordered the Caesar and Arugula & Sun Dried Fig salads - both were delicious. For entrees, we had the Smoked Paprika Dusted Chicken Thighs and the daily Pork Loin w/wild rice and asparagus special - again both were delicious. They brought out the natural flavors of the food. For dessert, we had the ice cream and the Frozen Pomegranate Souffle with an almond sliver crust. The ice cream is 3 scoops, unfortunately, we didn't know that... so ended up with 3 scoops of vanilla, which were very good but a bit melted - requiring us to eat it rather quickly. The souffle was good, but a bit too rich for me - though still delicious. This is now my go-to place in White River Junction! I would absolutely good there again and recommend it to others. Oh, almost forgot to mention their cocktail menu! The Caipirinha and Pineapple Upside Down Cake cocktails were made perfectly! Too bad we had to drive home! BTW, when we were leaving Skip said that he would get the Yelp directions corrected... really focused on hospitality.
(5)Richard S.
We were on a business trip and trusted fellow Yelpers on this one and wow you guys did not disappoint!! If you love steak, their filet mignon is a must try! It was so soft you can basically cut it with the butter knife. People/atmosphere were friendly, great food, full bar, great prices-- Just an overall great spot!
(5)Ken W.
Amazing. We went there because of all the positive reviews after going to the harpoon barbq competition earlier in the day. We weren't that hungry, but knew that we had to get there early since we didn't have reservations(based on Internet research). We arrived at 5:00 to an almost empty restaurant. We sat and very quickly around us, the place was packed by 5:45 First nice thing was meeting the owner and the positive attitudes of all the staff. We split two appetizers which were amazing. The artichoke dip was very unique and I always love a homemade caeser salad. For the main course, we had the scallops and chicken. We ate so fast because it was so amazing. Then we had a creme brûlée which was warm on top. Usually they aren't finished to order, but this was. Everything was fresh and left us wanting more. We are modifying our next trip in a few weeks to have another positive experience.
(5)David D.
Everything on the menu is amazing, but I settled on the special, a beef short rib with smashed potatoes and asparagus. Really tasty and expertly prepared. Prices are reasonable here, portions just right and the place is downright cozy. Oh, and the waitstaff is killer (ask for Julie). If you're looking for the best restaurant in the upper valley, look no further.
(5)Sam M.
If you have a sophisticated and adventurous palate and appreciate the art of having a great meal, then Elixir is your place. I came in for an early dinner and happened to be the first patron. I felt bad since it seemed like I was interrupting a meeting, but everyone was welcoming to get situated for dinner. I sat at the bar and the bartender's service was first rate to me and the other customers that came in-a true pro. The right amount of attentiveness without being over bearing. My roasted chicken with what appeared to be a leek, potato, and cauliflower au gratin was amazing and a genius use of flavor. The vegetables and cream sauce were a little to oily but nonetheless tasty. You can tell that the chef put careful thought into the menu. They also have a great beer, wine and cocktail selection without being pretentious. Highly recommend it for a midweek business dinner.
(4)Paul L.
outstanding with cool vibe
(5)Grace W.
Hands down the best cocktails in the Upper Valley! They shake it up so that there is a fine layer of foam and ice crystals floating on the top. Ah, makes me feel like I'm in a "city" again. The food is pretty good too (though the entrees tend to be on the small side, which is probably the size we're supposed to be eating anyway). Sometimes they run out of their specials by 7:30pm and the place is surprisingly full on weekday evenings. Oh, and you won't be disappointed by their garlic fries!!
(4)Kenneth N.
Superb. We visited before a concert at Tupelo Music Hall. We were met by the owner at the door, who remembered we had mentioned the concert when we made the reservation. The food was fantastic. The truffled fries ARE addictive!! We had the salmon and filet mignon entrees with the ice cream sandwich desert. All are highly recommended. The waitstaff was incredible. Very personable and attentive. Elixir compares favorably to high end restaurants in much bigger cities. And the prices .... very reasonable. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Eric S.
Excellent, sophisticated service and phenomenal flavors. We also had some of the best tasting wines we've had in a restaurant. The only detraction are the mediocre desserts - we ordered several, and they did not live up to the rest of the meal. It really leaves you with final bites that ruin the palate. So our recommendation is to enjoy this - easily one of the finest restaurants in the Upper Valley - but skip dessert.
(4)Stephanie G.
A lovely little spot with a nice ambiance, attentive staff, a small but nice menu and a great wine and cocktail selection. I enjoyed the scallops with wild rice and horseradish creamed spinach with a Gewurtztraminer. A nice find!
(4)marc s.
Located in White River Junction, Vermont, a sleepy little turn of the century railroad town on the river is a very fine dining establishment. It's in a refurbed old brick building, and they did a great job. Modern american, fine food at a fine price. Highly recommend, the best dinner in a 50 mile radius.
(5)Ben K.
Excellent surprise! This place was way above expectations. The scallops were amazing.
(5)Doug D.
We heard a lot of good things about the Elixir, and finally gave it a try. It truly exceeded our expectations. The owner greeted us at the door and helped my wife with her coat - a good omen for what was to come. We had reservations (recommended), and had a brief 10 minute wait for a table. The place was really hopping, with lots of 20-30 somethings at the bar, and a mix of all ages enjoying dinner. The decor is simple and unpretentious and the focus is on quality food and service. We ordered the truffle fries appetizer which were amazing, and more than enough for two. The menu has about 10 main courses - seafood, beef, chicken with very interesting side dishes. I had the filet minion and my wife had the scallops. They both were a 10. The wine list was eclectic and not intimidating pricewise. Our waitress was efficient and friendly, and when I dropped my knife, it was immediately replaced. Entree prices were in the $17-$25 range, certainly resonable for the quality. The only slight negative was the noise level is fairly high - not the perfect atmosphere for a quiet dinner. There are several good dining options in this area, but Elixir will now be one of our first choices.
(5)Janie T.
Ambiance was very nice and service was good, but our entrees were just so so. My husband had the salmon and we have had much better. My shimp and risotto cake was a big disappointment. I thought the shrimp would be mixed in with the risotto like a crab cake. Instead, I got two very bland risotto cakes and 6 tiny little shrimp that, honestly, I thought was garnish. The sauce under the cakes were the only thing that made it flavorful.
(2)Kimberly C.
We stopped by to have some dinner around 5:30. The hostess was superficial and claimed that "there were no seats available until 7:30pm." We asked to sit at the bar but some "a man was holding those seats for his friends". I was looking forward to eating at this establishment, but I'm glad I didn't waste my time. The staff clearly didn't want us there. You're better off eating in Lebanon, NH at the SALT HILL PUB. (which is where we had a delicious, welcoming meal!)
(1)Aaron S.
Elixir is certainly one of the better places to eat in the Upper Valley. Definitely the best in Lebanon/West Leb/White River Junction. The cocktails are superb and the truffle fries are amazing. The only thing that keeps me from giving Elixir five stars is that the menu is excellent, but leaves me wanting just a bit more variety. Especially need a few more vegetarian entrees. Overall, excellent atmosphere and the items they do serve are sublime.
(4)Helen J.
I understand that choices are somewhat limited in the area for an upscale modern type of restaurant but that's no excuse for the abysmal service we received while dining there. We waited for our "reserved" table then another 20+ minutes to get a waitress to our table and even longer to get an initial glass of water... Even when it emptied out and we were still there waiting for our check, it took forever to get someone by our table so we could pay and leave. The food was decent but not amazing as I had expected it would be from some other reviews. The vegetarian option was polenta with tomato sauce and roasted red peppers over it for $16...that's like one of my weekday easy standby meals at home. The combination of terrible service with high prices ($143 plus tip for 3 people) is enough of a reason for me to not go back.
(2)John B.
Yelp helped us find this gem. We arrived at night, so we didn't get to appreciate what appears to be an industrial neighborhood, however, the interior is a nicely designed modern/loft-like space. C had spaetzle; I had a chicken breast . . . both were excellent. We enjoyed a house special martini and shared creme brulee for desert. The atmosphere was nice. We arrived at 9:30 to discover that the kitchen was closing. Fortunately the host prevailed on the kitchen to serve us. Whew! The waitress was efficient, however, it was clear that she wanted to rush us out. Didn't appreciate that, but everything else was great. We learned that VT has some law that requires last call to be 10:30pm. Crazy. We were really surprised to find a restaurant like this to be closing so early on a Saturday night . . . a big change from our home town, Chicago. We were fortunate to be seated along the windows and benfited from the romantic candles, but the other tables didn't have candles, which would really improve the atmosphere. The music system, such as it is, was bad. All you can hear is the percussion; not the actual music. But before buying a new sound system, the room needs to be augmented with acoustical attenuation. It was noisy because all the surfaces are hard. Nevertheless, we would come back if we lived around here.
(4)Karyn W.
I travel for work and this is one of my favorite places in New England. The soups are spectacular and the specials are always good. The roasted chicken breast with green bean-feta-toasted sesame salad and basil emulsion was crazy good!!!!! Never been disappointed here.
(5)Michael S.
There weren't many good looking restaurants in the area when we were visiting, so I google mapped some restaurants in the area and we ended up here. There is a funky smell in the restaurant...kind of like a smell of the railyard next to the restaurant...kind of like grill scents...it was weird. You get used to it pretty quickly though. Our food was really good! We had soup, salad, a flatbread, and mussels. Everything was delicious, however the salad was underdressed for my taste. We also had desserts, a pistachio trio and a selection of sorbets...both were really good! If we're ever in the area again, we'll be back.
(4)Lexi R.
The food is awesome! The only complaint is that they need to put some soft furnishings on the walls to absorb some of the noise. We ate there at 7pm - and it looked like the golfing population were all there. As it got a little later, it quieted down to where we could carry on a conversation. I did feel like we were being rushed, she kept asking if we were ready to order. They did give me a free dessert for my birthday- Creme Brulee that was to die for! I would eat there again, just later in the evening. It's in an old train depot which had a neat ambiance.
(4)Kristi H.
This place is a hidden gem; I love the cozy atmosphere (small, dark, brick) and the staff is very friendly. The food is the best in the area, in my opinion, espcially for the price!? I got the pear salad and the scallops - they are happy to interchange the accompaniments, which I did. The truffle fries with the roasted shallot aioli are like crack. My daughter got the crispy tiger shrimp with an asian vegetable slaw and we devoured that. The pear martini was also delicious - I don' t think you can go wrong here though!
(5)Eliot W.
Skip, Jane and a seasoned team have a welcoming environment with food that says "come back". Everything was delicious. Can't wait to try more items. Def check out Elixer.
(5)Patrick E.
Excellent waitstaff, tasty drinks, busy on a Tuesday night. We felt underdressed for about a minute. Did i mention the staff? The atmosphere is great. Owner approached our table at the end of our meal to ensure that we enjoyed the evening. We did! Signage isn't great.
(4)Gary J.
Nice place, friendly staff, GREAT bar service (Keith)! I thought the food was decent, but I'm a foodie and tough critic. The staff seems to be very involved and welcoming. I like that in a restaurant. Also had a nice atmosphere. Definitely worth a try if you're traveling through or here for a weekend.
(4)Holly E.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Elixir this weekend. We were warmly greeted at the door by the owner, seated immediately and enjoyed a knowledgeable, professional and friendly waiter who made sure every aspect of our meal was perfect. We shared the mussels with a curry sauce - amazing and wonderful salads. We both had the cocoa-dusted petits filet mignons which were tender and delicious. Dessert was an espresso-flavored mousse with chocolate crisps and Grand Mariner sauce. EVERYTHING was so good, beautiful presented, with delicate flavors and seasonings. Because we were visiting on the Saturday before Halloween, there was a fun crowd of people in costume in the bar and restaurant and everyone, from the wait staff, to the owner, to the chef were friendly and welcoming. If you are nearby and want a great dining experience, don't miss it.
(5)Doc G.
excellent food! the mussels were wonderful, the crab salad special was petite but sublime, the scallops were great..... waitress was a bit of a "talk-throug-the-customer" type, but very attentive, prompt, and sensitive to our time-frame (we were headed to a show afterward). the view from the window, of course, is less than inspiring, but the interior space is beautiful. a great experience and highly recommended.
(5)Heather C.
Well I went and tried Elixers and was very disappointed. I order the Filet mignon for $21 it had a nice taste but not worth $21. The menu is limited to what they offer. Than I tried the yin-yang for dessert took one bite and couldn't get rid of the awful taste. The waitress asked if I wanted to take it home and and I told her she could throw it away. It is one one of the worse tasting desserts I have ever tasted. The other desserts didn't even sound good. This is one place I will not go to again or send anyone to. I'm a pastry chef by trade so I know good desserts when I taste one.
(2)Melissa H.
Happily surprised I was upon finding Elixir by a chance turnaround in a nearby parking lot. After trying just about nearly every restaurant in the area, here I found an environment and menu that encouraged me to return many times over. Everything, really everything served has been perfect. I'll especially miss the asparagus fennel soup with wafers of toasted parmesan; the mussels warmly accompanied by a coconut red curry; and the sea scallops....a decadent splurge.... Excellent wine list, including dessert wines. It's the kind of place where people who have just met will pitch in to share a bottle and make new friends, if only briefly.
(5)Magnum P.
First rate food and hospitality. Incredible value menu. Filet mignon for $21 are you kidding me? Get the flatbread and tomato eggplant bisque too. Make a reservation early.
(5)Jillian R.
OH HOLY YUMMY! I've failed at writing a timely review of Elixir (sorry) but in the month or two it had taken me, I haven't stopped raving. Their french fries are the absolute cutest things I have seen. They are like 5x the size and 100x the deliciousness of potato sticks. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a very personable, conscientious bartender. I ordered a martini (duh, it's a MARTINI BAR). I found it to be quite tart, the bartender fixed it right away and it was awesome! I would definitely go back here again, it's great for dates. I found the dining room romantic and chill. Another reason WRJ is where it's at!
(5)Jay T.
An unexpected surprise. You would never guess what delights are in store by looking at the building/area. Service great, food great, and atmosphere great. Gazpacho was excellent, caeser salad good. Filet cooked to perfection. Scallops flavorful. Only regret is we don't live close by otherwise this would be a regular stop.
(4)Greg G.
Really, really great meal. Not sure what this place is doing in the middle of nowhere, but glad we found it. We started with the fries, which were awesome, and the pork belly. I'm used to braised Japanese-style pork belly, so this was a very interesting change, and equally delicious. For a main, my fiancee got the scallops. Scallops - in the middle of Vermont? Sounds weird, but they were perfectly prepared. I ordered the chicken, which was also very well prepared. The place was packed when we got there, and stayed full throughout the night. Next time we're in town, we'll definitely be back.
(5)Denisha B.
We've had dinner here three times and felt service as well as quality was consistent. I ordered the filet mignon which was good but not the best I've had. The creme brulee was great...it was my first time trying it in life so I could be the wrong person to ask. Design of the restaurant is weird. There's essentially no foyer or waiting area for customers when they walk in. If you are a group, you'll feel like you're standing on top of those sitting at the bar which made me uncomfortable. Why the bar is so close to the door, I have no idea. However, management has always been great and service has been fantastic so I'm pleased to continue giving Elixir my hard-earned dollars.
(4)Lorelei Y.
I was here for a friend's first-ever appetizer service back in the winter, and was very impressed by this restaurant's gastropub-y approach to food. Service is excellent here, and our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu. I feel like Elixir is really doing some cool stuff with ingredients, flavors and textures that you don't see very often in rural New Hampshire, which is great to see. I would definitely make another trip back here. Unlike most restaurants in the Upper Valley, where you get a really laid-back vibe, Elixir is obviously making a conscious effort to class it up a bit -- which is a welcome change.
(5)Keith E.
Great food in a urban-like atmosphere in downtown White River Junction.
(5)Taylor W.
This was my first time at Elixir, and I was blown away not only by the food, but by the personal touch the owner puts on making an appearance. He greeted me at the door (after several waitresses had walked past me), and was extremely gracious and welcoming. I ordered the petite filets, which were fantastic, but I didn't touch much of the mashed potatoes as I'm trying to stay away from starches. Skip came back to my table because he noticed I had left the potatoes, and wanted to see if I had not liked my meal. I assured him I had loved my steak, and was touched that he came over himself to ask about the meal. I will make sure to visit elixir again.
(4)Kasey L.
My husband and I were looking for a dinner date spot and landed on Elixir. He is from the Upper Valley and had heard good things, but we'd never been. We easily made a reservation online for a Saturday night! Overall, our experience was very good, though at times things were a little...off? Our food was delicious. We enjoyed the yummy bread and herbed dipping sauce at the beginning, but we both found it odd that the waitress served us one small piece each out of a communal basket. We split the filet mignon (which was perfectly cooked and came with green beans, potatoes, and an amazing sauce that left me trying my best to clean the plate) and Statler chicken (good enough but I probably wouldn't order it again, served with Brussels sprouts and au gratin potatoes). The portions were perfect--large enough that we felt full, but not so big that we had leftovers. We split a creme brûlée for dessert, which was huge (maybe the size of my husband's palm) and so yummy. It wasn't accompanied by any fresh fruit, which I thought might be a nice touch since it looked sort of plain on the plate. The service felt a little hit or miss. We waited quite awhile to even be greeted when we arrived even though we were on time for our reservation. The table service was a little on the slow side and not particularly personal. The price for all of that food plus a tip turned out to be around $60, which I found very reasonable. I would recommend Elixir to others looking for a nice night out!
(4)Katie L.
Food is pretty good but service is really slow (even when the place isn't that busy). we didn't receive water/utensils until we had been seated for 10 min. not in a very nice area. wouldn't recommend unless you have at least 75 min for a meal...
(3)K.C. O.
We love Elixir! It is so fefreshing to have such quality food available in the upper valley in the sea of horrible burger fare. It is fresh, delicious, (can be) healthy, and the portions are perfect size for someone who doesn't need an entire bucket of chow to tide them over. So everytime I have been, I've gotten the wine that's on special, never a bad choice! I have had the salmon, filet mignon, mussels, and several appetizer plates, all have been impeccable. Great plating, delicious flavors, you can just tell that thought and care goes into each dish. The owners are also the hosts, and are kind. The service here is okay, I've never been blown out of the water. I am also profiled normally in restaurants that I don't frequent all the time because I am young and not visibly wealthy, which most places feel they have no time for. (I get that)
(5)Beata R.
Outstanding experience. We were at the freight house and went into elixir between sets. We were celebrating our anniversary and told the others at the bar and encouraged our bartender to join us in a glass of champagne. I love the bar space and always love the bartenders. When we went to close out Jane - Our bartender - (I think that was her name ) shared that the drinks were on is - bought us our drinks for her anniversary I was incredibly touched. Very special. A memory for the books I will be back Beata
(5)Veronica S.
This is one of the few places in the upper valley that offers chicken liver mousse/pate. They also have a great cocktail list and food is consistently well seasoned and delicious.
(5)Doc S.
This is a great place though a bit hard to find. The pork was excellent, nearly melting at the touch of the fork. The combination of spices with the grilled tomato and yellow beans balanced the marvelously. Service was very attentive and courteous. I am adding Elixir to my list when in this area of Vermont.
(5)H p.
Fantastic. Just went here for the first time recently, and was happily surprised at how much I liked it. The menu is relatively small and simple. The food itself was very very good. I'd call it honest food, if that make sense. Ingredients seemed fresh, preparation was flawless. Attractive and unpretentious presentation. Modest portions (no supersizes and no fillers). Our party of five chose beef entrees (tenderloins and short ribs), and everybody was happy with their meal. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including the chicken liver mousse (delicious and much lighter in taste and texture than you'd expect) and the truffled fries (moderately light and crunchy). Our companions' salads looked fresh and appetizing, though I didn't taste them. We shared a bottle of one of the house "special" wines which was perfectly drinkable and a bargain. Service was competent and professional - unassuming, unpretentious, with no fawning or BS. Prices were reasonable, and a bargain compared to Hanover and Norwich restaurants. The space itself is big and airy. Like the food, the restaurant itself is attractive but unpretentious. It felt neither casual nor formal to me. Maybe "dressy casual", a description I've never understood. Chairs were a bit hard on the tush, but IIRC most tables also had upholstered benches which looked comfortable. The only fault I could find was with access to the restaurant itself. There are about 5 fairly steep and difficult stairs to the front entrance, and no ramp or level access. The elder members of our party had to really struggle up the stairs (with the help of kindly restaurant staff). There's a ramp, but it only leads into a wet food-prep area which had some kind of "Do Not Enter" sign IIRC. Also, parking can be somewhat remote. This actually will make a difference in how often I return to this restaurant. I hope Elixer will find a way to provide more convenient access for people with mobility limitations.
(5)A G.
Sat at the bar and ended up leaving with new friends, a to do list, and a pleasantly full gut. Sean the bartender recommended a few of his favorites and I went with the truffled chicken liver mouse and then the chicken breast entree. I recommend sharing the mouse as it is very rich.
(4)Erin T.
Great restaurant. I always get the Caesar salad and truffle fries, sometimes the salmon. My husband always gets the filet mignon. The portions are just right, the prices are good for the excellent quality of food!
(5)Ryanne P.
The atmosphere was very nice and the wines were nicely priced (nearly half of the price I would expect, actually). I ordered a Caesar salad and petite filets with glaze that came with some mashed potato and green beans. Maybe the least exotic item on the menu, but very tasty. My only complaint would be that I asked for the steak rare and got it medium. Still too tasty to complain to the staff, though. I also indulged in some of their house made ice cream... The double chocolate mocha. Winner, winner!
(5)Cathy B.
I dined at Elixir recently and was so disappointed. I too, thought that I was in for a fine dining experience. It was my second visit and the first was very good but this time not so much. I ordered the special risotto. The dish was ok but it was not risotto. Risotto is not just arborio r ice stir fried with vegetables or fish or meat. It is a method of cooking the rice that results in a creamy texture. This dish was not that. I prepare risotto at home and know of the labor involved and always wonder how a chef can replicate that dish in a short amount of time. This chef must have just made up a pot of rice and then heated it up with veggies upon request. Perhaps as a side dish, this would have been acceptable, but as a twenty dollar entree, I was not happy. Plus the bread was stale.
(2)Ashley G.
The food was absolutely delicious and the drinks were just as good! The presentation of the food matched its savory taste! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is not into disappointment. Parking is kind of an issue, but once you get passed that snafu you will enjoy yourself at Elixir! Pros: Great food Professional Presentation Great drinks Clean interior Quaint exterior Cons: Parking
(5)Matthew M.
Fresh food with a diverse menu. I had "fiddlehead" for the first time which is it the top portion of a young sprouting fern. I had their homemade ice cream for dessert which was off the hook.
(5)Desiree W.
My meal was delicious!!! The short rib was the best I've ever had. My waitress was so nice and attentive. Had the ice cream sandwich for dessert. Sooooo good!! Two thumbs up! I would definitely return when I am back in the area!
(5)Craig A.
Lovely meal. The Arlini-tini cocktail was delicious. I had the baked fig appetizer with bacon & bleu cheese, which could have used a slight acidic note, but my husband had the chicken liver mousse which was to die for! I had the cocoa dusted filet mignon which was superb and my husband had the short ribs which literally melted in my mouth. For dessert, I had the bananas foster bread pudding, which was fine, but for my taste needed more bananas foster and less bread. My husband had a trio of ice creams / sorbets and liked them, especially the pumpkin and the date almond Amoretto. The service was delightful and helpful and the owner even dropped by to chat. We will certainly come here again.
(5)Kim Y.
Food was amazing and the service was excellent. Mussel appetizer was the best ever. I had the filet and my husband had the short ribs, both were excellent. Lots of wine by the glass options. Funky parking/location. Inside was cute enough.
(4)Stephen S.
This was my first time here, my wife had been here before and had the scallops, so she wanted to come back. The atmosphere was busy and inviting, with plenty of light. The server was very good, just enough attentiveness and very friendly. Her performance is what saves this review from being two stars. The good part of the food experience: the scallops were amazing, cooked perfectly (Gordon Ramsay would be proud!) and the sauce, vegetables and everything came together perfectly. The not-so-good: I thought it was a nice touch that our server had the kitchen split the portion for us, but the caesar salad was bland, missing any flavor of anchovy or egginess. The braised pork belly was tasty, but the miniscule portion was disappointing, barely three bites. (see the picture in the gallery) The lowest-rated part of our dinner was the filet mignon. I ordered it rare and it came to the table cooked perfectly, unfortunately the sauce was very bland and the "garlic smashed potatoes" were not garlicky at all. If there had been any salt & pepper on the table it might have helped save that dish, but there was none to be found.
(3)Phyllis V.
The menu is pretty simple with not a lot of options (fairly basic options of salmon, chicken, beef) but the food is good and not too expensive. The portions are on the smaller side so order an app!
(3)Phill M.
Stopped by with coworker great bartender and food was awesome. Little pricey for very small portions.
(5)Barbara R.
My fiancé and I were staying in Quechee, VT. On a Saturday night we were looking for a nice restaurant to go to and after reading all of the positive reviews of Elixir we decided to check it out. Parking was an issue because of a very popular fashion show happening next door, which the owner of Elixir told us about. As soon as we walked in he welcomed us. The restaurant itself is very unassuming, but once you try the food you regret not knowing about this place sooner! The food was AMAZING! We ordered the large mussel appetizer with its delicious sauce. For our entrees my fiancé got the scallops and I got the filet mignon. They were both so delicious! The scallops were the most amazing thing I've ever had!! For desert we had creme brûlée, which was very good. We only wish they had fresh fruit to serve with it. Other than that everything was amazing! The food and drinks are also very reasonable priced. I highly recommend this place. Funny thing was that when we first walked in I overheard 2 different tables mention how delicious their dinner was and whenever the owner walked by, they would thank him for it. For me this was a good sign as I was initially worried whether we made the right choice for dinner. If we are ever in the area again we will definitely be going back!
(5)Graham C.
I was passing thru VT on my way to Canada and found Elixir through Yelp. I would definitely go back as the menu was interesting and the food pretty well prepared. I had crispy sweetbreads followed by duck breast with a blue cheese risotto. The sweetbreads weren't really that crisp and I thought the appetizer lacked a little in bold flavors. The main course was excellent; really interesting combinations. The duck skin could have been rendered a little more as it still was a little fatty and not crisp, but the dish was delicious in any case. Service was very pleasant. The place was very crowded for 7pm on a Tuesday.
(4)Dana G.
My wife and I stopped here along the way to a ski trip and had no idea what to expect. It was easily the best meal we had on the trip. There were no tables available but we sat at the bar and had excellent service from the bar tender. He was full of recommendations and made the evening all the more enjoyable. The food was wonderful , great beer selection - awesome service.
(5)Derek W.
The weather outside was frightful - several inches of snow already on the ground, the temperature hovering a few degrees above zero. Fortunately, inside the historic Old Freight House in White River Junction, the owner and staff at Elixir cooked up a miraculously warm and delicious experience that kept off the chill, at least for a couple of hours. Elixir sits in a prime location, adjacent to the train station and just down from the convergence of the Connecticut and White Rivers that gives this sleepy town its name. The charming, gregarious owner, Skip, rushed up to us as we entered to make us feel at home, and well-appreciated for venturing out in the storm. Our server couldn't have been nicer and more tuned into our needs (somehow intuiting which dishes we were sharing, and splitting them accordingly) despite the restaurant's imminent closure so staff could safely return home. We thoroughly enjoyed the array of hearty, modern American comfort foods laid before us over the next hour. The carrot-rutabaga bisque was an earthy delight, made rich with a streak of brown butter. Our salad was a potpourri of fall ingredients, including thin strips of endive, currants, spiced pecans, and a tangy orange vinaigrette. To introduce some international flair along with a small dose of spice, we dug into a heaping plate of mussels with red-curry coconut sauce, a nice complement to the small but excellent mussels. The de rigeur bread dipping was particularly pleasant given how creamy, aromatic (and generous!) the sauce was. Our final foray involved a simply but exquisitely roasted chicken breast. The tender bird had a dense, moist ribbon of pumpernickel-sage stuffing throughout, and a sweet cherry sauce on top. To balance this autumnal feast, the chicken was accompanied by a delectable sweet potato gratin and a few crisp, fresh green beans.
(5)Carole M.
Elixir is a mixed bag. The dining room is inviting and stylish, although the tables are crowded. The menu is ambitious but unevenly executed. Scallops were delicious; shrimp risotto cakes tasteless. And the service is weak, although willing. Perhaps too many tables per server? Parking difficult. I can't say that I think this restaurant would exist in a more competitive environment.
(3)Gina R.
This was my second visit to Elixir, the first being 2 years ago on a hot summer evening. I had made a reservation on OpenTable which was promptly remembered and we were seated in a timely and friendly manner. The service was on point and timely, maybe slightly rushed and a little impersonal. My two friends ordered the shrimp and the napolean squash. The squash dish didnt seem to come together well, the textures with the black beans just didnt mesh together well he said. My friend who had the shrimp was satisfied but not amazed, it was good and fresh but not tasty. I had the filet mignon and if there was cocoa dust on my steak it quickly flew over the dish, and was barely noticeable although the glaze on it was very delicious. The steak however, was cooked perfectly to a medium rare as I had ordered it. The string beans and mashed potatoes were very fresh but again, any garlic mentioned in those mashed potatoes flew over the dish like a G6. The dishes could have been a little larger, the three of us were barely satisfied and we shared 2 appetizers (frites and caesar salad that lacked anchovies or flavor). Bottom line, this is a bit pricey given that dishes are small and lacked some flavor, however the dishes are fresh and thoughtfully prepared. If your tastes dont care for flavor and flare you will probably be satisfied. As for me, I'm on the fence about returning.
(3)Julie B.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. We *almost* decided to pass up on this place when we arrived to a desolate and creepy parking lot. From the outside Elixer looked small and a bit uninviting, but we [luckily] decided to chance it and go in for dinner. After traveling for a few hours from Boston on Friday night, we showed up at Elixer around 5:30 only to be told that we could not have a table because the restaurant was totally booked. I was pretty surprised, but we happily grabbed two seats at the empty bar. From the second we sat down the bartender was so incredibly warm and welcoming. He made great conversation, offered drink and food suggestions, and was attentive to a T. We started with some cocktails and the truffle fries. The fries were piping hot, plentiful and served along a delicious roasted shallot aioli. For entrees we ordered the salmon over spaghetti squash, which was perfectly flaky and moist, and the barley risotto -- a huge portion filled with crispy pancetta and sweet squash. I also am proud to say I ordered my very first dirty martini, which was delicious and filled with bleu cheese stuffed olives. Yuuuum! I'm not sure how much of this was an expectation game, but I was truly impressed by the food, drinks and service at Elixer. The White River Junction-ians are lucky to have such a gem within their reach!
(5)Poppy H.
Outstanding 5-star service. Truffle fries...OMG. Scallops. Yum! Crazy Jane Martini so good!
(5)Tracy R.
What a treat! This was truly an incredible dining experience. Don't be fooled by the muddy parking lot, or the industrial looking exterior of the building, inside you will be treated to the finest dining and culinary experience that rivals any NYC restaurant. The rutabaga bisque is rich and inviting, especially with a swirl of Vermont maple syrup. The cocoa dusted petite filet mignon will melt in your mouth. Top it off with an ice cream sandwich dessert and you just experienced four season dining in one sitting!
(5)JoJo J.
The food tasted great, but your wallet will be empty before your stomach is full. The portions are undersized for their price as is common with a "finer dining" establishment. Good spot if you want "cute food" for a date, but not so much for a big family/friends outing. That being said the garlic aioli fries were addicting.
(3)Gina S.
After reading the reviews here I decided I had to try this place while on vacation with my boyfriend in Vermont. It completely exceeded all the reviews here (possibly because it's hard to put into words how amazing our food was). First of all, yes, there are smaller portions, and we followed other reviewers' directions to order apps/soup/salad in addition to our meal. However, the prices for the quality were reasonable, and this only allowed us to eat more of the amazing food at this place (so we're not complaining). We ordered the curry mussels to start along with a mescaline salad for me and a special mushroom soup for my boyfriend. All were spectacular... The curry on the mussels was perfect. For our entrees I ordered the scallops which came with great veggies (I'm not an expert foodie... Just know it was all fantastic.) My boyfriend ordered the peanut chicken (it might have been a special) and it was incredible. Cooked perfectly with awesome honey/peanut flavors. Otherwise we had the brownie and apple crisp for dessert (both also perfect). The host was really nice, as was our server. She gave us decent time to enjoy our food-we were neither rushed nor were waiting too long for anything. It made for a wonderful ending to a great day in Vermont. If you're in the area, try this place! Make reservations, though! We went on a Saturday night and were running late...I called to say we were late, and they held our table, but the place was packed otherwise. As for the noise level, it was fine. Not so quiet you felt weird laughing out loud, but not too noisy either. A perfect balance of fine dining in a nice yet casual atmosphere.
(5)Chris G.
I have lived in the UV for 5 years and finally went to Elixir for an anniversary dinner with my wife. I won't bore you with details. I had the best meal in any restaurant in the Upper Valley and even beyond. If you are looking for a great meal, great atmosphere and friendly staff Elixir is the spot!!
(5)Megan M.
Portions were just right. Appetizer of baked brie with blackberry coulis was fab. Entree of seared scallops was sublime. Dessert was what dreams are made of. Vegetarian options were limited but divine.
(4)Amy N.
Delicious delicious Eat here and be so happy From drinks crazy jane martini To mesculen greens to amazing filet And oh I forgot those fries. This place is amazing !!!
(5)J A.
Very disappointed in the dining options in White River Junction. The owner was great. He was checked in on guests to make sure they were being well taken care of. That being said, the waitress was very short in her communication. Not sure if was a cultural difference or just her personality (or maybe she did not like us). Whatever the reason the service was less that it should have been. The food was also just fair. Much of it seemed like Food Service Supply standards. My soup tasted right out of a can. While we were there it was interesting for a couple reasons. When we arrived a group of very senior ladies was dining in a semi private dining room. As we were eating several couples came in to fill more of the tables. The men were older with grey hair, most long and with beards. They all had a lady with them, most of the ladies seemed a few years younger than the men. It seemed they were old college professors who had met a female student some years back. Dartmouth College/University is just across the Connecticut river in New Hampshire. As we exited and headed to our car we could not help but notice the lot was filled with Subaru and Volvo cars adorned with numerous bumper stickers. While not an appetizing dining experience it was interesting.
(2)Keith P.
So.....my first time in White River Junction and the desk clerk at the hotel, once I told her no chains, suggested Elixir. Once I arrived I grabbed to seat at the bar and noticed they had a great selection of microbrews, always a good start to the evening! After some banter back-and-forth with the great bartender Keith (the dude has a great name) I ordered the wild mushroom and ginger bisque, it was delicious! For the main course, everything on the menu looked great, so I did my characteristic move and asked Keith to surprise me. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not a huge fan of scallops, so what did I get surprised with... You guessed it scallops! The fact is, I did tell him to surprise me, so I dove into the scallops with shaved root vegetables and a buerre blanc and they were amazing! So I guess I like scallops, at elixir, in White River Junction.....well you get the idea. I will definitely be making a return visit to this establishment. This is a must dine experience !!!!
(4)Charles D.
Very nice place for friends and date night! Wine list is good. Menu is limited but quality is awesome! Service was very good and staff was pleasant. Atmosphere can be a little loud or very nice depending on the patrons. I would recommend this place to anyone traveling through the area! Bartender Eric is fantastic, owner is lucky have him!
(4)Brittany C.
This restaurant is delicious! We got here a little early (630) and there were several open tables. I was glad to see because we had not made a reservation. By 730 the place was packed with people. The food is amazing. I ordered the filet mignon and my boyfriend ordered the chicken which were both extremely delicious. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(5)Kyle F.
Super fantastic. Great food, great service, great wine selection, reasonable prices. We had the petit filet mignon and the scallops for entrees - both delicious (we shared). Also had the roasted cauliflower soup and mesclun salad for appetizers and the grilled pineapple w/ ice cream for dessert. The food was just perfect in every way. My only gripe is that maybe the cocktails could be a little more well-crafted. But that's a minor gripe, I had your standard old fashioned and it was decent - I think because the rest of everything else is so awesome this stood out a little. Still not taking away that 5th star though. Go here!
(5)Rich S.
Our first time there --but it wont be the last !! The food is amazing because Jane, Skip & Chef Chad let NO detail go without their full attention. It's a 25 mile ride for us; but its worth the ride AND well worth the price of a cab just to be able to enjoy the Martinis by Keith !! You would be hard pressed to find a comparable value in the upper valley. Rich & Gail Scalesse
(5)Doreen C.
Great restaurant. Recommend the truffle fries and baked figs. From the bar...Crazy Jane. Staff was friendly. Service was excellent. Was with a large group. Owner came over to ask how everything was and spent some time talking to us.
(5)Jane H.
This is a very unassuming place that is a bit hard to find -- it is in the back of a small shopping center. They have ample parking. However, be careful on entering -- there are two stairways up to the entrance, and the door can suddenly open in your face if you go up the left stairway. Do stop by though, because it is a great place! The service was prompt and friendly. The drinks were made strong and tasty. The food was really good! Everything tasted great. Best of all, they are open late! (And up in these parts, most places close by 9.) If you are vegetarian, please be wary and let your server know. Even if it sounds like there is no meat, there may be meat. My only issue is that I suspect I had some food poisoning from the rice I had here. I wonder if they save rice and reheat it? It couldn't be anything else, since husband shared everything with me except for the rice, and I have a stronger stomach than he. Yet, in spite of that, I still would come back!
(4)Anne H.
I need to get to that part of VT more often. Absolutely delightful and accommodations for an 8 year old were happily an easily made. Food is yummy, cocktails? even better!
(4)Maribel C.
Excellent, friendly service. The cocoa filet mignon was so divine, I may never get over it. The right portion, perfectly cooked. I would make a stop through White River Junction again just to eat here.
(5)Amy K.
What a great combination between great hospitality and a great chef! We used the Yelp app to find this place, but please note that the if you use the "Directions to Business" button from Yelp, you won't be directed to the right place.... Google Maps has it in the right place. I called and spoke with Skip, one of the owners, and he guided us with perfect directions to the restaurant. We were seated quickly, and the staff was very friendly. We ordered the Caesar and Arugula & Sun Dried Fig salads - both were delicious. For entrees, we had the Smoked Paprika Dusted Chicken Thighs and the daily Pork Loin w/wild rice and asparagus special - again both were delicious. They brought out the natural flavors of the food. For dessert, we had the ice cream and the Frozen Pomegranate Souffle with an almond sliver crust. The ice cream is 3 scoops, unfortunately, we didn't know that... so ended up with 3 scoops of vanilla, which were very good but a bit melted - requiring us to eat it rather quickly. The souffle was good, but a bit too rich for me - though still delicious. This is now my go-to place in White River Junction! I would absolutely good there again and recommend it to others. Oh, almost forgot to mention their cocktail menu! The Caipirinha and Pineapple Upside Down Cake cocktails were made perfectly! Too bad we had to drive home! BTW, when we were leaving Skip said that he would get the Yelp directions corrected... really focused on hospitality.
(5)Richard S.
We were on a business trip and trusted fellow Yelpers on this one and wow you guys did not disappoint!! If you love steak, their filet mignon is a must try! It was so soft you can basically cut it with the butter knife. People/atmosphere were friendly, great food, full bar, great prices-- Just an overall great spot!
(5)Ken W.
Amazing. We went there because of all the positive reviews after going to the harpoon barbq competition earlier in the day. We weren't that hungry, but knew that we had to get there early since we didn't have reservations(based on Internet research). We arrived at 5:00 to an almost empty restaurant. We sat and very quickly around us, the place was packed by 5:45 First nice thing was meeting the owner and the positive attitudes of all the staff. We split two appetizers which were amazing. The artichoke dip was very unique and I always love a homemade caeser salad. For the main course, we had the scallops and chicken. We ate so fast because it was so amazing. Then we had a creme brûlée which was warm on top. Usually they aren't finished to order, but this was. Everything was fresh and left us wanting more. We are modifying our next trip in a few weeks to have another positive experience.
(5)David D.
Everything on the menu is amazing, but I settled on the special, a beef short rib with smashed potatoes and asparagus. Really tasty and expertly prepared. Prices are reasonable here, portions just right and the place is downright cozy. Oh, and the waitstaff is killer (ask for Julie). If you're looking for the best restaurant in the upper valley, look no further.
(5)Sam M.
If you have a sophisticated and adventurous palate and appreciate the art of having a great meal, then Elixir is your place. I came in for an early dinner and happened to be the first patron. I felt bad since it seemed like I was interrupting a meeting, but everyone was welcoming to get situated for dinner. I sat at the bar and the bartender's service was first rate to me and the other customers that came in-a true pro. The right amount of attentiveness without being over bearing. My roasted chicken with what appeared to be a leek, potato, and cauliflower au gratin was amazing and a genius use of flavor. The vegetables and cream sauce were a little to oily but nonetheless tasty. You can tell that the chef put careful thought into the menu. They also have a great beer, wine and cocktail selection without being pretentious. Highly recommend it for a midweek business dinner.
(4)Paul L.
outstanding with cool vibe
(5)Grace W.
Hands down the best cocktails in the Upper Valley! They shake it up so that there is a fine layer of foam and ice crystals floating on the top. Ah, makes me feel like I'm in a "city" again. The food is pretty good too (though the entrees tend to be on the small side, which is probably the size we're supposed to be eating anyway). Sometimes they run out of their specials by 7:30pm and the place is surprisingly full on weekday evenings. Oh, and you won't be disappointed by their garlic fries!!
(4)Kenneth N.
Superb. We visited before a concert at Tupelo Music Hall. We were met by the owner at the door, who remembered we had mentioned the concert when we made the reservation. The food was fantastic. The truffled fries ARE addictive!! We had the salmon and filet mignon entrees with the ice cream sandwich desert. All are highly recommended. The waitstaff was incredible. Very personable and attentive. Elixir compares favorably to high end restaurants in much bigger cities. And the prices .... very reasonable. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Eric S.
Excellent, sophisticated service and phenomenal flavors. We also had some of the best tasting wines we've had in a restaurant. The only detraction are the mediocre desserts - we ordered several, and they did not live up to the rest of the meal. It really leaves you with final bites that ruin the palate. So our recommendation is to enjoy this - easily one of the finest restaurants in the Upper Valley - but skip dessert.
(4)Stephanie G.
A lovely little spot with a nice ambiance, attentive staff, a small but nice menu and a great wine and cocktail selection. I enjoyed the scallops with wild rice and horseradish creamed spinach with a Gewurtztraminer. A nice find!
(4)marc s.
Located in White River Junction, Vermont, a sleepy little turn of the century railroad town on the river is a very fine dining establishment. It's in a refurbed old brick building, and they did a great job. Modern american, fine food at a fine price. Highly recommend, the best dinner in a 50 mile radius.
(5)Ben K.
Excellent surprise! This place was way above expectations. The scallops were amazing.
(5)Doug D.
We heard a lot of good things about the Elixir, and finally gave it a try. It truly exceeded our expectations. The owner greeted us at the door and helped my wife with her coat - a good omen for what was to come. We had reservations (recommended), and had a brief 10 minute wait for a table. The place was really hopping, with lots of 20-30 somethings at the bar, and a mix of all ages enjoying dinner. The decor is simple and unpretentious and the focus is on quality food and service. We ordered the truffle fries appetizer which were amazing, and more than enough for two. The menu has about 10 main courses - seafood, beef, chicken with very interesting side dishes. I had the filet minion and my wife had the scallops. They both were a 10. The wine list was eclectic and not intimidating pricewise. Our waitress was efficient and friendly, and when I dropped my knife, it was immediately replaced. Entree prices were in the $17-$25 range, certainly resonable for the quality. The only slight negative was the noise level is fairly high - not the perfect atmosphere for a quiet dinner. There are several good dining options in this area, but Elixir will now be one of our first choices.
(5)Janie T.
Ambiance was very nice and service was good, but our entrees were just so so. My husband had the salmon and we have had much better. My shimp and risotto cake was a big disappointment. I thought the shrimp would be mixed in with the risotto like a crab cake. Instead, I got two very bland risotto cakes and 6 tiny little shrimp that, honestly, I thought was garnish. The sauce under the cakes were the only thing that made it flavorful.
(2)Kimberly C.
We stopped by to have some dinner around 5:30. The hostess was superficial and claimed that "there were no seats available until 7:30pm." We asked to sit at the bar but some "a man was holding those seats for his friends". I was looking forward to eating at this establishment, but I'm glad I didn't waste my time. The staff clearly didn't want us there. You're better off eating in Lebanon, NH at the SALT HILL PUB. (which is where we had a delicious, welcoming meal!)
(1)Helen J.
I understand that choices are somewhat limited in the area for an upscale modern type of restaurant but that's no excuse for the abysmal service we received while dining there. We waited for our "reserved" table then another 20+ minutes to get a waitress to our table and even longer to get an initial glass of water... Even when it emptied out and we were still there waiting for our check, it took forever to get someone by our table so we could pay and leave. The food was decent but not amazing as I had expected it would be from some other reviews. The vegetarian option was polenta with tomato sauce and roasted red peppers over it for $16...that's like one of my weekday easy standby meals at home. The combination of terrible service with high prices ($143 plus tip for 3 people) is enough of a reason for me to not go back.
(2)John B.
Yelp helped us find this gem. We arrived at night, so we didn't get to appreciate what appears to be an industrial neighborhood, however, the interior is a nicely designed modern/loft-like space. C had spaetzle; I had a chicken breast . . . both were excellent. We enjoyed a house special martini and shared creme brulee for desert. The atmosphere was nice. We arrived at 9:30 to discover that the kitchen was closing. Fortunately the host prevailed on the kitchen to serve us. Whew! The waitress was efficient, however, it was clear that she wanted to rush us out. Didn't appreciate that, but everything else was great. We learned that VT has some law that requires last call to be 10:30pm. Crazy. We were really surprised to find a restaurant like this to be closing so early on a Saturday night . . . a big change from our home town, Chicago. We were fortunate to be seated along the windows and benfited from the romantic candles, but the other tables didn't have candles, which would really improve the atmosphere. The music system, such as it is, was bad. All you can hear is the percussion; not the actual music. But before buying a new sound system, the room needs to be augmented with acoustical attenuation. It was noisy because all the surfaces are hard. Nevertheless, we would come back if we lived around here.
(4)Karyn W.
I travel for work and this is one of my favorite places in New England. The soups are spectacular and the specials are always good. The roasted chicken breast with green bean-feta-toasted sesame salad and basil emulsion was crazy good!!!!! Never been disappointed here.
(5)Michael S.
There weren't many good looking restaurants in the area when we were visiting, so I google mapped some restaurants in the area and we ended up here. There is a funky smell in the restaurant...kind of like a smell of the railyard next to the restaurant...kind of like grill scents...it was weird. You get used to it pretty quickly though. Our food was really good! We had soup, salad, a flatbread, and mussels. Everything was delicious, however the salad was underdressed for my taste. We also had desserts, a pistachio trio and a selection of sorbets...both were really good! If we're ever in the area again, we'll be back.
(4)Aaron S.
Elixir is certainly one of the better places to eat in the Upper Valley. Definitely the best in Lebanon/West Leb/White River Junction. The cocktails are superb and the truffle fries are amazing. The only thing that keeps me from giving Elixir five stars is that the menu is excellent, but leaves me wanting just a bit more variety. Especially need a few more vegetarian entrees. Overall, excellent atmosphere and the items they do serve are sublime.
(4)Lexi R.
The food is awesome! The only complaint is that they need to put some soft furnishings on the walls to absorb some of the noise. We ate there at 7pm - and it looked like the golfing population were all there. As it got a little later, it quieted down to where we could carry on a conversation. I did feel like we were being rushed, she kept asking if we were ready to order. They did give me a free dessert for my birthday- Creme Brulee that was to die for! I would eat there again, just later in the evening. It's in an old train depot which had a neat ambiance.
(4)Kristi H.
This place is a hidden gem; I love the cozy atmosphere (small, dark, brick) and the staff is very friendly. The food is the best in the area, in my opinion, espcially for the price!? I got the pear salad and the scallops - they are happy to interchange the accompaniments, which I did. The truffle fries with the roasted shallot aioli are like crack. My daughter got the crispy tiger shrimp with an asian vegetable slaw and we devoured that. The pear martini was also delicious - I don' t think you can go wrong here though!
(5)Eliot W.
Skip, Jane and a seasoned team have a welcoming environment with food that says "come back". Everything was delicious. Can't wait to try more items. Def check out Elixer.
(5)Patrick E.
Excellent waitstaff, tasty drinks, busy on a Tuesday night. We felt underdressed for about a minute. Did i mention the staff? The atmosphere is great. Owner approached our table at the end of our meal to ensure that we enjoyed the evening. We did! Signage isn't great.
(4)Gary J.
Nice place, friendly staff, GREAT bar service (Keith)! I thought the food was decent, but I'm a foodie and tough critic. The staff seems to be very involved and welcoming. I like that in a restaurant. Also had a nice atmosphere. Definitely worth a try if you're traveling through or here for a weekend.
(4)Holly E.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Elixir this weekend. We were warmly greeted at the door by the owner, seated immediately and enjoyed a knowledgeable, professional and friendly waiter who made sure every aspect of our meal was perfect. We shared the mussels with a curry sauce - amazing and wonderful salads. We both had the cocoa-dusted petits filet mignons which were tender and delicious. Dessert was an espresso-flavored mousse with chocolate crisps and Grand Mariner sauce. EVERYTHING was so good, beautiful presented, with delicate flavors and seasonings. Because we were visiting on the Saturday before Halloween, there was a fun crowd of people in costume in the bar and restaurant and everyone, from the wait staff, to the owner, to the chef were friendly and welcoming. If you are nearby and want a great dining experience, don't miss it.
(5)Doc G.
excellent food! the mussels were wonderful, the crab salad special was petite but sublime, the scallops were great..... waitress was a bit of a "talk-throug-the-customer" type, but very attentive, prompt, and sensitive to our time-frame (we were headed to a show afterward). the view from the window, of course, is less than inspiring, but the interior space is beautiful. a great experience and highly recommended.
(5)Heather C.
Well I went and tried Elixers and was very disappointed. I order the Filet mignon for $21 it had a nice taste but not worth $21. The menu is limited to what they offer. Than I tried the yin-yang for dessert took one bite and couldn't get rid of the awful taste. The waitress asked if I wanted to take it home and and I told her she could throw it away. It is one one of the worse tasting desserts I have ever tasted. The other desserts didn't even sound good. This is one place I will not go to again or send anyone to. I'm a pastry chef by trade so I know good desserts when I taste one.
(2)Melissa H.
Happily surprised I was upon finding Elixir by a chance turnaround in a nearby parking lot. After trying just about nearly every restaurant in the area, here I found an environment and menu that encouraged me to return many times over. Everything, really everything served has been perfect. I'll especially miss the asparagus fennel soup with wafers of toasted parmesan; the mussels warmly accompanied by a coconut red curry; and the sea scallops....a decadent splurge.... Excellent wine list, including dessert wines. It's the kind of place where people who have just met will pitch in to share a bottle and make new friends, if only briefly.
(5)Magnum P.
First rate food and hospitality. Incredible value menu. Filet mignon for $21 are you kidding me? Get the flatbread and tomato eggplant bisque too. Make a reservation early.
(5)Jillian R.
OH HOLY YUMMY! I've failed at writing a timely review of Elixir (sorry) but in the month or two it had taken me, I haven't stopped raving. Their french fries are the absolute cutest things I have seen. They are like 5x the size and 100x the deliciousness of potato sticks. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a very personable, conscientious bartender. I ordered a martini (duh, it's a MARTINI BAR). I found it to be quite tart, the bartender fixed it right away and it was awesome! I would definitely go back here again, it's great for dates. I found the dining room romantic and chill. Another reason WRJ is where it's at!
(5)Jay T.
An unexpected surprise. You would never guess what delights are in store by looking at the building/area. Service great, food great, and atmosphere great. Gazpacho was excellent, caeser salad good. Filet cooked to perfection. Scallops flavorful. Only regret is we don't live close by otherwise this would be a regular stop.
(4)Chris D.
So when it comes to a place to grab a drink in white river junction, I will almost always choose CJ's at Than Wheelers, because of the price, familiarity and environment. However, if i'm ever in the mood to class it up, you can't hate on Elixer. The drinks seem to be a bit smaller, and a bit pricier than Than's but if i'm here it's either for the food or the environment. It's a pretty classy joint that doesn't feel like it belongs in the area, but we're glad it's there. Food is always amazing, and they have some pretty unique options as well.
(4)TeTeDaMouse C.
I went here for my birthday. It was an enjoyable meal: We started with two special appetizers: dumplings and proscuitto with some veggies. I had their Seared Sea Scallops with roasted carrot-farro risotto, sautéed kale & cashews, chamomile-butter sauce. My hubby had their Rosemary Spaetzle with winter vegetables, ham hock, spinach, and ham veloute. My scallops were delicious-part of me wished I got more than three scallops, they were so tasty. Also, the risotto was lovely and yummy. A beautiful dish. My hubby enjoyed his spaetzle although the ham veloute was our least favorite part of the dish. Service: Our waitress, while nice, was not as attentive as the other servers it seemed. While I will go again to Elixir, I do feel that Murphys may be a better bang for your buck, so to speak. The quality of food there is also good, but the servings are more generous. However, I do like Elixir-their chef spent some time at Eleven Madison Park!
(4)Jordan M.
I would like to note first that Elixir has changed hands in the past year. Thank goodness. The old Elixir was a "tapas style" restaurant, the service was very poor, and the food mediocre at best. Since Jane and Skip have started running Elixir, it has been amazing. Skip and Jane are truly wonderful hosts, and run a wonderful operation. My husband and I decided to give Eilixr another try after a bad experience about two years ago. We were extremely pleasantly surprised by everything. 1) The wine list is phenomenal. The bottles range from $19-$195--- something for everyone. They have a great selection, and all the house wines by the glass are $5. 2) The menu is great, and very fairly priced. A couple of highlights-- The crispy goat cheese salad, and the house made pate-- amazing. JP, the chef, is very very talented, and creates amazing dishes. I love love the porcini ravioli in parmesean broth with spinach flan. So delicious. There is also a specials menu that changes nightly. My husband has tried multiple things from here, and they are all worhthy of 5 stars. The lamb shank is also amazing. We LOVE the crispy cheesecake, and the berry crisp to end the meal. 3) The atmosphere is great. In an old freight house, and the bar is great. My husband and I have been to every restaurant in the Upper Valley, and this is by far the best we have experienced. Thank goodness for Skip and Jane, we will will have a place to eat every week! Give Elixir a try, you will NOT regret it.
(5)P.j. P.
Superb. There were four of us, from three states, all veterans of fine dining. So when I say that this place is extraordinary it's not just hyperbole or too much alcohol. It's a few blocks off a slowly recovering downtown WRJ, in a former freight office (IIRC), but please do not let that deter you. We hit on a relatively slow Friday evening, post summer and pre leaf peepers, but it was still mostly full. The drinks, service, food, and ambiance were all superb. We ordered four different entrees, four different beverages, and four different desserts -- all were top notch. Don't miss it.
(5)D C.
When I walked into Elixir I thought the interior was attractively done and probably one of the nicest restaurants in town. The hostess who greeted me was very friendly, I was alone so I declined her offer of a table and headed to the bar. The bartender quickly came over with menus and to get a drink order. They have a good selection of wine by the glass. The prices for wine are very reasonable too. The bartender was informative and friendly. For dinner I order the petit filets. My meal was delicious and cooked to the temp I ordered. I even had dessert, the Yin Yang. Like a big fluffy Reese's. It was great. I'm glad I found Elixir and will return the next time I'm in town.
(5)Dale S.
Alright, we decided to give this place one more shot since we heard so many good things from others, thinking maybe our last experience was just a fluke. The host was much friendlier this time. We were seated immediately and the waitress was quick to take our drink and dinner orders. However once we got our food, we felt completely neglected. Our waitress was nowhere to be seen. We had to go out of our way to ask for another drink (any decent waitstaff will see your empty glass and immediately ask if you'd like another). We planned on staying for dessert, but after waiting around for 15 minutes to get our empty plates cleared we decided to just to leave. The only reason I awarded 2 stars this time, and not another 1-star, is because the food was excellent. Can Elixir just start doing take-out so we don't have to put up with their poor service?
(2)Brenda C.
Amazing food, nice drinks, good bar company. The other reviewers griping about waiting when there are empty tables need to wrap their minds around the concept of reservations. Duh. Five huge stars. Best meal I've ever had in Vermont, and that includes my mom's Thanksgivings.
(5)Sarah F.
Ate there while on a business trip on 6/19. Good food, good service. A little pricey.
(4)Sutton C.
I really like this place, I like to go here after the theatre let's out because they serve food until 10:30. The cocktails are delicious, try the Captains Mermaid, and the food is extremely tasty. I love the bacon wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese, the truffle fries, and the short ribs with sweet potato puree. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, I have been with large groups and they are great! I would suggest this place to anyone in the area!
(5)Noah P.
Was told there was an hour wait with empty tables
(2)Adam C.
Great restaurant in White River Junction, VT. Haven't been here during the winter yet, but I imagine it is super cozy. They have re-used most of the existing structure including plenty of wood at the bar and the original windows. It has a warm feel to it, although it can be a bit loud at times. Cocktails, apps and entrees are great. When we don't feel like being Dartmouth-ized we love Elixir and am already looking forward to our next visit.
(4)Jonathan D.
Remarkablly fresh and local food at a great establishment! Menu is seasonal and everything is well prepared and delicious. Great service!
(5)Aaron E.
This is a terrific restaurant. Great atmosphere, great food. The chicken medallions are excellent - have ordered them multiple times - as are the scallops and the shrimp risotto. The bar is an especially nice place to sit and have a drink and dinner. It's big and wide and and attractively restored. (The bartender's a pretty friendly guy too.) And if you like a gin martini, they do them up well. I get the house gin - Gordon's - which they work wonders with. And did I mention the apple-chocolate bread pudding? Yum.
(5)Bridget T.
Don't go here if you're starving as the portions are very small (on purpose). The menu offers a cool, "big-city" selection not offered at any other place I've been to in the Upper Valley (so not your traditional "burger and fry" joint). I went with a group of friend before heading down to Briggs Opera House for a play, so it was perfect for that. We all got two martinis a piece (they are $10 a pop, so come prepared). But even the martini menu is ecclectic ("The Cooler" rocks!). Overall, probably not a place I could afford to go to on a weekly basis, but I'd go back when I was planning a night at the theater.
(4)Ruby G.
Absolutely loved everything about this place! The service, the location (right next to Tupelo Music Hall), the food, the wine list, the decor. We didn't have reservations and the hostess went above and beyond to seat us and it was really busy with the crowd from one show letting out and the crowd for the show we were going to go to all filtering in. Our waitress was great, she was knowledgeable about the ingredients in each dish, she was attentive, and so nice. We started out with the Warm Artichoke-Olive Gratin and it was soooo good. The crostini that came with the gratin was perfect and we all know how wrong these can be when they're chewy and not crunchy....these were literally PERFECT and rubbed with a little garlic as a bonus. I had the Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, with winter vegetable ribbons, sautéed greens, in lemon beurre blanc. The scallops were cooked PERFECTLY also, the vegetable ribbons were so unique and delicious and the baked ribbons of parsnips on top made the dish! The hubby had the special, which was Salmon and I wasn't paying too much attention to his meal because I was devouring mine, but I think he had mashed potatoes. He said that he enjoyed it, but he tends to like his Salmon on the "under" side, which was not really a complaint, just a preference. They were also really conscious of the fact that we didn't have much time to eat before the show and brought out our food really quickly and the check as well. I really have nothing bad to say about this place. If you're in the White River Junction area, check it out, you'll be happy you did!
(4)Josephina A.
Great service and classy food.
(5)thomas c.
Went there for dinner the other night. Great place to take a date. The best part of the place is that they had a live jazz band. The drummer was so fun to watch. It was like watching your grandfather getting down. Not too loud, could still chat with my date. The food was pretty good. Basically tapas. We had the olives, which need a little more variety. Next we had the lobster mac and cheese and the scallops with a cream sauce, both were rather good. We were still hungry so we had the jerk pork, which happened to be the best item that we had. Would go back. best place for a date so far.
(4)Karen M.
We ate at Elixir whilst in town for the weekend, having chosen it on the basis of other reviews. We were not disappointed. The food was very delicious and beautifully presented. Our waitress (Nemesis ..... not a name to forget) was very sweet and attentive. The atmosphere was buzzing but not noisy, and wine was $5 a glass. It all made for a perfect evening.
(5)Christopher M.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. This, and the Tip Top, are the two hippest restaurants in the Upper Valley, with inventive menus to back them up. Good for White River Junction!
(5)Paul W.
Stayed in White River Junction for the night. Looked at the reviews and selected the Elixir. Small menu but seemed appealing. Crowded at 6:00 on a Friday night. Sat at the bar to have a drink. Atmosphere is very nice. A little loud, but it was crowded. We were seated at a good table in about 15 minutes. Service was very good. The food was excellent. Wine list is extensive. Local beers on tap. Full bar and Martini list in the menu. Much better than I expected. Presentation was excellent. Price was reasonable considering the quality (compared with Burlington, VT, Portland, ME or Portsmouth, NH). Potion size was reasonable as well. Highly recommended.
(4)K M.
Good food, great atmosphere, great live music. A bit overpriced and the menu is limited. But in the Upper Valley, our choices are limited, so I am definitely a fan.
(4)Michael C.
My wife and I went after swim meet for our daughter. Nice atmosphere and the owner greeted us upon arrival. Didn't care for the TV behind the bar but it was removed enough to not notice. My daughter had mussels in curry sauce and truffeled fries. Curry sauce had good heat but smooth enough for an 11 year olds taste. Fries and aioli sauce were good but not worth the price. I had the braised short rib in wine sauce with potato bed and greens. The meat was very tender and the combination of potato, greens and wine reduction was worth the money. My wife had mushroom risotto with a stuffed fig app. The figs were wrapped in bacon with a balsamic reduction. The cheese could have been more prevelent and bacon a little crispier, but presentation was good. The risotto was nice and creamy and accented the mushrooms well. Glad we came instead of resorting to the chain food that plagues that area.
(4)Kate R.
Boyfriend says the bouillabaisse is the best he's ever had. Good place when you're in the mood for martinis.
(4)John F.
My wife and I stopped in on a stormy Wednesday evening in early July, without a reservation, and had a wonderful dinner with excellent service. My started with a very tasty appetizer of carpaccio with capers. My wife chose her entree of trout with pattypan squash from a daily specials card, and I selected chicken thighs with a smoky paprika and cilantro sauce. This was seriously good food at a reasonable price. If we pass this way again, we'll be sure to stop here again.
(4)Raquel C.
Elixir is a great restaurant. The atmosphere is fun and hip! I LOVE the truffle fries. I have never had better french fries in my whole life. The entrees were great too, although the buerre blanc sauce was a bit heavy for my taste!
(4)Stephen S.
This was my first time here, my wife had been here before and had the scallops, so she wanted to come back. The atmosphere was busy and inviting, with plenty of light. The server was very good, just enough attentiveness and very friendly. Her performance is what saves this review from being two stars. The good part of the food experience: the scallops were amazing, cooked perfectly (Gordon Ramsay would be proud!) and the sauce, vegetables and everything came together perfectly. The not-so-good: I thought it was a nice touch that our server had the kitchen split the portion for us, but the caesar salad was bland, missing any flavor of anchovy or egginess. The braised pork belly was tasty, but the miniscule portion was disappointing, barely three bites. (see the picture in the gallery) The lowest-rated part of our dinner was the filet mignon. I ordered it rare and it came to the table cooked perfectly, unfortunately the sauce was very bland and the "garlic smashed potatoes" were not garlicky at all. If there had been any salt & pepper on the table it might have helped save that dish, but there was none to be found.
(3)Phyllis V.
The menu is pretty simple with not a lot of options (fairly basic options of salmon, chicken, beef) but the food is good and not too expensive. The portions are on the smaller side so order an app!
(3)Phill M.
Stopped by with coworker great bartender and food was awesome. Little pricey for very small portions.
(5)Barbara R.
My fiancé and I were staying in Quechee, VT. On a Saturday night we were looking for a nice restaurant to go to and after reading all of the positive reviews of Elixir we decided to check it out. Parking was an issue because of a very popular fashion show happening next door, which the owner of Elixir told us about. As soon as we walked in he welcomed us. The restaurant itself is very unassuming, but once you try the food you regret not knowing about this place sooner! The food was AMAZING! We ordered the large mussel appetizer with its delicious sauce. For our entrees my fiancé got the scallops and I got the filet mignon. They were both so delicious! The scallops were the most amazing thing I've ever had!! For desert we had creme brûlée, which was very good. We only wish they had fresh fruit to serve with it. Other than that everything was amazing! The food and drinks are also very reasonable priced. I highly recommend this place. Funny thing was that when we first walked in I overheard 2 different tables mention how delicious their dinner was and whenever the owner walked by, they would thank him for it. For me this was a good sign as I was initially worried whether we made the right choice for dinner. If we are ever in the area again we will definitely be going back!
(5)Dana G.
My wife and I stopped here along the way to a ski trip and had no idea what to expect. It was easily the best meal we had on the trip. There were no tables available but we sat at the bar and had excellent service from the bar tender. He was full of recommendations and made the evening all the more enjoyable. The food was wonderful , great beer selection - awesome service.
(5)Derek W.
The weather outside was frightful - several inches of snow already on the ground, the temperature hovering a few degrees above zero. Fortunately, inside the historic Old Freight House in White River Junction, the owner and staff at Elixir cooked up a miraculously warm and delicious experience that kept off the chill, at least for a couple of hours. Elixir sits in a prime location, adjacent to the train station and just down from the convergence of the Connecticut and White Rivers that gives this sleepy town its name. The charming, gregarious owner, Skip, rushed up to us as we entered to make us feel at home, and well-appreciated for venturing out in the storm. Our server couldn't have been nicer and more tuned into our needs (somehow intuiting which dishes we were sharing, and splitting them accordingly) despite the restaurant's imminent closure so staff could safely return home. We thoroughly enjoyed the array of hearty, modern American comfort foods laid before us over the next hour. The carrot-rutabaga bisque was an earthy delight, made rich with a streak of brown butter. Our salad was a potpourri of fall ingredients, including thin strips of endive, currants, spiced pecans, and a tangy orange vinaigrette. To introduce some international flair along with a small dose of spice, we dug into a heaping plate of mussels with red-curry coconut sauce, a nice complement to the small but excellent mussels. The de rigeur bread dipping was particularly pleasant given how creamy, aromatic (and generous!) the sauce was. Our final foray involved a simply but exquisitely roasted chicken breast. The tender bird had a dense, moist ribbon of pumpernickel-sage stuffing throughout, and a sweet cherry sauce on top. To balance this autumnal feast, the chicken was accompanied by a delectable sweet potato gratin and a few crisp, fresh green beans.
(5)Carole M.
Elixir is a mixed bag. The dining room is inviting and stylish, although the tables are crowded. The menu is ambitious but unevenly executed. Scallops were delicious; shrimp risotto cakes tasteless. And the service is weak, although willing. Perhaps too many tables per server? Parking difficult. I can't say that I think this restaurant would exist in a more competitive environment.
(3)JoJo J.
The food tasted great, but your wallet will be empty before your stomach is full. The portions are undersized for their price as is common with a "finer dining" establishment. Good spot if you want "cute food" for a date, but not so much for a big family/friends outing. That being said the garlic aioli fries were addicting.
(3)Gina R.
This was my second visit to Elixir, the first being 2 years ago on a hot summer evening. I had made a reservation on OpenTable which was promptly remembered and we were seated in a timely and friendly manner. The service was on point and timely, maybe slightly rushed and a little impersonal. My two friends ordered the shrimp and the napolean squash. The squash dish didnt seem to come together well, the textures with the black beans just didnt mesh together well he said. My friend who had the shrimp was satisfied but not amazed, it was good and fresh but not tasty. I had the filet mignon and if there was cocoa dust on my steak it quickly flew over the dish, and was barely noticeable although the glaze on it was very delicious. The steak however, was cooked perfectly to a medium rare as I had ordered it. The string beans and mashed potatoes were very fresh but again, any garlic mentioned in those mashed potatoes flew over the dish like a G6. The dishes could have been a little larger, the three of us were barely satisfied and we shared 2 appetizers (frites and caesar salad that lacked anchovies or flavor). Bottom line, this is a bit pricey given that dishes are small and lacked some flavor, however the dishes are fresh and thoughtfully prepared. If your tastes dont care for flavor and flare you will probably be satisfied. As for me, I'm on the fence about returning.
(3)Julie B.
Don't judge a book by it's cover. We *almost* decided to pass up on this place when we arrived to a desolate and creepy parking lot. From the outside Elixer looked small and a bit uninviting, but we [luckily] decided to chance it and go in for dinner. After traveling for a few hours from Boston on Friday night, we showed up at Elixer around 5:30 only to be told that we could not have a table because the restaurant was totally booked. I was pretty surprised, but we happily grabbed two seats at the empty bar. From the second we sat down the bartender was so incredibly warm and welcoming. He made great conversation, offered drink and food suggestions, and was attentive to a T. We started with some cocktails and the truffle fries. The fries were piping hot, plentiful and served along a delicious roasted shallot aioli. For entrees we ordered the salmon over spaghetti squash, which was perfectly flaky and moist, and the barley risotto -- a huge portion filled with crispy pancetta and sweet squash. I also am proud to say I ordered my very first dirty martini, which was delicious and filled with bleu cheese stuffed olives. Yuuuum! I'm not sure how much of this was an expectation game, but I was truly impressed by the food, drinks and service at Elixer. The White River Junction-ians are lucky to have such a gem within their reach!
(5)Poppy H.
Outstanding 5-star service. Truffle fries...OMG. Scallops. Yum! Crazy Jane Martini so good!
(5)Tracy R.
What a treat! This was truly an incredible dining experience. Don't be fooled by the muddy parking lot, or the industrial looking exterior of the building, inside you will be treated to the finest dining and culinary experience that rivals any NYC restaurant. The rutabaga bisque is rich and inviting, especially with a swirl of Vermont maple syrup. The cocoa dusted petite filet mignon will melt in your mouth. Top it off with an ice cream sandwich dessert and you just experienced four season dining in one sitting!
(5)Gina S.
After reading the reviews here I decided I had to try this place while on vacation with my boyfriend in Vermont. It completely exceeded all the reviews here (possibly because it's hard to put into words how amazing our food was). First of all, yes, there are smaller portions, and we followed other reviewers' directions to order apps/soup/salad in addition to our meal. However, the prices for the quality were reasonable, and this only allowed us to eat more of the amazing food at this place (so we're not complaining). We ordered the curry mussels to start along with a mescaline salad for me and a special mushroom soup for my boyfriend. All were spectacular... The curry on the mussels was perfect. For our entrees I ordered the scallops which came with great veggies (I'm not an expert foodie... Just know it was all fantastic.) My boyfriend ordered the peanut chicken (it might have been a special) and it was incredible. Cooked perfectly with awesome honey/peanut flavors. Otherwise we had the brownie and apple crisp for dessert (both also perfect). The host was really nice, as was our server. She gave us decent time to enjoy our food-we were neither rushed nor were waiting too long for anything. It made for a wonderful ending to a great day in Vermont. If you're in the area, try this place! Make reservations, though! We went on a Saturday night and were running late...I called to say we were late, and they held our table, but the place was packed otherwise. As for the noise level, it was fine. Not so quiet you felt weird laughing out loud, but not too noisy either. A perfect balance of fine dining in a nice yet casual atmosphere.
(5)Chris G.
I have lived in the UV for 5 years and finally went to Elixir for an anniversary dinner with my wife. I won't bore you with details. I had the best meal in any restaurant in the Upper Valley and even beyond. If you are looking for a great meal, great atmosphere and friendly staff Elixir is the spot!!
(5)Megan M.
Portions were just right. Appetizer of baked brie with blackberry coulis was fab. Entree of seared scallops was sublime. Dessert was what dreams are made of. Vegetarian options were limited but divine.
(4)Amy N.
Delicious delicious Eat here and be so happy From drinks crazy jane martini To mesculen greens to amazing filet And oh I forgot those fries. This place is amazing !!!
(5)TeTeDaMouse C.
I went here for my birthday. It was an enjoyable meal: We started with two special appetizers: dumplings and proscuitto with some veggies. I had their Seared Sea Scallops with roasted carrot-farro risotto, sautéed kale & cashews, chamomile-butter sauce. My hubby had their Rosemary Spaetzle with winter vegetables, ham hock, spinach, and ham veloute. My scallops were delicious-part of me wished I got more than three scallops, they were so tasty. Also, the risotto was lovely and yummy. A beautiful dish. My hubby enjoyed his spaetzle although the ham veloute was our least favorite part of the dish. Service: Our waitress, while nice, was not as attentive as the other servers it seemed. While I will go again to Elixir, I do feel that Murphys may be a better bang for your buck, so to speak. The quality of food there is also good, but the servings are more generous. However, I do like Elixir-their chef spent some time at Eleven Madison Park!
(4)Jordan M.
I would like to note first that Elixir has changed hands in the past year. Thank goodness. The old Elixir was a "tapas style" restaurant, the service was very poor, and the food mediocre at best. Since Jane and Skip have started running Elixir, it has been amazing. Skip and Jane are truly wonderful hosts, and run a wonderful operation. My husband and I decided to give Eilixr another try after a bad experience about two years ago. We were extremely pleasantly surprised by everything. 1) The wine list is phenomenal. The bottles range from $19-$195--- something for everyone. They have a great selection, and all the house wines by the glass are $5. 2) The menu is great, and very fairly priced. A couple of highlights-- The crispy goat cheese salad, and the house made pate-- amazing. JP, the chef, is very very talented, and creates amazing dishes. I love love the porcini ravioli in parmesean broth with spinach flan. So delicious. There is also a specials menu that changes nightly. My husband has tried multiple things from here, and they are all worhthy of 5 stars. The lamb shank is also amazing. We LOVE the crispy cheesecake, and the berry crisp to end the meal. 3) The atmosphere is great. In an old freight house, and the bar is great. My husband and I have been to every restaurant in the Upper Valley, and this is by far the best we have experienced. Thank goodness for Skip and Jane, we will will have a place to eat every week! Give Elixir a try, you will NOT regret it.
(5)P.j. P.
Superb. There were four of us, from three states, all veterans of fine dining. So when I say that this place is extraordinary it's not just hyperbole or too much alcohol. It's a few blocks off a slowly recovering downtown WRJ, in a former freight office (IIRC), but please do not let that deter you. We hit on a relatively slow Friday evening, post summer and pre leaf peepers, but it was still mostly full. The drinks, service, food, and ambiance were all superb. We ordered four different entrees, four different beverages, and four different desserts -- all were top notch. Don't miss it.
(5)Graham C.
I was passing thru VT on my way to Canada and found Elixir through Yelp. I would definitely go back as the menu was interesting and the food pretty well prepared. I had crispy sweetbreads followed by duck breast with a blue cheese risotto. The sweetbreads weren't really that crisp and I thought the appetizer lacked a little in bold flavors. The main course was excellent; really interesting combinations. The duck skin could have been rendered a little more as it still was a little fatty and not crisp, but the dish was delicious in any case. Service was very pleasant. The place was very crowded for 7pm on a Tuesday.
(4)Kim Y.
Food was amazing and the service was excellent. Mussel appetizer was the best ever. I had the filet and my husband had the short ribs, both were excellent. Lots of wine by the glass options. Funky parking/location. Inside was cute enough.
(4)J A.
Very disappointed in the dining options in White River Junction. The owner was great. He was checked in on guests to make sure they were being well taken care of. That being said, the waitress was very short in her communication. Not sure if was a cultural difference or just her personality (or maybe she did not like us). Whatever the reason the service was less that it should have been. The food was also just fair. Much of it seemed like Food Service Supply standards. My soup tasted right out of a can. While we were there it was interesting for a couple reasons. When we arrived a group of very senior ladies was dining in a semi private dining room. As we were eating several couples came in to fill more of the tables. The men were older with grey hair, most long and with beards. They all had a lady with them, most of the ladies seemed a few years younger than the men. It seemed they were old college professors who had met a female student some years back. Dartmouth College/University is just across the Connecticut river in New Hampshire. As we exited and headed to our car we could not help but notice the lot was filled with Subaru and Volvo cars adorned with numerous bumper stickers. While not an appetizing dining experience it was interesting.
(2)Keith P.
So.....my first time in White River Junction and the desk clerk at the hotel, once I told her no chains, suggested Elixir. Once I arrived I grabbed to seat at the bar and noticed they had a great selection of microbrews, always a good start to the evening! After some banter back-and-forth with the great bartender Keith (the dude has a great name) I ordered the wild mushroom and ginger bisque, it was delicious! For the main course, everything on the menu looked great, so I did my characteristic move and asked Keith to surprise me. Those of you who know me, know that I'm not a huge fan of scallops, so what did I get surprised with... You guessed it scallops! The fact is, I did tell him to surprise me, so I dove into the scallops with shaved root vegetables and a buerre blanc and they were amazing! So I guess I like scallops, at elixir, in White River Junction.....well you get the idea. I will definitely be making a return visit to this establishment. This is a must dine experience !!!!
(4)Charles D.
Very nice place for friends and date night! Wine list is good. Menu is limited but quality is awesome! Service was very good and staff was pleasant. Atmosphere can be a little loud or very nice depending on the patrons. I would recommend this place to anyone traveling through the area! Bartender Eric is fantastic, owner is lucky have him!
(4)Brittany C.
This restaurant is delicious! We got here a little early (630) and there were several open tables. I was glad to see because we had not made a reservation. By 730 the place was packed with people. The food is amazing. I ordered the filet mignon and my boyfriend ordered the chicken which were both extremely delicious. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.
(5)Kyle F.
Super fantastic. Great food, great service, great wine selection, reasonable prices. We had the petit filet mignon and the scallops for entrees - both delicious (we shared). Also had the roasted cauliflower soup and mesclun salad for appetizers and the grilled pineapple w/ ice cream for dessert. The food was just perfect in every way. My only gripe is that maybe the cocktails could be a little more well-crafted. But that's a minor gripe, I had your standard old fashioned and it was decent - I think because the rest of everything else is so awesome this stood out a little. Still not taking away that 5th star though. Go here!
(5)Rich S.
Our first time there --but it wont be the last !! The food is amazing because Jane, Skip & Chef Chad let NO detail go without their full attention. It's a 25 mile ride for us; but its worth the ride AND well worth the price of a cab just to be able to enjoy the Martinis by Keith !! You would be hard pressed to find a comparable value in the upper valley. Rich & Gail Scalesse
(5)Doreen C.
Great restaurant. Recommend the truffle fries and baked figs. From the bar...Crazy Jane. Staff was friendly. Service was excellent. Was with a large group. Owner came over to ask how everything was and spent some time talking to us.
(5)Jane H.
This is a very unassuming place that is a bit hard to find -- it is in the back of a small shopping center. They have ample parking. However, be careful on entering -- there are two stairways up to the entrance, and the door can suddenly open in your face if you go up the left stairway. Do stop by though, because it is a great place! The service was prompt and friendly. The drinks were made strong and tasty. The food was really good! Everything tasted great. Best of all, they are open late! (And up in these parts, most places close by 9.) If you are vegetarian, please be wary and let your server know. Even if it sounds like there is no meat, there may be meat. My only issue is that I suspect I had some food poisoning from the rice I had here. I wonder if they save rice and reheat it? It couldn't be anything else, since husband shared everything with me except for the rice, and I have a stronger stomach than he. Yet, in spite of that, I still would come back!
(4)Anne H.
I need to get to that part of VT more often. Absolutely delightful and accommodations for an 8 year old were happily an easily made. Food is yummy, cocktails? even better!
(4)Maribel C.
Excellent, friendly service. The cocoa filet mignon was so divine, I may never get over it. The right portion, perfectly cooked. I would make a stop through White River Junction again just to eat here.
(5)Amy K.
What a great combination between great hospitality and a great chef! We used the Yelp app to find this place, but please note that the if you use the "Directions to Business" button from Yelp, you won't be directed to the right place.... Google Maps has it in the right place. I called and spoke with Skip, one of the owners, and he guided us with perfect directions to the restaurant. We were seated quickly, and the staff was very friendly. We ordered the Caesar and Arugula & Sun Dried Fig salads - both were delicious. For entrees, we had the Smoked Paprika Dusted Chicken Thighs and the daily Pork Loin w/wild rice and asparagus special - again both were delicious. They brought out the natural flavors of the food. For dessert, we had the ice cream and the Frozen Pomegranate Souffle with an almond sliver crust. The ice cream is 3 scoops, unfortunately, we didn't know that... so ended up with 3 scoops of vanilla, which were very good but a bit melted - requiring us to eat it rather quickly. The souffle was good, but a bit too rich for me - though still delicious. This is now my go-to place in White River Junction! I would absolutely good there again and recommend it to others. Oh, almost forgot to mention their cocktail menu! The Caipirinha and Pineapple Upside Down Cake cocktails were made perfectly! Too bad we had to drive home! BTW, when we were leaving Skip said that he would get the Yelp directions corrected... really focused on hospitality.
(5)Richard S.
We were on a business trip and trusted fellow Yelpers on this one and wow you guys did not disappoint!! If you love steak, their filet mignon is a must try! It was so soft you can basically cut it with the butter knife. People/atmosphere were friendly, great food, full bar, great prices-- Just an overall great spot!
(5)Ken W.
Amazing. We went there because of all the positive reviews after going to the harpoon barbq competition earlier in the day. We weren't that hungry, but knew that we had to get there early since we didn't have reservations(based on Internet research). We arrived at 5:00 to an almost empty restaurant. We sat and very quickly around us, the place was packed by 5:45 First nice thing was meeting the owner and the positive attitudes of all the staff. We split two appetizers which were amazing. The artichoke dip was very unique and I always love a homemade caeser salad. For the main course, we had the scallops and chicken. We ate so fast because it was so amazing. Then we had a creme brûlée which was warm on top. Usually they aren't finished to order, but this was. Everything was fresh and left us wanting more. We are modifying our next trip in a few weeks to have another positive experience.
(5)David D.
Everything on the menu is amazing, but I settled on the special, a beef short rib with smashed potatoes and asparagus. Really tasty and expertly prepared. Prices are reasonable here, portions just right and the place is downright cozy. Oh, and the waitstaff is killer (ask for Julie). If you're looking for the best restaurant in the upper valley, look no further.
(5)Sam M.
If you have a sophisticated and adventurous palate and appreciate the art of having a great meal, then Elixir is your place. I came in for an early dinner and happened to be the first patron. I felt bad since it seemed like I was interrupting a meeting, but everyone was welcoming to get situated for dinner. I sat at the bar and the bartender's service was first rate to me and the other customers that came in-a true pro. The right amount of attentiveness without being over bearing. My roasted chicken with what appeared to be a leek, potato, and cauliflower au gratin was amazing and a genius use of flavor. The vegetables and cream sauce were a little to oily but nonetheless tasty. You can tell that the chef put careful thought into the menu. They also have a great beer, wine and cocktail selection without being pretentious. Highly recommend it for a midweek business dinner.
(4)Paul L.
outstanding with cool vibe
(5)Grace W.
Hands down the best cocktails in the Upper Valley! They shake it up so that there is a fine layer of foam and ice crystals floating on the top. Ah, makes me feel like I'm in a "city" again. The food is pretty good too (though the entrees tend to be on the small side, which is probably the size we're supposed to be eating anyway). Sometimes they run out of their specials by 7:30pm and the place is surprisingly full on weekday evenings. Oh, and you won't be disappointed by their garlic fries!!
(4)Kenneth N.
Superb. We visited before a concert at Tupelo Music Hall. We were met by the owner at the door, who remembered we had mentioned the concert when we made the reservation. The food was fantastic. The truffled fries ARE addictive!! We had the salmon and filet mignon entrees with the ice cream sandwich desert. All are highly recommended. The waitstaff was incredible. Very personable and attentive. Elixir compares favorably to high end restaurants in much bigger cities. And the prices .... very reasonable. We will definitely be returning.
(5)Eric S.
Excellent, sophisticated service and phenomenal flavors. We also had some of the best tasting wines we've had in a restaurant. The only detraction are the mediocre desserts - we ordered several, and they did not live up to the rest of the meal. It really leaves you with final bites that ruin the palate. So our recommendation is to enjoy this - easily one of the finest restaurants in the Upper Valley - but skip dessert.
(4)Stephanie G.
A lovely little spot with a nice ambiance, attentive staff, a small but nice menu and a great wine and cocktail selection. I enjoyed the scallops with wild rice and horseradish creamed spinach with a Gewurtztraminer. A nice find!
(4)marc s.
Located in White River Junction, Vermont, a sleepy little turn of the century railroad town on the river is a very fine dining establishment. It's in a refurbed old brick building, and they did a great job. Modern american, fine food at a fine price. Highly recommend, the best dinner in a 50 mile radius.
(5)Ben K.
Excellent surprise! This place was way above expectations. The scallops were amazing.
(5)Doug D.
We heard a lot of good things about the Elixir, and finally gave it a try. It truly exceeded our expectations. The owner greeted us at the door and helped my wife with her coat - a good omen for what was to come. We had reservations (recommended), and had a brief 10 minute wait for a table. The place was really hopping, with lots of 20-30 somethings at the bar, and a mix of all ages enjoying dinner. The decor is simple and unpretentious and the focus is on quality food and service. We ordered the truffle fries appetizer which were amazing, and more than enough for two. The menu has about 10 main courses - seafood, beef, chicken with very interesting side dishes. I had the filet minion and my wife had the scallops. They both were a 10. The wine list was eclectic and not intimidating pricewise. Our waitress was efficient and friendly, and when I dropped my knife, it was immediately replaced. Entree prices were in the $17-$25 range, certainly resonable for the quality. The only slight negative was the noise level is fairly high - not the perfect atmosphere for a quiet dinner. There are several good dining options in this area, but Elixir will now be one of our first choices.
(5)Janie T.
Ambiance was very nice and service was good, but our entrees were just so so. My husband had the salmon and we have had much better. My shimp and risotto cake was a big disappointment. I thought the shrimp would be mixed in with the risotto like a crab cake. Instead, I got two very bland risotto cakes and 6 tiny little shrimp that, honestly, I thought was garnish. The sauce under the cakes were the only thing that made it flavorful.
(2)Kimberly C.
We stopped by to have some dinner around 5:30. The hostess was superficial and claimed that "there were no seats available until 7:30pm." We asked to sit at the bar but some "a man was holding those seats for his friends". I was looking forward to eating at this establishment, but I'm glad I didn't waste my time. The staff clearly didn't want us there. You're better off eating in Lebanon, NH at the SALT HILL PUB. (which is where we had a delicious, welcoming meal!)
(1)Helen J.
I understand that choices are somewhat limited in the area for an upscale modern type of restaurant but that's no excuse for the abysmal service we received while dining there. We waited for our "reserved" table then another 20+ minutes to get a waitress to our table and even longer to get an initial glass of water... Even when it emptied out and we were still there waiting for our check, it took forever to get someone by our table so we could pay and leave. The food was decent but not amazing as I had expected it would be from some other reviews. The vegetarian option was polenta with tomato sauce and roasted red peppers over it for $16...that's like one of my weekday easy standby meals at home. The combination of terrible service with high prices ($143 plus tip for 3 people) is enough of a reason for me to not go back.
(2)John B.
Yelp helped us find this gem. We arrived at night, so we didn't get to appreciate what appears to be an industrial neighborhood, however, the interior is a nicely designed modern/loft-like space. C had spaetzle; I had a chicken breast . . . both were excellent. We enjoyed a house special martini and shared creme brulee for desert. The atmosphere was nice. We arrived at 9:30 to discover that the kitchen was closing. Fortunately the host prevailed on the kitchen to serve us. Whew! The waitress was efficient, however, it was clear that she wanted to rush us out. Didn't appreciate that, but everything else was great. We learned that VT has some law that requires last call to be 10:30pm. Crazy. We were really surprised to find a restaurant like this to be closing so early on a Saturday night . . . a big change from our home town, Chicago. We were fortunate to be seated along the windows and benfited from the romantic candles, but the other tables didn't have candles, which would really improve the atmosphere. The music system, such as it is, was bad. All you can hear is the percussion; not the actual music. But before buying a new sound system, the room needs to be augmented with acoustical attenuation. It was noisy because all the surfaces are hard. Nevertheless, we would come back if we lived around here.
(4)Karyn W.
I travel for work and this is one of my favorite places in New England. The soups are spectacular and the specials are always good. The roasted chicken breast with green bean-feta-toasted sesame salad and basil emulsion was crazy good!!!!! Never been disappointed here.
(5)Michael S.
There weren't many good looking restaurants in the area when we were visiting, so I google mapped some restaurants in the area and we ended up here. There is a funky smell in the restaurant...kind of like a smell of the railyard next to the restaurant...kind of like grill scents...it was weird. You get used to it pretty quickly though. Our food was really good! We had soup, salad, a flatbread, and mussels. Everything was delicious, however the salad was underdressed for my taste. We also had desserts, a pistachio trio and a selection of sorbets...both were really good! If we're ever in the area again, we'll be back.
(4)Aaron S.
Elixir is certainly one of the better places to eat in the Upper Valley. Definitely the best in Lebanon/West Leb/White River Junction. The cocktails are superb and the truffle fries are amazing. The only thing that keeps me from giving Elixir five stars is that the menu is excellent, but leaves me wanting just a bit more variety. Especially need a few more vegetarian entrees. Overall, excellent atmosphere and the items they do serve are sublime.
(4)Lexi R.
The food is awesome! The only complaint is that they need to put some soft furnishings on the walls to absorb some of the noise. We ate there at 7pm - and it looked like the golfing population were all there. As it got a little later, it quieted down to where we could carry on a conversation. I did feel like we were being rushed, she kept asking if we were ready to order. They did give me a free dessert for my birthday- Creme Brulee that was to die for! I would eat there again, just later in the evening. It's in an old train depot which had a neat ambiance.
(4)Kristi H.
This place is a hidden gem; I love the cozy atmosphere (small, dark, brick) and the staff is very friendly. The food is the best in the area, in my opinion, espcially for the price!? I got the pear salad and the scallops - they are happy to interchange the accompaniments, which I did. The truffle fries with the roasted shallot aioli are like crack. My daughter got the crispy tiger shrimp with an asian vegetable slaw and we devoured that. The pear martini was also delicious - I don' t think you can go wrong here though!
(5)Eliot W.
Skip, Jane and a seasoned team have a welcoming environment with food that says "come back". Everything was delicious. Can't wait to try more items. Def check out Elixer.
(5)Patrick E.
Excellent waitstaff, tasty drinks, busy on a Tuesday night. We felt underdressed for about a minute. Did i mention the staff? The atmosphere is great. Owner approached our table at the end of our meal to ensure that we enjoyed the evening. We did! Signage isn't great.
(4)Gary J.
Nice place, friendly staff, GREAT bar service (Keith)! I thought the food was decent, but I'm a foodie and tough critic. The staff seems to be very involved and welcoming. I like that in a restaurant. Also had a nice atmosphere. Definitely worth a try if you're traveling through or here for a weekend.
(4)Holly E.
We thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Elixir this weekend. We were warmly greeted at the door by the owner, seated immediately and enjoyed a knowledgeable, professional and friendly waiter who made sure every aspect of our meal was perfect. We shared the mussels with a curry sauce - amazing and wonderful salads. We both had the cocoa-dusted petits filet mignons which were tender and delicious. Dessert was an espresso-flavored mousse with chocolate crisps and Grand Mariner sauce. EVERYTHING was so good, beautiful presented, with delicate flavors and seasonings. Because we were visiting on the Saturday before Halloween, there was a fun crowd of people in costume in the bar and restaurant and everyone, from the wait staff, to the owner, to the chef were friendly and welcoming. If you are nearby and want a great dining experience, don't miss it.
(5)Doc G.
excellent food! the mussels were wonderful, the crab salad special was petite but sublime, the scallops were great..... waitress was a bit of a "talk-throug-the-customer" type, but very attentive, prompt, and sensitive to our time-frame (we were headed to a show afterward). the view from the window, of course, is less than inspiring, but the interior space is beautiful. a great experience and highly recommended.
(5)Heather C.
Well I went and tried Elixers and was very disappointed. I order the Filet mignon for $21 it had a nice taste but not worth $21. The menu is limited to what they offer. Than I tried the yin-yang for dessert took one bite and couldn't get rid of the awful taste. The waitress asked if I wanted to take it home and and I told her she could throw it away. It is one one of the worse tasting desserts I have ever tasted. The other desserts didn't even sound good. This is one place I will not go to again or send anyone to. I'm a pastry chef by trade so I know good desserts when I taste one.
(2)Melissa H.
Happily surprised I was upon finding Elixir by a chance turnaround in a nearby parking lot. After trying just about nearly every restaurant in the area, here I found an environment and menu that encouraged me to return many times over. Everything, really everything served has been perfect. I'll especially miss the asparagus fennel soup with wafers of toasted parmesan; the mussels warmly accompanied by a coconut red curry; and the sea scallops....a decadent splurge.... Excellent wine list, including dessert wines. It's the kind of place where people who have just met will pitch in to share a bottle and make new friends, if only briefly.
(5)Magnum P.
First rate food and hospitality. Incredible value menu. Filet mignon for $21 are you kidding me? Get the flatbread and tomato eggplant bisque too. Make a reservation early.
(5)Jillian R.
OH HOLY YUMMY! I've failed at writing a timely review of Elixir (sorry) but in the month or two it had taken me, I haven't stopped raving. Their french fries are the absolute cutest things I have seen. They are like 5x the size and 100x the deliciousness of potato sticks. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a very personable, conscientious bartender. I ordered a martini (duh, it's a MARTINI BAR). I found it to be quite tart, the bartender fixed it right away and it was awesome! I would definitely go back here again, it's great for dates. I found the dining room romantic and chill. Another reason WRJ is where it's at!
(5)Jay T.
An unexpected surprise. You would never guess what delights are in store by looking at the building/area. Service great, food great, and atmosphere great. Gazpacho was excellent, caeser salad good. Filet cooked to perfection. Scallops flavorful. Only regret is we don't live close by otherwise this would be a regular stop.
(4)Chris D.
So when it comes to a place to grab a drink in white river junction, I will almost always choose CJ's at Than Wheelers, because of the price, familiarity and environment. However, if i'm ever in the mood to class it up, you can't hate on Elixer. The drinks seem to be a bit smaller, and a bit pricier than Than's but if i'm here it's either for the food or the environment. It's a pretty classy joint that doesn't feel like it belongs in the area, but we're glad it's there. Food is always amazing, and they have some pretty unique options as well.
(4)D C.
When I walked into Elixir I thought the interior was attractively done and probably one of the nicest restaurants in town. The hostess who greeted me was very friendly, I was alone so I declined her offer of a table and headed to the bar. The bartender quickly came over with menus and to get a drink order. They have a good selection of wine by the glass. The prices for wine are very reasonable too. The bartender was informative and friendly. For dinner I order the petit filets. My meal was delicious and cooked to the temp I ordered. I even had dessert, the Yin Yang. Like a big fluffy Reese's. It was great. I'm glad I found Elixir and will return the next time I'm in town.
(5)Dale S.
Alright, we decided to give this place one more shot since we heard so many good things from others, thinking maybe our last experience was just a fluke. The host was much friendlier this time. We were seated immediately and the waitress was quick to take our drink and dinner orders. However once we got our food, we felt completely neglected. Our waitress was nowhere to be seen. We had to go out of our way to ask for another drink (any decent waitstaff will see your empty glass and immediately ask if you'd like another). We planned on staying for dessert, but after waiting around for 15 minutes to get our empty plates cleared we decided to just to leave. The only reason I awarded 2 stars this time, and not another 1-star, is because the food was excellent. Can Elixir just start doing take-out so we don't have to put up with their poor service?
(2)Brenda C.
Amazing food, nice drinks, good bar company. The other reviewers griping about waiting when there are empty tables need to wrap their minds around the concept of reservations. Duh. Five huge stars. Best meal I've ever had in Vermont, and that includes my mom's Thanksgivings.
(5)Sarah F.
Ate there while on a business trip on 6/19. Good food, good service. A little pricey.
(4)Sutton C.
I really like this place, I like to go here after the theatre let's out because they serve food until 10:30. The cocktails are delicious, try the Captains Mermaid, and the food is extremely tasty. I love the bacon wrapped figs stuffed with goat cheese, the truffle fries, and the short ribs with sweet potato puree. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, I have been with large groups and they are great! I would suggest this place to anyone in the area!
(5)Noah P.
Was told there was an hour wait with empty tables
(2)Adam C.
Great restaurant in White River Junction, VT. Haven't been here during the winter yet, but I imagine it is super cozy. They have re-used most of the existing structure including plenty of wood at the bar and the original windows. It has a warm feel to it, although it can be a bit loud at times. Cocktails, apps and entrees are great. When we don't feel like being Dartmouth-ized we love Elixir and am already looking forward to our next visit.
(4)Jonathan D.
Remarkablly fresh and local food at a great establishment! Menu is seasonal and everything is well prepared and delicious. Great service!
(5)Aaron E.
This is a terrific restaurant. Great atmosphere, great food. The chicken medallions are excellent - have ordered them multiple times - as are the scallops and the shrimp risotto. The bar is an especially nice place to sit and have a drink and dinner. It's big and wide and and attractively restored. (The bartender's a pretty friendly guy too.) And if you like a gin martini, they do them up well. I get the house gin - Gordon's - which they work wonders with. And did I mention the apple-chocolate bread pudding? Yum.
(5)Bridget T.
Don't go here if you're starving as the portions are very small (on purpose). The menu offers a cool, "big-city" selection not offered at any other place I've been to in the Upper Valley (so not your traditional "burger and fry" joint). I went with a group of friend before heading down to Briggs Opera House for a play, so it was perfect for that. We all got two martinis a piece (they are $10 a pop, so come prepared). But even the martini menu is ecclectic ("The Cooler" rocks!). Overall, probably not a place I could afford to go to on a weekly basis, but I'd go back when I was planning a night at the theater.
(4)Ruby G.
Absolutely loved everything about this place! The service, the location (right next to Tupelo Music Hall), the food, the wine list, the decor. We didn't have reservations and the hostess went above and beyond to seat us and it was really busy with the crowd from one show letting out and the crowd for the show we were going to go to all filtering in. Our waitress was great, she was knowledgeable about the ingredients in each dish, she was attentive, and so nice. We started out with the Warm Artichoke-Olive Gratin and it was soooo good. The crostini that came with the gratin was perfect and we all know how wrong these can be when they're chewy and not crunchy....these were literally PERFECT and rubbed with a little garlic as a bonus. I had the Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, with winter vegetable ribbons, sautéed greens, in lemon beurre blanc. The scallops were cooked PERFECTLY also, the vegetable ribbons were so unique and delicious and the baked ribbons of parsnips on top made the dish! The hubby had the special, which was Salmon and I wasn't paying too much attention to his meal because I was devouring mine, but I think he had mashed potatoes. He said that he enjoyed it, but he tends to like his Salmon on the "under" side, which was not really a complaint, just a preference. They were also really conscious of the fact that we didn't have much time to eat before the show and brought out our food really quickly and the check as well. I really have nothing bad to say about this place. If you're in the White River Junction area, check it out, you'll be happy you did!
(4)Josephina A.
Great service and classy food.
(5)thomas c.
Went there for dinner the other night. Great place to take a date. The best part of the place is that they had a live jazz band. The drummer was so fun to watch. It was like watching your grandfather getting down. Not too loud, could still chat with my date. The food was pretty good. Basically tapas. We had the olives, which need a little more variety. Next we had the lobster mac and cheese and the scallops with a cream sauce, both were rather good. We were still hungry so we had the jerk pork, which happened to be the best item that we had. Would go back. best place for a date so far.
(4)Karen M.
We ate at Elixir whilst in town for the weekend, having chosen it on the basis of other reviews. We were not disappointed. The food was very delicious and beautifully presented. Our waitress (Nemesis ..... not a name to forget) was very sweet and attentive. The atmosphere was buzzing but not noisy, and wine was $5 a glass. It all made for a perfect evening.
(5)Christopher M.
Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. This, and the Tip Top, are the two hippest restaurants in the Upper Valley, with inventive menus to back them up. Good for White River Junction!
(5)Paul W.
Stayed in White River Junction for the night. Looked at the reviews and selected the Elixir. Small menu but seemed appealing. Crowded at 6:00 on a Friday night. Sat at the bar to have a drink. Atmosphere is very nice. A little loud, but it was crowded. We were seated at a good table in about 15 minutes. Service was very good. The food was excellent. Wine list is extensive. Local beers on tap. Full bar and Martini list in the menu. Much better than I expected. Presentation was excellent. Price was reasonable considering the quality (compared with Burlington, VT, Portland, ME or Portsmouth, NH). Potion size was reasonable as well. Highly recommended.
(4)K M.
Good food, great atmosphere, great live music. A bit overpriced and the menu is limited. But in the Upper Valley, our choices are limited, so I am definitely a fan.
(4)Michael C.
My wife and I went after swim meet for our daughter. Nice atmosphere and the owner greeted us upon arrival. Didn't care for the TV behind the bar but it was removed enough to not notice. My daughter had mussels in curry sauce and truffeled fries. Curry sauce had good heat but smooth enough for an 11 year olds taste. Fries and aioli sauce were good but not worth the price. I had the braised short rib in wine sauce with potato bed and greens. The meat was very tender and the combination of potato, greens and wine reduction was worth the money. My wife had mushroom risotto with a stuffed fig app. The figs were wrapped in bacon with a balsamic reduction. The cheese could have been more prevelent and bacon a little crispier, but presentation was good. The risotto was nice and creamy and accented the mushrooms well. Glad we came instead of resorting to the chain food that plagues that area.
(4)Kate R.
Boyfriend says the bouillabaisse is the best he's ever had. Good place when you're in the mood for martinis.
(4)John F.
My wife and I stopped in on a stormy Wednesday evening in early July, without a reservation, and had a wonderful dinner with excellent service. My started with a very tasty appetizer of carpaccio with capers. My wife chose her entree of trout with pattypan squash from a daily specials card, and I selected chicken thighs with a smoky paprika and cilantro sauce. This was seriously good food at a reasonable price. If we pass this way again, we'll be sure to stop here again.
(4)Raquel C.
Elixir is a great restaurant. The atmosphere is fun and hip! I LOVE the truffle fries. I have never had better french fries in my whole life. The entrees were great too, although the buerre blanc sauce was a bit heavy for my taste!
(4)Greg G.
Really, really great meal. Not sure what this place is doing in the middle of nowhere, but glad we found it. We started with the fries, which were awesome, and the pork belly. I'm used to braised Japanese-style pork belly, so this was a very interesting change, and equally delicious. For a main, my fiancee got the scallops. Scallops - in the middle of Vermont? Sounds weird, but they were perfectly prepared. I ordered the chicken, which was also very well prepared. The place was packed when we got there, and stayed full throughout the night. Next time we're in town, we'll definitely be back.
(5)Denisha B.
We've had dinner here three times and felt service as well as quality was consistent. I ordered the filet mignon which was good but not the best I've had. The creme brulee was great...it was my first time trying it in life so I could be the wrong person to ask. Design of the restaurant is weird. There's essentially no foyer or waiting area for customers when they walk in. If you are a group, you'll feel like you're standing on top of those sitting at the bar which made me uncomfortable. Why the bar is so close to the door, I have no idea. However, management has always been great and service has been fantastic so I'm pleased to continue giving Elixir my hard-earned dollars.
(4)Lorelei Y.
I was here for a friend's first-ever appetizer service back in the winter, and was very impressed by this restaurant's gastropub-y approach to food. Service is excellent here, and our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu. I feel like Elixir is really doing some cool stuff with ingredients, flavors and textures that you don't see very often in rural New Hampshire, which is great to see. I would definitely make another trip back here. Unlike most restaurants in the Upper Valley, where you get a really laid-back vibe, Elixir is obviously making a conscious effort to class it up a bit -- which is a welcome change.
(5)Keith E.
Great food in a urban-like atmosphere in downtown White River Junction.
(5)Taylor W.
This was my first time at Elixir, and I was blown away not only by the food, but by the personal touch the owner puts on making an appearance. He greeted me at the door (after several waitresses had walked past me), and was extremely gracious and welcoming. I ordered the petite filets, which were fantastic, but I didn't touch much of the mashed potatoes as I'm trying to stay away from starches. Skip came back to my table because he noticed I had left the potatoes, and wanted to see if I had not liked my meal. I assured him I had loved my steak, and was touched that he came over himself to ask about the meal. I will make sure to visit elixir again.
(4)Kasey L.
My husband and I were looking for a dinner date spot and landed on Elixir. He is from the Upper Valley and had heard good things, but we'd never been. We easily made a reservation online for a Saturday night! Overall, our experience was very good, though at times things were a little...off? Our food was delicious. We enjoyed the yummy bread and herbed dipping sauce at the beginning, but we both found it odd that the waitress served us one small piece each out of a communal basket. We split the filet mignon (which was perfectly cooked and came with green beans, potatoes, and an amazing sauce that left me trying my best to clean the plate) and Statler chicken (good enough but I probably wouldn't order it again, served with Brussels sprouts and au gratin potatoes). The portions were perfect--large enough that we felt full, but not so big that we had leftovers. We split a creme brûlée for dessert, which was huge (maybe the size of my husband's palm) and so yummy. It wasn't accompanied by any fresh fruit, which I thought might be a nice touch since it looked sort of plain on the plate. The service felt a little hit or miss. We waited quite awhile to even be greeted when we arrived even though we were on time for our reservation. The table service was a little on the slow side and not particularly personal. The price for all of that food plus a tip turned out to be around $60, which I found very reasonable. I would recommend Elixir to others looking for a nice night out!
(4)Katie L.
Food is pretty good but service is really slow (even when the place isn't that busy). we didn't receive water/utensils until we had been seated for 10 min. not in a very nice area. wouldn't recommend unless you have at least 75 min for a meal...
(3)K.C. O.
We love Elixir! It is so fefreshing to have such quality food available in the upper valley in the sea of horrible burger fare. It is fresh, delicious, (can be) healthy, and the portions are perfect size for someone who doesn't need an entire bucket of chow to tide them over. So everytime I have been, I've gotten the wine that's on special, never a bad choice! I have had the salmon, filet mignon, mussels, and several appetizer plates, all have been impeccable. Great plating, delicious flavors, you can just tell that thought and care goes into each dish. The owners are also the hosts, and are kind. The service here is okay, I've never been blown out of the water. I am also profiled normally in restaurants that I don't frequent all the time because I am young and not visibly wealthy, which most places feel they have no time for. (I get that)
(5)Beata R.
Outstanding experience. We were at the freight house and went into elixir between sets. We were celebrating our anniversary and told the others at the bar and encouraged our bartender to join us in a glass of champagne. I love the bar space and always love the bartenders. When we went to close out Jane - Our bartender - (I think that was her name ) shared that the drinks were on is - bought us our drinks for her anniversary I was incredibly touched. Very special. A memory for the books I will be back Beata
(5)Veronica S.
This is one of the few places in the upper valley that offers chicken liver mousse/pate. They also have a great cocktail list and food is consistently well seasoned and delicious.
(5)Doc S.
This is a great place though a bit hard to find. The pork was excellent, nearly melting at the touch of the fork. The combination of spices with the grilled tomato and yellow beans balanced the marvelously. Service was very attentive and courteous. I am adding Elixir to my list when in this area of Vermont.
(5)H p.
Fantastic. Just went here for the first time recently, and was happily surprised at how much I liked it. The menu is relatively small and simple. The food itself was very very good. I'd call it honest food, if that make sense. Ingredients seemed fresh, preparation was flawless. Attractive and unpretentious presentation. Modest portions (no supersizes and no fillers). Our party of five chose beef entrees (tenderloins and short ribs), and everybody was happy with their meal. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including the chicken liver mousse (delicious and much lighter in taste and texture than you'd expect) and the truffled fries (moderately light and crunchy). Our companions' salads looked fresh and appetizing, though I didn't taste them. We shared a bottle of one of the house "special" wines which was perfectly drinkable and a bargain. Service was competent and professional - unassuming, unpretentious, with no fawning or BS. Prices were reasonable, and a bargain compared to Hanover and Norwich restaurants. The space itself is big and airy. Like the food, the restaurant itself is attractive but unpretentious. It felt neither casual nor formal to me. Maybe "dressy casual", a description I've never understood. Chairs were a bit hard on the tush, but IIRC most tables also had upholstered benches which looked comfortable. The only fault I could find was with access to the restaurant itself. There are about 5 fairly steep and difficult stairs to the front entrance, and no ramp or level access. The elder members of our party had to really struggle up the stairs (with the help of kindly restaurant staff). There's a ramp, but it only leads into a wet food-prep area which had some kind of "Do Not Enter" sign IIRC. Also, parking can be somewhat remote. This actually will make a difference in how often I return to this restaurant. I hope Elixer will find a way to provide more convenient access for people with mobility limitations.
(5)A G.
Sat at the bar and ended up leaving with new friends, a to do list, and a pleasantly full gut. Sean the bartender recommended a few of his favorites and I went with the truffled chicken liver mouse and then the chicken breast entree. I recommend sharing the mouse as it is very rich.
(4)Erin T.
Great restaurant. I always get the Caesar salad and truffle fries, sometimes the salmon. My husband always gets the filet mignon. The portions are just right, the prices are good for the excellent quality of food!
(5)Ryanne P.
The atmosphere was very nice and the wines were nicely priced (nearly half of the price I would expect, actually). I ordered a Caesar salad and petite filets with glaze that came with some mashed potato and green beans. Maybe the least exotic item on the menu, but very tasty. My only complaint would be that I asked for the steak rare and got it medium. Still too tasty to complain to the staff, though. I also indulged in some of their house made ice cream... The double chocolate mocha. Winner, winner!
(5)Cathy B.
I dined at Elixir recently and was so disappointed. I too, thought that I was in for a fine dining experience. It was my second visit and the first was very good but this time not so much. I ordered the special risotto. The dish was ok but it was not risotto. Risotto is not just arborio r ice stir fried with vegetables or fish or meat. It is a method of cooking the rice that results in a creamy texture. This dish was not that. I prepare risotto at home and know of the labor involved and always wonder how a chef can replicate that dish in a short amount of time. This chef must have just made up a pot of rice and then heated it up with veggies upon request. Perhaps as a side dish, this would have been acceptable, but as a twenty dollar entree, I was not happy. Plus the bread was stale.
(2)Ashley G.
The food was absolutely delicious and the drinks were just as good! The presentation of the food matched its savory taste! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is not into disappointment. Parking is kind of an issue, but once you get passed that snafu you will enjoy yourself at Elixir! Pros: Great food Professional Presentation Great drinks Clean interior Quaint exterior Cons: Parking
(5)Matthew M.
Fresh food with a diverse menu. I had "fiddlehead" for the first time which is it the top portion of a young sprouting fern. I had their homemade ice cream for dessert which was off the hook.
(5)Desiree W.
My meal was delicious!!! The short rib was the best I've ever had. My waitress was so nice and attentive. Had the ice cream sandwich for dessert. Sooooo good!! Two thumbs up! I would definitely return when I am back in the area!
(5)Craig A.
Lovely meal. The Arlini-tini cocktail was delicious. I had the baked fig appetizer with bacon & bleu cheese, which could have used a slight acidic note, but my husband had the chicken liver mousse which was to die for! I had the cocoa dusted filet mignon which was superb and my husband had the short ribs which literally melted in my mouth. For dessert, I had the bananas foster bread pudding, which was fine, but for my taste needed more bananas foster and less bread. My husband had a trio of ice creams / sorbets and liked them, especially the pumpkin and the date almond Amoretto. The service was delightful and helpful and the owner even dropped by to chat. We will certainly come here again.
(5)