VERMONT Magazine Holiday 2022 | Page 68

INN VERMONT : EDSON HILL

INN VERMONT : EDSON HILL

king bed , twin bed , and day bed . Vintage Stowe posters drum up excitement for alpine escapades during the Winter and Holiday season , and the marble floors and double vanity in the bathroom enhance the room ’ s grand and ritzy character .
In the Maple Guest House , the “ Show Love ” room conjures memories of a classic Vermont ski lodge or private cabin . An antique sled hangs from its dark wooden walls near the king bed , and its large soaking tub is ideal for warming up after a long day on the slopes . The wood fireplace provides natural warmth for the body and soul , and the Edson Hill staff set up all of their wood fireplaces with wood , kindling , and newspaper before guests check in . In the Hemlock House , the roomy “ So It Goes ” room boasts a chaise longue , spindle king bed , and wood fireplace . The Birch House ’ s “ Stay True ” room has a lovely , white four-poster bed , and an additional daybed overlooks a nearby stream through the window . Cowbells and cowhide rugs pay tribute to Vermont ’ s agricultural past , which is also reflected in the phenomenal farm-to-table cuisine served at the on-site restaurant .
Vermont Casual Fine Dining
Though any night spent at Edson Hill provides a perfect opportunity to make lasting , happy memories , the overall experience is not truly complete without a visit to the Dining Room , which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5PM – 9PM . Their culinary program , overseen by Chef Jerome Picca , is rooted in a modern approach to classic New England fare . The Edson Hill staff describes its take on traditional American food as “ Vermont Casual Fine Dining .” The menu is composed of dishes that incorporate local produce and food products from many Vermont-based farms and food makers , including Naked Acre Farms , Home Front Gardens , and Two Sons Bakery in Hyde Park ; Funj Shroom Co . and Boissoneault Farm in St . Albans ; Vermont Farmstead in Woodstock , Vermont Fresh Pasta in
Proctorsville , Blue Ledge Farm in Middlebury , and Rowdy Cow Ranch in Craftsbury , among others .
Edson Hill ’ s Restaurant Manager , Peter Morris , is grateful to be part of a hospitality team that takes a great amount of pride in its work . “ At the end of the day , we genuinely care about what we ’ re doing here ,” says Morris . “ I ’ ve worked in the service industry for thirty years . During that time , I ’ ve learned that there are two approaches that you can take : One is to look at service as a job where you ’ re only in it to make money . The other is to approach it with true passion for what you do . I try to instill that in our staff , because when customers interact with us , they can usually tell which of those two approaches we are taking . We want people to truly enjoy their time here . That only happens if we feel a deep sense of connection to our work .” Morris is also proud of the partnerships that he and the Edson Hill kitchen team have forged with local food producers . “ We ’ ve been awarded a Gold Barn Award for several years in a row by the Vermont Food Network due to the percentage of local vendors that we use . It feels good to know that we ’ re being recognized for it .”
The interior dining room is romantic and fashionable , with dark wooden tables and a birch branch centerpiece with hanging glass candle holders . During the warmer months , guests can enjoy al fresco dining on their scenic outdoor patio , which directly overlooks the pond , horse pastures , and nearby mountains . Downstairs from the main dining room , an inviting tavern radiates feelings of intimate charm , combining modern Vermont farmhouse-chic sensibilities with prohibition-era speakeasy aesthetics . Leather furniture and exposed wood posts are complemented by scenic and pastoral artworks , which are hung on the wall directly opposite from the dark , wooden bar . Edson Hill ’ s skilled mixologists offer a curated selection of domestic and international wines , as
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