Absolutely amazing, everything was perfect. Our first dinner we sat at the chefs table and Chef Nicole was awesome at explaining the dishes and interacting with us. She and Patrick have a seamless kitchen and was very interesting to watch. My husbands filet was perfect and the pork tenderloin was juicy and paired exceptionally well with the sweet potato hash. The next night we had the cheese board, all local VT cheeses and the accompaniments were delicious. The scallops were clean and melted in your mouth like butter. I had the chorizo pasta and the flavor was delicious. Desserts were perfect and the cookie at the end made for a great late night treat. We left very satisfied and was probably some of the best food we've ever had. Thank you for such a great experience! read more

Mediocre at best.. the bread basket was average .. think Panera The yellow tail crudo was doused in so much sauce that it was 100% lost My "local chicken" was a statler breast (my favorite) that 100% was "sandbagged" (kitchen term for pre cooked and held) there was no skin on the statler chicken breast.. when I asked why they said: : it usually does but sometimes when we get it the skin falls off and we can't put it back on" Ok 30 plus dollars for chicken breast? Then don't serve the ones where the skin falls off, have some standards. Otherwise the chicken was dry and the promised adobo sauce was nothing more than a somewhat tasty broth .. no hint of what makes an adoba and adobo And the carnaroli rice with seasonal veg was rather mushy rice with some large dice carrots and 2 small bites of broccolini read more

Foodies beware! We had a bad experience. We made special reservations at the chef's table and were expecting the "interactive experience" advertised and hoped this would be one of the highlights of our week-long vacation. Instead, we were sat at the open kitchen in front of a hot grill right by the end of the counter which had a bunch of kitchen junk and dead flowers. None of the chefs spoke to us, except the short order cook in front of us who we tried to engage with and that couldn't answer any questions we had. It was completely like normal service at any other establishment and unremarkable. If we'd known, we would have just sat at a regular table. The worst part was the open kitchen station we were in front of was very dirty with several flies circling the food prep area. The food we ordered was good, but not quite at the level we were expecting from a culinary resort. Very, very disappointing. read more

Junction - The dirty station we were sitting in front of - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

We drove from MA to stay at the hotel, and enjoy the spa and food. This is the nicer of 2 restaurants at The Essex Hotel and Spa. It bills itself as a destination for foodies. We had a nice table reserved in Junction and expected a nice dinner with good service. Instead we waited a literal hour for a basket of bread we ordered. The butter is delicious with honey whipped in. The breads were good but it's a paid appetizer. That's fine but it took 60 minutes(literally) for the first food to reach our table of 4. IMO the waitress forgot but she claimed it was the kitchens fault. 80 minutes after sitting down we got our meals and during the time our waitress was absent, and ignoring our table to the point where I had to call out to her as she passed right next to me. Waitress came by after the food was served and asked how it is. I said the food is good but it took a really long time. She said "ya well we are really busy everyone is waiting, 'sorry'". With clear sarcasm. They offered to take the $9 bread off the bill and did. But as anyone looking to go to a restaurant like this knows it's not about saving money. It's about a nice experience and meal. This place has lots going for it but the front of house staff is really working at a level well below the kitchen. Maybe they needed someone from the casual restaurant to cover a shift, I'm searching for how they have such a mismatch. Really one of the most disappointing service experiences I've ever had. read more

Although part of a resort, this dining experience was one of the best in the area on our trip. The menu offers numerous choices and styles and each dish was good to great. We began with the Mezze and the Baked Jasper Hill Harbison to share, which based on the portion sizes, could have been our entire meal! We agreed the Harbison was the best dish we had on our entire trip. The cheese was gooey and full of flavor, the nuts were a perfect match, and the bread was hearty and grilled. The Mezze was a collection of 6 items, each tasty but with the same texture/consistency. Also, the preparation and flavor profiles were not what we expected compared to the common items listed: hummus, bab ganouj, muhammara. Overall, this was good but missed on a few flavors that I assume people would expect. Between dishes I enjoyed the house Old Fashioned with local bourbon - a healthy pour with a hint of maple. Our next course was the clam chowder and the arugula salad. The chowder was a thin broth but full of bacon, potato, and whole clams still in the shell. The salad was large, light, and bright, with dried fruit and goat cheese. We decided to share the Tomahawk 32oz steak, which after the huge portions of apps, we were worried we could never finish. The steak was ordered medium rare and came cooked to temp. The sear/grill could have been more, along with the seasoning, so the flavor was somewhat underwhelming. The cut was good with minimum fat or gristle. For the price, this was good but not great - when ordering steak out, it needs to be great and this came up just short. The sides were varied and executed well: fingerling potatoes, roasted carrots, roasted mushrooms, snap peas, and onions. It was a full meal with multiple items to choose from and we finished it! Even though we were stuffed, we ordered the Tomato dessert and sorbet - the tomato was interesting and made sense in theory but we should have just ordered the creme burlee. Overall, if we ever return to the area we would make this a stop for a high-quality dinner in a nice, but not formal, atmosphere. read more

See all

The Grilled Hanger Steak was bland. With it being a culinary resort, I was unimpressed. The corn and potato hash were very flavorful and enjoyable. The chimichurri was good and tasted very fresh. Overall I didn't find this meal worth the price. read more

Junction - Grilled hanger steak - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

Cozy, yet expansive place, and delicious food. Very friendly staff. Lots of great menus options. Good beer selection. Definitely will be back. read more

I had heard great things about this restaurant and had been looking forward to it for weeks. Overall, the experience and food were underwhelming. Service felt on the slower side, even when it was not very busy. Staff was nice, but interactions with both the server and host were at times awkward. Our table ordered the smoked chicken, chef's pasta special, some apps and drinks. The food was fine, but just fine, we weren't blown away. We also tried dessert, which was also "just fine." The espresso creme brulee was probably the highlight of the whole meal. For the higher end pricing, I expected a better experience in regards to both service and food. We paid about $90/person (app, drink, main course, dessert each, plus tip). The ambiance of the restaurant was enjoyable as the kitchen is open to the dining room. They also have very interesting kitchen/food-related decor, making a fun conversation topic. The dining room makes for an intimate experience as there's about 10 tables for dining, plus about 7 or 8 seats for bar top seating. These seats face directly into the open kitchen area, which is a great view to see the chef/cooks at work. Overall, it was an o.k. experience, but I wouldn't return for a meal. read more

Excellent food - local sourcing, perfectly prepared. The open kitchen is wonderful to watch and the chefs are engaging read more

Junction - Iberian pork - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

See all

The stars I'm giving are for the amazing food. Truly the food was delicious. From my experience it is clear the staff has a lot to learn about hospitality. We came down looking for a table about 50 minutes before their website said they close. Waited at the host stand for 5 minutes and no one helped us so we wandered into the restaurant where the server said they were closed (other people were eating, the server she was just standing around) and the chef behind the bar/kitchen area laughed when I asked if they were open and she said "haha we definitely close in 10 minutes, you won't be able to get a table). So finally someone came to the host stand and she said "no, both of these restaurants are closed"... she also couldn't offer any suggestions on where we might be able to find dinner - at a culinary resort LOL - no dinner to be found! So, I was sitting in the lobby on my phone looking for something that was open and a woman came around and asked if I was coming or going so I said going because the restaurant was closed - then she was like "oh no they aren't! We definitely have a table for you! Come on in!" So that was very nice, the woman seemed to be in charge and was great with us. The server came over and I asked one question about the drinks and her response was literally "I mean I guess I could bring over a drink menu"... like... I'm so sorry I asked. The whole time we felt like we were just a nuisance and weren't welcome - such a bummer for a $100 meal right? I hope the management sees this and can help her young team understand more about fine dining and hospitality. read more

See all

The best meal and dining experience that I have ever encountered in Vermont! The chefs were superior. The waitress was 5 star instantly and consistently the most professional and helpful the entire time. If you don't go here, you are missing out on an experience of a lifetime! read more

Junction - Tomahawk steak! - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

We had an excellent dinner to celebrate a birthday, finding the food presentation to be innovative and the taste delicious. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients, including identifying Gluten-free dishes. Charcuterie board, appetizers and main courses were all excellent. Compliments to the chef. read more

We stayed at the Essex Resort & Spa for our anniversary weekend, and made dinner reservations at Junction as it was promoted to be an interactive restaurant. We had called and asked if it would be possible to move our reservation time up by a half hour, which they were unable to accommodate. We understood, but then were surprised when we arrived and there was only one other table of guests seated in the restaurant. I'm assuming they're suffering from staffing shortages, but it was a bit strange. Regardless, the menu had some nice choices, and we landed on the tomahawk for 2. The whole night we were anticipating the interactive aspect of this restaurant experience, but that never happened. It was just a typical dining experience, which they did a great job at, but it was just a small letdown when it was advertised as something different, especially considering this was our anniversary dinner and I wanted to make it special. Maybe it usually is more interactive, but because of COVID it's not? The kitchen was open and you could see the chefs cooking, but unfortunately we weren't seated close enough to really watch them. We were very happy with the food, hence the 4 stars, and I appreciated that there was a Yelp check-in offer available. It was a nice option to have staying at the Essex, but I think if they hadn't marketed it as something more than it was, I would've been happier with my experience. read more

Junction - Tomahawk for 2 - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

See all

It was okay. They had 7 tables right now during covid. Their wine list sucked it was like grocery store wine. They also offered every table bread but not mine. -beef tartare- rating:2/5. It was okay -Apple/fennel salad- rating: 3/5 tasty -duck breast- rating: 5/5 cooked perfectly and loved the berries. If tried a lot of duck breast and this is truly one of the best I've ever tried. -pork chop- rating: 2.5/5 it was just okay read more

See all

Terrific dinner tonight with locally sourced food cooked by culinary chefs. Hanger steak and lobster raviolis were great. Charcuterie duck pastrami and Cabot cheddar were terrific to start and the Black Forest cake for dessert was perfect. Un rushed and leisurely with time between courses. read more

Fine dining in a not-formal, not-stuffy atmosphere. The staff was warm and welcoming. The meal began with a choice of water or sparkling water, which was a nice touch. We opted for sparkling. This was followed by rolls with honey butter, and some interestingly spicy lavosh. We opted to skip appetizers and go straight to entrees. LA and I had the Seared Duck Breast with celeriac purée, black cherry chutney, and snow peas, which honestly we both agreed was probably the best continental (as opposed to Chinese) style duck we've ever had! RL had the Heritage Pork Chop with caramelized sweet potato puree / apple cranberry chutney / cider demi. The bone-in pork chop was really flavorful, and not at all dry, but seriously... go for the duck. Servers were very attentive and pleasant. We had a variety of desserts from the bakery case. Chocolate flourless cake, Tiramisu, a salted caramel bar, a pecan brownie, a coconut macaroon (not macaron), and key lime pie. If you find yourself in the Burlington area at dinner time, you can't go wrong with Junction. read more

If this review were solely based on service, it would be zero stars. My partner and I booked a weekend at the Essex Resort to enjoy the "culinary resort" and relaxing atmosphere. We were seated at our table at approximately 6:35PM, and were not served our entrees until 8:50PM. It was as though our corner table was forgotten about. I understand the concept of spacing courses, however, this was to the extreme. Watching 3 tables come to be seated and served entrees prior to our medium rare duck breast and scallops was ridiculous to say the least. The restaurant could benefit from hiring more attentive and timely wait staff. It is an insult to the chefs, as the flavor profile of the menu was delightful. We ended up taking our two our entrees back to the room. $200 for takeout meals - Gordon Ramsay would eat this place alive. read more

This place is very good. Had a fantastic duck entree, strawberry salad and charcuterie board. Went back night 2 for a 45-day aged NY Strip. Sitting at the Chef's table, which is more of a low top bar, is a great experience. Would have given them 5-star, but my steak, which was $85, was cooked beyond the rare-medium rare that I requested. Felt more MR-M. All in all, an excellent dining experience however. read more

Made reservations via the resy app for Friday dinner. Due to covid the tables were spread 6 feet apart and seemed like they accommodated less guests. We were able to sit earlier than our reservation which was nice. The two girls at check in asked us to sign our names and put down our contact info. After we were seated we were greeted by our server Pamela who was somewhat terse and not as friendly. It felt like we were being rushed to place our order, but when we did it took so long to receive our food. She did check up on us but for a 4 star restaurant I was expecting over the top service which she lacked. We shared the PEI oysters, prosciutto, cheese, apple and fennel salad as starters. The presentation was on point but I was expecting the food to taste amazing. The best dish of the night was the duck breast which was cooked to a perfect medium rare. The seared halibut was a little over cooked and dry over a bed of lentils. We had some cinnamon ice cream and a custard which even the server joked as the perfect dessert when you're full. It was an extremely tiny piece of ice cream next to a small piece of custard and some dots to decorate. The plating was beautiful but it was very underwhelming. I hoped that this restaurant would be the highlight of my trip to Vermont but I was completely let down. read more

See all

Our bar experience after a long ride on our motorcycle was terrible. Mark was the bartender at the Tavern not Junction and he avoided us for close to 20 mins until I saw him start putting glassware away and continued to ignore us! Very disappointed because the Essex experiences we had from all the other staff has been impeccable! read more

See all

From start to finish, we loved our dinner! We sat at the stools overlooking the chefs and it made for a super fun evening. We loved both loved everything-- ordered the NY strip steak and the sous vide chicken. We also polished off a very tasty fall inspired dessert. It was a really great meal, especially since we stumbled across it by accident after booking the hotel last minute. read more

Four stars for food, but the service was offensive, so sadly I cannot give a true four star review. My husband and I often choose not to drink for reasons regarding our health. We have been this way for years. Our experience at Junction was the first time that we were disregarded and treated as "cheap" due to our choice to decline wine service. Each time we ordered food, our server Warren would ask, "And that's to split?" implying that we were too cheap to buy two separate entrees - SO RUDE! We were so shocked we did not say anything while we were there, but we should have. It was asked with the apps, entrees, and dessert. "And you're going to split that right?" We're not cheap, we just have health concerns! And even if we were cheap, don't be an ass, Warren, it's our choice. (PS - We didn't cut into your tip because we're cheap. We cut into your tip because you were astoundingly rude our entire meal.) The rolls were fantastic with the maple butter, the cracker would have been better served with the cheese board in my opinion. The grilled vegetable app was a very pleasant and unique starter as opposed to a salad. The charcuterie board was wonderful, though the bread was burnt. The pork was cooked well, though the duck was a bit over done. The bread pudding would have been better warm, but was still delightful served cold. The chocolate mousse was beautiful, and well paired with the passionfruit! We would love to return, but do not feel welcome back! read more

Food was ok. I had the sous vide chicken with brussels- it was well prepared. My wife had the lamb rack which was mediocre. The service wasn't great likely due in part to it being Christmas Eve and they may have been understaffed. Our server was nice but inattentive and got our bill incorrect twice, likely because she was in the weeds. I'm easy to please but a restaurant touted as one of the top in the area should care as much or more about their service as they do their food. read more

They won't disappoint you. It's a small, quaint atmosphere and really good, fresh eats!!! I have been there for breakfast and lunch many many times. ENJOY! (BTW: the owner never stops smiling!!) read more

Really great Service was excellent. Food was amazing. We had a really great time. I think it really is the best food in Essex Vermont. read more

Limited menu so if you're not up for trying something new, I wouldn't recommend. Price is expensive for what you get, staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Sit at the chef's table so you see what is being made and you can decide that way what to eat. read more

See all

Really enjoyed our dining experience. The wait staff accommodated us even though we did not have a reservation. I suppose we had some luck. The ambiance was terrific. The appetizers were good but I really liked the fritters more than the soup. Both good though. My significant other had the scallops which she enjoyed and I had the excellently prepared rack of lamb. It was juicy and tender, just right. The waitress paired it with a great tasting wine. It can be pricey but it felt just right for those special occasions. I would definitely go back if I'm in Vermont again. The hotel, The Essex, associated is a good place to stay as well. read more

One of the best meals I've ever had, definitely worth the money. Let's start by the atmosphere and service. The restaurant offers the option to sit at the bar overlooking the kitchen, which is were we were seated. That in itself is quite an experience. We got to see how our food was made, and got to chat with the chefs about it. Moreover, the server was very nice and made us feel welcome. The beef wellington is exquisite. This is the most tender meat I've ever had, it literally melts in your mouth. The sides were as remarquable, starting with the incredible mashed potatoes, extremely soft and tasty. The delicious pepper sauce and greens finished this perfect dish. The portion was very generous for such a high quality meal. All in all, I highly recommend visiting this restaurant to anyone staying or visiting the area. read more

What an absolute treat! We made our reservation a couple of weeks in advance as we heard it was popular. The restaurant was busy when we arrived 8pm but not load at all. The ambiance is truly one of it own kind. The ceiling, yes the ceiling is one of the best features I have ever seen in a resturant by far. The waitress we had was awesome, while she straight away admitted she was also on two large tables that night, it didn't stop her from being attentive. I had the lamb chops m/r and they are delicious. My boyfriend had the beef Wellington and I was seriously jealous. While my meal was hands down delicious, his was just something else simply mouth watering. While we couldn't fit dessert in, they gave the best full size cookies with the check! Again showing how they really pay attention to every detail even at the end of the experience.. I can not wait to come again!!! read more

A dozen years ago, my then new husband and I ate our way across Burlington, Vermont with the height of our experience coming at dinner at the Inn at Essex. It was an incredible meal at their training restaurant, called "Amuse" ( I think) at the time. Swinging back through Burlington recently, we decided to revisit the Inn. Whereas Amuse was white linen and sommeliers, the new restaurant (there are now two) called Junction is upscale cozy/rustic....as in you would be at home wearing jeans, but also getting a great meal and impeccable service. A lot has changed in a dozen years, but not the commitment to quality. Our waiter, David, was awesome, making wonderful pairing recs without ever seeming snooty. The decor was perfect for December in Vermont and the food was excellent. My one complaint is that, although the menu is plenty creative within each entree, the variety of selection is limited and pretty typical....steak dish, fish dish, chicken dish, vegetarian option, lamb...not too much else. So while good, it's unlikely to tempt me back for such common things. But of course the menu changes frequently. read more

This place is amazing. The price is hefty which is the only reason I'm deducting a star. I ordered the pan seared duck breast--the best way to have duck. It was great to watch these chefs prepare it. It made my birthday really special and delicious. I wish the portion was bigger because it was truly delicious. Everyone needs to try this place at least once. read more

This restaurant is amazing! If you haven't been just go. The menu is fresh, seasonal and diverse, but not overly large. The ambiance is just what you think of when you want a finer dining experience, but the great part is that drink and food prices a very reasonable. The experience of being near that open of a kitchen with the head chef working right in front of you is a must. It's a great spot for a romantic dinner for couples. Between my DH and I we tried the charcuterie board, we selected our preferred meats and cheeses which were all explained to us when they came out. We had the roasted garlic and fried goat cheese soup, the hand made pasta and cavatelli pasta. Holy shit, yum, yum, yum. party in my mouth all night long. Service great! Not too fast, not too slow. That chef is a god and he made staying at the Essex worth it for my DH and I. read more

I absolutely LOVE The Junction. Me and my boyfriend have now made it a tradition to dine here once a year around Valentine's day. The restaurant itself is cozy with unique decorations on the ceiling and all around. If anything, you truly feel like you're dining at what Vermont has to offer best. One of the reasons why we love this place so much is because of the service. The staff and manager are amazing! They're all so friendly and professional. And the food itself, although pretty pricey, is always satisfying. While it seems a little more on the classy side, it is a part of the resort and therefore the comfort and relaxed vibe also comes in tail with it. Go if you wanna treat yourself, your significant other, your best friend, your parents, or just anyone out :) read more

Junction - Main entrees - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

See all

Great little restaurant and cafe. We went here for a private funeral reception. The staff were all extremely respectful and helpful to both us (the family) and the guests who were in attendance. Some guests were not finished grieving and reconnecting once our booked time was up, and, even though they had another function that was to take place in the room we had booked, they worked with us to find another quiet place where out guests could wrap up peacefully without being disturbed. I really appreciated the little touches-- we never had to worry about the buffet having an empty dish in need of refills, we never needed to think twice about the bar. Everything ran very smoothly, which was very helpful, especially during a function like the one we were having. read more

Great Atmosphere, pricey but well worth it. Watching the chefs work and prepare your food makes for a great experience!

A really fun, and interactive experience. We sat at the chef's table, where the two chef's were not only cooking in front of us, but were extremely friendly and informative. The staff overall were very professional, and friendly. We were guests at the hotel, and had a great time there. We will definitely come back to visit again. read more

Visiting from California and so glad we tried dinner at Junction. Amazing food! Service is very personal but not creepy or annoying. Loved watching the Chefs cook in the open kitchen area. I had the Vegetable Pot Pie. So creamy with a light tasty herbal crust. Lots of fresh veggies and herbs grown in their own garden. When I told our waiter how much I enjoyed it, he sent over the the Chef that prepared it and he shared the recipe. We will definitely return when in Vermont again. read more

Junction - New American Near Me - Essex Junction, Vermont

Had dinner here with my husband last Friday when we were staying at the Essex for a long weekend. Holy. Cow. First off, I loved the atmosphere as soon as we walked in. Small, cozy, whimsically-decorated, not at all pretentious. You have the option of two tasting menus (3 or 6 courses), which are both incredibly reasonably priced. Before ordering, the executive chef visits your table to explain the menu, let you know what's new that evening, and answer any questions you might have. My husband and I did the three-course - all six dishes we ordered were totally delicious, but one from each set was a stand-out. For the appetizers we got the Hudson Valley foie gras and prime deckle steak pairing (husband) and the duck rillette (me). The duck was great, the foie/steak was sublime. For entrees he had the Berkshire pork chop (really really good), and I had the quail. Sheer deliciousness. And then for desserts I got something citrusy which was tasty and tart which I love, and he had the "beer and chocolate" which was so good we haven't stopped talking about it. I also appreciate that their wine list runs the gamut from $30 to $200 a bottle, with plenty of offerings available by the glass. Go eat there as soon as possible. read more

We had a reservation for four. We got their early and they were able to seat us a bit early. The staff was friendly and helpful. We were excited about food being a culinary resort restaurant but it fell a little short. Food was good but I expected a higher quality and a little more excitement for flavors. The steak was good but had little flavor and it was a filet with fatty ends. The Brussel sprouts were burnt. The cheese platter was good but I've had way better in Manchester city VT, I expected the same diversity and quality here which it was lacking. I'm giving Junction a 4 stars not because it was bad, but because I expected more from a culinary resort and restaurant. read more

Food and drinks were great, service was slow. If you are looking for a great high end meal, this is the place to go. But expect to wait for just about everything. Drinks took 10 minutes for my wife's glass of wine, another 10 for my beer. Appetizers and entree came out pretty quick, but we waited 20 minutes after ordering for the dessert. They limit the number of reservations and it seems like they discourage walk-in traffic. We would easily go back, but I can only imagine how long a larger party would take to be served. read more