I really wanted to like this place. I really, really did. We don't go out to eat much anymore because there just aren't any places worth spending money on. A few years ago my parents came to visit. Dad, being Dad asked where the best place to eat was around here. He wanted to take us out. We told him "our house", and he laughed. We found a Vermont hotel with a decent menu. And then on the Sunday they were leaving, my spouse made a tourte Milanese. Layers of scrambled eggs, ham, cheese, and some spinach, all wrapped in puff pastry. It's flashy, for sure. But not all that difficult. Italians love food, and something like this proves it. Dad's response: "you weren't kidding." But I digress. And I'm not suggesting the Railroad Tavern do anything like that. It would be so nice to have a local place that served a nice burger, a good stew, maybe chili and a pizza with a decent crust. Some place you could take your mom and dad out to lunch or dinner. A nice beer selection would be a bonus. It would be nice mostly because there isn't a place like that anywhere in the vicinity. Not for miles and miles. Here you walk in and the first thing you see here is a long bar, filled with people, four tables, two occupied, uncomfortable chairs, bad lighting and an ugly wall of tin ceiling sheets. OK...they do call it a "tavern"...so rough it is. But would it kill them to hang a curtain between the bar area and the dining area? Cut the noise bouncing off the tin walls? Every raucous laugh from the bar echoes everywhere. Not pleasant. Rough. The menu is basic. Not to mention basically overpriced. Not rough. Country club prices. A simple burger, a tough steak, fries and two beers should not cost $70+. Certainly not after waiting almost an hour for the food to come out from the kitchen. With no condiments. These people want a bar and the ability to get a burger to go with their beer. The rest of the menu is essentially Italian...something parm with a side of pasta. Let's just say I fear the sauce. Every time I make an attempt to try a new restaurant in the area, I leave wondering if I am the only person who watches Guy Fieri? Or ANYTHING on The Food Channel? I mean, there are clues and road signs out there. You just need to look for them. I leave these places thinking I could spend a couple of days in the kitchen and show them some flavor tricks and, just, you know...help them. Making good food, having a pleasant meal in an enjoyable place isn't rocket science. People in small restaurants in small towns make really good food all over the place. Guy Fieri is making a small fortune putting them on TV for everyone to see. All it takes is decent ingredients, a little imagination. And someone who cares about food. I wish them well. I really do. But it's just sad. I'm not out to trash anyone or any place. I just think in the area we live, rich with award-winning cheeses, world class trout streams, lamb, high quality beef, apple cider that stands up very well by Napa and Sonoma wines, in that kind of agricultural region...I'm not asking for Thomas Keller or anything...but we could do better. Particularly for $70+. read more