It's interesting to me that Castlerock probably shares the same kitchen, management and ownership…read moreas Rumble's Kitchen, barely 10 feet away. But the experience is just so much less... efficient.
We came on a day when the mountain was not crowded (a weekday post Christmas and New Year) and were hoping to do a quick in and out to get back to the beautiful, sunny day and good ski conditions. Castlerock had another plan.
I think the staff -- all very friendly young people from Latin and South American countries per their nametags -- were probably spread thin, but it took a very, very long time for anyone to come by and take our order (around 30 minutes) and then a long time (another 40+ minutes) for food to come. We enjoyed it when it did come -- but of course we'd had quite some time to whet our appetites!
C-Rock Grain Bowl (mixed greens, warm quinoa, sweet corn, roasted butternut squash, pickled red onion, peppadew peppers, crumbled feta, toasted sunflower seeds, pesto vinaigrette; $16.50) was a well conceived and substantial salad, but not entirely well executed. I would've enjoyed the bowl just as well without the from-frozen, rubbery corn, with half the amount of dressing -- and if one wishes to nitpick, quinoa that was warm as advertised, rather than stone cold.
The chili ($12.50) was Sugarbush ski mountain standard, the same stuff that's served in the cafeteria, at Rumble, at Mt. Ellen, etc... Our littles enjoyed it as always.
The CRP Smash Burger (6 oz angus patty smashed on the griddle, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion on a toasted potato roll; $21) was similarly standard issue resort-wide -- and also something you could probably pick up at any pub in any city or town in the US. It's predictable. The primary consumer always knows what he's getting and enjoys it.
Turkey club sandwiches (roasted turkey breast, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, black garlic aioli, toasted sourdough bread; $18.50) were quite well stuffed with deli meat and served with the same deliciously low-brow, seasoned fries that are served everywhere on the resort. The primary consumers enjoyed them.
Castlerock Pierogies (Polish potato and cheddar dumplings, caramelized onions, chives, sour cream; $16) are a new addition as of the 2023-24 winter season. They came well pan fried, filled with potato and cheese, topped with browned (not caramelized) onions if one is to nitpick, no chives, and loads of sour cream. I am not a knowledgeable consumer -- we generally get them from street carts in NYC, not from homemade sources -- but we enjoyed this offering.
Food and the standard roster of VT beers: fair to enjoyable. Resort pricing and slow service: not completely intolerable.
