Church & Main
156 Church St,Ste B, Burlington, VT, 05401
Church & Main Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Burlington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Burlington for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
156 Church St,Ste B
Burlington, VT, 05401 - Phone (802) 540-3040
- Website https://churchandmainvt.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual, Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Meeta M.
Great food and our service was also above par!
(5)Dareen S.
Ooooooh! The only thing I do not like about Church and Main is that it is located not in New York...
(5)Rob W.
Have been to c&m three times now. Twice for dinner and once for lunch. While the drink prices seem high, we have had great food both times. Wasn't blown away by lunch, but will try it again. Menu changes, which is nice, I like a surprise instead of the same options every time... If your looking for a real nice dinner in Burlington, I would gladly recommend Church& Main
(4)Joshua H.
Coming from out of town I was looking for something healthy and unique and I found it all at Church and Main. The meals are fresh, creative and the savory strawberry salad is awesome. The wine list is as diverse as it is quality and they have a great combination of local brews (inc switchback) mixed with a number of main stream lagers. Staff were helpful and friendly and food excellent. Rated 5 in my book...
(5)parker m.
We have been here several times since they opened and each time found it completely underwhelming...They took the great burger selection they once had off the dinner menu in what seems like an effort to upsell...so we tried the steak frites and it was so tough it was basically inedible. Also had the $13 Mac & Cheese and figured it would be amazing but it was just bland and cold. It's just really not worth it although some people do seem to like to pay a lot and get a little... Update 10/11; we just went here again recently with a larger party, figured we'd give it another try and again it was terribly disappointing for all of us...I won't go into a long spiel, but who likes to spend hundreds of dollars on mediocre food?!
(1)Jack R.
As a former twice-a-week regular of Smokejacks (the previous establishment in this space), how could I not be excited about the opening of Church & Main? The remodeling of the interior looks amazingly, invited from the street and as you walk by you can just imagine chatting with friends over a great glass of wine. Unfortunately, on my first and last visit to Church & Main, I ended up having the absolute WORST dining experience of my life. I went to Church & Main one quiet evening with two dear friends, both veterans of the Burlington dining scene. From the moment we entered the front door, I had an awful feeling about the place as the hostess ignored us while simply staring off into space and the bartender was too busy giving drinks to the kitchen staff to help us either. Although we eventually got the bartenders attention, the night just went downhill from that point. In my entire life, I have never experienced such awful customer service as I experienced that night. During the time we were being ignored, I had a chance to flip through the menu and couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be very few if any local food sources. Everything seemed to be sourced straight from a large-scale Food Services company. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather spend my time and money at restaurants that care about their customers and local farmers.
(1)Melanie D.
This is the only place besides Ben & Jerry's that we visited twice on our short weekend in Burlington. Granted, based on the reviews of the food, we only came here for post-dinner cocktails. I'm pregnant, so I requested a mocktail, and both nights I received different but equally delicious mocktail options. They were creative, fun, and served in cocktail glasses so I felt like I was drinking with everyone else. I was very appreciative of this detail as not many places care enough to put that much effort into mocktails for us pregnant ladies. My husband tried one of their signature cocktails, which he also really enjoyed, and then had a standard vodka/tonic which he said was one of the best he's ever had because it was made with care. The best part of our experience at Church & Main was simply watching the bartenders do their thing. I don't even know if I'd call them bartenders. Maybe mixologists? They were outstanding in their skills, and something they did that I rarely see is that they took a straw's full of each cocktail from the mixer to taste it and make sure it was good. This focus on quality is absolutely what puts Church & Main above the rest in terms of bar skills. I'd HIGHLY recommend anyone in the Burlington area stop by here for a cocktail, and sit inside at the bar to watch the bartenders put on their "show"!!
(5)Ryan M.
I just found my new favorite place in Burlington. Went for dinner with my girlfriend and we absolutely loved it. The atmosphere in the restaurant was great. The space is small and they don't try to over fill the space with too many tables like a lot of places do. Our server was great, he helped me decide on my main course and picked both of our desserts and he was spot on. The beer options were very limited, but the wine list seemed very long. For a starter we got the surf and turf spring rolls which were great. The Lobster one was incredible and the potato and short rib ones were not bad. For dinner we got the Pan Seared Duck Breast and the Chicken with Waffles. Both of these were incredible. I have only had Duck a few times so not much to compare it to but I would recommend it to anyone. The chicken and waffles was also amazing. The bacon and sage waffle with the chicken and gravy was just perfect together. Then the best part of the night was the dessert. We had the blood orange semifreddo and the chocolate caramel tart. These were both excellent and I would go back just for dessert. I cant wait to go back to church and main. It will be hard to order something different the next time but the entire menu looked so great and our food was so good I would be surprised if anything on the menu was not good.
(5)Pablo B.
Nice to see the old SmokeJacks location finally reopened. The remodel inside is quite nice, if a bit loud. The menu still clearly needs some working out. The bread and flavored olive oil was excellent, if a bit late in getting to us. The waiter made a mistake with our order and also smelled strongly of cigarette smoke which was less than appetizing. The appetizers were quite good -- Scotch eggs that were pretty tasty. The drinks were overpriced and the portions weren't particularly big. My girlfriend had extremely underwhelming fish and chips (the fries were pretty soggy and the coleslaw was bland), but my chicken and waffles were pretty tasty (bacon gravy on top of a wholewheat waffle, with chard under the chicken). Hopefully they work out the kinks soon as it's far too overpriced for what you get right now.
(3)Sharon M.
Bring your appetite and prepare to eat big at Church and Main! The strawberry salad was delicious: crisp, fresh, locally grown, and perfectly dressed. We were a large party, so we shared tastes. I thought the pizza and the macaroni and cheese were uniquely wonderful, and the petit fillet was perfect. The desserts proved to be over-the-top delicious. But it was the small plates, accompanied with appropriate selections from a deep and wide liquor cabinet, that proved to be the best I've ever had. Fabulous!
(5)Keith R.
Went here for lunch because I had a JumpOnIt and wanted to check it out. The lunch menu is ridiculously overpriced - my salad was $11 and wasn't even a meal-sized portion. My wife got the lobster risotto, which was about the only reasonably priced thing on the menu. Even the beers were Boston prices ($5 for a Switchback). The waitress was spacey and not all that attentive. I didn't really mind, but if you're trying to go for the expensive bistro atmosphere you damn well better have good service. The food was good, but I can't say I'll be back - there are better restaurants for a lot less money in Burlington. And if I am looking for a nice meal, there are far better restaurants for that (The Whip in Stowe & Windjammer come to mind). I really don't see this lasting for all that much longer in the competitive Burlington market with so many other options.
(3)Lily B.
I went to Church and Maine for the first time last night with my boyfriend and his parents who were visiting from New York. The experience was fantastic! Delicious and complex dishes, top shelf cocktails, an impressive wine list, and a cozy yet classy atmosphere. I ordered the steak tartar, caesar salad, and free range chicken. The steak tartar, and chicken were cooked to perfection, but the caesar could have used a little work. While the flavor was nice, the texture of the dressing, and the choice of romaine lettuce used could have been better. I had a glass of red (the sienna) with dinner, which was a tasty and smooth choice for the meal, I was impressed. I also ordered an old fashioned appetizer cocktail which was executed perfectly with makers and nicely muddled fruit (a rarity!). This was the closest dining experience I've had that compares to what I am used to in San Francisco since I moved to Burlington. I will definitely be back, and feel confident that I can rely on Church and Main for a fine dining experience whenever I'm in the mood. I was so happy we took the parents here, they loved the meal as well! Thanks Church and Main!
(4)Bradley K.
Okay, I've now eaten at Church and Main a few times this past year. Over the course of those visits I've tried the Steak Frites, Mr. Church's Chicken, Squash Salad, Strawberry Salad, Ceasar Salad, Fried Calamari, Flatbread, Chicken Legs, Chocolate Mousse, Citrus Sorbet, to name a few. I feel that I'm in a position to say that the food is always well-prepared with a bit of craft that's a cut above typical Burlington restaurants, save a select few. Well...this last time I went in and was surprised by something completely new: the cocktails. I was with a date and we sat at the bar b/c we hadn't made reservations and the place was hopping on a Saturday Night . After noting what we were each looking for the bartender recommended that we try a Gin Fizz and an A+ respectively. Spot on. Both were expertly crafted drinks: great flavor, just the right amount of kick. If these were any indication of the rest of the cocktail menu, this could quickly become a favorite. I will continue to come back for dinner. Now I'm going to back for the cocktails too.
(4)Harold M.
Church and Main was a big disappointment. First, we had a reservation for three people. We were inexplicably seated at a table for six, which felt awkward. After asking for another minute to make out drinks decision (we had just been seated) we were left for 10 minutes before our waiter returned. Drinks and first course took about another 10 and 25 minutes to arrive respectively. A $13 glass of wine had a really stingy pour. At one point the waiter knocked one of my forks onto the seat and picked it up off the seat and put it back on my setting without offering a replacement (!). The lasagna was served on an awkward long wooden board that the server oddly jerked onto my wife's setting ramming everything else out of its way as if the bread plate was a bumper car. Lastly, when refilling water glasses he picked up each glass with his fingers by the rim of the glass. Gross. Basically for the price you can do much better in Burlington. Please improve waiter training.
(2)Carrie P.
A friend and I went to lunch at Church & Main on a Saturday for lunch - it was really delicious! The decor is really classy and the place has a nice atmosphere. I had mac and cheese, which was actually orichetti with a delicious gorgonzola cheese sauce. It was very simple, and incredibly delicious! My friend got the Church & Main burger (which came with really tasty fries) - she enjoyed very much. I would definitely recommend this place for lunch - it wasn't super crowded and was just a nice spot for a relaxed and very tasty lunch. I'd like to try dinner there sometime too!
(4)Summer T.
Cuisine & presentation rivals some of the best San Francisco establishments. Add in the incredibly friendly, attentive, knowledgeable service staff, with not even a hint of pretension-- it might just beat some of our best rated. I had the oyster & caviar small plate. The oysters came topped with creme fraiche & a dollop of sturgeon caviar. Perfection- ratios of flavor & taste were completely balanced. Oysters were sweet & ideally sized. I also had the caesar which was the perfect combination of the familiarity of chain restaurant caesar & super high-end, very anchovy-centric caesar salads complete with homemade croutons. The steak tartare was presented as a lovely meat puck with plenty of pickly capers & the other stuff that gets mixed into steak tartare. Grilled bread instead of toasted is always my preference. The shredded potato threads on top were unnecessary. Still delicious. I finished with the chocolate mousse which was heavy on the sweet/light on richness for my taste. The 2 staff people I interacted with were--in addition to being almost painfully petite-- entirely charming, attentive & sweet. (Thanks Alex!)
(4)alison k.
The short review: Got potential but could do better. The long review: Argh I want to give this more than three - really I do - as this could be THE spot to eat in Burlington I reckon. First, the good: Wine list really solid with certain wines being sold both by the ounce and the glass. The menu was also very appealing, certainly in comparison to other Burlington spots. The ambiance was relaxed and bustling and it would be a good place to sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a small plate - with or without a dining companion. Most importantly, some aspects of the food were great - the arancini were lightly fried and not too stodgy, the tuna tacos were super fresh, the lobster risotto was technically well-cooked. The Mahi-mahi main course was possibly the dish that felt like the most 'put together' we had. Finally, we were not rushed and enjoyed a relaxed pace of meal BUT, there are a few major issues that this place needs to overcome before it can really fulfill its potential. Some of these are teething problems, but, as a non-local I was not necessarily to know it was new. Firstly, there was no coat rack. Not that it was a problem on a very warm fall night, but one customer did have a bulky jacket. The space is not that big and it will be very inconvenient in winter with everyone having large coats. Secondly, the bar area next to our table was blocked by a flambé cart and seemed to be a bit of a congregating area for staff. The cart made it awkward for staff to move past, and whilst we didn't actually get our table bumped - it did make for somewhat uncomfortable moments. Related to this issue was the fact that the staff did not yet seem to be fluid in the operation. We had several people waiting on us. As a result I didn't have a napkin, my knife was taken away and i had to ask for a new one, we waited for ages to actually place our order, and have our credit card taken at the end, appetiser plates were not removed, so it was awkward for the server when she brought our mains, our original server forgot to tell us what the specials were, and when we asked she said "so NOW you want to know...?" Erm no, we wanted to know them before, but you didn't tell us..They also don't take reservations for parties of less than 4 people. None of these are really huge issues, but altogether they detract somewhat from the experience the restaurant is purporting to deliver. However, my main gripe is about the food in general. OH steak special was not cooked medium rare, more medium, and in fact, was so inconsistent that the slices of steak seemed to have come from different pieces of meat. The gratin that came with it was quite overpowering in terms of flavor, but it was still lacking in some salt. I would also say that the risotto was under seasoned, and seemed to have vanilla added, however that just added a fake sweetness that should have been delivered by the lobster. The tomato sauce that accompanied the arancini was pretty underwhelming as well, it tasted quite simple, like I could have made it. Fine in a rustic setting, but not when charging 12 ish for it - at odds with the stylised surroundings and menu With small plates in the 10-14 range and mains in the upper 20s I would have expected much more bang for my buck. Many small plates were disproportionally expensive in comparison to the mains. 3 small plates, 2 mains and 2 (albeit 20 bux each ) glasses of wine set us back 140 plus tip This place has so much potential and I have probably been quite harsh in this review as we did have a nice evening, but since it is trying to develop an upmarket reputation, it's only fair that it is judged accordingly. I would definitely go back though to try it again as it has potential to be one of the better upscale places in Burlington.
(3)Jessica C.
Looking at the menu ahead of time, I was already pretty exited about the options at Church & Main. The only disappointment of that dining experience was the lack of a place to wait for a table. They literally left a three foot square for people to stand while they wait for a table, and it's cold outside. But we had reservations and were seated right away in the back corner. The ambiance was romantic, understated and simple. Dimmed track lighting, brick walls and floor to ceiling curtains that sectioned off various sections of the restaurant made me feel cozy right away. The waiter greeted us and took our orders for water (tap is fine with me!) as we perused the menu. The menus were heavy, obviously housing a solid menu. I started out with their "Russian punch". A delightful blend of Ketel One vodka, some sort of berry compote and topped off with bubbles. Kind of like a bellini with good vodka. We just HAD to try the poutine with bacon and bourbon gravy as an appetizer. The only other time I have ever tried poutine was arond 3:30 am on some little sketchy fast food place after stumbling out of a club in Montreal. Even then it was decent. This poutine was absolutely amazing, a true comfort food of sorts. Hand cut fries that were slightly crunchy and hot, but not greasy. Melted bit of cheese curd topped off with the bacon bourbon gravy. Easily one of the best gravies I have ever had. Slightly creamy with just enough but not too much taste of the title ingredients. I would probably go back to Church & Main just for that dish. For my entree, I had the lobster mac & cheese. The waiter had asked if I wanted bacon in it too, but I held off. Good mac & cheese is probably my ultimate comfort food. Lobster mac & cheese could be considered a little bit of heaven for me, if done right. I had not found a lobster mac & cheese that rivaled the decadence and perfection of Our House (one of my favorite places to eat comfort food)....until Church & Main. Slightly sharp cheese perfection with large bits of perfectly cooked lobster claws and tail mixed in brought it right up to my "best mac & cheese" list. I could only finish about half of it. But leftovers are a wonderful thing. Based on that one visit, I would place Church & Main atop the best restaurants in Burlington, at least for contemporary american cuisine.
(5)Amber H.
I just figured out the secret to this place. Go there at lunchtime. The atmosphere is much more relaxed (as opposed to a bit pretentious), and the staff has more time to get things right. Chicken and Waffles is still the favorite, but the pistachio-crusted goat cheese salad was a surprising runner-up. I am still surprised at the youth and inexperience of the wait staff. When hoping for a drink, I looked meaningfully at our 20-ish waiter with a smile, and he simply smiled back, and kept walking. We had a good laugh about it - but you don't really want to have to shout for someone's attention. All in all - a good place, and I think it may - along with its service - mature with time.
(4)Meg M.
I thought this place was great for a nice Saturday night dinner! They worked with me on a gluten allergy, which was great. The calamari was delicious and naturally GF, since it's coated in rice flour and doesn't share a fryer with anything else. I had to get the my meal sans sauce, since it had flour in it, but the roasted chicken and veggies were delicious all on their own. I'll go next time again I'm in town!
(5)Melanie D.
This is the only place besides Ben & Jerry's that we visited twice on our short weekend in Burlington. Granted, based on the reviews of the food, we only came here for post-dinner cocktails. I'm pregnant, so I requested a mocktail, and both nights I received different but equally delicious mocktail options. They were creative, fun, and served in cocktail glasses so I felt like I was drinking with everyone else. I was very appreciative of this detail as not many places care enough to put that much effort into mocktails for us pregnant ladies. My husband tried one of their signature cocktails, which he also really enjoyed, and then had a standard vodka/tonic which he said was one of the best he's ever had because it was made with care. The best part of our experience at Church & Main was simply watching the bartenders do their thing. I don't even know if I'd call them bartenders. Maybe mixologists? They were outstanding in their skills, and something they did that I rarely see is that they took a straw's full of each cocktail from the mixer to taste it and make sure it was good. This focus on quality is absolutely what puts Church & Main above the rest in terms of bar skills. I'd HIGHLY recommend anyone in the Burlington area stop by here for a cocktail, and sit inside at the bar to watch the bartenders put on their "show"!!
(5)Elle T.
Came with my teenage daughter for dinner and we were happy with the experience. It was quiet when we arrived and we were seated quickly. Our server was Derek and he was pleasant, gave us the specials which we both tried. Mine a filet and hers a marscapone filled ravioli with huge chunks of lobster and a great creamy sauce. Yes.... She was in heaven. Filet was great, a little more medium rare than the medium I ordered but it was still very good and I don't like sending food back.... Ever. The ambiance is great, location is great too. The only thing I feel that was lacking was a sense of "attention to detail". It's almost like you feel like you are dining in someone's home but weren't invited. Kind of strange. Maybe it was just the particular time or night we were there but there is definitely a little disconnect between guest and staff. Our server was good and didn't hover but could use skills on what to say. Instead of " are you ready for another glass of wine??" It could go more like "would you be interested in another glass of wine?" Details...... When entrees are $30 + and wine is $10 a glass it is the details that make the difference. The food here is pretty darn great. The service ultimately makes or break the experience. I will come back in the near future and see what's new !
(4)Maya P.
The good: On one hand the cocktail I had was fantastic, and meal I had was one of my favorite of all time. Literally. It was absolutely delicious. The bad: On the other hand my husband didn't like his dinner. For $35 his fish and the sides were bland and boring, and a huge let down. Plus the service was polite but inattentive (we had to flag our waitress down twice: once for another drink and once for the bill). And another bad thing was that the music was playing *SO LOUD* in the dining room we couldn't even have a conversation. It was really unplesant actually. Summary: what was missing here was (1) a feeling of being welcomed and comfortable, and (2) only one of us liked our meal. My husband and I have been out to eat several times since this evening and every time he asks me where I want to go I remember that amazing pasta I had at Church & Main and I want it again so bad, but then I end up picking somewhere else because our visit wasn't good enough for the price.
(2)Gordon R.
Church and Main is a classic Burlington Vermont spot for an afternoon cocktail or a tasty weeknight dinner. My only criticism is that I'm not a fan of the layout - it can get very chaotic on Friday & Saturday. The bartenders are LOVINGLY perfectionist when it comes to the mixed recipes. I've had a spicy drink that made me perspire in December followed by the best mojito ever. I want to say they're above average, but I don't want to call them the best in town either. Definitely "Yay! I'm a fan." Favorite menu items include the Roasted Root Salad (Yams, turnips and beets, and arugula dressed with a honey dijon dressing topped with pomegranate seeds) followed by the Steak Frites (Prime NY strip topped with a blue cheese compound butter, grilled asparagus, puffed potatoes and sweet onion curls). Drinks are at your own risk/delight. I've never been disappointed, then again you know I'm a big-ol lush. Go! And you can make it your first stop if you want to make your way up Church Street on a classy bar-crawl! Or just nest for a while and watch the police work their magic on the college crowd.
(4)Macrina N.
I love going to church & main. The cocktails and drafts are always on fleek, the staff is professional, and we never seem to have a problem getting seated despite the central location. Although there are nights when it's packed, this can be a good place to check for a table if everything else seems full. The food isn't crazy creative, yet never disappoints. Nice bathrooms too.
(4)Jody H.
The mall was busy and most of the restaurants in the area had long wait lists. We thought we would give it a go and we were happy we did. We are a family of four and they altered the menu to suit our children. When three friends joined us the staff managed to move the tables around to accommodate. The food was very nice indeed and so too was the service.
(4)Malory G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. It is a bit pricey- I was a little disappointed to see that I was charged $10 to add two scallops on my salad today- but the food is definitely on par with the price, and I still feel that five stars is appropriate. The calamari is my favorite thing on the menu. The drinks are especially delicious. Definitely my restaurant of choice for special occasions!
(5)Stephanie G.
Three stars for service. We walk in there is no hostess/host. The bartenders don't say hello as we walk into the door which is bizarre given the positioning of the bar as you walk in. After lack of attention, we decide to sit at the bar, no food menus were offered so I had to ask for them. Turns out it's restaurant week--something they told to one of their regulars but failed to mention to us. Just saying. The service could have been better and as a bartender, don't ask me how to make a drink that's not on the menu. We were looking forward to the cocktails, but for the most part were 'ok.' With that said, my food was phenomenal. I tried the steak frites and the pork belly. Bravo to the chef.
(3)Brian M.
Cold winter night. My wife and I have a babysitter. It's my company Christmas party. We're a bit bored at the party. We leave early. Driving home and we think, "we have a sitter, let's take advantage of it!" So, we end up at Church and Main. We sit at the bar and order a martini. But, we wanted something off menu, we wanted a chocolate, espresso martini. The bartender said he could do it. Did he ever! It was the best we ever had. My wife and I talked and sipped our martini to make it a great night. The ambience was romantic. We were comfortable and left with a smile on our face. So, a couple weeks later, during our annual night out to celebrate our first date (different story and yes - the baby sitter came back!), we booked a night at Church and Main. We had excellent, top notch service. And the food was beautifully presented and melt in your mouth good. So, for us, this is a favorite spot for me and my wife. The atmosphere is small and quaint, yet there is still room for a bigger party (I'd call ahead though). The meals are A+. Several wines to choose from along with "wine on tap". For dessert, if you are a chocolate fan, you gotta go with Chocolate Bliss.
(5)Jennifer N.
The cocktail list is the best one in Burlington. The downsides is that the drinks are pricy and small yet I always come back. Favs: the goddess, the geisha, and Beet gimlet!
(4)L W.
Busy and beautiful night on Church St and some friends and I met for late night (8:30) drinks on Thursday, Aug 28. There were 8 of us. We sat outside and ordered beers and some house cocktails. The service was poor--the staff seemed confused about who was serving whom, as though they had been unexpectedly overrun by huge crowds (the patio was about 2/3 full, the bar less than half). The person who seemed to be the host was pretty unfriendly. And the cocktails (we had four different ones between us) seemed to be lacking liquor. To top it off, there was annoying techno-pop music blaring from a speaker. I understand Church St is a festive place on a summer night, but all it did at high volume was make it difficult for us to hear one another. Next time, we'll choose one of the other outdoor spots on Church St.
(1)Lauren D.
So happy we decided to stop into this place on Sunday for a quick drink and a bite to eat. We sat at the bar and the bartender Mike was AWESOME - extremely personable, and fun to talk to. We ended up having $1 oysters and they were delicious, I'm from Boston so I was a bit skeptical to try them but I was quite impressed. We will for sure be back next time we are in Burlington, VT.
(4)Peter Y.
If it wasn't for the terrible hostess and her awful attitude and looks...have you ever heard the term hairy eye ball? We might have enjoyed our evening...server was nice...food was adequate. 1 star.
(1)Storm M.
I came in for a drink a few weeks ago, I was visiting some friends who were in town. I ordered an Old Fashioned, and was rather shocked that an Old Fashioned with Blantons rang up at $21, this isn't Manhattan...but anyway, I ordered another beer and left. A week later checking my back account I had realized that I was charged $450.+ for that transaction. With haste I called my bank and disputed the transaction then went down to the restaurant to inform them and find out what happend. I met with the GM Daniel, who said that one of the bartenders accidentally plugged in the wrong tip, he said he was sorry and that was that. I was offered absolutely nothing for my trouble, this was not just $50, this was a huge chunk of cash. He never took my contact info or even bothered to follow up with me, my bank is still working out this dispute and I still don't have my money. Beware, it seems they have no idea what they are doing.
(1)Mark S.
In short, my overall experience was good, the food was good, the service was good, but, for the price, Church and Main didn't quite deliver. Food - 3.5 stars Cheese plate - not worth the price by any stretch. a small quarter-sized amount of goat cheese, a small wedge of blue cheese, and then a heaping portion of Cabot cheddar straight from your local grocery coupled with a spoonful of raspberry compote. I love cheese, but save your $ Portsmouth scallops - excellent except for peppercorn overload. The entire plate was covered in cracked pepper including a whole peppercorn. Even a die-hard pepper lover would have difficulty with this dish. Also, one of the 4 scallops was about 3/4 raw. If you can't cut a scallop with the side of a fork, it's a problem. Hunter's stew - extremely hearty especially for a cold day. It is a little spicy which was fine with me, but there's no indication based on ingredients/description to expect that. Service - 3 stars Service was odd. Our waitress was friendly and described the specials and brought us our drinks very quickly. We ordered the aforementioned cheese plate and then the hostess turned into a server who brought it to our table with a brief description of the cheeses. After that, our waitress mostly disappeared. While this was preferred to a helicopter waiter, it was difficult to get drinks refreshed and the like. Ambiance - 3 stars I enjoyed the ambiance, but the seating was odd. We were seated at one of a line of tables that run down the middle of the restaurant. As such, the only path for the staff were on the two sides of our table, making it quite congested. Also, the noise level was pretty high to the point that we could have been sitting at the same table as the couple next to us. In the end, it was a decent choice for a special occasion dinner. If you've exhausted Burlington's other similar options and want to try something new, I'd give it a go if you can spare the $
(3)Danielle F.
I have never had someone raise their voice at me while at a restaurant, especially by the waitstaff, until I went to church and main. The service there is terribly slow, and when we asked to split the check the bartender yelled at us! We could not believe it. I got a yelp account for the sole reason of writing this review. Beware of the bearded bartender
(1)Bill O.
Wonderful meal. Great, friendly service. Every course was memorable, well plated and very tasty. A little noisy but not uncomfortably so. Went to a competitor (L'Amante) the next night and it was everything that Church and Main wasn't. The food was bland and forgettable, mediocre service and marginal atmosphere. Given the choice stay clear of L'Amante and choose Church and Main
(4)Gray S.
After honestly stating my experience, I decided to try again for lunch to update my review hoping I could give 5 stars. HERE IS WHY NOT... After my review, the reaction I received was the same manager telling me that they did not want my business and to not return. Fine C&M, you seat a very small number indoors, inside is kind of dark and loud. Come winter, I wish you well with a small stuffy dining area. How will you fill those table when you push all the locals away. Prior to my birthday experience my business was welcome, when you poured me 18yr old expensive scotch for a few rounds.
(1)Michael P.
This was one of the three restaurants we chose for our little adventure to Burlington. We chose Church and Main because of the reviews. While it was a good choice, the place was a ghost town on a Thursday evening. There didn't appear to be any locals visiting the restaurant....that should have been a warning. The outside tables were virtually empty, and the dark interior was not overly inviting. We ordered cocktails. As a bar appetizer, we had the Sunken Meadow Oysters. They had a good flavor (we liked the fresh horseradish served on the side), but they have only one choice for oysters. The wait staff was not sure what oysters were available, looked it up on the computer to find that it was not loaded. Somebody finally asked the kitchen. We had three people to wait on us at the bar...you would have thought somebody would have known what oysters were on the menu. We moved to the main restaurant because we really did NOT like the bartender. He seemed a little stuck on himself and boasted that he "doesn't like making the drinks on the cocktail menu" and makes up his own. He was the downside of the staff. There were no chef specials so everything was from the printed menu. We were seated at our table and our waitress (who failed to introduce herself) promptly asked if we were ready to order. Instead, we asked for a new cocktail and a little time to look over the menu. For an appetizer we tried the Point Judith Calamari. The calamari itself was tasty, however the sweet and sour sauce (house made sweet-chili ginger sauce) at the bottom was a lot like General Tso's chicken sauce. It had a good flavor, but there was so much that the calamari was drowning in it. We really thought it should have been served on the side instead. The Steak Frites was definitely not a "Prime rib eye"...more like a NY strip. Something was substituted and charged as a Prime rib eye. The sides were all pretty good. The temperature was correct and the seasoning was good, but it wasn't fatty like rib eye normally is. We felt cheated. The Portsmouth Scallops were great and had a very flavorful Polenta. It's not a bad place, but nothing we would recommend to our friends. Sadly, we were discussing our dining experience here and were told by many locals that there "are much better places to eat" and were given some really good recommendations.
(2)Andrea N.
Everything I've ordered here is so yum! And I have a gift certificate just burning a hole in my wallet waiting for my next visit to Burlington!
(5)Caroline P.
One of the worst experiences at a restaurant. They were out of 2 of the 3 Chardonnay's; no Brussel sprouts or Calamari that was on the menu. So 4 of the items ordered were not available. And slow service. Not good.
(1)Sheila T.
Outstandingly delicious beet lakte on greens topped with poached egg partnered with a beet-infused gin martini. Holy moly this was great. Bar service is 100% all the time.
(5)Eliot P.
Really good! Heuvos Del Sol is the best. Terrific service. A little slow but understandable because they are mobbed for Sunday brunch. My son had the meat lovers omelet and loved it. My wife was equally pleased with her breakfast burrito. Nice environment, very lively crowd interesting space. I've never had a bad experience at Magnolias.
(4)Marc W.
Went back Saturday night to have dinner before a concert at the Flynn. Service all-around was fantastic. The host was kind and helpful despite over-loaded foyer/ bar and our server was accommodating and attentive. It's a bit of a shame that the host and diners must navigate the often rowdy, loud and jam-packed bar to get to the serenity of their lovely dining room. Church and Main's dining is just as good as ever. The menu items, especially the entrees do look deceivingly ho-hum at the moment, but my wife got the chicken dish and I got the reinvented steak frites and they were both exceptional. Before the entree, we had the Hamon Imberico which was something my wife has wanted to try for a long time. The imported dry ham is aged and nutty and shaved alongside an equally thin sliced and complementary cheese, served with grilled bread. It was great. We also gobbled up the warm and perfect table bread, which by itself at Church and Main is absolutely full of rustic flavor - only amplified by the butter, which I found out from our server is blended on site with creme fraiche! The flavor on the steak frites plate was rich and robust - everything worked so well. Steak was cooked to order (mw) perfectly and had beautifully roasted asparagus and crispy fried onions on top. Arrived to the table with every component of the dish assembled hot and perfectly. The frites were not like the traditional frites, but were good in their own way, thick, potato wedges fried and used as a foundation on the plate - the fry from the onions was enough and if the frites were like those at Leunigs, it would be fry overkill - the dish is smart and well thought out. The steak's peppery seasoning and sauce was delicious and full of flavor. My only complaint about the steak was it could have been trimmed with a bit more care, there was a tough bit of sinew edge at one tip of the otherwise tender and healthy portion. The chicken dish was very good too, I only had one bite off of my wife's plate. This place is such a gem, if you have put off going, you are missing out. While they could add some more excitement to the entree menu, from what I can tell, you can't go wrong with any of the dishes offered. I have yet to be disappointed.
(5)MarieAndLawrence L.
We have never been during regular restaurant hours, but there is absolutely no better place to be on a Saturday night at midnight. The crowd is usually about 22-30ish years old, well dressed and fun. Good music, but more importantly amazing drinks. This atmosphere is what Burlington has been missing.
(5)David A.
This intimate, yet cozy bar is a Burlington gem. The staff are delightful - esp. the studly, dapper bartenders. Speaking of, the gentlemen who work the bar are skilled craftsmen of the highest order! The food is delectable - I particularly enjoy the bar steak and double sliders. I am moving from Burlington in a few months, but I will fondly cherish my times at this bar long after I am gone. In short, the Church & Main experience is nothing less than fabulous!
(5)Sam P.
Great appetizers that included calamari and pork belly. Entrees were well cooked and delicious. I had a burger and a friend had a great steak. The atmosphere is great for catching up with friends. There was also live music which also added to the atmosphere.
(5)Amy K.
Friday night in Downtown Burlington on a warm mid-September day. Tons of people on Church and all the restaurants to outdoor seating were packed. Was it a sign that there was no way to get a seat outside, or inside? I was in the mood to try a new place. The service was very friendly and prompt. I order the White Peach Martini and the Fruitti di Mare. The martini was pretty good, a little sweet but that was expected. The Fruitti di Mare arrived quickly. It was fully loaded with seafood which was nice, but not very much pasta (house-made black tagliatelle) - looked like a nice sized portion, but the shells made up quite a bit of the volume. Flavors were not striking. The seafood was definitely fresh, so you got a nice "taste of the sea," but the tomato based sauce was a bit thin and there was tons of garlic (though I do like garlic). Just seems like the pasta, sauce and seafood were cooked separately and then tossed together. Not sure I would go back again, given all the great choices available in the area.
(3)Joelle H.
Mmm.... while this place is on the pricey side ($230 with tip for 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 5 alcoholic beverages and 3 non alcoholic beverages) - the food is so delicious!! Blue cheese ravioli... pork belly....local cheese plate....sriracha calamari....all prepared perfectly and plated beautifully. For a fancy dinner, I would definitely recommend this place. Beyond tasty and the service was great too.
(4)Steve W.
This place is pretty good and was not crowded at all so we had room to relax & hear each other talk. The calamari is a must-try, its unique & the best I have ever tasted. Our entrees were tasty and a nice portion size, fairly fancy although I expected the beef filet to have more flavor. The prices are similar to Leunigs, C&M have smaller portions. The waitstaff was very pleasant and knowledgeable about both food & drinks. I'd go again but only if someone else was paying.
(3)Shohreh E.
Great profiteroles, wonderful friendly service, just went there after the Flynn. Have had lunch there and that was great to. Beautiful in the evening. Had dinner there on Saturday, very good food, service was good too, everything served very nicely, great presentation. We had the dinning room to ourselves, it was a beautiful day and everyone wants to sit out. The food is a little expensive but the quality justifies it.
(5)Joseph C.
A locovore restaurant at the entrance to the Church Street Marketplace. A good place for an upscale dinner or drinks. A nice selection of wines and well cooked if not spectacular fresh food. Everything was well prepared and the quality was better than some other venues on Church Street it just lacked the OMG or wow factor.
(4)Jason J.
Location: First of all, I love a restaurant named after its location and you can find Church and Main, well, on the corner of Church and Main Streets. There has been a good deal of turnover with establishments at this location but upon my first visit there the other day I hope it stays so I can enjoy other items on the menu. Inside you will find seating at the bar and along the side window. There are tables in the back of the restaurant. Finally, there is outside seating. If the weather is just right, nothing beats sitting outside on Church Street to dine. The staff set up a table for my party by making room for a new space. I felt a little like Henry Hill in Goodfellas, where, snap, a table pops up in a primo spot just because I arrived. Food: For an appy, I had the "Point Judith Calamari," which was dusted with rice flour and bathed in a delicious ginger sweet chili glaze. This was a unique presentation of calamari and one of the best I've had in Vermont (the best, IMHO, is "Fred's Calamari" at Julio's in Montpelier (I don't know who Fred is but I'd love to shake his hand and thank him...I digress...)). For supper I enjoyed one of the specials for the evening: the pan seared trout served with a cold potato/green bean salad. The trout was spectacular. I was making the male equivalent of Sally from When Harry Met Sally sounds while eating the trout and all these theatrics marginalized the cold salad from my palette's radar. Price: An appy, the trout special, and two vodka tonics later I'm in for about $55. While a little on the pricey side the quality and presentation of the food is manifest. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Buck R.
To all foodies out there, go to Church and Main and order the rabbit stew....it is simply amazing...a unique vermont dish that is just awesome!
(5)Barney G.
My wife, daughter, daughter's friend, and I again traveled to the Flynn to see the musical Memphis and had a pre-show dinner at Church and Main. We were late for our reserved time, but the staff was very accommodating and we were seated immediately. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive and our meals were served promptly. The space is intimate and the food was tasty and well-presented. As we were leaving the noise level was headed toward loud and the tables are a little close together, but altogether a very satisfying experience. This was our second visit to C&M and we will be returning, I'm sure.
(4)Caroline L.
The food was great - we had the cheese plate which was surprisingly delicious. New duck appetizer was tender. Service was friendly but inattentive but we were sitting in a corner tucked away. Definitely worth a try.
(4)Jill J.
Disappointing. We have happily eaten here twice before so this was a surprise. Last night's meals were mediocre, at best, and expensive for what they were (chicken). The wine selection was good (even by the glass) and service was good but I think we'll go elsewhere next time.
(3)Colleen H.
We had the hen and every bite was so delicious! Our waiter, Toryn was super accommodating to my request to turn the music down and swap out the potatoes for broccolini and chard. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Bailey Z.
Today was the perfect sunny, but breezy day to have lunch on the patio of Church & Main. Their lunch menu is an abbreviated version of their dinner menu, but it seemed like there were more appetizers than anything else. We started with the steak tartare, which was lacked a bit of flavor. Truffle oil is so overused in kitchens so it was redundant to see that presented in steak tartare now. I also didn't care too much for the texture of the grilled bread. I had the burger for lunch, which was juicy and flavorful. I liked the way the bacon was presented on the burger and that touch of crispness was excellent. But, the fries were over-salted and I ended up passing on most of the portion. The summer strawberry salad was overdressed and I was never a fan of gorgonzola cheese or frisse as a standalone salad. Then again, I also could never bring myself to pay $11 for a salad when it's the same cost as an entree. It was a carefree day to relax and wait for lunch so we weren't in a hurry, but it took ten minutes to get seated when clearly it was a mostly empty restaurant. It took another half hour to get our food. While the burger was good, I wasn't impressed by the other food and don't think I'll be coming back here for another go.
(2)Anik M.
Excellent food, cocktails and service. C&M is an intimate restaurant which is great to go to for dinner or just a cocktail.
(5)Mark A.
I came here for the tree lighting on Church Street. The location was great for this and I was content with getting a bar seat by the window. The restaurant was well appointed and very clean. I started out a citron and seven and an order of the Point Judith Calamari. The calamari was an innovative take on one of the most common appetizers. It was a bit oily and the glaze was a little too sweet for my taste. The citron and seven was a let down as half of my glass was filled with ice. For the main course, I tried the Steak Frites and the Scallops. The Steak Frites came as ordered (medium well). It was tender and very flavorful. The garnishings were also equally well prepared. Unfortunately, my optimism was quickly wiped away with my second dish. The black pepper crusting on the scallops were burnt. It appears that the chef had the heat way too high as the scallops were also raw on the inside. The restaurant was dimly lit so I was not sure if they thought I would not notice the poorly-prepared scallops. It was too bad as the scallops look really nice. I just wish that they were cooked properly. The garnishings that came with the scallops were prepared well though. When the server took my plates, he didn't even ask about the uneaten scallops. Overall, the restaurant atmosphere was great. There is definitely room for improvement with regards to the food and beverage. Consistency is the key so I hope they will address this soon enough.
(2)John K.
After a 20 minutes of being ignored at our table, a waitress finally decided to take our drink order. She was extremely kind and apologetic and did her best to salvage our experience. Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, the food came off as unpolished, albeit well conceived. The "Spanish Influence" appetizer was largely flavorless apart from the ounce of salt that weighed down each bite. The Steak Frites was riddled with gristle and unevenly cooked. Finally, the gnocchi came with a duck ragout that was over-cooked and barely edible. Again - well conceived, poorly executed.
(2)David T.
Yeah, not so good. Crazy Friday night on Church St--students returning to college, so B and I went here as the one place around with a table and less than 2 hour wait. We understood why there were vacancies later. Terrible table next to a wall covered by a heavy fabric curtain. No A/C to speak of, so we sat sweating through the meal. Cheese plate arrives (it says $15 on the menu, but they'll graciously charge you $18, instead). They were generous with the crackers and toast (though they never brought us bread). The crackers were fine, as were the three postage stamp sized pieces of cheese and the mini schmeer of quince paste. Super chintzy. B's entree was OK. I had the "raw bar" which was decent with shrimp and with two very sad little clams and oysters that might have come from the seafood section at Price Chopper. B and I had their specialty cocktails that were a couple of notches better than NiQuil on the rocks. As I read this I realize I'm being a little harsh, and it's true that nothing was *bad* exactly...but the bill at well over $100 for two and the close proximity of some terrific Burlington restaurants make me bitter to have spent my time and money. Perhaps the place is new, but I don't see giving it a second chance. Two stars because the service was competent and I can't give one and a half.
(2)Tom R.
It's like the set of a college student film: heavy black curtains meant to evoke a sense of sophistication, but failing to cover the dorm furniture. There was a literal spotlight shining on our table so that we were required to shield our eyes. Molding has peeled off the wall, and everywhere you turn, the "sophisticated" atmosphere crumbles as quickly as a freshman-year romance. And don't be fooled by the prices--I think the servers must've run up the hill and loaded our plates at the UVM cafeteria. Not inedible, but not worth a dime.
(1)Jerry C.
We met a friend to have dinner at Church and Main while we were visiting in Burlington in early September. After walking up and down Church Street and looking in the shops we were ready for a quiet tasty meal and we were not disappointed. We had a wonderful appetizer of tomatoes and cheese and basil while we enjoyed a nice glass of Cabernet. Then our friend had a delicious looking steak cooked just the way he wanted accompanied by frites. I had the salmon prepared exactly I enjoy and my wife had a delicious gnocchi with a duck ragu. We were all very pleased with our meals and with the pleasant atmosphere that encouraged great conversation.
(5)Dan G.
If your looking for fresh, locally sourced flavors deliciously fused together, Church & Main will always please! Or if you're craving one of their staple dishes, such as their calamari or chicken & waffles, you can always count on them! If you're a wine drinker, great selection very reasonably priced, but for me, enjoying one of their innovative delicious cocktails is a must. I wouldn't trust the negative reviews here.. just saying.. The décor is very chic, service always a pleasure, prices between $$ & $$$ which is what you'd expect and is a great value for what you get, and most importantly, the food is always amazing!
(5)Christopher B.
MAJOR FAIL!!! Ordered a filet cooked medium plus on New Years Eve...served to me nothing short of RARE on first try. Sent it back, was returned nothing short of MEDIUM RARE. Sent it back...ended the night early. Waiter did not seem concerned. They did pay for a round of drinks and offered a free desert but at this point we couldn't wait to get out of there.
(1)Jennifer S.
We had fantastic food here, great service, and a great table on the patio for dinner on a Saturday night. The menu isn't that exciting - Chicken, Steak Frites, etc., but I had a pea risotto that was out of this world, and the salads were delicious and artfully presented too. We had pre-dinner cocktails and they make a great martini, as well. Definitely recommend - a nice change from Leunig's.
(5)Tracey M.
My friends and I stopped in for a drink and some appetizers- we decided to sit at the bar which was our first mistake. The two bearded bartenders were less than spectacular, one was completely inattentive while the other was completely pretentious and dismissive. We decided shortly after sitting down that we wouldn't stay too long. We ordered the special appetizer of Crab rangoon which tasted like a mouthful of garlic and the cartelized onion flatbread- it was unremarkable. The experience was really disappointing as I had heard nice things. I am open to trying again but those bartenders need to work on their customer service skills!
(2)Barney G.
My wife, daughter, daughter's friend, and I again traveled to the Flynn to see the musical Memphis and had a pre-show dinner at Church and Main. We were late for our reserved time, but the staff was very accommodating and we were seated immediately. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive and our meals were served promptly. The space is intimate and the food was tasty and well-presented. As we were leaving the noise level was headed toward loud and the tables are a little close together, but altogether a very satisfying experience. This was our second visit to C&M and we will be returning, I'm sure.
(4)Tracey M.
My friends and I stopped in for a drink and some appetizers- we decided to sit at the bar which was our first mistake. The two bearded bartenders were less than spectacular, one was completely inattentive while the other was completely pretentious and dismissive. We decided shortly after sitting down that we wouldn't stay too long. We ordered the special appetizer of Crab rangoon which tasted like a mouthful of garlic and the cartelized onion flatbread- it was unremarkable. The experience was really disappointing as I had heard nice things. I am open to trying again but those bartenders need to work on their customer service skills!
(2)Caroline L.
The food was great - we had the cheese plate which was surprisingly delicious. New duck appetizer was tender. Service was friendly but inattentive but we were sitting in a corner tucked away. Definitely worth a try.
(4)Caroline P.
One of the worst experiences at a restaurant. They were out of 2 of the 3 Chardonnay's; no Brussel sprouts or Calamari that was on the menu. So 4 of the items ordered were not available. And slow service. Not good.
(1)Sheila T.
Outstandingly delicious beet lakte on greens topped with poached egg partnered with a beet-infused gin martini. Holy moly this was great. Bar service is 100% all the time.
(5)Eliot P.
Really good! Heuvos Del Sol is the best. Terrific service. A little slow but understandable because they are mobbed for Sunday brunch. My son had the meat lovers omelet and loved it. My wife was equally pleased with her breakfast burrito. Nice environment, very lively crowd interesting space. I've never had a bad experience at Magnolias.
(4)Danielle F.
I have never had someone raise their voice at me while at a restaurant, especially by the waitstaff, until I went to church and main. The service there is terribly slow, and when we asked to split the check the bartender yelled at us! We could not believe it. I got a yelp account for the sole reason of writing this review. Beware of the bearded bartender
(1)Steve W.
This place is pretty good and was not crowded at all so we had room to relax & hear each other talk. The calamari is a must-try, its unique & the best I have ever tasted. Our entrees were tasty and a nice portion size, fairly fancy although I expected the beef filet to have more flavor. The prices are similar to Leunigs, C&M have smaller portions. The waitstaff was very pleasant and knowledgeable about both food & drinks. I'd go again but only if someone else was paying.
(3)Melanie D.
This is the only place besides Ben & Jerry's that we visited twice on our short weekend in Burlington. Granted, based on the reviews of the food, we only came here for post-dinner cocktails. I'm pregnant, so I requested a mocktail, and both nights I received different but equally delicious mocktail options. They were creative, fun, and served in cocktail glasses so I felt like I was drinking with everyone else. I was very appreciative of this detail as not many places care enough to put that much effort into mocktails for us pregnant ladies. My husband tried one of their signature cocktails, which he also really enjoyed, and then had a standard vodka/tonic which he said was one of the best he's ever had because it was made with care. The best part of our experience at Church & Main was simply watching the bartenders do their thing. I don't even know if I'd call them bartenders. Maybe mixologists? They were outstanding in their skills, and something they did that I rarely see is that they took a straw's full of each cocktail from the mixer to taste it and make sure it was good. This focus on quality is absolutely what puts Church & Main above the rest in terms of bar skills. I'd HIGHLY recommend anyone in the Burlington area stop by here for a cocktail, and sit inside at the bar to watch the bartenders put on their "show"!!
(5)Elle T.
Came with my teenage daughter for dinner and we were happy with the experience. It was quiet when we arrived and we were seated quickly. Our server was Derek and he was pleasant, gave us the specials which we both tried. Mine a filet and hers a marscapone filled ravioli with huge chunks of lobster and a great creamy sauce. Yes.... She was in heaven. Filet was great, a little more medium rare than the medium I ordered but it was still very good and I don't like sending food back.... Ever. The ambiance is great, location is great too. The only thing I feel that was lacking was a sense of "attention to detail". It's almost like you feel like you are dining in someone's home but weren't invited. Kind of strange. Maybe it was just the particular time or night we were there but there is definitely a little disconnect between guest and staff. Our server was good and didn't hover but could use skills on what to say. Instead of " are you ready for another glass of wine??" It could go more like "would you be interested in another glass of wine?" Details...... When entrees are $30 + and wine is $10 a glass it is the details that make the difference. The food here is pretty darn great. The service ultimately makes or break the experience. I will come back in the near future and see what's new !
(4)Maya P.
The good: On one hand the cocktail I had was fantastic, and meal I had was one of my favorite of all time. Literally. It was absolutely delicious. The bad: On the other hand my husband didn't like his dinner. For $35 his fish and the sides were bland and boring, and a huge let down. Plus the service was polite but inattentive (we had to flag our waitress down twice: once for another drink and once for the bill). And another bad thing was that the music was playing *SO LOUD* in the dining room we couldn't even have a conversation. It was really unplesant actually. Summary: what was missing here was (1) a feeling of being welcomed and comfortable, and (2) only one of us liked our meal. My husband and I have been out to eat several times since this evening and every time he asks me where I want to go I remember that amazing pasta I had at Church & Main and I want it again so bad, but then I end up picking somewhere else because our visit wasn't good enough for the price.
(2)Dan G.
If your looking for fresh, locally sourced flavors deliciously fused together, Church & Main will always please! Or if you're craving one of their staple dishes, such as their calamari or chicken & waffles, you can always count on them! If you're a wine drinker, great selection very reasonably priced, but for me, enjoying one of their innovative delicious cocktails is a must. I wouldn't trust the negative reviews here.. just saying.. The décor is very chic, service always a pleasure, prices between $$ & $$$ which is what you'd expect and is a great value for what you get, and most importantly, the food is always amazing!
(5)Gray S.
After honestly stating my experience, I decided to try again for lunch to update my review hoping I could give 5 stars. HERE IS WHY NOT... After my review, the reaction I received was the same manager telling me that they did not want my business and to not return. Fine C&M, you seat a very small number indoors, inside is kind of dark and loud. Come winter, I wish you well with a small stuffy dining area. How will you fill those table when you push all the locals away. Prior to my birthday experience my business was welcome, when you poured me 18yr old expensive scotch for a few rounds.
(1)Christopher B.
MAJOR FAIL!!! Ordered a filet cooked medium plus on New Years Eve...served to me nothing short of RARE on first try. Sent it back, was returned nothing short of MEDIUM RARE. Sent it back...ended the night early. Waiter did not seem concerned. They did pay for a round of drinks and offered a free desert but at this point we couldn't wait to get out of there.
(1)Shohreh E.
Great profiteroles, wonderful friendly service, just went there after the Flynn. Have had lunch there and that was great to. Beautiful in the evening. Had dinner there on Saturday, very good food, service was good too, everything served very nicely, great presentation. We had the dinning room to ourselves, it was a beautiful day and everyone wants to sit out. The food is a little expensive but the quality justifies it.
(5)Joseph C.
A locovore restaurant at the entrance to the Church Street Marketplace. A good place for an upscale dinner or drinks. A nice selection of wines and well cooked if not spectacular fresh food. Everything was well prepared and the quality was better than some other venues on Church Street it just lacked the OMG or wow factor.
(4)Gordon R.
Church and Main is a classic Burlington Vermont spot for an afternoon cocktail or a tasty weeknight dinner. My only criticism is that I'm not a fan of the layout - it can get very chaotic on Friday & Saturday. The bartenders are LOVINGLY perfectionist when it comes to the mixed recipes. I've had a spicy drink that made me perspire in December followed by the best mojito ever. I want to say they're above average, but I don't want to call them the best in town either. Definitely "Yay! I'm a fan." Favorite menu items include the Roasted Root Salad (Yams, turnips and beets, and arugula dressed with a honey dijon dressing topped with pomegranate seeds) followed by the Steak Frites (Prime NY strip topped with a blue cheese compound butter, grilled asparagus, puffed potatoes and sweet onion curls). Drinks are at your own risk/delight. I've never been disappointed, then again you know I'm a big-ol lush. Go! And you can make it your first stop if you want to make your way up Church Street on a classy bar-crawl! Or just nest for a while and watch the police work their magic on the college crowd.
(4)Macrina N.
I love going to church & main. The cocktails and drafts are always on fleek, the staff is professional, and we never seem to have a problem getting seated despite the central location. Although there are nights when it's packed, this can be a good place to check for a table if everything else seems full. The food isn't crazy creative, yet never disappoints. Nice bathrooms too.
(4)Jody H.
The mall was busy and most of the restaurants in the area had long wait lists. We thought we would give it a go and we were happy we did. We are a family of four and they altered the menu to suit our children. When three friends joined us the staff managed to move the tables around to accommodate. The food was very nice indeed and so too was the service.
(4)Malory G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. It is a bit pricey- I was a little disappointed to see that I was charged $10 to add two scallops on my salad today- but the food is definitely on par with the price, and I still feel that five stars is appropriate. The calamari is my favorite thing on the menu. The drinks are especially delicious. Definitely my restaurant of choice for special occasions!
(5)Stephanie G.
Three stars for service. We walk in there is no hostess/host. The bartenders don't say hello as we walk into the door which is bizarre given the positioning of the bar as you walk in. After lack of attention, we decide to sit at the bar, no food menus were offered so I had to ask for them. Turns out it's restaurant week--something they told to one of their regulars but failed to mention to us. Just saying. The service could have been better and as a bartender, don't ask me how to make a drink that's not on the menu. We were looking forward to the cocktails, but for the most part were 'ok.' With that said, my food was phenomenal. I tried the steak frites and the pork belly. Bravo to the chef.
(3)Brian M.
Cold winter night. My wife and I have a babysitter. It's my company Christmas party. We're a bit bored at the party. We leave early. Driving home and we think, "we have a sitter, let's take advantage of it!" So, we end up at Church and Main. We sit at the bar and order a martini. But, we wanted something off menu, we wanted a chocolate, espresso martini. The bartender said he could do it. Did he ever! It was the best we ever had. My wife and I talked and sipped our martini to make it a great night. The ambience was romantic. We were comfortable and left with a smile on our face. So, a couple weeks later, during our annual night out to celebrate our first date (different story and yes - the baby sitter came back!), we booked a night at Church and Main. We had excellent, top notch service. And the food was beautifully presented and melt in your mouth good. So, for us, this is a favorite spot for me and my wife. The atmosphere is small and quaint, yet there is still room for a bigger party (I'd call ahead though). The meals are A+. Several wines to choose from along with "wine on tap". For dessert, if you are a chocolate fan, you gotta go with Chocolate Bliss.
(5)Jennifer N.
The cocktail list is the best one in Burlington. The downsides is that the drinks are pricy and small yet I always come back. Favs: the goddess, the geisha, and Beet gimlet!
(4)L W.
Busy and beautiful night on Church St and some friends and I met for late night (8:30) drinks on Thursday, Aug 28. There were 8 of us. We sat outside and ordered beers and some house cocktails. The service was poor--the staff seemed confused about who was serving whom, as though they had been unexpectedly overrun by huge crowds (the patio was about 2/3 full, the bar less than half). The person who seemed to be the host was pretty unfriendly. And the cocktails (we had four different ones between us) seemed to be lacking liquor. To top it off, there was annoying techno-pop music blaring from a speaker. I understand Church St is a festive place on a summer night, but all it did at high volume was make it difficult for us to hear one another. Next time, we'll choose one of the other outdoor spots on Church St.
(1)Lauren D.
So happy we decided to stop into this place on Sunday for a quick drink and a bite to eat. We sat at the bar and the bartender Mike was AWESOME - extremely personable, and fun to talk to. We ended up having $1 oysters and they were delicious, I'm from Boston so I was a bit skeptical to try them but I was quite impressed. We will for sure be back next time we are in Burlington, VT.
(4)Peter Y.
If it wasn't for the terrible hostess and her awful attitude and looks...have you ever heard the term hairy eye ball? We might have enjoyed our evening...server was nice...food was adequate. 1 star.
(1)Storm M.
I came in for a drink a few weeks ago, I was visiting some friends who were in town. I ordered an Old Fashioned, and was rather shocked that an Old Fashioned with Blantons rang up at $21, this isn't Manhattan...but anyway, I ordered another beer and left. A week later checking my back account I had realized that I was charged $450.+ for that transaction. With haste I called my bank and disputed the transaction then went down to the restaurant to inform them and find out what happend. I met with the GM Daniel, who said that one of the bartenders accidentally plugged in the wrong tip, he said he was sorry and that was that. I was offered absolutely nothing for my trouble, this was not just $50, this was a huge chunk of cash. He never took my contact info or even bothered to follow up with me, my bank is still working out this dispute and I still don't have my money. Beware, it seems they have no idea what they are doing.
(1)Mark S.
In short, my overall experience was good, the food was good, the service was good, but, for the price, Church and Main didn't quite deliver. Food - 3.5 stars Cheese plate - not worth the price by any stretch. a small quarter-sized amount of goat cheese, a small wedge of blue cheese, and then a heaping portion of Cabot cheddar straight from your local grocery coupled with a spoonful of raspberry compote. I love cheese, but save your $ Portsmouth scallops - excellent except for peppercorn overload. The entire plate was covered in cracked pepper including a whole peppercorn. Even a die-hard pepper lover would have difficulty with this dish. Also, one of the 4 scallops was about 3/4 raw. If you can't cut a scallop with the side of a fork, it's a problem. Hunter's stew - extremely hearty especially for a cold day. It is a little spicy which was fine with me, but there's no indication based on ingredients/description to expect that. Service - 3 stars Service was odd. Our waitress was friendly and described the specials and brought us our drinks very quickly. We ordered the aforementioned cheese plate and then the hostess turned into a server who brought it to our table with a brief description of the cheeses. After that, our waitress mostly disappeared. While this was preferred to a helicopter waiter, it was difficult to get drinks refreshed and the like. Ambiance - 3 stars I enjoyed the ambiance, but the seating was odd. We were seated at one of a line of tables that run down the middle of the restaurant. As such, the only path for the staff were on the two sides of our table, making it quite congested. Also, the noise level was pretty high to the point that we could have been sitting at the same table as the couple next to us. In the end, it was a decent choice for a special occasion dinner. If you've exhausted Burlington's other similar options and want to try something new, I'd give it a go if you can spare the $
(3)Jill J.
Disappointing. We have happily eaten here twice before so this was a surprise. Last night's meals were mediocre, at best, and expensive for what they were (chicken). The wine selection was good (even by the glass) and service was good but I think we'll go elsewhere next time.
(3)Colleen H.
We had the hen and every bite was so delicious! Our waiter, Toryn was super accommodating to my request to turn the music down and swap out the potatoes for broccolini and chard. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Michael P.
This was one of the three restaurants we chose for our little adventure to Burlington. We chose Church and Main because of the reviews. While it was a good choice, the place was a ghost town on a Thursday evening. There didn't appear to be any locals visiting the restaurant....that should have been a warning. The outside tables were virtually empty, and the dark interior was not overly inviting. We ordered cocktails. As a bar appetizer, we had the Sunken Meadow Oysters. They had a good flavor (we liked the fresh horseradish served on the side), but they have only one choice for oysters. The wait staff was not sure what oysters were available, looked it up on the computer to find that it was not loaded. Somebody finally asked the kitchen. We had three people to wait on us at the bar...you would have thought somebody would have known what oysters were on the menu. We moved to the main restaurant because we really did NOT like the bartender. He seemed a little stuck on himself and boasted that he "doesn't like making the drinks on the cocktail menu" and makes up his own. He was the downside of the staff. There were no chef specials so everything was from the printed menu. We were seated at our table and our waitress (who failed to introduce herself) promptly asked if we were ready to order. Instead, we asked for a new cocktail and a little time to look over the menu. For an appetizer we tried the Point Judith Calamari. The calamari itself was tasty, however the sweet and sour sauce (house made sweet-chili ginger sauce) at the bottom was a lot like General Tso's chicken sauce. It had a good flavor, but there was so much that the calamari was drowning in it. We really thought it should have been served on the side instead. The Steak Frites was definitely not a "Prime rib eye"...more like a NY strip. Something was substituted and charged as a Prime rib eye. The sides were all pretty good. The temperature was correct and the seasoning was good, but it wasn't fatty like rib eye normally is. We felt cheated. The Portsmouth Scallops were great and had a very flavorful Polenta. It's not a bad place, but nothing we would recommend to our friends. Sadly, we were discussing our dining experience here and were told by many locals that there "are much better places to eat" and were given some really good recommendations.
(2)Andrea N.
Everything I've ordered here is so yum! And I have a gift certificate just burning a hole in my wallet waiting for my next visit to Burlington!
(5)Bill O.
Wonderful meal. Great, friendly service. Every course was memorable, well plated and very tasty. A little noisy but not uncomfortably so. Went to a competitor (L'Amante) the next night and it was everything that Church and Main wasn't. The food was bland and forgettable, mediocre service and marginal atmosphere. Given the choice stay clear of L'Amante and choose Church and Main
(4)Marc W.
Went back Saturday night to have dinner before a concert at the Flynn. Service all-around was fantastic. The host was kind and helpful despite over-loaded foyer/ bar and our server was accommodating and attentive. It's a bit of a shame that the host and diners must navigate the often rowdy, loud and jam-packed bar to get to the serenity of their lovely dining room. Church and Main's dining is just as good as ever. The menu items, especially the entrees do look deceivingly ho-hum at the moment, but my wife got the chicken dish and I got the reinvented steak frites and they were both exceptional. Before the entree, we had the Hamon Imberico which was something my wife has wanted to try for a long time. The imported dry ham is aged and nutty and shaved alongside an equally thin sliced and complementary cheese, served with grilled bread. It was great. We also gobbled up the warm and perfect table bread, which by itself at Church and Main is absolutely full of rustic flavor - only amplified by the butter, which I found out from our server is blended on site with creme fraiche! The flavor on the steak frites plate was rich and robust - everything worked so well. Steak was cooked to order (mw) perfectly and had beautifully roasted asparagus and crispy fried onions on top. Arrived to the table with every component of the dish assembled hot and perfectly. The frites were not like the traditional frites, but were good in their own way, thick, potato wedges fried and used as a foundation on the plate - the fry from the onions was enough and if the frites were like those at Leunigs, it would be fry overkill - the dish is smart and well thought out. The steak's peppery seasoning and sauce was delicious and full of flavor. My only complaint about the steak was it could have been trimmed with a bit more care, there was a tough bit of sinew edge at one tip of the otherwise tender and healthy portion. The chicken dish was very good too, I only had one bite off of my wife's plate. This place is such a gem, if you have put off going, you are missing out. While they could add some more excitement to the entree menu, from what I can tell, you can't go wrong with any of the dishes offered. I have yet to be disappointed.
(5)MarieAndLawrence L.
We have never been during regular restaurant hours, but there is absolutely no better place to be on a Saturday night at midnight. The crowd is usually about 22-30ish years old, well dressed and fun. Good music, but more importantly amazing drinks. This atmosphere is what Burlington has been missing.
(5)David A.
This intimate, yet cozy bar is a Burlington gem. The staff are delightful - esp. the studly, dapper bartenders. Speaking of, the gentlemen who work the bar are skilled craftsmen of the highest order! The food is delectable - I particularly enjoy the bar steak and double sliders. I am moving from Burlington in a few months, but I will fondly cherish my times at this bar long after I am gone. In short, the Church & Main experience is nothing less than fabulous!
(5)Sam P.
Great appetizers that included calamari and pork belly. Entrees were well cooked and delicious. I had a burger and a friend had a great steak. The atmosphere is great for catching up with friends. There was also live music which also added to the atmosphere.
(5)Amy K.
Friday night in Downtown Burlington on a warm mid-September day. Tons of people on Church and all the restaurants to outdoor seating were packed. Was it a sign that there was no way to get a seat outside, or inside? I was in the mood to try a new place. The service was very friendly and prompt. I order the White Peach Martini and the Fruitti di Mare. The martini was pretty good, a little sweet but that was expected. The Fruitti di Mare arrived quickly. It was fully loaded with seafood which was nice, but not very much pasta (house-made black tagliatelle) - looked like a nice sized portion, but the shells made up quite a bit of the volume. Flavors were not striking. The seafood was definitely fresh, so you got a nice "taste of the sea," but the tomato based sauce was a bit thin and there was tons of garlic (though I do like garlic). Just seems like the pasta, sauce and seafood were cooked separately and then tossed together. Not sure I would go back again, given all the great choices available in the area.
(3)Joelle H.
Mmm.... while this place is on the pricey side ($230 with tip for 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 5 alcoholic beverages and 3 non alcoholic beverages) - the food is so delicious!! Blue cheese ravioli... pork belly....local cheese plate....sriracha calamari....all prepared perfectly and plated beautifully. For a fancy dinner, I would definitely recommend this place. Beyond tasty and the service was great too.
(4)Jason J.
Location: First of all, I love a restaurant named after its location and you can find Church and Main, well, on the corner of Church and Main Streets. There has been a good deal of turnover with establishments at this location but upon my first visit there the other day I hope it stays so I can enjoy other items on the menu. Inside you will find seating at the bar and along the side window. There are tables in the back of the restaurant. Finally, there is outside seating. If the weather is just right, nothing beats sitting outside on Church Street to dine. The staff set up a table for my party by making room for a new space. I felt a little like Henry Hill in Goodfellas, where, snap, a table pops up in a primo spot just because I arrived. Food: For an appy, I had the "Point Judith Calamari," which was dusted with rice flour and bathed in a delicious ginger sweet chili glaze. This was a unique presentation of calamari and one of the best I've had in Vermont (the best, IMHO, is "Fred's Calamari" at Julio's in Montpelier (I don't know who Fred is but I'd love to shake his hand and thank him...I digress...)). For supper I enjoyed one of the specials for the evening: the pan seared trout served with a cold potato/green bean salad. The trout was spectacular. I was making the male equivalent of Sally from When Harry Met Sally sounds while eating the trout and all these theatrics marginalized the cold salad from my palette's radar. Price: An appy, the trout special, and two vodka tonics later I'm in for about $55. While a little on the pricey side the quality and presentation of the food is manifest. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Buck R.
To all foodies out there, go to Church and Main and order the rabbit stew....it is simply amazing...a unique vermont dish that is just awesome!
(5)Meeta M.
Great food and our service was also above par!
(5)Bailey Z.
Today was the perfect sunny, but breezy day to have lunch on the patio of Church & Main. Their lunch menu is an abbreviated version of their dinner menu, but it seemed like there were more appetizers than anything else. We started with the steak tartare, which was lacked a bit of flavor. Truffle oil is so overused in kitchens so it was redundant to see that presented in steak tartare now. I also didn't care too much for the texture of the grilled bread. I had the burger for lunch, which was juicy and flavorful. I liked the way the bacon was presented on the burger and that touch of crispness was excellent. But, the fries were over-salted and I ended up passing on most of the portion. The summer strawberry salad was overdressed and I was never a fan of gorgonzola cheese or frisse as a standalone salad. Then again, I also could never bring myself to pay $11 for a salad when it's the same cost as an entree. It was a carefree day to relax and wait for lunch so we weren't in a hurry, but it took ten minutes to get seated when clearly it was a mostly empty restaurant. It took another half hour to get our food. While the burger was good, I wasn't impressed by the other food and don't think I'll be coming back here for another go.
(2)Anik M.
Excellent food, cocktails and service. C&M is an intimate restaurant which is great to go to for dinner or just a cocktail.
(5)Mark A.
I came here for the tree lighting on Church Street. The location was great for this and I was content with getting a bar seat by the window. The restaurant was well appointed and very clean. I started out a citron and seven and an order of the Point Judith Calamari. The calamari was an innovative take on one of the most common appetizers. It was a bit oily and the glaze was a little too sweet for my taste. The citron and seven was a let down as half of my glass was filled with ice. For the main course, I tried the Steak Frites and the Scallops. The Steak Frites came as ordered (medium well). It was tender and very flavorful. The garnishings were also equally well prepared. Unfortunately, my optimism was quickly wiped away with my second dish. The black pepper crusting on the scallops were burnt. It appears that the chef had the heat way too high as the scallops were also raw on the inside. The restaurant was dimly lit so I was not sure if they thought I would not notice the poorly-prepared scallops. It was too bad as the scallops look really nice. I just wish that they were cooked properly. The garnishings that came with the scallops were prepared well though. When the server took my plates, he didn't even ask about the uneaten scallops. Overall, the restaurant atmosphere was great. There is definitely room for improvement with regards to the food and beverage. Consistency is the key so I hope they will address this soon enough.
(2)John K.
After a 20 minutes of being ignored at our table, a waitress finally decided to take our drink order. She was extremely kind and apologetic and did her best to salvage our experience. Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, the food came off as unpolished, albeit well conceived. The "Spanish Influence" appetizer was largely flavorless apart from the ounce of salt that weighed down each bite. The Steak Frites was riddled with gristle and unevenly cooked. Finally, the gnocchi came with a duck ragout that was over-cooked and barely edible. Again - well conceived, poorly executed.
(2)David T.
Yeah, not so good. Crazy Friday night on Church St--students returning to college, so B and I went here as the one place around with a table and less than 2 hour wait. We understood why there were vacancies later. Terrible table next to a wall covered by a heavy fabric curtain. No A/C to speak of, so we sat sweating through the meal. Cheese plate arrives (it says $15 on the menu, but they'll graciously charge you $18, instead). They were generous with the crackers and toast (though they never brought us bread). The crackers were fine, as were the three postage stamp sized pieces of cheese and the mini schmeer of quince paste. Super chintzy. B's entree was OK. I had the "raw bar" which was decent with shrimp and with two very sad little clams and oysters that might have come from the seafood section at Price Chopper. B and I had their specialty cocktails that were a couple of notches better than NiQuil on the rocks. As I read this I realize I'm being a little harsh, and it's true that nothing was *bad* exactly...but the bill at well over $100 for two and the close proximity of some terrific Burlington restaurants make me bitter to have spent my time and money. Perhaps the place is new, but I don't see giving it a second chance. Two stars because the service was competent and I can't give one and a half.
(2)Tom R.
It's like the set of a college student film: heavy black curtains meant to evoke a sense of sophistication, but failing to cover the dorm furniture. There was a literal spotlight shining on our table so that we were required to shield our eyes. Molding has peeled off the wall, and everywhere you turn, the "sophisticated" atmosphere crumbles as quickly as a freshman-year romance. And don't be fooled by the prices--I think the servers must've run up the hill and loaded our plates at the UVM cafeteria. Not inedible, but not worth a dime.
(1)Jerry C.
We met a friend to have dinner at Church and Main while we were visiting in Burlington in early September. After walking up and down Church Street and looking in the shops we were ready for a quiet tasty meal and we were not disappointed. We had a wonderful appetizer of tomatoes and cheese and basil while we enjoyed a nice glass of Cabernet. Then our friend had a delicious looking steak cooked just the way he wanted accompanied by frites. I had the salmon prepared exactly I enjoy and my wife had a delicious gnocchi with a duck ragu. We were all very pleased with our meals and with the pleasant atmosphere that encouraged great conversation.
(5)Jennifer S.
We had fantastic food here, great service, and a great table on the patio for dinner on a Saturday night. The menu isn't that exciting - Chicken, Steak Frites, etc., but I had a pea risotto that was out of this world, and the salads were delicious and artfully presented too. We had pre-dinner cocktails and they make a great martini, as well. Definitely recommend - a nice change from Leunig's.
(5)Rob W.
Have been to c&m three times now. Twice for dinner and once for lunch. While the drink prices seem high, we have had great food both times. Wasn't blown away by lunch, but will try it again. Menu changes, which is nice, I like a surprise instead of the same options every time... If your looking for a real nice dinner in Burlington, I would gladly recommend Church& Main
(4)Joshua H.
Coming from out of town I was looking for something healthy and unique and I found it all at Church and Main. The meals are fresh, creative and the savory strawberry salad is awesome. The wine list is as diverse as it is quality and they have a great combination of local brews (inc switchback) mixed with a number of main stream lagers. Staff were helpful and friendly and food excellent. Rated 5 in my book...
(5)parker m.
We have been here several times since they opened and each time found it completely underwhelming...They took the great burger selection they once had off the dinner menu in what seems like an effort to upsell...so we tried the steak frites and it was so tough it was basically inedible. Also had the $13 Mac & Cheese and figured it would be amazing but it was just bland and cold. It's just really not worth it although some people do seem to like to pay a lot and get a little... Update 10/11; we just went here again recently with a larger party, figured we'd give it another try and again it was terribly disappointing for all of us...I won't go into a long spiel, but who likes to spend hundreds of dollars on mediocre food?!
(1)Dareen S.
Ooooooh! The only thing I do not like about Church and Main is that it is located not in New York...
(5)Jack R.
As a former twice-a-week regular of Smokejacks (the previous establishment in this space), how could I not be excited about the opening of Church & Main? The remodeling of the interior looks amazingly, invited from the street and as you walk by you can just imagine chatting with friends over a great glass of wine. Unfortunately, on my first and last visit to Church & Main, I ended up having the absolute WORST dining experience of my life. I went to Church & Main one quiet evening with two dear friends, both veterans of the Burlington dining scene. From the moment we entered the front door, I had an awful feeling about the place as the hostess ignored us while simply staring off into space and the bartender was too busy giving drinks to the kitchen staff to help us either. Although we eventually got the bartenders attention, the night just went downhill from that point. In my entire life, I have never experienced such awful customer service as I experienced that night. During the time we were being ignored, I had a chance to flip through the menu and couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be very few if any local food sources. Everything seemed to be sourced straight from a large-scale Food Services company. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather spend my time and money at restaurants that care about their customers and local farmers.
(1)Ryan M.
I just found my new favorite place in Burlington. Went for dinner with my girlfriend and we absolutely loved it. The atmosphere in the restaurant was great. The space is small and they don't try to over fill the space with too many tables like a lot of places do. Our server was great, he helped me decide on my main course and picked both of our desserts and he was spot on. The beer options were very limited, but the wine list seemed very long. For a starter we got the surf and turf spring rolls which were great. The Lobster one was incredible and the potato and short rib ones were not bad. For dinner we got the Pan Seared Duck Breast and the Chicken with Waffles. Both of these were incredible. I have only had Duck a few times so not much to compare it to but I would recommend it to anyone. The chicken and waffles was also amazing. The bacon and sage waffle with the chicken and gravy was just perfect together. Then the best part of the night was the dessert. We had the blood orange semifreddo and the chocolate caramel tart. These were both excellent and I would go back just for dessert. I cant wait to go back to church and main. It will be hard to order something different the next time but the entire menu looked so great and our food was so good I would be surprised if anything on the menu was not good.
(5)Pablo B.
Nice to see the old SmokeJacks location finally reopened. The remodel inside is quite nice, if a bit loud. The menu still clearly needs some working out. The bread and flavored olive oil was excellent, if a bit late in getting to us. The waiter made a mistake with our order and also smelled strongly of cigarette smoke which was less than appetizing. The appetizers were quite good -- Scotch eggs that were pretty tasty. The drinks were overpriced and the portions weren't particularly big. My girlfriend had extremely underwhelming fish and chips (the fries were pretty soggy and the coleslaw was bland), but my chicken and waffles were pretty tasty (bacon gravy on top of a wholewheat waffle, with chard under the chicken). Hopefully they work out the kinks soon as it's far too overpriced for what you get right now.
(3)Keith R.
Went here for lunch because I had a JumpOnIt and wanted to check it out. The lunch menu is ridiculously overpriced - my salad was $11 and wasn't even a meal-sized portion. My wife got the lobster risotto, which was about the only reasonably priced thing on the menu. Even the beers were Boston prices ($5 for a Switchback). The waitress was spacey and not all that attentive. I didn't really mind, but if you're trying to go for the expensive bistro atmosphere you damn well better have good service. The food was good, but I can't say I'll be back - there are better restaurants for a lot less money in Burlington. And if I am looking for a nice meal, there are far better restaurants for that (The Whip in Stowe & Windjammer come to mind). I really don't see this lasting for all that much longer in the competitive Burlington market with so many other options.
(3)Lily B.
I went to Church and Maine for the first time last night with my boyfriend and his parents who were visiting from New York. The experience was fantastic! Delicious and complex dishes, top shelf cocktails, an impressive wine list, and a cozy yet classy atmosphere. I ordered the steak tartar, caesar salad, and free range chicken. The steak tartar, and chicken were cooked to perfection, but the caesar could have used a little work. While the flavor was nice, the texture of the dressing, and the choice of romaine lettuce used could have been better. I had a glass of red (the sienna) with dinner, which was a tasty and smooth choice for the meal, I was impressed. I also ordered an old fashioned appetizer cocktail which was executed perfectly with makers and nicely muddled fruit (a rarity!). This was the closest dining experience I've had that compares to what I am used to in San Francisco since I moved to Burlington. I will definitely be back, and feel confident that I can rely on Church and Main for a fine dining experience whenever I'm in the mood. I was so happy we took the parents here, they loved the meal as well! Thanks Church and Main!
(4)Bradley K.
Okay, I've now eaten at Church and Main a few times this past year. Over the course of those visits I've tried the Steak Frites, Mr. Church's Chicken, Squash Salad, Strawberry Salad, Ceasar Salad, Fried Calamari, Flatbread, Chicken Legs, Chocolate Mousse, Citrus Sorbet, to name a few. I feel that I'm in a position to say that the food is always well-prepared with a bit of craft that's a cut above typical Burlington restaurants, save a select few. Well...this last time I went in and was surprised by something completely new: the cocktails. I was with a date and we sat at the bar b/c we hadn't made reservations and the place was hopping on a Saturday Night . After noting what we were each looking for the bartender recommended that we try a Gin Fizz and an A+ respectively. Spot on. Both were expertly crafted drinks: great flavor, just the right amount of kick. If these were any indication of the rest of the cocktail menu, this could quickly become a favorite. I will continue to come back for dinner. Now I'm going to back for the cocktails too.
(4)Harold M.
Church and Main was a big disappointment. First, we had a reservation for three people. We were inexplicably seated at a table for six, which felt awkward. After asking for another minute to make out drinks decision (we had just been seated) we were left for 10 minutes before our waiter returned. Drinks and first course took about another 10 and 25 minutes to arrive respectively. A $13 glass of wine had a really stingy pour. At one point the waiter knocked one of my forks onto the seat and picked it up off the seat and put it back on my setting without offering a replacement (!). The lasagna was served on an awkward long wooden board that the server oddly jerked onto my wife's setting ramming everything else out of its way as if the bread plate was a bumper car. Lastly, when refilling water glasses he picked up each glass with his fingers by the rim of the glass. Gross. Basically for the price you can do much better in Burlington. Please improve waiter training.
(2)Carrie P.
A friend and I went to lunch at Church & Main on a Saturday for lunch - it was really delicious! The decor is really classy and the place has a nice atmosphere. I had mac and cheese, which was actually orichetti with a delicious gorgonzola cheese sauce. It was very simple, and incredibly delicious! My friend got the Church & Main burger (which came with really tasty fries) - she enjoyed very much. I would definitely recommend this place for lunch - it wasn't super crowded and was just a nice spot for a relaxed and very tasty lunch. I'd like to try dinner there sometime too!
(4)alison k.
The short review: Got potential but could do better. The long review: Argh I want to give this more than three - really I do - as this could be THE spot to eat in Burlington I reckon. First, the good: Wine list really solid with certain wines being sold both by the ounce and the glass. The menu was also very appealing, certainly in comparison to other Burlington spots. The ambiance was relaxed and bustling and it would be a good place to sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a small plate - with or without a dining companion. Most importantly, some aspects of the food were great - the arancini were lightly fried and not too stodgy, the tuna tacos were super fresh, the lobster risotto was technically well-cooked. The Mahi-mahi main course was possibly the dish that felt like the most 'put together' we had. Finally, we were not rushed and enjoyed a relaxed pace of meal BUT, there are a few major issues that this place needs to overcome before it can really fulfill its potential. Some of these are teething problems, but, as a non-local I was not necessarily to know it was new. Firstly, there was no coat rack. Not that it was a problem on a very warm fall night, but one customer did have a bulky jacket. The space is not that big and it will be very inconvenient in winter with everyone having large coats. Secondly, the bar area next to our table was blocked by a flambé cart and seemed to be a bit of a congregating area for staff. The cart made it awkward for staff to move past, and whilst we didn't actually get our table bumped - it did make for somewhat uncomfortable moments. Related to this issue was the fact that the staff did not yet seem to be fluid in the operation. We had several people waiting on us. As a result I didn't have a napkin, my knife was taken away and i had to ask for a new one, we waited for ages to actually place our order, and have our credit card taken at the end, appetiser plates were not removed, so it was awkward for the server when she brought our mains, our original server forgot to tell us what the specials were, and when we asked she said "so NOW you want to know...?" Erm no, we wanted to know them before, but you didn't tell us..They also don't take reservations for parties of less than 4 people. None of these are really huge issues, but altogether they detract somewhat from the experience the restaurant is purporting to deliver. However, my main gripe is about the food in general. OH steak special was not cooked medium rare, more medium, and in fact, was so inconsistent that the slices of steak seemed to have come from different pieces of meat. The gratin that came with it was quite overpowering in terms of flavor, but it was still lacking in some salt. I would also say that the risotto was under seasoned, and seemed to have vanilla added, however that just added a fake sweetness that should have been delivered by the lobster. The tomato sauce that accompanied the arancini was pretty underwhelming as well, it tasted quite simple, like I could have made it. Fine in a rustic setting, but not when charging 12 ish for it - at odds with the stylised surroundings and menu With small plates in the 10-14 range and mains in the upper 20s I would have expected much more bang for my buck. Many small plates were disproportionally expensive in comparison to the mains. 3 small plates, 2 mains and 2 (albeit 20 bux each ) glasses of wine set us back 140 plus tip This place has so much potential and I have probably been quite harsh in this review as we did have a nice evening, but since it is trying to develop an upmarket reputation, it's only fair that it is judged accordingly. I would definitely go back though to try it again as it has potential to be one of the better upscale places in Burlington.
(3)Summer T.
Cuisine & presentation rivals some of the best San Francisco establishments. Add in the incredibly friendly, attentive, knowledgeable service staff, with not even a hint of pretension-- it might just beat some of our best rated. I had the oyster & caviar small plate. The oysters came topped with creme fraiche & a dollop of sturgeon caviar. Perfection- ratios of flavor & taste were completely balanced. Oysters were sweet & ideally sized. I also had the caesar which was the perfect combination of the familiarity of chain restaurant caesar & super high-end, very anchovy-centric caesar salads complete with homemade croutons. The steak tartare was presented as a lovely meat puck with plenty of pickly capers & the other stuff that gets mixed into steak tartare. Grilled bread instead of toasted is always my preference. The shredded potato threads on top were unnecessary. Still delicious. I finished with the chocolate mousse which was heavy on the sweet/light on richness for my taste. The 2 staff people I interacted with were--in addition to being almost painfully petite-- entirely charming, attentive & sweet. (Thanks Alex!)
(4)Jessica C.
Looking at the menu ahead of time, I was already pretty exited about the options at Church & Main. The only disappointment of that dining experience was the lack of a place to wait for a table. They literally left a three foot square for people to stand while they wait for a table, and it's cold outside. But we had reservations and were seated right away in the back corner. The ambiance was romantic, understated and simple. Dimmed track lighting, brick walls and floor to ceiling curtains that sectioned off various sections of the restaurant made me feel cozy right away. The waiter greeted us and took our orders for water (tap is fine with me!) as we perused the menu. The menus were heavy, obviously housing a solid menu. I started out with their "Russian punch". A delightful blend of Ketel One vodka, some sort of berry compote and topped off with bubbles. Kind of like a bellini with good vodka. We just HAD to try the poutine with bacon and bourbon gravy as an appetizer. The only other time I have ever tried poutine was arond 3:30 am on some little sketchy fast food place after stumbling out of a club in Montreal. Even then it was decent. This poutine was absolutely amazing, a true comfort food of sorts. Hand cut fries that were slightly crunchy and hot, but not greasy. Melted bit of cheese curd topped off with the bacon bourbon gravy. Easily one of the best gravies I have ever had. Slightly creamy with just enough but not too much taste of the title ingredients. I would probably go back to Church & Main just for that dish. For my entree, I had the lobster mac & cheese. The waiter had asked if I wanted bacon in it too, but I held off. Good mac & cheese is probably my ultimate comfort food. Lobster mac & cheese could be considered a little bit of heaven for me, if done right. I had not found a lobster mac & cheese that rivaled the decadence and perfection of Our House (one of my favorite places to eat comfort food)....until Church & Main. Slightly sharp cheese perfection with large bits of perfectly cooked lobster claws and tail mixed in brought it right up to my "best mac & cheese" list. I could only finish about half of it. But leftovers are a wonderful thing. Based on that one visit, I would place Church & Main atop the best restaurants in Burlington, at least for contemporary american cuisine.
(5)Amber H.
I just figured out the secret to this place. Go there at lunchtime. The atmosphere is much more relaxed (as opposed to a bit pretentious), and the staff has more time to get things right. Chicken and Waffles is still the favorite, but the pistachio-crusted goat cheese salad was a surprising runner-up. I am still surprised at the youth and inexperience of the wait staff. When hoping for a drink, I looked meaningfully at our 20-ish waiter with a smile, and he simply smiled back, and kept walking. We had a good laugh about it - but you don't really want to have to shout for someone's attention. All in all - a good place, and I think it may - along with its service - mature with time.
(4)Meg M.
I thought this place was great for a nice Saturday night dinner! They worked with me on a gluten allergy, which was great. The calamari was delicious and naturally GF, since it's coated in rice flour and doesn't share a fryer with anything else. I had to get the my meal sans sauce, since it had flour in it, but the roasted chicken and veggies were delicious all on their own. I'll go next time again I'm in town!
(5)Sharon M.
Bring your appetite and prepare to eat big at Church and Main! The strawberry salad was delicious: crisp, fresh, locally grown, and perfectly dressed. We were a large party, so we shared tastes. I thought the pizza and the macaroni and cheese were uniquely wonderful, and the petit fillet was perfect. The desserts proved to be over-the-top delicious. But it was the small plates, accompanied with appropriate selections from a deep and wide liquor cabinet, that proved to be the best I've ever had. Fabulous!
(5)Elle T.
Came with my teenage daughter for dinner and we were happy with the experience. It was quiet when we arrived and we were seated quickly. Our server was Derek and he was pleasant, gave us the specials which we both tried. Mine a filet and hers a marscapone filled ravioli with huge chunks of lobster and a great creamy sauce. Yes.... She was in heaven. Filet was great, a little more medium rare than the medium I ordered but it was still very good and I don't like sending food back.... Ever. The ambiance is great, location is great too. The only thing I feel that was lacking was a sense of "attention to detail". It's almost like you feel like you are dining in someone's home but weren't invited. Kind of strange. Maybe it was just the particular time or night we were there but there is definitely a little disconnect between guest and staff. Our server was good and didn't hover but could use skills on what to say. Instead of " are you ready for another glass of wine??" It could go more like "would you be interested in another glass of wine?" Details...... When entrees are $30 + and wine is $10 a glass it is the details that make the difference. The food here is pretty darn great. The service ultimately makes or break the experience. I will come back in the near future and see what's new !
(4)Maya P.
The good: On one hand the cocktail I had was fantastic, and meal I had was one of my favorite of all time. Literally. It was absolutely delicious. The bad: On the other hand my husband didn't like his dinner. For $35 his fish and the sides were bland and boring, and a huge let down. Plus the service was polite but inattentive (we had to flag our waitress down twice: once for another drink and once for the bill). And another bad thing was that the music was playing *SO LOUD* in the dining room we couldn't even have a conversation. It was really unplesant actually. Summary: what was missing here was (1) a feeling of being welcomed and comfortable, and (2) only one of us liked our meal. My husband and I have been out to eat several times since this evening and every time he asks me where I want to go I remember that amazing pasta I had at Church & Main and I want it again so bad, but then I end up picking somewhere else because our visit wasn't good enough for the price.
(2)Gordon R.
Church and Main is a classic Burlington Vermont spot for an afternoon cocktail or a tasty weeknight dinner. My only criticism is that I'm not a fan of the layout - it can get very chaotic on Friday & Saturday. The bartenders are LOVINGLY perfectionist when it comes to the mixed recipes. I've had a spicy drink that made me perspire in December followed by the best mojito ever. I want to say they're above average, but I don't want to call them the best in town either. Definitely "Yay! I'm a fan." Favorite menu items include the Roasted Root Salad (Yams, turnips and beets, and arugula dressed with a honey dijon dressing topped with pomegranate seeds) followed by the Steak Frites (Prime NY strip topped with a blue cheese compound butter, grilled asparagus, puffed potatoes and sweet onion curls). Drinks are at your own risk/delight. I've never been disappointed, then again you know I'm a big-ol lush. Go! And you can make it your first stop if you want to make your way up Church Street on a classy bar-crawl! Or just nest for a while and watch the police work their magic on the college crowd.
(4)Macrina N.
I love going to church & main. The cocktails and drafts are always on fleek, the staff is professional, and we never seem to have a problem getting seated despite the central location. Although there are nights when it's packed, this can be a good place to check for a table if everything else seems full. The food isn't crazy creative, yet never disappoints. Nice bathrooms too.
(4)Malory G.
This is one of my favorite restaurants downtown. It is a bit pricey- I was a little disappointed to see that I was charged $10 to add two scallops on my salad today- but the food is definitely on par with the price, and I still feel that five stars is appropriate. The calamari is my favorite thing on the menu. The drinks are especially delicious. Definitely my restaurant of choice for special occasions!
(5)Jody H.
The mall was busy and most of the restaurants in the area had long wait lists. We thought we would give it a go and we were happy we did. We are a family of four and they altered the menu to suit our children. When three friends joined us the staff managed to move the tables around to accommodate. The food was very nice indeed and so too was the service.
(4)Stephanie G.
Three stars for service. We walk in there is no hostess/host. The bartenders don't say hello as we walk into the door which is bizarre given the positioning of the bar as you walk in. After lack of attention, we decide to sit at the bar, no food menus were offered so I had to ask for them. Turns out it's restaurant week--something they told to one of their regulars but failed to mention to us. Just saying. The service could have been better and as a bartender, don't ask me how to make a drink that's not on the menu. We were looking forward to the cocktails, but for the most part were 'ok.' With that said, my food was phenomenal. I tried the steak frites and the pork belly. Bravo to the chef.
(3)Brian M.
Cold winter night. My wife and I have a babysitter. It's my company Christmas party. We're a bit bored at the party. We leave early. Driving home and we think, "we have a sitter, let's take advantage of it!" So, we end up at Church and Main. We sit at the bar and order a martini. But, we wanted something off menu, we wanted a chocolate, espresso martini. The bartender said he could do it. Did he ever! It was the best we ever had. My wife and I talked and sipped our martini to make it a great night. The ambience was romantic. We were comfortable and left with a smile on our face. So, a couple weeks later, during our annual night out to celebrate our first date (different story and yes - the baby sitter came back!), we booked a night at Church and Main. We had excellent, top notch service. And the food was beautifully presented and melt in your mouth good. So, for us, this is a favorite spot for me and my wife. The atmosphere is small and quaint, yet there is still room for a bigger party (I'd call ahead though). The meals are A+. Several wines to choose from along with "wine on tap". For dessert, if you are a chocolate fan, you gotta go with Chocolate Bliss.
(5)Jennifer N.
The cocktail list is the best one in Burlington. The downsides is that the drinks are pricy and small yet I always come back. Favs: the goddess, the geisha, and Beet gimlet!
(4)L W.
Busy and beautiful night on Church St and some friends and I met for late night (8:30) drinks on Thursday, Aug 28. There were 8 of us. We sat outside and ordered beers and some house cocktails. The service was poor--the staff seemed confused about who was serving whom, as though they had been unexpectedly overrun by huge crowds (the patio was about 2/3 full, the bar less than half). The person who seemed to be the host was pretty unfriendly. And the cocktails (we had four different ones between us) seemed to be lacking liquor. To top it off, there was annoying techno-pop music blaring from a speaker. I understand Church St is a festive place on a summer night, but all it did at high volume was make it difficult for us to hear one another. Next time, we'll choose one of the other outdoor spots on Church St.
(1)Lauren D.
So happy we decided to stop into this place on Sunday for a quick drink and a bite to eat. We sat at the bar and the bartender Mike was AWESOME - extremely personable, and fun to talk to. We ended up having $1 oysters and they were delicious, I'm from Boston so I was a bit skeptical to try them but I was quite impressed. We will for sure be back next time we are in Burlington, VT.
(4)Storm M.
I came in for a drink a few weeks ago, I was visiting some friends who were in town. I ordered an Old Fashioned, and was rather shocked that an Old Fashioned with Blantons rang up at $21, this isn't Manhattan...but anyway, I ordered another beer and left. A week later checking my back account I had realized that I was charged $450.+ for that transaction. With haste I called my bank and disputed the transaction then went down to the restaurant to inform them and find out what happend. I met with the GM Daniel, who said that one of the bartenders accidentally plugged in the wrong tip, he said he was sorry and that was that. I was offered absolutely nothing for my trouble, this was not just $50, this was a huge chunk of cash. He never took my contact info or even bothered to follow up with me, my bank is still working out this dispute and I still don't have my money. Beware, it seems they have no idea what they are doing.
(1)Mark S.
In short, my overall experience was good, the food was good, the service was good, but, for the price, Church and Main didn't quite deliver. Food - 3.5 stars Cheese plate - not worth the price by any stretch. a small quarter-sized amount of goat cheese, a small wedge of blue cheese, and then a heaping portion of Cabot cheddar straight from your local grocery coupled with a spoonful of raspberry compote. I love cheese, but save your $ Portsmouth scallops - excellent except for peppercorn overload. The entire plate was covered in cracked pepper including a whole peppercorn. Even a die-hard pepper lover would have difficulty with this dish. Also, one of the 4 scallops was about 3/4 raw. If you can't cut a scallop with the side of a fork, it's a problem. Hunter's stew - extremely hearty especially for a cold day. It is a little spicy which was fine with me, but there's no indication based on ingredients/description to expect that. Service - 3 stars Service was odd. Our waitress was friendly and described the specials and brought us our drinks very quickly. We ordered the aforementioned cheese plate and then the hostess turned into a server who brought it to our table with a brief description of the cheeses. After that, our waitress mostly disappeared. While this was preferred to a helicopter waiter, it was difficult to get drinks refreshed and the like. Ambiance - 3 stars I enjoyed the ambiance, but the seating was odd. We were seated at one of a line of tables that run down the middle of the restaurant. As such, the only path for the staff were on the two sides of our table, making it quite congested. Also, the noise level was pretty high to the point that we could have been sitting at the same table as the couple next to us. In the end, it was a decent choice for a special occasion dinner. If you've exhausted Burlington's other similar options and want to try something new, I'd give it a go if you can spare the $
(3)Tracey M.
My friends and I stopped in for a drink and some appetizers- we decided to sit at the bar which was our first mistake. The two bearded bartenders were less than spectacular, one was completely inattentive while the other was completely pretentious and dismissive. We decided shortly after sitting down that we wouldn't stay too long. We ordered the special appetizer of Crab rangoon which tasted like a mouthful of garlic and the cartelized onion flatbread- it was unremarkable. The experience was really disappointing as I had heard nice things. I am open to trying again but those bartenders need to work on their customer service skills!
(2)Michael P.
This was one of the three restaurants we chose for our little adventure to Burlington. We chose Church and Main because of the reviews. While it was a good choice, the place was a ghost town on a Thursday evening. There didn't appear to be any locals visiting the restaurant....that should have been a warning. The outside tables were virtually empty, and the dark interior was not overly inviting. We ordered cocktails. As a bar appetizer, we had the Sunken Meadow Oysters. They had a good flavor (we liked the fresh horseradish served on the side), but they have only one choice for oysters. The wait staff was not sure what oysters were available, looked it up on the computer to find that it was not loaded. Somebody finally asked the kitchen. We had three people to wait on us at the bar...you would have thought somebody would have known what oysters were on the menu. We moved to the main restaurant because we really did NOT like the bartender. He seemed a little stuck on himself and boasted that he "doesn't like making the drinks on the cocktail menu" and makes up his own. He was the downside of the staff. There were no chef specials so everything was from the printed menu. We were seated at our table and our waitress (who failed to introduce herself) promptly asked if we were ready to order. Instead, we asked for a new cocktail and a little time to look over the menu. For an appetizer we tried the Point Judith Calamari. The calamari itself was tasty, however the sweet and sour sauce (house made sweet-chili ginger sauce) at the bottom was a lot like General Tso's chicken sauce. It had a good flavor, but there was so much that the calamari was drowning in it. We really thought it should have been served on the side instead. The Steak Frites was definitely not a "Prime rib eye"...more like a NY strip. Something was substituted and charged as a Prime rib eye. The sides were all pretty good. The temperature was correct and the seasoning was good, but it wasn't fatty like rib eye normally is. We felt cheated. The Portsmouth Scallops were great and had a very flavorful Polenta. It's not a bad place, but nothing we would recommend to our friends. Sadly, we were discussing our dining experience here and were told by many locals that there "are much better places to eat" and were given some really good recommendations.
(2)Andrea N.
Everything I've ordered here is so yum! And I have a gift certificate just burning a hole in my wallet waiting for my next visit to Burlington!
(5)Caroline P.
One of the worst experiences at a restaurant. They were out of 2 of the 3 Chardonnay's; no Brussel sprouts or Calamari that was on the menu. So 4 of the items ordered were not available. And slow service. Not good.
(1)Sheila T.
Outstandingly delicious beet lakte on greens topped with poached egg partnered with a beet-infused gin martini. Holy moly this was great. Bar service is 100% all the time.
(5)Eliot P.
Really good! Heuvos Del Sol is the best. Terrific service. A little slow but understandable because they are mobbed for Sunday brunch. My son had the meat lovers omelet and loved it. My wife was equally pleased with her breakfast burrito. Nice environment, very lively crowd interesting space. I've never had a bad experience at Magnolias.
(4)Marc W.
Went back Saturday night to have dinner before a concert at the Flynn. Service all-around was fantastic. The host was kind and helpful despite over-loaded foyer/ bar and our server was accommodating and attentive. It's a bit of a shame that the host and diners must navigate the often rowdy, loud and jam-packed bar to get to the serenity of their lovely dining room. Church and Main's dining is just as good as ever. The menu items, especially the entrees do look deceivingly ho-hum at the moment, but my wife got the chicken dish and I got the reinvented steak frites and they were both exceptional. Before the entree, we had the Hamon Imberico which was something my wife has wanted to try for a long time. The imported dry ham is aged and nutty and shaved alongside an equally thin sliced and complementary cheese, served with grilled bread. It was great. We also gobbled up the warm and perfect table bread, which by itself at Church and Main is absolutely full of rustic flavor - only amplified by the butter, which I found out from our server is blended on site with creme fraiche! The flavor on the steak frites plate was rich and robust - everything worked so well. Steak was cooked to order (mw) perfectly and had beautifully roasted asparagus and crispy fried onions on top. Arrived to the table with every component of the dish assembled hot and perfectly. The frites were not like the traditional frites, but were good in their own way, thick, potato wedges fried and used as a foundation on the plate - the fry from the onions was enough and if the frites were like those at Leunigs, it would be fry overkill - the dish is smart and well thought out. The steak's peppery seasoning and sauce was delicious and full of flavor. My only complaint about the steak was it could have been trimmed with a bit more care, there was a tough bit of sinew edge at one tip of the otherwise tender and healthy portion. The chicken dish was very good too, I only had one bite off of my wife's plate. This place is such a gem, if you have put off going, you are missing out. While they could add some more excitement to the entree menu, from what I can tell, you can't go wrong with any of the dishes offered. I have yet to be disappointed.
(5)MarieAndLawrence L.
We have never been during regular restaurant hours, but there is absolutely no better place to be on a Saturday night at midnight. The crowd is usually about 22-30ish years old, well dressed and fun. Good music, but more importantly amazing drinks. This atmosphere is what Burlington has been missing.
(5)David A.
This intimate, yet cozy bar is a Burlington gem. The staff are delightful - esp. the studly, dapper bartenders. Speaking of, the gentlemen who work the bar are skilled craftsmen of the highest order! The food is delectable - I particularly enjoy the bar steak and double sliders. I am moving from Burlington in a few months, but I will fondly cherish my times at this bar long after I am gone. In short, the Church & Main experience is nothing less than fabulous!
(5)Sam P.
Great appetizers that included calamari and pork belly. Entrees were well cooked and delicious. I had a burger and a friend had a great steak. The atmosphere is great for catching up with friends. There was also live music which also added to the atmosphere.
(5)Peter Y.
If it wasn't for the terrible hostess and her awful attitude and looks...have you ever heard the term hairy eye ball? We might have enjoyed our evening...server was nice...food was adequate. 1 star.
(1)Bill O.
Wonderful meal. Great, friendly service. Every course was memorable, well plated and very tasty. A little noisy but not uncomfortably so. Went to a competitor (L'Amante) the next night and it was everything that Church and Main wasn't. The food was bland and forgettable, mediocre service and marginal atmosphere. Given the choice stay clear of L'Amante and choose Church and Main
(4)Amy K.
Friday night in Downtown Burlington on a warm mid-September day. Tons of people on Church and all the restaurants to outdoor seating were packed. Was it a sign that there was no way to get a seat outside, or inside? I was in the mood to try a new place. The service was very friendly and prompt. I order the White Peach Martini and the Fruitti di Mare. The martini was pretty good, a little sweet but that was expected. The Fruitti di Mare arrived quickly. It was fully loaded with seafood which was nice, but not very much pasta (house-made black tagliatelle) - looked like a nice sized portion, but the shells made up quite a bit of the volume. Flavors were not striking. The seafood was definitely fresh, so you got a nice "taste of the sea," but the tomato based sauce was a bit thin and there was tons of garlic (though I do like garlic). Just seems like the pasta, sauce and seafood were cooked separately and then tossed together. Not sure I would go back again, given all the great choices available in the area.
(3)Joelle H.
Mmm.... while this place is on the pricey side ($230 with tip for 3 appetizers, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 5 alcoholic beverages and 3 non alcoholic beverages) - the food is so delicious!! Blue cheese ravioli... pork belly....local cheese plate....sriracha calamari....all prepared perfectly and plated beautifully. For a fancy dinner, I would definitely recommend this place. Beyond tasty and the service was great too.
(4)Jason J.
Location: First of all, I love a restaurant named after its location and you can find Church and Main, well, on the corner of Church and Main Streets. There has been a good deal of turnover with establishments at this location but upon my first visit there the other day I hope it stays so I can enjoy other items on the menu. Inside you will find seating at the bar and along the side window. There are tables in the back of the restaurant. Finally, there is outside seating. If the weather is just right, nothing beats sitting outside on Church Street to dine. The staff set up a table for my party by making room for a new space. I felt a little like Henry Hill in Goodfellas, where, snap, a table pops up in a primo spot just because I arrived. Food: For an appy, I had the "Point Judith Calamari," which was dusted with rice flour and bathed in a delicious ginger sweet chili glaze. This was a unique presentation of calamari and one of the best I've had in Vermont (the best, IMHO, is "Fred's Calamari" at Julio's in Montpelier (I don't know who Fred is but I'd love to shake his hand and thank him...I digress...)). For supper I enjoyed one of the specials for the evening: the pan seared trout served with a cold potato/green bean salad. The trout was spectacular. I was making the male equivalent of Sally from When Harry Met Sally sounds while eating the trout and all these theatrics marginalized the cold salad from my palette's radar. Price: An appy, the trout special, and two vodka tonics later I'm in for about $55. While a little on the pricey side the quality and presentation of the food is manifest. I can't wait to go back!
(4)Buck R.
To all foodies out there, go to Church and Main and order the rabbit stew....it is simply amazing...a unique vermont dish that is just awesome!
(5)Barney G.
My wife, daughter, daughter's friend, and I again traveled to the Flynn to see the musical Memphis and had a pre-show dinner at Church and Main. We were late for our reserved time, but the staff was very accommodating and we were seated immediately. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive and our meals were served promptly. The space is intimate and the food was tasty and well-presented. As we were leaving the noise level was headed toward loud and the tables are a little close together, but altogether a very satisfying experience. This was our second visit to C&M and we will be returning, I'm sure.
(4)Bailey Z.
Today was the perfect sunny, but breezy day to have lunch on the patio of Church & Main. Their lunch menu is an abbreviated version of their dinner menu, but it seemed like there were more appetizers than anything else. We started with the steak tartare, which was lacked a bit of flavor. Truffle oil is so overused in kitchens so it was redundant to see that presented in steak tartare now. I also didn't care too much for the texture of the grilled bread. I had the burger for lunch, which was juicy and flavorful. I liked the way the bacon was presented on the burger and that touch of crispness was excellent. But, the fries were over-salted and I ended up passing on most of the portion. The summer strawberry salad was overdressed and I was never a fan of gorgonzola cheese or frisse as a standalone salad. Then again, I also could never bring myself to pay $11 for a salad when it's the same cost as an entree. It was a carefree day to relax and wait for lunch so we weren't in a hurry, but it took ten minutes to get seated when clearly it was a mostly empty restaurant. It took another half hour to get our food. While the burger was good, I wasn't impressed by the other food and don't think I'll be coming back here for another go.
(2)Caroline L.
The food was great - we had the cheese plate which was surprisingly delicious. New duck appetizer was tender. Service was friendly but inattentive but we were sitting in a corner tucked away. Definitely worth a try.
(4)Anik M.
Excellent food, cocktails and service. C&M is an intimate restaurant which is great to go to for dinner or just a cocktail.
(5)Shohreh E.
Great profiteroles, wonderful friendly service, just went there after the Flynn. Have had lunch there and that was great to. Beautiful in the evening. Had dinner there on Saturday, very good food, service was good too, everything served very nicely, great presentation. We had the dinning room to ourselves, it was a beautiful day and everyone wants to sit out. The food is a little expensive but the quality justifies it.
(5)Joseph C.
A locovore restaurant at the entrance to the Church Street Marketplace. A good place for an upscale dinner or drinks. A nice selection of wines and well cooked if not spectacular fresh food. Everything was well prepared and the quality was better than some other venues on Church Street it just lacked the OMG or wow factor.
(4)Mark A.
I came here for the tree lighting on Church Street. The location was great for this and I was content with getting a bar seat by the window. The restaurant was well appointed and very clean. I started out a citron and seven and an order of the Point Judith Calamari. The calamari was an innovative take on one of the most common appetizers. It was a bit oily and the glaze was a little too sweet for my taste. The citron and seven was a let down as half of my glass was filled with ice. For the main course, I tried the Steak Frites and the Scallops. The Steak Frites came as ordered (medium well). It was tender and very flavorful. The garnishings were also equally well prepared. Unfortunately, my optimism was quickly wiped away with my second dish. The black pepper crusting on the scallops were burnt. It appears that the chef had the heat way too high as the scallops were also raw on the inside. The restaurant was dimly lit so I was not sure if they thought I would not notice the poorly-prepared scallops. It was too bad as the scallops look really nice. I just wish that they were cooked properly. The garnishings that came with the scallops were prepared well though. When the server took my plates, he didn't even ask about the uneaten scallops. Overall, the restaurant atmosphere was great. There is definitely room for improvement with regards to the food and beverage. Consistency is the key so I hope they will address this soon enough.
(2)John K.
After a 20 minutes of being ignored at our table, a waitress finally decided to take our drink order. She was extremely kind and apologetic and did her best to salvage our experience. Unfortunately, despite her best efforts, the food came off as unpolished, albeit well conceived. The "Spanish Influence" appetizer was largely flavorless apart from the ounce of salt that weighed down each bite. The Steak Frites was riddled with gristle and unevenly cooked. Finally, the gnocchi came with a duck ragout that was over-cooked and barely edible. Again - well conceived, poorly executed.
(2)Jill J.
Disappointing. We have happily eaten here twice before so this was a surprise. Last night's meals were mediocre, at best, and expensive for what they were (chicken). The wine selection was good (even by the glass) and service was good but I think we'll go elsewhere next time.
(3)Colleen H.
We had the hen and every bite was so delicious! Our waiter, Toryn was super accommodating to my request to turn the music down and swap out the potatoes for broccolini and chard. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Steve W.
This place is pretty good and was not crowded at all so we had room to relax & hear each other talk. The calamari is a must-try, its unique & the best I have ever tasted. Our entrees were tasty and a nice portion size, fairly fancy although I expected the beef filet to have more flavor. The prices are similar to Leunigs, C&M have smaller portions. The waitstaff was very pleasant and knowledgeable about both food & drinks. I'd go again but only if someone else was paying.
(3)David T.
Yeah, not so good. Crazy Friday night on Church St--students returning to college, so B and I went here as the one place around with a table and less than 2 hour wait. We understood why there were vacancies later. Terrible table next to a wall covered by a heavy fabric curtain. No A/C to speak of, so we sat sweating through the meal. Cheese plate arrives (it says $15 on the menu, but they'll graciously charge you $18, instead). They were generous with the crackers and toast (though they never brought us bread). The crackers were fine, as were the three postage stamp sized pieces of cheese and the mini schmeer of quince paste. Super chintzy. B's entree was OK. I had the "raw bar" which was decent with shrimp and with two very sad little clams and oysters that might have come from the seafood section at Price Chopper. B and I had their specialty cocktails that were a couple of notches better than NiQuil on the rocks. As I read this I realize I'm being a little harsh, and it's true that nothing was *bad* exactly...but the bill at well over $100 for two and the close proximity of some terrific Burlington restaurants make me bitter to have spent my time and money. Perhaps the place is new, but I don't see giving it a second chance. Two stars because the service was competent and I can't give one and a half.
(2)Tom R.
It's like the set of a college student film: heavy black curtains meant to evoke a sense of sophistication, but failing to cover the dorm furniture. There was a literal spotlight shining on our table so that we were required to shield our eyes. Molding has peeled off the wall, and everywhere you turn, the "sophisticated" atmosphere crumbles as quickly as a freshman-year romance. And don't be fooled by the prices--I think the servers must've run up the hill and loaded our plates at the UVM cafeteria. Not inedible, but not worth a dime.
(1)Jerry C.
We met a friend to have dinner at Church and Main while we were visiting in Burlington in early September. After walking up and down Church Street and looking in the shops we were ready for a quiet tasty meal and we were not disappointed. We had a wonderful appetizer of tomatoes and cheese and basil while we enjoyed a nice glass of Cabernet. Then our friend had a delicious looking steak cooked just the way he wanted accompanied by frites. I had the salmon prepared exactly I enjoy and my wife had a delicious gnocchi with a duck ragu. We were all very pleased with our meals and with the pleasant atmosphere that encouraged great conversation.
(5)Meeta M.
Great food and our service was also above par!
(5)Dan G.
If your looking for fresh, locally sourced flavors deliciously fused together, Church & Main will always please! Or if you're craving one of their staple dishes, such as their calamari or chicken & waffles, you can always count on them! If you're a wine drinker, great selection very reasonably priced, but for me, enjoying one of their innovative delicious cocktails is a must. I wouldn't trust the negative reviews here.. just saying.. The décor is very chic, service always a pleasure, prices between $$ & $$$ which is what you'd expect and is a great value for what you get, and most importantly, the food is always amazing!
(5)Gray S.
After honestly stating my experience, I decided to try again for lunch to update my review hoping I could give 5 stars. HERE IS WHY NOT... After my review, the reaction I received was the same manager telling me that they did not want my business and to not return. Fine C&M, you seat a very small number indoors, inside is kind of dark and loud. Come winter, I wish you well with a small stuffy dining area. How will you fill those table when you push all the locals away. Prior to my birthday experience my business was welcome, when you poured me 18yr old expensive scotch for a few rounds.
(1)Christopher B.
MAJOR FAIL!!! Ordered a filet cooked medium plus on New Years Eve...served to me nothing short of RARE on first try. Sent it back, was returned nothing short of MEDIUM RARE. Sent it back...ended the night early. Waiter did not seem concerned. They did pay for a round of drinks and offered a free desert but at this point we couldn't wait to get out of there.
(1)Jennifer S.
We had fantastic food here, great service, and a great table on the patio for dinner on a Saturday night. The menu isn't that exciting - Chicken, Steak Frites, etc., but I had a pea risotto that was out of this world, and the salads were delicious and artfully presented too. We had pre-dinner cocktails and they make a great martini, as well. Definitely recommend - a nice change from Leunig's.
(5)Rob W.
Have been to c&m three times now. Twice for dinner and once for lunch. While the drink prices seem high, we have had great food both times. Wasn't blown away by lunch, but will try it again. Menu changes, which is nice, I like a surprise instead of the same options every time... If your looking for a real nice dinner in Burlington, I would gladly recommend Church& Main
(4)Joshua H.
Coming from out of town I was looking for something healthy and unique and I found it all at Church and Main. The meals are fresh, creative and the savory strawberry salad is awesome. The wine list is as diverse as it is quality and they have a great combination of local brews (inc switchback) mixed with a number of main stream lagers. Staff were helpful and friendly and food excellent. Rated 5 in my book...
(5)parker m.
We have been here several times since they opened and each time found it completely underwhelming...They took the great burger selection they once had off the dinner menu in what seems like an effort to upsell...so we tried the steak frites and it was so tough it was basically inedible. Also had the $13 Mac & Cheese and figured it would be amazing but it was just bland and cold. It's just really not worth it although some people do seem to like to pay a lot and get a little... Update 10/11; we just went here again recently with a larger party, figured we'd give it another try and again it was terribly disappointing for all of us...I won't go into a long spiel, but who likes to spend hundreds of dollars on mediocre food?!
(1)Jack R.
As a former twice-a-week regular of Smokejacks (the previous establishment in this space), how could I not be excited about the opening of Church & Main? The remodeling of the interior looks amazingly, invited from the street and as you walk by you can just imagine chatting with friends over a great glass of wine. Unfortunately, on my first and last visit to Church & Main, I ended up having the absolute WORST dining experience of my life. I went to Church & Main one quiet evening with two dear friends, both veterans of the Burlington dining scene. From the moment we entered the front door, I had an awful feeling about the place as the hostess ignored us while simply staring off into space and the bartender was too busy giving drinks to the kitchen staff to help us either. Although we eventually got the bartenders attention, the night just went downhill from that point. In my entire life, I have never experienced such awful customer service as I experienced that night. During the time we were being ignored, I had a chance to flip through the menu and couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be very few if any local food sources. Everything seemed to be sourced straight from a large-scale Food Services company. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd rather spend my time and money at restaurants that care about their customers and local farmers.
(1)Dareen S.
Ooooooh! The only thing I do not like about Church and Main is that it is located not in New York...
(5)Ryan M.
I just found my new favorite place in Burlington. Went for dinner with my girlfriend and we absolutely loved it. The atmosphere in the restaurant was great. The space is small and they don't try to over fill the space with too many tables like a lot of places do. Our server was great, he helped me decide on my main course and picked both of our desserts and he was spot on. The beer options were very limited, but the wine list seemed very long. For a starter we got the surf and turf spring rolls which were great. The Lobster one was incredible and the potato and short rib ones were not bad. For dinner we got the Pan Seared Duck Breast and the Chicken with Waffles. Both of these were incredible. I have only had Duck a few times so not much to compare it to but I would recommend it to anyone. The chicken and waffles was also amazing. The bacon and sage waffle with the chicken and gravy was just perfect together. Then the best part of the night was the dessert. We had the blood orange semifreddo and the chocolate caramel tart. These were both excellent and I would go back just for dessert. I cant wait to go back to church and main. It will be hard to order something different the next time but the entire menu looked so great and our food was so good I would be surprised if anything on the menu was not good.
(5)Pablo B.
Nice to see the old SmokeJacks location finally reopened. The remodel inside is quite nice, if a bit loud. The menu still clearly needs some working out. The bread and flavored olive oil was excellent, if a bit late in getting to us. The waiter made a mistake with our order and also smelled strongly of cigarette smoke which was less than appetizing. The appetizers were quite good -- Scotch eggs that were pretty tasty. The drinks were overpriced and the portions weren't particularly big. My girlfriend had extremely underwhelming fish and chips (the fries were pretty soggy and the coleslaw was bland), but my chicken and waffles were pretty tasty (bacon gravy on top of a wholewheat waffle, with chard under the chicken). Hopefully they work out the kinks soon as it's far too overpriced for what you get right now.
(3)Keith R.
Went here for lunch because I had a JumpOnIt and wanted to check it out. The lunch menu is ridiculously overpriced - my salad was $11 and wasn't even a meal-sized portion. My wife got the lobster risotto, which was about the only reasonably priced thing on the menu. Even the beers were Boston prices ($5 for a Switchback). The waitress was spacey and not all that attentive. I didn't really mind, but if you're trying to go for the expensive bistro atmosphere you damn well better have good service. The food was good, but I can't say I'll be back - there are better restaurants for a lot less money in Burlington. And if I am looking for a nice meal, there are far better restaurants for that (The Whip in Stowe & Windjammer come to mind). I really don't see this lasting for all that much longer in the competitive Burlington market with so many other options.
(3)Lily B.
I went to Church and Maine for the first time last night with my boyfriend and his parents who were visiting from New York. The experience was fantastic! Delicious and complex dishes, top shelf cocktails, an impressive wine list, and a cozy yet classy atmosphere. I ordered the steak tartar, caesar salad, and free range chicken. The steak tartar, and chicken were cooked to perfection, but the caesar could have used a little work. While the flavor was nice, the texture of the dressing, and the choice of romaine lettuce used could have been better. I had a glass of red (the sienna) with dinner, which was a tasty and smooth choice for the meal, I was impressed. I also ordered an old fashioned appetizer cocktail which was executed perfectly with makers and nicely muddled fruit (a rarity!). This was the closest dining experience I've had that compares to what I am used to in San Francisco since I moved to Burlington. I will definitely be back, and feel confident that I can rely on Church and Main for a fine dining experience whenever I'm in the mood. I was so happy we took the parents here, they loved the meal as well! Thanks Church and Main!
(4)Bradley K.
Okay, I've now eaten at Church and Main a few times this past year. Over the course of those visits I've tried the Steak Frites, Mr. Church's Chicken, Squash Salad, Strawberry Salad, Ceasar Salad, Fried Calamari, Flatbread, Chicken Legs, Chocolate Mousse, Citrus Sorbet, to name a few. I feel that I'm in a position to say that the food is always well-prepared with a bit of craft that's a cut above typical Burlington restaurants, save a select few. Well...this last time I went in and was surprised by something completely new: the cocktails. I was with a date and we sat at the bar b/c we hadn't made reservations and the place was hopping on a Saturday Night . After noting what we were each looking for the bartender recommended that we try a Gin Fizz and an A+ respectively. Spot on. Both were expertly crafted drinks: great flavor, just the right amount of kick. If these were any indication of the rest of the cocktail menu, this could quickly become a favorite. I will continue to come back for dinner. Now I'm going to back for the cocktails too.
(4)Harold M.
Church and Main was a big disappointment. First, we had a reservation for three people. We were inexplicably seated at a table for six, which felt awkward. After asking for another minute to make out drinks decision (we had just been seated) we were left for 10 minutes before our waiter returned. Drinks and first course took about another 10 and 25 minutes to arrive respectively. A $13 glass of wine had a really stingy pour. At one point the waiter knocked one of my forks onto the seat and picked it up off the seat and put it back on my setting without offering a replacement (!). The lasagna was served on an awkward long wooden board that the server oddly jerked onto my wife's setting ramming everything else out of its way as if the bread plate was a bumper car. Lastly, when refilling water glasses he picked up each glass with his fingers by the rim of the glass. Gross. Basically for the price you can do much better in Burlington. Please improve waiter training.
(2)Carrie P.
A friend and I went to lunch at Church & Main on a Saturday for lunch - it was really delicious! The decor is really classy and the place has a nice atmosphere. I had mac and cheese, which was actually orichetti with a delicious gorgonzola cheese sauce. It was very simple, and incredibly delicious! My friend got the Church & Main burger (which came with really tasty fries) - she enjoyed very much. I would definitely recommend this place for lunch - it wasn't super crowded and was just a nice spot for a relaxed and very tasty lunch. I'd like to try dinner there sometime too!
(4)Summer T.
Cuisine & presentation rivals some of the best San Francisco establishments. Add in the incredibly friendly, attentive, knowledgeable service staff, with not even a hint of pretension-- it might just beat some of our best rated. I had the oyster & caviar small plate. The oysters came topped with creme fraiche & a dollop of sturgeon caviar. Perfection- ratios of flavor & taste were completely balanced. Oysters were sweet & ideally sized. I also had the caesar which was the perfect combination of the familiarity of chain restaurant caesar & super high-end, very anchovy-centric caesar salads complete with homemade croutons. The steak tartare was presented as a lovely meat puck with plenty of pickly capers & the other stuff that gets mixed into steak tartare. Grilled bread instead of toasted is always my preference. The shredded potato threads on top were unnecessary. Still delicious. I finished with the chocolate mousse which was heavy on the sweet/light on richness for my taste. The 2 staff people I interacted with were--in addition to being almost painfully petite-- entirely charming, attentive & sweet. (Thanks Alex!)
(4)alison k.
The short review: Got potential but could do better. The long review: Argh I want to give this more than three - really I do - as this could be THE spot to eat in Burlington I reckon. First, the good: Wine list really solid with certain wines being sold both by the ounce and the glass. The menu was also very appealing, certainly in comparison to other Burlington spots. The ambiance was relaxed and bustling and it would be a good place to sit at the bar with a glass of wine and a small plate - with or without a dining companion. Most importantly, some aspects of the food were great - the arancini were lightly fried and not too stodgy, the tuna tacos were super fresh, the lobster risotto was technically well-cooked. The Mahi-mahi main course was possibly the dish that felt like the most 'put together' we had. Finally, we were not rushed and enjoyed a relaxed pace of meal BUT, there are a few major issues that this place needs to overcome before it can really fulfill its potential. Some of these are teething problems, but, as a non-local I was not necessarily to know it was new. Firstly, there was no coat rack. Not that it was a problem on a very warm fall night, but one customer did have a bulky jacket. The space is not that big and it will be very inconvenient in winter with everyone having large coats. Secondly, the bar area next to our table was blocked by a flambé cart and seemed to be a bit of a congregating area for staff. The cart made it awkward for staff to move past, and whilst we didn't actually get our table bumped - it did make for somewhat uncomfortable moments. Related to this issue was the fact that the staff did not yet seem to be fluid in the operation. We had several people waiting on us. As a result I didn't have a napkin, my knife was taken away and i had to ask for a new one, we waited for ages to actually place our order, and have our credit card taken at the end, appetiser plates were not removed, so it was awkward for the server when she brought our mains, our original server forgot to tell us what the specials were, and when we asked she said "so NOW you want to know...?" Erm no, we wanted to know them before, but you didn't tell us..They also don't take reservations for parties of less than 4 people. None of these are really huge issues, but altogether they detract somewhat from the experience the restaurant is purporting to deliver. However, my main gripe is about the food in general. OH steak special was not cooked medium rare, more medium, and in fact, was so inconsistent that the slices of steak seemed to have come from different pieces of meat. The gratin that came with it was quite overpowering in terms of flavor, but it was still lacking in some salt. I would also say that the risotto was under seasoned, and seemed to have vanilla added, however that just added a fake sweetness that should have been delivered by the lobster. The tomato sauce that accompanied the arancini was pretty underwhelming as well, it tasted quite simple, like I could have made it. Fine in a rustic setting, but not when charging 12 ish for it - at odds with the stylised surroundings and menu With small plates in the 10-14 range and mains in the upper 20s I would have expected much more bang for my buck. Many small plates were disproportionally expensive in comparison to the mains. 3 small plates, 2 mains and 2 (albeit 20 bux each ) glasses of wine set us back 140 plus tip This place has so much potential and I have probably been quite harsh in this review as we did have a nice evening, but since it is trying to develop an upmarket reputation, it's only fair that it is judged accordingly. I would definitely go back though to try it again as it has potential to be one of the better upscale places in Burlington.
(3)Jessica C.
Looking at the menu ahead of time, I was already pretty exited about the options at Church & Main. The only disappointment of that dining experience was the lack of a place to wait for a table. They literally left a three foot square for people to stand while they wait for a table, and it's cold outside. But we had reservations and were seated right away in the back corner. The ambiance was romantic, understated and simple. Dimmed track lighting, brick walls and floor to ceiling curtains that sectioned off various sections of the restaurant made me feel cozy right away. The waiter greeted us and took our orders for water (tap is fine with me!) as we perused the menu. The menus were heavy, obviously housing a solid menu. I started out with their "Russian punch". A delightful blend of Ketel One vodka, some sort of berry compote and topped off with bubbles. Kind of like a bellini with good vodka. We just HAD to try the poutine with bacon and bourbon gravy as an appetizer. The only other time I have ever tried poutine was arond 3:30 am on some little sketchy fast food place after stumbling out of a club in Montreal. Even then it was decent. This poutine was absolutely amazing, a true comfort food of sorts. Hand cut fries that were slightly crunchy and hot, but not greasy. Melted bit of cheese curd topped off with the bacon bourbon gravy. Easily one of the best gravies I have ever had. Slightly creamy with just enough but not too much taste of the title ingredients. I would probably go back to Church & Main just for that dish. For my entree, I had the lobster mac & cheese. The waiter had asked if I wanted bacon in it too, but I held off. Good mac & cheese is probably my ultimate comfort food. Lobster mac & cheese could be considered a little bit of heaven for me, if done right. I had not found a lobster mac & cheese that rivaled the decadence and perfection of Our House (one of my favorite places to eat comfort food)....until Church & Main. Slightly sharp cheese perfection with large bits of perfectly cooked lobster claws and tail mixed in brought it right up to my "best mac & cheese" list. I could only finish about half of it. But leftovers are a wonderful thing. Based on that one visit, I would place Church & Main atop the best restaurants in Burlington, at least for contemporary american cuisine.
(5)Amber H.
I just figured out the secret to this place. Go there at lunchtime. The atmosphere is much more relaxed (as opposed to a bit pretentious), and the staff has more time to get things right. Chicken and Waffles is still the favorite, but the pistachio-crusted goat cheese salad was a surprising runner-up. I am still surprised at the youth and inexperience of the wait staff. When hoping for a drink, I looked meaningfully at our 20-ish waiter with a smile, and he simply smiled back, and kept walking. We had a good laugh about it - but you don't really want to have to shout for someone's attention. All in all - a good place, and I think it may - along with its service - mature with time.
(4)Meg M.
I thought this place was great for a nice Saturday night dinner! They worked with me on a gluten allergy, which was great. The calamari was delicious and naturally GF, since it's coated in rice flour and doesn't share a fryer with anything else. I had to get the my meal sans sauce, since it had flour in it, but the roasted chicken and veggies were delicious all on their own. I'll go next time again I'm in town!
(5)Sharon M.
Bring your appetite and prepare to eat big at Church and Main! The strawberry salad was delicious: crisp, fresh, locally grown, and perfectly dressed. We were a large party, so we shared tastes. I thought the pizza and the macaroni and cheese were uniquely wonderful, and the petit fillet was perfect. The desserts proved to be over-the-top delicious. But it was the small plates, accompanied with appropriate selections from a deep and wide liquor cabinet, that proved to be the best I've ever had. Fabulous!
(5)Danielle F.
I have never had someone raise their voice at me while at a restaurant, especially by the waitstaff, until I went to church and main. The service there is terribly slow, and when we asked to split the check the bartender yelled at us! We could not believe it. I got a yelp account for the sole reason of writing this review. Beware of the bearded bartender
(1)