Barrows House Inn & Restaurant

The food was mostly good, dessert pretty bad, and service had a few kinks.
The restaurant was very accommodating for a big group (8) and even accommodated a slight schedule change when we had an injury on the mountain. We were also given a great round table (very conducive to conversation in larger groups) by the window. I appreciated that and took note.
The meat and seafood entrees were all delicious, including the steak frites and scallops. In fact, the scallops were perfectly cooked and the accompanying lentils were a great, slightly sweet complement. Appetizers were pretty good also, especially the truffle popcorn and fried mac n cheese.
The noodle bowl was the one entrée that disappointed. It was flavorless, and tasted kind of like it was a good peanut sauce that was then heavily diluted. The veggies in the dish didn’t seem fresh and the dish just seemed incongruous with the rest of the menu.
The dessert was pretty bad. The cheesecake was a puny, sad looking little sliver and tasted like it had been frozen and defrosted. Pretty awful.
Service was ok. I hesitate to criticize because our waitress was very sweet. It wasn’t her fault. It seemed like management did not have the whole process well orchestrated. The restaurant was pretty full, maybe at 75% capacity. However, they were also just clearly under staffed and not well organized.
Our table was not cleaned after each course. With 8 people each having drinks and several appetizers, it added to a lot of dirty plates stacking up. Our entrees were served and we had to basically push aside all the dirty plates! By the time dessert came, our table was STILL littered with dirty appetizer plates (!) and empty drink glasses. Our water was never refilled, not once. Our poor waitress seemed very over worked and stressed out, which is a sign they need to hire more servers. I don’t blame her, I imagine she literally just couldn’t keep up.

I frequent the Barrows House at least once a month and I am sad to say that the vegetarian Napoleon has been taken off the menu. I was disappointed by it replacement which is an Asian noodle bowl. However, I had a great meal that consisted of the homemade chips, fries, and the steak frites. We also ordered the fried Brie which was a little less than impressive as there was nothing to put it on. I can happily say that they replaced the hummus with honey cranberry butter and rolls that are to die for. Definitely missing the Napoleon but the food is never a disappointment! Definitely try the chocolate torte!

This review is for the restaurant only, not the inn.
The restaurant was quite busy on the night we were here, New Year’s Day. Having had a 5 star meal at the sister establishment, the Dorset Inn, last night, I was expecting the same high quality. I have to say we were disappointed.
It is easy to see why this companion restaurant is aiming at «gastropub,» to complement the fine dining down the street. This gives more options to local diners. The restaurant (& inn welcoming rooms) here are beautiful and trendy-​formerly very New Englandy like the Dorset, it looks like HGTV did a hotel makeover on it. Literally, it could be a Pottery Barn catalog!
I wish that translated to a great meal. It definitely had a hipster appealing menu.
Flatbread crackers were crisp, but neither of us liked the hummus, which we nicknamed «bummus,» for obvious reasons. I asked for butter but never received it. Ok, it was busy and I will start the diet soon, so I didn’t nag.
The gourmet fries were tasty but NOT hot enough, so slightly wilty and not crisp. The blue cheese sauce was different and tasty.
Companion’s chowder was weak on clams. I had the beet salad which was tastier than the presentation foretold. The fried balls of goat cheese were perfectly prepared and the dressing «dots» really complemented the diced beets well. I also had the shrimp and crab spring roll. It was good, but could be better: nice fresh seafood inside needed something, something green & crunchy, maybe cabbage or Bok choy, (I don’t know, I’m not a chef, just a consumer) inside the nicely fried roll. The sauce drizzled on was too spicy and overpowered the delicate seafood flavors.
Companion had a Caesar salad with chicken and stated the chicken was nicely cooked and tender.
We took desserts to go. I brought the coconut ice cream sundae. The ice cream was great, but the accompanying cookies were puzzling. I couldn’t. Identify the chewy bottom tasteless layer, so decided it was cardboard fiber. I hope so, I need more fiber.
Noise level near the bar was a 2(noisy but can hear when talking loudly) of 5(quiet), so try to sit in another room if it’s busy.
Honestly, with all the options nearby for dinner, we’ll try others before coming back.

So there’s just the two of us now, and there’s so much work to prep, serve and clean up a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner that we decided to go out this year. We were hopeful for a good experience after a very disappointing Thanksgiving Buffet last year at Café Provence in Brandon, but that’s another story.
So we trucked out to the Barrows House. I’d like to tell you more about the Barrows House but it was dark and we didn’t get to see much of it as we were tucked into a small dining area just inside the front door and adjacent to the bar. Poor lighting contributes to the utter lack of ambiance and comfort, not to mention getting a cold blast of air every time someone came in the door.
The waiter was extremely attentive, professional and friendly, so no complaints whatsoever about the service. Robyn ordered a pear flavored martini which was excellent and I a glass of Malbec that was quite serviceable.
We both decided to go for the traditional turkey dinner; white and dark meat turkey, dressing, mashed potato, gravy and cranberry sauce. My wife described it afterward as adequate and I would have to go along with that. I don’t know if there is such a thing as a fine dining gourmet Thanksgiving turkey dinner but this wasn’t it and we’re still looking.
For one thing, our dinners were delivered less than 5 minutes after we ordered. Robyn never had a chance to finish her martini. And while on the one hand I was hungry and so therefore glad for the quick service, it also pointed out that this is comfort food, folks. It ain’t fine dining. I have a problem with a lot of area restaurants that charge fine dining prices for food that doesn’t meet the standard. As comfort food, it’s fine, much like what you get for $ 15 at Zoey’s Double Hex. Maybe I should have gone for the butter poached lobster.
The pie was good and we were out of there in about 45 minutes. It was OK… It was alright… It wasn’t bad…
Well, you get the picture.

My group and I called ahead to make a reservation about 3 or 4 hours before we planned to eat. They accepted our group with ease. Once we arrived, we were seated promptly. I had the New England Clam Chowder as my appetizer — very good! What a great consistency. Come mealtime, I had the fresh North Atlantic salmon with asparagus, quinoa, a kale pesto topping, and a balsamic sauce. A terrific meal. Quite a large selection in terms of alcohol, as well. Great time!
Unfortunately, it was raining when my group ate, however the outdoor seating looked like a fun time. The fireplace is a nice touch for evening meals.

I stayed here back in May (2015) for a wedding nearby. I was in the single room cottage known as «Wren’s Nest» which is located just next to the main house/​bar building and central to the parking lot. I did not notice any noise from the nearby lot or building — and the room itself was fabulous. My boyfriend and I absolutely DOVE into the luxurious bedding! The staff was extremely helpful with every visit we made to the desk (and we made a lot!) They also have a sister restaurant down the street (like 2 min walk) that you can eat breakfast at — all of which was delicious! I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in the area!

Fabulous from start to finish, was able to switch a veal and shrimp risotto dish to just shrimp and it was amazing. Our waitress Pam wad top notch can’t wAit to return

We planned a quick get away to Barrow House and it surprised, delighted and over exceeded expectations on every level. I almost hesitate to leave such a powerful review because I now want Barrow House to be our secret, special place. The house cocktails are innovative and the wine list extensive. We sampled a handful of appetizers that were perfect — and the scallops were cooked to perfection. Jason and his staff were sweet, efficient and just plain customer oriented. Thank you! Now, shhhhhhhh. Just our secret special place, ok?

Yes, this is an Inn and a Restaurant, but is it a «Gastropub?» Definition has it that a gastropub serves «high quality» food along with alcoholic beverages. By THAT definition, I would agree that the Barrows House IS a gastropub.
But some gastropubs tend to serve a variety of, primarily, small portion dishes. BH does have a handful of «snacks» on their menu including cheeses, tacos, duck wings, and hand-​cut fries, and they certainly offer an excellent choice of craft-​brewed beers and innovative cocktails. But beyond those «snacks» the portion size of their Appetizers and Mains are more than generous.
We did not let this deter us, however, from sampling from the Snacks, Appetizers, Mains, and Desserts prior to attending a play at the ever so close Dorset Theatre Festival.
I chose to start with a glass of Beanery Brewing Ethiopian Coffee Milk Stout ($ ⁶⁄₁₄ oz.?) from Woodstock, VT. while my wife had a Blueberry Mint Mojito ($ 12) made with Ten Cane rum, fresh mint and blueberries, sugar, and seltzer. The stout was wonderfully flavorful, and while my wife was not certain that she could notice the flavor of any mint, she still declared it a delicious and relaxing cocktail in spite of how quickly it disappeared.
Along with our beverages we chose to start with the Cone of Hand Cut Fries ($ 7) that were served with ramekins of blue cheese fondue and malt vinegar ketchup for dipping. Oh, these fries were perfectly done shoestring variety. Probably more salt than I should have been having, but with their blue cheese fondue I couldn’t help but finish them down to the last crumb.
We also chose a Braised Pork Belly appetizer special ($ 15) to share. It was served with a sour cherry compote and foie gras. This is where I hearken back to my comment about portion size. The quantity of pork belly could have easily been a main course for many people. With the large crostini on the side we both should have been satiated at this point. Especially considering how deliciously flavorful and tender the pork belly was.
But we had our eyes on still more intriguing sounding offerings on the menu. But first a glass of Vevi, Spanish white wine ($ 10) for my wife and a glass of Maine Beer Co.‘s Mean Old Tom Stout ($ 8) for me. I definitely liked the Beanery stout more so, but Old Tom went well with my special of the night main, Crunchy Tuna ($ 27) — not to be confused with Monty Python’s crunchy frog. Sushi grade tuna, breaded and deep fried to a golden brown crispy crust with a beautiful rare red interior, piped wasabi, soy sweet chili sauce and a seaweed salad with carrot ribbons. Fried fish never seemed so healthy to me.
My wife also chose seafood for her main course, Seared Coho Salmon ($ 27) with scallion pesto, ginger basmati rice, grilled asparagus, and soy butter. I must point out here that my wife has a long ago memory of being served what she was told was Coho salmon in NYC and it has kept her from ever ordering it again. Only with the reassurance of our gracious server Darcie that the salmon was mild in flavor, and my reassurance that we could switch plates if she didn’t like it, did my wife proceed to chance ordering this special of the night. It turns out that this Coho salmon was proclaimed by my wife to be the absolute best tasting salmon she has ever had. I wholly concur with her proclamation.
Seeing as we had arrived early for our pre-​play dinner, we still had plenty of time to relax over some coffee ($ 2,50 each with refills offered) before we needed to leave. So what goes better with a good robust cup of coffee than… wait for it… Pineapple Upside Down Cake ($ 8) with caramel sauce and coconut ice cream. The cake was moist and flavorful. While this flavor of ice cream was not made in house, some are, our server explained that it was made locally by a small operation for the restaurant.
Overall, this was an excellent meal with friendly and attentive service that really deserves another half-​star. I can see where it might make more sense to spend a few days staying at Barrow House just so that you don’t try to eat so many things at one sitting. Spread it out over several days. Now that might be the true definition of a gastropub.

Great choices of interesting food DONE WELL. Lovely outside deck with heat lamps, (when needed) when the weather is good. It’s a bit away from Manchester but worth the 8 mile-​ish ride.
Nice bar when you have to be inside. Contemporary décor– a bit of a change for the typical Vt. scene.

The food here is ridiculously incredible! I was in food Nirvana the entire meal. Beet Tar-​Tar and Tuna Nachos both had an awesome combination of flavors, temperature and texture. My Steak Frites was a perfect piece of meat with this awesome Gorgonzola au jus on the plate. Way wife’s burger was the best burger we’ve had. The atmosphere is great for a date and the staff is super-​friendly.

Organic modernism of décor and food. Based in an original building, yet very current and updated. While eating, I felt as if it was local, well prepared food made from a professional chef.

Excellent food — great taste, aesthetic, creative. One desert (apple tart with fig cream filling + pine nut crust) was a little off, but I chalk that up to the price of creativity — a creative chef takes risks and doesn’t hit a home run with every single swing. Sitting on the outdoor patio at night is lovely. We’ll definitely be back.

What a great little town to visit! I didn’t eat at Barrow’s but I spent some time at the bar and it is a great space with great selections and service. I love that contrast of the old Colonial clapboard buildings and then inside you find a beautiful, contemporary space. Loved it!

Delicious food, creative menu, and lovely setting. The pickings are slim up here, so discovering this place was like finding a treasure.

Amazing dining experience. Boston or New York flare in a quiet Vermont town. Jennifer’s service was amazing. Desert of s’mores pudding by the fire pit.

Fabulous experience bordering on 5 stars. Everything was stellar. From the ambience to the drinks to all the food choices, it was wonderful.
Unilocal $ 75 for $ 50 deal is great.
Loved, loved, loved this place and will definitely return.
Bring a vegetarian in Vermont is out of this world. The inventive gourmet dishes rival any top NYC spot. I’m in Heaven when here and the Barrows greatly contributed to my euphoria.
All the dishes served around us too were presented in such an outstanding manner — truly top notch dining!

We came here with a big party and the service was excellent. I had a beet salad and the steak frites and they were both great. The asparagus was absolutely delicious. I didn’t love the sauce on the steak so I had to give it 4 stars.

Wonderful retreat in a great area for outdoor adventures and shopping. We stayed in Wren’s Nest for a romantic escape. There was a mixed crowd the two (weekday) nights we were there — elementary school aged kids with their mom, lots of retired-​age folks. The room itself was very nicely renovated, clean, and comfortable; a beautiful old cottage with exposed beams. The grounds are also beautiful — a gazebo (birds have taken up residence and built a nest, watch out!) The gardens have several large berry bushes where I hope the blueberries in my delicious blueberry mojito came from. The pool was great, clean, plenty of lounge chairs, and drinks poolside! Perfect way to cool off. The owners/​staff were very friendly and accommodating the entire time.
The restaurant was fantastic. Professional and attentive service. Delectable sourdough bread to start with fresh cream butter. I had a specials both nights while my husband stuck with classics (see photos). Everything we ate was fresh, tasty, and beautifully presented.
I can see that the house has some rooms that are great for families. The proximity to both Outlets, Emerald Lake, and the quarry (and I saw a golf course somewhere close) makes this a great spot to come back to after almost any activity you prefer.

Family friendly and accommodating business in Dorset! Recommended without reservation for young families looking for R&R in the Dorset area!
If you want a warm & welcoming Vermont experience for a family, this is it. The innkeeper Jim is kind & accommodating. He’s ready to attend to your every need with warmth, courtesy & a good sense of humor.
Our children (6 & 9) LOVED it here. We rented the stable room, which had a queen size bed for us & a sofa bed for the kids. 2 rooms, and plenty of space for hte 4 of us. Very close to the pool, the tennis court & the bb court.
From what I can see, this Inn has the best grounds of all the B&Bs in Dorset. Enormous! A safe spot, where our kids were safe to run untethered to the hammock, the swing, the gardens, the basketball court, and the tennis courts. I only wish the swimming pool had been open!
When not relaxing on the grounds with my kids I was able to enjoy the Barrows House as my mobile office. I set up shop in the Gazebo (great wifi there!), on the front porch, in the restaurant, and in my room — great wifi everywhere.
The breakfasts are delicious and included in the room rate.
I highly suggest a stroll through the neighboring cemetery. and the general store in town is filled with interesting yummy treats (if I had more time, I’d try their sandwiches — at the very least, a good spot for last minute maple candy & jams!)