Saturday, January 15, 2011

Storm Cafe, Middlebury's Gourmet Dining Experience

I’m sure you are familiar with the U.S. Postal Service’s motto “neither rain nor sleet nor snow can stop the mailman”. Well that’s kind of how we feel about food. Last night in the midst of the biggest snowfall thus far in J-term, we braved the dangerous roads and blistering cold for a meal at Middlebury’s Storm Café, located in Frog Hollow, directly on Otter Creek, to celebrate our very own Kirsten Lundquist’s 22nd birthday. (Special thanks to the Lundquist family for treating us to class time well spent).
Storm Café is Middlebury’s gourmet meal. It is the perfect place to take that special someone on that special night, or for the rest of you, Storm is the go-to destination for a delicious meal within walking distance. Storm Café is an intimate dining experience, holding only 14 tables in wintertime; during warmer seasons the deck is open for riverside dining on Otter Creek, a great option on a perfect Middlebury spring day.
Because we arrived in what can only be described as a small army, we were fortunate enough to sample the majority of Storm’s diverse menu. To begin, Storm offers a variety of appetizers from soups and salads to seafood options. Last night, we sampled the Spicy Steamed Mussels, which can double as an entrée, so we recommend sharing it for an appetizer. The mussels were served in a garlic and cilantro broth, coupled with white wine, lime juice, chili paste, and julienned vegetables. The broth is so flavorful that I gladly would have eaten it as a soup. As mussels go, Storm Café’s are some of the best, which have earned this appetizer a regular position on this restaurant’s ever changing menu.
Another appetizer that was popular amongst our party was the Winter Salad, served as a mix of field greens with crumbled bacon, gorgonzola cheese, caramelized onions, Anjou pears and walnuts tossed in a sherry Dijon vinaigrette. As is a theme with many of Storm’s dishes, this salad is large and very filling. The addition of the bacon to this typically light salad gives this dish a rich composition that left little room in our stomach for our entrées. Although I love bacon almost as much as I love French fries (see our Black Sheep Bistro post), I personally would have preferred that this dish had been served bacon-free to preserve my appetite for my second course. Again, we highly recommend sharing this option.
The third appetizer option that our group sampled was the Vermont Fresh Spinach and Roasted Garlic Ravioli. The locally made ravioli was filled with spinach, roasted garlic, Romano cheese, shiitake and portabella mushrooms, and asparagus. Despite this overwhelming list of ingredients, the ravioli maintained a lightness that was balanced out well by the heaviness of the vodka tomato basil cream sauce. While this starter was no doubt yummy, it was not terribly inspiring. In its place, we recommend going with their Roasted Garlic and Potato Soup, which could very well be the best and heartiest soup found in Vermont.
After comfortably taking down Storm’s nicely portioned appetizers, it was time for the main course. Storm draws many customers due to its renowned Penne Carbonara. I tend to think of myself as an Italian food snob, as a result, during my first visit to Storm several years ago, I was shocked when half of the table ordered this dish. However, I can truthfully say that this take on Penne Carbonara is the best that I’ve ever tasted. The dish is served family style, meaning it’s quite sizable, and unless you are a committed eater, you will struggle to finish it. We ordered ours with shrimp, but this dish is also available with the options of chicken or scallops, all of which complement the dish perfectly. Even after my tenth or so time ordering this dish, I still confidently and adamantly endorse it as one of the best entrée options in all of Middlebury. Try it for yourself!
Another member of our party ordered the Fresh Atlantic Salmon, pan seared and served with a creamy asiago risotto with roasted red peppers, asparagus, and pancetta. This farm raised salmon is simply seared and not complicated with the addition of a sauce, yet it remains flavorful enough to stand on its own. The simplicity of this dish is paired perfectly with the asiago risotto, which might rival the carbonara as the best starch on the menu. Too bad it’s not offered as an entrée.
As 21 year olds, we indulged ourselves and ordered two bottles of wine for the table, both recommended by the house. The wines were great but I realized mid-way through my appetizer that I did not come to Storm for the wine. I drank only half a glass, not because the wine wasn't satisfying, but rather because I was so preoccupied with my food option. Another sign that for all of you overeaters out there, the portions at Storm will not disappoint.
Storm Café is not terribly expensive relative to their portion sizes, but dinner is still a slight splurge on a college student budget. Appetizer prices range from $4-5 for soup to $12 for the more substantial options, while entrée prices range from $16 to $24. For those that are hesitant to indulge on dinner, Storm Café’s lunch menu is very affordable (all options are under $10) and all are equally as delicious. The service is the best we’ve come across so far; the waitresses are genuine and the courses are timed perfectly. Overall, Storm Café is a guaranteed great meal, open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and there’s no beating its close proximity to the college.
Spicy Steamed Mussels
Winter Salad



Vermont Fresh Spinach & Roasted Garlic Ravioli

Stormy Creole Stew
Penne Carbonara with Shrimp
Pan Seared Fresh Atlantic Salmon

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