Stratton ’11
After a wonderful Christmas holiday in a very different environment than usual (blog post to follow), I got to spend last weekend at the “Mountain House” (as my brother appropriately labeled it) just down the road from Stratton Mountain in Jamaica, VT.
This has been one of the best winters in recent memory as far as snowfall goes, and it has been a lot of fun to “re-embrace” the activities of the season. Our house for the weekend offered perfect VT ski house accommodations and had a good kitchen in which to cook. While my skills in the kitchen are lacking (to say the least) I am very lucky that both my brother and sister-in-law have become culinary whirlwinds and was able to document some of their handiwork with my new Panasonic Lumix LX-5 that I received for Christmas. The first night’s feast of osso buco (braised veal shanks), risotto and broccoli was expertly prepared by Ben; I am sure that had it been on special at Babbo or any other top flight restaurant it would have been sold out by the second seating.
It was accompanied by a bottle of Poggio a’Frati Chianti brought back from Italy by Ben and Denise when they were there last.
On the second night Denise prepared her soon-to-be famous enchiladas. Deliciously succulent with just the right amount of spiciness, you’d be hard pressed to find anything better in Vermont or south of the border for that matter!
Stella also enjoyed her special dinners as she is beginning to acquire all her new tastes! 
Well-fueled, we hit the slopes which were covered with the best snow the East has seen in a very long time.
http://vimeo.com/18939067
On the way home I found a great little diner that I am going to make sure to re-visit.
Although it was new to me I am sure it is legendary among those who frequent the area. The staff was friendly and efficient, and the line out the door was quickly diminished as the kitchen churned out orders at break-neck speed! My mid-morning breakfast was wonderful…
…and though I heard the pie case calling my name, I betrayed my ever popular saying of “say yes to pie” …
and decided to leave my slice for another day.
Until next time – CSH
