Something happened this past weekend that made my week.

A friend emailed me to say he and his wife were heading to La Boca, the neighborhood pizza place in Burlington's New North End we'd featured in an earlier issue. I told him I was thrilled, and hoped we hadn't oversold it. He wrote back the next morning to say we hadn't…they'd ordered everything we’d recommended, loved all of it, and were already planning to go back.

By the way…they live in Jericho. That's a decent drive for a casual pizza night. But that's the whole point of this newsletter…not just to tell you what's out there, but to give you enough of a reason to actually go.

We talk a lot around here about the places we love, and we do it deliberately. The restaurant business is brutally hard…the margins, the staffing, the hours, the sheer relentlessness of it. These folks deserve our support, and more than that, they deserve the benefit of the doubt.

It's hard not to notice the culture of online “pile-ons,” where someone has a bad experience and immediately reaches for their phone to leave a bad review…without ever talking to an owner or manager, without giving anyone a chance to make it right. That's not a food culture we want any part of. We'd rather spend our energy pointing you toward the good stuff.

There's plenty of it out there.

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March in Vermont is many things, but “festival season” has never really been one of them…until this year, apparently. The first-ever Vermont Chocolate Festival lands March 14 and 15 at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, and the lineup is impressive. The weekend kicks off Saturday evening with a screening of the acclaimed film Peace by Chocolate (preceded by a chocolate tasting), then opens to the public Sunday from 11 to 5, with live demonstrations, guided tastings, s'mores making, and a “Meet-the-Makers” component where you can connect with the many Vermont chocolatiers participating. Sounds pretty sweet.

The following weekend, Ferment Fest returns for its fourth year on March 21 at the Soda Plant on Pine Street, Burlington. This free event brings together vendors, a starter swap, live music, and the very real risk that you’ll walk in curious and walk out with a jar of something healthy and a whole new obsession.

And if you're looking to get out even earlier, the Women's Festival of Crafts is March 8 at The Essex Resort…it’s not largely a food event, but the Tipsy Pickle and a handful of other specialty food vendors will be there, if you need an excuse.

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Good news for barbecue fans: Hangry Hogg, the southern smoke-focused food truck that's built a following in Rutland since 2022, is announcing a Burlington-area expansion for spring 2026. The menu runs brisket, pulled pork, St. Louis ribs, southern fried chicken sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, and cornbread waffles. Follow their Facebook page for location and launch updates.

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The Winooski Farmers Market is accepting applications for the 2026 season through midnight on March 7, and their wish list is worth noting: they're specifically looking for vendors offering culturally significant or specialty produce, honey products, fish, cheese and dairy, maple products beyond syrup, craft beer or cider, and vegan/gluten-free prepared foods. If that sounds like you or someone you know, find the application here.

The sap isn't running yet, but the calendar is. Get out and enjoy it. Here’s where…

There are roughly 291 Master Sommeliers in the world, and Vermont claims exactly one of them: David Keck is pouring from his wine project Stella 14 at La Reprise tonight, February 26. If you’re reading this on the day it lands, act quickly….he’ll be hosting a free tasting in the retail shop from 4 to 7 p.m., and he’s taking over their by-the-glass list until 9. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations might be smarter.

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If, like most of us, you’ve had just about enough of this winter, we’ve got a celebration for you: Barr Hill distillery in Montpelier has declared a Tropical Week, with a full slate of events starting tonight and running through March 8. In addition to a tropical takeover of their menu, they’ll be hosting a tropical cocktail class tonight (only 15 slots and selling quickly), plus a Saturday Luau on February 28 with music by Sambatucada, the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck on site, and free distillery tours all day. The following Saturday, March 7, is another bash, with a tropical feast featuring grilled food and island cocktails. Grab a table reservation and soak up the vibes.

Also this Saturday, Nelly's Pub & Grill in St. Albans is channeling Karen's Diner… the Australian pop-up concept where the whole joke is that the staff is spectacularly rude to you, on purpose. Eye rolls, sarcastic remarks, public roasting: it's dinner theater without the dinner theater price tag. Just show up any time from noon to close, bring a thick skin and a sense of humor, and don't expect anyone to ask if you're enjoying your meal. P.S. They suggest anyone under 18 come with a parent. You've been warned.

And, the Burlington Winter Farmers Market is also back on Saturday at Burlington Beer Co. on Flynn Ave from 10 to 1. Forty-odd vendors, farm produce, prepared foods, and one good reason to get out of the house before March arrives.

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If you're in the mood for a little road trip to Greensboro, Hill Farmstead is hosting a Winter Gathering this Sunday, March 1, from 11:30 to 3. Wander through bonfires on the snow-covered grounds while exploring a “tasting path” with four pours (three unreleased selections plus a vintage barrel-aged stout or barleywine) and raclette from Jasper Hill. Prophecy Chocolate will be there, too, with non-alcoholic chocolate drinks. Tickets are $30 and sold as bracelets in the taproom starting at 11:30…first come first served.

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You have some choices on Tuesday, March 3. If you want to lean into the season, Kraemer & Kin in North Hero is hosting a “Full Moon Skate” from 5:30 to 7 PM…enjoy the incredible ice on Lake Champlain, bring your own blades (or borrow them at the local library), and hope the weather cooperates!

And if you'd rather pretend spring is coming early, Switchback's Beer Garden has a Latin Dance Night starting at 6 p.m. No partner or experience needed. Book here to reserve your spot.

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Looking ahead, it’s not like March 7 wasn’t already plenty busy (Carnevale at The Essex and Downtown Winooski Casino Night at Waterworks are both that evening). Now it looks like Thin Mints and an IPA is a thing: The Girl Scouts will team up with Burlington Beer Company from 1 to 4 p.m. for “Cookies & Brews.” Come by to find out about a custom cookie-inspired brew, a flight with cookie pairings, and tickets ($50) that include snacks, a raffle ticket, and a story to tell. Sorry…this one is for the grown ups only.

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See you this weekend at the Ice Bar.

In closing…we're dog people. Very much so. Which is why this very creative event caught our eye: Vermont Cider Lab in Essex is hosting a “Wooden Pet Portrait” session on March 8th… you send in your pet photo, 3rd and Elm will turn it into a laser-cut wood design, and you’ll paint your piece at the event. Of course, they’ll have a good supply of cider and snacks on hand, and a portion of all sign-ups goes to Potter's Angels rescue. Sign up by March 4th.

We can't think of a better excuse to introduce you to our two boys…Salty, a 15-pound cockapoo, and Ciacci, a 140-pound Great Dane. Yes, they live together. Yes, they enjoy each other. Both under the age of 3. Both punks. We love them anyway.