The Vanilla Bean is a super cute cafe located in the very picturesque ""Quiet Corner"" of CT. Is is kind of far from any population centers, but depending on which way you go, the beauty of the drive makes it well worth the trip (I suggest going through historic South Woodstock and the main drag in Pomfret, which are located just to the North and South respectively, from the Vanilla Bean).
Menu items are not super innovative but they are all very good examples within their well trodden categories, for instance their chili is pretty basic in it's components...but it is a d*mn fine example of a basic chili!
They have live music periodically if you are into that sort of thing. As mentioned by another reviewer, this place is quite popular with bikers in the summer, which is kind of funny. Overall, the environment there is kind of a funky hippie/yuppie mix, but then you get these bikers coming in there in hordes. They are not the ""Easy Rider"" sort of bikers by any means, but if you don't like loud revving engines, I suggest avoiding the outdoor seating on summer weekend evenings (which is a shame because it is so nice there otherwise).
The menu is definitely premium priced for cafe fare, however prices do include tax as the other reviewer mentioned.
If you are in the area and want to try a different venue for dessert, I suggest you also check out We-li-kit ice cream in Abington CT. It is an outdoor ice cream stand which has their own dairy and creamery onsite, so the ice cream is about as local as it gets. They also have animals that you can pet, so it is a good place if you have kids.
more