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North Country Books -- Burlington, Vermont
The surplus of students (and the "studious") in a college town (usually) makes for great used bookstores and North Country Books is the crown jewel of...
North Country Books -- Burlington, Vermont
The surplus of students (and the "studious") in a college town (usually) makes for great used bookstores and North Country Books is the crown jewel of used bookstores on Burlington's Church Street Marketplace (see my review of the "Crow Bookshop" for other options). A great space stacked to the ceiling with books from classics to cookbooks, sci-fi to self-help, and everything in between. The staff is helpful, knowledgeable and very, very low-key, no high-pressure salespeople here. Prices are very reasonable and the selection especially for a used bookstore is impeccable. Oftentimes you can find hardcover books in good condition that were on the bestseller lists less than two months ago. Unlike most used bookstores that carry a lot of remaindered titles, North Country has a great selection of a popular and cult author's catalogs, again probably thanks the clientรจle who buy and sell their used books at North Country, yours included. Prints, vintage posters, greeting cards, and antique maps are also for sale. Browse around the "borders" of Church Street, but buy down at "North Country."
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Joyce's Noodle House -- Essex, Vermont
When I tell you that Joyce's has the best spring rolls you'll ever eat, I would expect skepticism, but just taste and . . . well, taste and you'll...
Joyce's Noodle House -- Essex, Vermont
When I tell you that Joyce's has the best spring rolls you'll ever eat, I would expect skepticism, but just taste and . . . well, taste and you'll understand -- crunchy, light, delicious! Joyce's is more than their spring rolls, of course, the food is top-notch with all the best of the far east homemade in the Green Mountains. Out of habit I've stayed consistent with the Kung Pao, Hunan, and Szechuan favorites. Joyce's offers take-out and dine-in options. Eating at Joyce's is always treat, the service is always excellent and the atmosphere is light and airy like the spring rolls! It's a great place to take visitors from out-of-town or that special someone. Prices are consistent with quality, expect to pay between $20 and $30 for two entrรฉes, drinks, and appetizers (did I mention the spring rolls?). For a full menu, check out their website, www.joycesnoodlehouse.com.
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Mimmo's Pizzeria and Restaurant -- Essex Junction, VT
I love pizza and Essex Junction has some great local pizza (see my other posts on Bingo's, Foodee's, and Leonardo's), but Mimmo's (pronounced...
Mimmo's Pizzeria and Restaurant -- Essex Junction, VT
I love pizza and Essex Junction has some great local pizza (see my other posts on Bingo's, Foodee's, and Leonardo's), but Mimmo's (pronounced Me Moes) . . . nothing compares to Mimmo's. Serving a southern Italian pizza -- thin pizza with a big, fluffy, crunchy crust -- Mimmo's in Essex Junction is a full service Italian restaurant and pizzeria. Prices are not unreasonable, but you pay for quality food made from high-quality ingredients. The budget-conscious should probably stick to ordering single slices served piping hot. Seating is limited and during lunch and dinner (especially on weekends) you're going to wait to be seated. The service is great and the waiters and waitresses are friendly and very helpful. Although Mimmo's is definitely a "family dining" experience, it doesn't feel like you're trying to eat at a day-care. Take-out is available, as well as delivery in a limited range. Mimmo's is definitely a "where-the-locals" eat kind of place -- simply, the best!
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Foodee's Pizza -- Essex, Vermont
Steps away from the Essex Cinemas is a hidden secret, Foodee's Pizza. Serving take-out as well as dine-in, Foodee's serves a great tasting, thick crust, pizza. ...
Foodee's Pizza -- Essex, Vermont
Steps away from the Essex Cinemas is a hidden secret, Foodee's Pizza. Serving take-out as well as dine-in, Foodee's serves a great tasting, thick crust, pizza. What makes them a great place to eat before a movie is their selection of slices made to order. Check out the specials-of-the-day, unusual, but also satisfying -- they serve a four cheese with pepperoni that is out of this world. The service is excellent. Your order is brought to your table and served on a pizza stand, think a cake stand, but for pizza. Beer is available in bottles with a selection of micro brews that rivals better bars and taverns. A couple of slices and a coke or even your favorite micro-brew will cost you less than $10 -- a better deal (and better tasting) than popcorn and a soda at the movies, that's for sure. Do Foodee's!
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Leonardo's Pizza -- Burlington, Vermont
After having one of Leonardo's Pizzas delivered to your home, you'll never (willingly) want chain-store pizza again, never. Delivery is free and large and...
Leonardo's Pizza -- Burlington, Vermont
After having one of Leonardo's Pizzas delivered to your home, you'll never (willingly) want chain-store pizza again, never. Delivery is free and large and medium pizzas cost $12 and $9.50 respectively, go with the large, toppings add $1.25 each for medium and $1.50 each for large. You pay for quality, what can I say. Leonardo's also offers boutique pizzas like "Meat Lover's Revenge" for the carnivore in your family (pepperoni, sausage, ground beef and baked ham), or if your feeling exotic try the Hawaiian Island Delight (which actually has more meat than the revenge, but balances (or tries to anyway) the cholesterol off with broccoli and pineapple, and vegetarian favorites like Gorgonzola Gourmet (Gorgonzola cheese, olive oil, freshly chopped garlic, spinach, artichoke hearts, and plum tomatoes, these specialties will cost you $16 for large and $13 for medium, again my advice, spend the extra three bucks and go large. Leonardo's also offers two choices for crusts, whole wheat or white. I don't think I've ever ordered a pizza from Leonardo's without getting whole wheat crust, if that tells you anything. Leonardo's will cost you more than whatever "deal" or "gimmick" a chain-store pizza place may be running, but you'll taste the difference and you'll never go back.
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Hop Sing Chinese Restaurant -- Essex
Seinfeld afficianado's know you don't want to get blacklisted from Hop Sing's. This is a great place for affordable and quick Chinese take-out. The menu is...
Hop Sing Chinese Restaurant -- Essex
Seinfeld afficianado's know you don't want to get blacklisted from Hop Sing's. This is a great place for affordable and quick Chinese take-out. The menu is standard fare with all your Chinese food favorites. The staff is friendly and very accommodating, especially when it comes to handing out "Tootsie Pops" to eager two-year-olds. I've ordered off the menu, but for value the combination plates can't be beat. Two combination plates (again, standard Chinese food faves and standards abound) will cost you less than $15. If you're looking for a fast, affordable, and tasty-take-out, Hop Sing satisfies.
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Pure Pop -- Burlington, Vermont
Pure Pop looks, feels, and sounds like every cool music stores you've ever seen on the big screen -- High Fidelity, Empire Records. I get a giddy thrill walking...
Pure Pop -- Burlington, Vermont
Pure Pop looks, feels, and sounds like every cool music stores you've ever seen on the big screen -- High Fidelity, Empire Records. I get a giddy thrill walking down the steps (Pure Pop is in the basement of a non-descript building off the Church St. marketplace) and through the door into a wall of sound blasting through the speakers whenever I go there. Their prices are very competitive (usually) with national chains when it comes to new mainstream releases, but where Pure Pop really makes their mark is with their inventory of independent artists and more genre music -- jam rock, electronica, punk, to name a few. They always display 8 to 10 new releases from "hot" or "emerging" artists and sell them for less than $10, a steal. Their back catalog is pricey, but they do carry a fair amount of imports and other hard-to-find releases of your favorite artists. They also sell some vinyl, DVD's, concert tickets, and carry a used-cd section. Pure Pop is the perfect college town music store a place where Rob Gordon and Barry would feel right at home.
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The Book Rack and Children's Pages -- Essex, Vermont
I've been patronizing the Book Rack since they were in the Winooski Mill and although I would like to say that it is where our family buys all...
The Book Rack and Children's Pages -- Essex, Vermont
I've been patronizing the Book Rack since they were in the Winooski Mill and although I would like to say that it is where our family buys all our books . . . I would like to say that, but the reality is we don't. Cost is one reason, selection is the other. New Hardcovers and recent releases are always in stock, but the "rack" lacks the space for most paperbacks, it's not a national retailer with thousands of feet of floorspace. They can of course order you anything you want -- just like you can on your very own computer. The Children's Pages is the real draw. It stocks all the latest award-winning children's books and the classics. There is a play-area for small children and a great supply of stuffed animals and toys for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages. Support your local bookstore, because when they're gone we will miss them regardless of what they keep in stock or what they charge for what they sell.
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Great Harvest Bread Company -- Burlington, Vermont
Chittenden County is blessed with several outstanding bakeries that carry high quality goods and provide impeccable service, but Great Harvest...
Great Harvest Bread Company -- Burlington, Vermont
Chittenden County is blessed with several outstanding bakeries that carry high quality goods and provide impeccable service, but Great Harvest rises above them all. I have never ever been in a bakery that provides customers with a sample the size of a an outstretched palm. No sooner are you through the door than someone is cutting you (usually right out of the oven) a handful-size hunk of bread. For the health-conscious, all their bread is made from whole grains. Reading the ingredients you won't find anything that sounds like it was created in a laboratory. Besides the complimentary slice (always go for the cinnamon or the chocolate Babka!), Great Harvest doesn't give their bread away. Prices are at a premium, but you definitely pay for what you get. After eating bread that is made from the finest ingredients, by hand no more than a few feet from where you stand, you will "wonder" how you ever lived without Great Harvest.
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Martone's Market -- Essex Junction
Do you have that friend that refuses to eat at the same chain restaurants day in and day out? Do they happen to have a lot of disposable income? Because...
Martone's Market -- Essex Junction
Do you have that friend that refuses to eat at the same chain restaurants day in and day out? Do they happen to have a lot of disposable income? Because Martone's is not for the budget conscious, but damn if their sandwiches aren't worth going into the red for. Martone's serves one of those deli sandwiches that you can't fit your mouth around unless you have a detachable jaw. They use only the best meats (Boar's Head) and the freshest vegetables. Their mayonnaise is out-of-this-world, who knew egg yolks and oil could taste transcendent. The service is only just average, I've had good experiences and just so-so ones. If you are in a hurry don't stop by during the noontime rush unless you are willing (able) to wait 10 to 15 minutes for your order. Although I have never eaten on the premises, it is very open, inviting, and bright thanks in large part to high ceilings and huge storefront windows. They also provide deli platters for large gatherings, and marinated meats, along with salads. Brownies, cookies, and other desserts are also available, but be prepared to walk 40 or 50 miles to work off the calories from these decadent desserts. Martones . . . bring your checkbook and your appetite.
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