Food

Small-town sophistication is exemplified in a handful of eateries, primarily centered along Main Street. For a solid dose, settle in at a table at the modern country deli Three Squares (221 Main St., 802/877-2772, www.3squarescafe.com [1], 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun., $5–8) and tuck into one of the house’s panini of teriyaki flank steak with red onion and garlic mayonnaise.

For a pull-out-all-the-stops meal, turn to Christophe’s on the Green (5 N. Green St., 802/877-3413, www.christophesonthegreen.com [2], 5:30–9:30 p.m. Tues.–Sat., $28), a chic but simple dining room filled with crisp linens and Villeroy & Boch china. Dinners here tend toward the romantic and creative—French classics like mushroom tart tweaked with comté cheese.

Originally a cider press, the setting for Starry Night Cafe (5371 Rte. 7, Ferrisburgh, 802/877-6316 www.starrynightcafe.com [3], 5:30–9 p.m. Wed.–Sun., $17–26) is a historic complex that includes a covered bridge. The dining room itself is blessed with an antique bar, chairs custom-made by local artists, and hand-blown glassware. Nor is the menu lacking for creativity; it’s found in plates of steak tartar with chipotle aioli, tagine with tilapia and fennel, and duck with sour cherry-wine sauce.

There’s a little slice of Paris to be found at a great price at Black Sheep Bistro (253 Main St., 802/877-9991, 5–8:30 p.m. daily, $14–19), where high-quality dishes like black sesame–crusted salmon with ginger beurre blanc make up the specials.