Peasant - Waitsfield

Well, planned a special night out, 3 couples. Arrived at 5:00pm on a Saturday night right on time for our reservation, doors were locked, waited outside for a few minutes until the doors were opened. This seemed odd and less than hospitable. We were seated by a hostess who was less than gracious, not awful but no smile, no greeting, no personality. We kind of felt like we were an annoyance of some sort. This remained the case all night. First courses were ok, calamari was sautéed and spicy. Salads were fine, nothing special. Salmon was cooked well, simply prepared. The cassoulet, my dish was executed well but crazy spicy. To their credit I was warned. I've had this dish a few times in my life and was never left with a sweaty forehead and watery eyes. As we wrapped up dinner it kind of felt we were getting a bit of a bums rush on a busy Saturday night. All in all food was a 3.5, atmosphere 4, service taking into account the unwelcoming rushed vibe 2. I'll give them 3 stars generously. Bill with 25% tip was just shy of 500 dollars couples bottles of pricey vino....

I 'm sorry to say that I won 't be going back to this restaurant that I used to like so much. I have had several fine experiences here and enjoyed visiting in the past. So much so that I talk them up at our local ski lodge any time people ask me about restaurants in the valley. But, on this visit, I didn 't get to eat any food, it 's the attitude I encountered upon arrival that leads me to write this and that will keep me away. We were a party of 6 people with a reservation booked a couple of weeks before MLK weekend (they book up fast). At the last minute, another wanted to join us and we didn 't think it would be a problem to squeeze them in at our table. We imagined a couple of 4 tops pushed together and we 'd be able to fit them at an end, or accommodate them in some way that would not use an extra table. When we arrived, we said we have a 7th person and the hostess told us we don 't do that . No apologies, no attempt to accommodate, not even some attempt at a reasonable explanation, like there is no possible way to fit another at the table, or the fire code, or anything that would have been about how she would LOVE to help but just can 't. Basically too bad, can 't help, someone has to leave (not her words, but the basic jist). Just made us all sorry we dared to introduce a new person to this restaurant. So, one of my other friends and I agreed to go elsewhere so everyone else could stay, but it was a really uncomfortable and awkward situation. The people who did stay felt bad about it and were going to leave also, but we insisted they stay. And, as it turned out, I was told that we easily could have fit #7 at the table (it was as we imagined) and that an adjacent 2 top remained empty for the whole time they were all there(in fairness, it could have been a reserved no-show). Not sure why someone looks for way to say no instead of yes in a business like this. Try to find a solution, If it seemed like you were trying to help, I might feel differently. I 'm glad they are always heavily booked and doing well, but I also guess it means they can say no. Unfortunately, myself and 6 other people will be telling this story about Peasant to anyone who asks about restaurants in the valley. I should mention that this was MLK weekend and we booked weeks in advance, and I am just getting around to writing this now.

Best food in the valley! Sad to hear it may be closing. Too soon!

Service and food was great. Nice intimate place. The restaurant is family owned and they take care of their customers.

Great bartender, lovely food and a very inviting atmosphere. Highly recommend. Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5