[Sherylcatmom]

Hi all,

We're meeting a friend for dinner on a Sunday evening. She's got something to do in Springfield then we'll meet up.

I'm hoping you can recommend a place. We'd all rather drive a bit than settle. If you are thinking of restaurants in towns outside Springfield, she'll be driving back toward Brattleboro and we'll be driving back toward Rutland, so something in those directions would be helpful.

I'm vegan, she's vegetarian, and my husband is omni. We all really notice things like freshness and caring food preparation. This doesn't mean fancy/expensive, which doesn't always fit that bill. Small and funky is great. We all love ethnic food, though I realize given where we're meeting, it's probably less likely.

Thanks for anything you can suggest!

. /\ /\
= ` ` = Sheryl

[jerseygirl4now]

I don't know names of places, but Okemo, or Chester. There is certainly nowhere to eat in Springfield, lol.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by jerseygirl4now

I don't know names of places, but Okemo, or Chester. There is certainly nowhere to eat in Springfield, lol.

LOL! We were thinking probably Chinese. Even not-so-great Chinese places can usually do edible tofu & veggies.

There are two Chinese restaurants in Springfield. Anyone been to either? Oriental Palace has decent reviews posted online.

I wouldn't mind eating in Ludlow or Chester, which would be closer for me. But I don't want to make extra driving for my friend, who has brief business in Springfield and then will hop right back on the highway to go home.

[pabear]

There is a Chinese restaurant either in or near Bellows Falls on Rt 5. South of Springfield. I can't recall the name however, sorry. If you are headed South on Rt 5. towards Bellows Falls it is on the left.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by Sherylcatmom

LOL! We were thinking probably Chinese. Even not-so-great Chinese places can usually do edible tofu & veggies.

There are two Chinese restaurants in Springfield. Anyone been to either? Oriental Palace has decent reviews posted online.

I wouldn't mind eating in Ludlow or Chester, which would be closer for me. But I don't want to make extra driving for my friend, who has brief business in Springfield and then will hop right back on the highway to go home.

Old Town Inn on rte 10 in Gassetts has a highly acclaimed Japanese chef -- that might be a good route to go for veget/vegan palates.

I haven't been to either Chinese restaurant in Springfield, sorry There is one on Rte 11 heading towards 91 that looks like a real dump. There's another on 11, closer to the main part of town which looked closed down the last time I was in Springfield (early Jan)

I think your best bet is going to be heading up to Ludlow.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by pabear

There is a Chinese restaurant either in or near Bellows Falls on Rt 5. South of Springfield. I can't recall the name however, sorry. If you are headed South on Rt 5. towards Bellows Falls it is on the left.

Joy Wah.

I have had good experiences there, the OP has not.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

Joy Wah.

I have had good experiences there, the OP has not.

You have a good memory.

Funny thing is, we're meeting up with the same friend we met at Joy Wah for what turned out to be an icky dinner. Our friend now refers to the place as "Joyless Waaaaaahhhhhh!"

[OhBeeHave]

If it involves food, I generally have a good memory LOL

We were at the 'infamous' Joy Way 2 weeks ago; hubby had a combo Chinese meatball dinner, I had shrimp with lobster sauce and son ordered the Gen Tsaos -- all were good. My daughter picks from all of our meals. The pu pu platter was greasy; not enough time being drained after coming out of the deep fryer? The egg drop/tomato soup was delicious. Everyone else had wonton soup -- they ate it, but no comments good or bad.

As for this group the kids usually say Joy WaaaAAaaaAAAaaaaH. Basically it's a contest to see who can WAAAH the longest.

The biggest disappointment they've had was about 2 years ago. We sat down to dinner and my son asked the waiter what Joy Wah translated to in English. The waiter told him it doesn't have a meaning. It just sounded good. Waaaaaaaaah!

[arel]

For Chinese, I can recommend Panda North and Panasian. Both are in Brattleboro. Panda North is in the North end of Brattleboro. Panasian is about a mile or so down Putney Road (route 5). I know of three other Chinese restarurants in Brattleboro. Two I haven't gone to and the third I don't recommend.

There is also an Indinan restaurant in downtown Brattleboro. I forget the name, but it is the only Indian resturant.

There is a good Thai restaurant on Main Street in Brattleboro. There's another Thai restaurant in town that is also supposed to be good but I haven't eaten there and I don't know exactly where it is.

You can get good vegetarian food at the Co-op but the dining area does not have the ambience of a real restaurant.

Outside of Brattleboro, there is the Front Porch Cafe in Putney. The food and atmosphere are very good there, but I don't know if you can get vegetarian food. You could call them.

There are many restaurants in Brattleboro, from fast food to "fine dining".

That's my 2 cents. I only know restaurants in Brattleboro and Putney.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by arel

For Chinese, I can recommend Panda North and Panasian. Both are in Brattleboro.

Thanks! I agree and would recommend most of these places, too. I WISH we were meeting in Brattleboro -- there's no end to restaurants to choose from. But we're meeting in Springfield, which is a ways away from Brattleboro & Putney.

I think we're decided on Imperial Palace. Chinese restaurants usually offers tasty choices for veg eaters and this place has several good reviews on the internet, so we will go with great hope. Afterward I'll report on how it was.