Mount Ida Tasting Room & Taphouse Is a Delight
I’m just back from a weekend in southern Vermont where the adorable small towns are nestled in the green mountains with charm in every direction. I’m from New England originally, so being there just filled my heart. However, it’s never sad for me to leave a place to come home to Charlottesville!
Last week, two of my colleagues and myself were invited to Mount Ida Tasting Room & Taphouse for lunch to try out their new menu. The Tasting Room and Taphouse are situated atop Mount Ida’s 5,000-acre reserve, which has expanded in recent years. The structure itself is enormous and feels like you’ve entered a fabulous ski lodge in Montana. Like many of the vineyards in the area, the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are spectacular. There is a sprawling area for children to run and play, outdoor firepits and plenty of comfortable seats inside and outside to stretch out and relax on. Oh, and it’s pet friendly!
Catie Ardito and Jackie Callo, who are in sales there, hosted our delicious lunch. They couldn’t have been more gracious. We decided to share plates since the menu looked so good. I love homemade hummus and pita and ate almost all of it before anyone else could. Delish! The citrus salad, chicken sandwich and chili were also very appetizing, but the chef’s rigatoni was out of this world!! I already knew their home-made pizzas and burgers were a mainstay. I didn’t indulge in any of their wine or beer (there are lots of both) because I was the designated driver, but my colleagues certainly approved!
Chef Adam Jankowski hails from the Inn at Little Washington, a Three-Michelin Star rating. No surprise there! The good news is the restaurant stays open on Friday and Saturday nights until 8:00 pm. Perfect for a sunset dinner. All and all, it was a lovely afternoon laughing and getting to know one another. Catie and Jackie are both knowledgeable and charming. We are looking forward to doing lots of events with them in the future.
Please stop by the front desk to pick up a voucher for a complimentary wine or beer flight.