The Backroom

Some of our Vermont locals decided to start a neighborhood «supper club» — looking for unique places and memorable meals, especially restaurants that concentrate on local grown and native foods. In choosing the first location, the group did not hesitate to select the Backroom in Pittsfield. The owners, Kevin Lasko and Katie Stiles, were the volunteer chefs for a free local Community Meal, which fed 125 people and collected over $ 1300 in free will donations for the Bethel Food Shelf, which serves Bethel, Barnard, Stockbridge, and Pittsfield. One of the (many) motivations for going, en masse, to The Backroom, was to say thank you to the talented and community minded chefs!
The Backroom did not disappoint — every item of every course, from the champagne and many unique appetizers, to the dessert — a baked alaska made with rhubarb pound cake and basil ice cream — was memorable and delicious. The suggested wines with each course were perfect!
The setting was just right for our our group of about 20, with long rustic tables giving us a chance to visit while we raved about the food.
If you have a group of 15 plus people looking for a special evening and special food, schedule a trip to the Backroom, in Pittsfield VT. You will not be disappointed!

After a pretty crazy amount of recent press I decided it was time to visit this little VT restaurant and I am glad we made the trip because, to be honest, it was one of the top few meals I’ve ever had.
While this dinner party-​style spot seems to be located in a pretty random area, it is right next to Killington and on the way to Burlington from the south. As for the scene and food, I have to say it is all pretty wild, like falling in love with a person you have only just met but feel like you have known for a long time. The room consists of long communal tables and Emerson lights and bookshelves and wine racks.
In terms of food, I don’t even really understand how they are making money. They served us a clam toast with lovage, buttered ramp toast, sundried tomato and basil arancini, beef carpaccio, goat tartar (which was insane), and champagne BEFORE the meal. Keep in mind most of this stuff is actually foraged by the chef and all is local. Try not to go insane on this stuff like I did because you will not make it to dessert.
First course was a pasta that had been made with foraged wild leek with crispy guanciale (pig cheek) and some insane local herb I couldn’t even identify. It was amazing. Then a chicken dish (I am depressed I didn’t snap a pic) that had actually been sous vide and then seared and served with a sweet butternut squash purée and buttered foraged chantrelle mushrooms. I distinctly remember eating it and thinking it was the best chicken dish I have had.
Dessert was a play on an almond joy with this super dense and rich flourless chocolate cake garnished with roasted almonds and coconut shavings and served with this psychotic coconut ice cream. Through the meal it was fun talking now and then to the tony couple in front of us.
Anyway, I am reading what I just wrote and I know it sounds kind of over the top and hyberpolic but I don’t know what to say, this was one of the best meals I have ever had, it makes my eyes fill with tears to think of you reading this and not believing me. What can I say?

It’s safe to say that I probably had one of the BEST meals I’ve ever had ANYWHERE at The Backroom, a tiny 20-​seat restaurant, located in Pittsfield, VT. It’s definitely worth the drive, no matter where you’re staying in Vermont.
The owners served us champagne and delicious cocktails to start along with a nice selection of local meats, cheeses, and dips while our dinner’s were prepared right before our own eyes.
First up, a beautiful butternut squash soup with pine nuts and a balsamic reduction drizzled on top. Next up, was the the most perfectly cooked piece of salmon I’ve ever had paired with fresh veggies and a unique blend of rice (which I can’t recall but still crave). And for dessert we got to toast our own s’mores, but not the kind of s’mores I grew up with as a kid, these s’mores were served with delicious chocolates and homemade marshmallows.
I would consider the Backroom to be a place for special occasions and group gatherings, they accommodated my group of 14 on a Monday night which was amazing. The price for dinner + drinks was roughly $ 45-​$ 55 per person, which is not cheap, but I think most everyone in my group would agree they can’t wait for the next special occasion to splurge at The Backroom…
Thank you to Kevin & Katie, you made it a night for which we will never forget.
I hope to see you soon!
–Randy Elles + The Crew from First Stop Ski & Bike Shop /​Board Barn Snowboard Shop

What a wonderful meal and dining experience. My husband and I went last night for our anniversary. The family style dining and seating made for an entertaining and fun night. the chef, Kevin, chatted with us while cooking while we sipped champagne hand delevered by his lovely wife/​hostess/​bartender. The food was seasonal, fresh and delicious. I especially enjoyed the asparagus ceasar salad, the new England clambake was a nice way to start Memorial Day weekend with really delicious baguettes. The blueberry crêpe for dessert was simple but perfectly executed. The restaurant is literally the backroom of a country store with simple but elegant décor and Kevin and Katie make you feel that you are att an exclusive dinner party that they are hosting, not a restaurant. We can’t wait to bring our ski house there during the season, but will make sure to book far in advance as this place is going to be jammed once word gets out. maybe I shouldn’t be sharing?

I visited the Back room back in March and I am STILL raving about this place. The food — utterly mind blowing– hands down. I made a reservation with the disclosure of having a gluten allergy — and everyone was entirely accommodating.
Almost better than the food, (if you can believe it) was the company. Family style dinners forces you to meet new and intriguing people, which ended up being the best part often night. The selfish side of me does not want to even rave about this place because I want to keep it a secret– but my heart wants to spread how freaking phenomenal this place is and I want to see it succeed for years to come!

Finally had a chance to see what all the hype was about and sure enough there’s enough reason to be talking about this place!!! WOW! I still cant believe how great/​amazing everything was at this new hot spot. The food, the ambiance, the service all was impeccable. So to say the least I highly recommend this place. If I could rate higher than five stars I would have. :)

We booked the Backroom for a large group of friends on a Sunday evening… what a fantastic experience! This is absolutely worth trying! The atmosphere is so warm and cozy, it felt like we were at someone’s house and had hired a chef to cook for us! Each dish looked like a work of art and tasted even better. We will definitely be back soon!

The Backroom is like my favorite grand-​uncle: sophisticated, tasteful, warmly welcoming and unendingly memorable.
The experience here is intimate: just 20 diners per seating (one seating Friday night and one Saturday night), in a rustic/​sophisticated room behind the general store in the center of town. The kitchen is right there, as is the chef and his wife and their majordomo.
From the welcoming class of champagne through the tightly curated mixed drink, beer and wine list and onto the hors d’œuvre, a tone of gracious welcoming and down-​to-​earth quality is set. Dining is family style, 10 to a table (there are two arm chairs at each table; everyone else gets a nicely padded bench).
The menu changes each weekend. When we ate, it was a deliciously tender pork roast, perfectly cooked pasta and delightfully light dessert.
This is a great place for a special dinner — and a welcome relief from the ski town fare on the Killington access road just a few miles away. You’ll not only enjoy great food in a gracious setting, but you’ll also meet some other cool people who love food.

I setup a dinner for 17 people this past Sunday. Chef Kevin and Katie our hosts put together a wonderful 3 course meal and we had a wonderful time with friends. They created a specific menu which was excellent. I will be going back for sure and would highly recommend it to all. It is a cozy true Vermont feel and they do a wonderful job.