Not a bad pub in the middle of Chester, not the most Epicurean of towns in VT. I was torn between the haggis and the steak pie and went with the latter. When it came out it was  steak pieces in good brown sauce with a chunk of puff pastry on top and some tired looking peas and carrots on the side. Appearances were deceiving. Throwing the veggies into the sauce made a pretty good dish, however I would have prefer ed a steak and kidney pie but you take what you can get.
Thinking back I should have had the haggis, that doesn't show up on many menus...
Washed down with a couple of good ales diner wasn't bad.
Decor is pub... service was fine... worth a visit.
Place is a cute pub for the area. Small and quiet, but they had a tv for games. Staff was really nice. It felt a bit cold (were there on a chilly winter day).
We came here for lunch, I had the chili, which was good but came out insanely hot  and seemed to be nuked in the microwave. The beef was not ground but chunks of beef like in a stew. Pretty spicy. The bread it came with was really good. My husband had a burger and thought it was good. Solid but not very memorable and kinda messy to eat.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday and it was great as always. Had the fish pie which is always sensational while my daughter had the steak pie which was just as good. Traditional homemade food, great beer and the friendliest service anywhere. We stop every time on our way up north from CT and plan to continue.
Review Source:I found this location thanks to Yelp. I stayed nearby in Bellows Falls and there didn't seem to be too many options there for food, so we headed into Chester to do some shopping and get some lunch. Great place! We loved the ambience. It definitely has a pub feel with wooden tables and floors, with some odd things on the wall like a taxidermied bear holding a beer bottle, some quaint wall hangings, and a dart board. I was there mid-day on a Tuesday and most of the crowd was older people, as in retired age, which I didn't mind because even though there were several full tables it was still quiet and a relaxed atmosphere.
Service was average. The waitress was prompt, not overly friendly or informative, but I wasn't there to make friends I was there for the food, which far surpassed my expectations. I had a beer: Scottish stout, which was wonderful if you like dark beers. It seemed a bit lighter in texture than a Guiness but still had a full, rich flavor to it. My boyfriend ordered a chicken tortilla soup as an appetizer and it was out of this world. I made him share it with me of course. The ingredients all seemed super fresh. I believe it was homemade. I'd be shocked if it wasn't because everything in it was delicious and fresh.
My boyfriend had the steak pie. It is almost like a stew with all of the ingredients seperated. The meat was in its own dish with an incredible gravy and piece of puff pastry on top of it. On the side there were mashed potatoes and carrots mixed with peas. It tasted like a high-end, gourmet Dinty Moore stew and I mean that in the highest respect because it was absolutely delicious.
The name of the dish I ordered escapes me (it had the word 'reekie' in the title). It was a stew of spicy sausage, cabbage, and carrots topped with melted cheese and served with a slice of hearty bread. The bread slice itself was a bit small, that was one thing that could have been improved: more bread or a bigger hunk for dipping! My dish was also phenomenal. The sausage had just enough spice for my palette. I loved the cabbage as well, so make sure you do also if you order this item because it was definitely a dominant flavor.
Prices were decent. The entrees were around the same price as sandwiches (many around $9-$12) which encouraged me to try something Scottish, rather than playing it safe at the same price for a burger. The portion sizes were not huge, but the meal was filling. It was nice to be able to finish the dish without feeling like I was bursting at the seams and it would have been difficult to take leftovers since we were just passing through. Would have definitely stayed for another beer it we didn't have more driving to do. I think this is the place to stop if you find yourself in the Chester area.
Not a bad place to check out if you are in Chester. Â We stopped by on our way in and had a bite to eat. Â I have to say, the waitress was seeming to be a bit on the sad/angry side, and seemed to only cheer up once folks were paying their bills and out the door. Â
The food was decent. Â I had the tomato soup, which was yummy. Â The grilled cheese with bacon was decent and they had a great selection of both Scottish and local brews, which looked good, but since I was under the weather I didn't partake. Â
We ended our meal with the home made apple pie with vanilla ice cream, which was decent as well. Â Considering that your choices in Chester are pretty small, it's not a bad place to check out. Â Just do not expect an overly friendly waitress.
This hidden (literally tucked away and hard to see) gem makes one of the best burgers I have ever had...And I've had a lot of burgers. Â I was taken back by how good it was that I had to go back and try it again a week later. Â The only negative is that they give chips instead of fries but that's not a big deal considering the burger is so big and filling. Â
They also make a buffalo chicken soup here which was one of the best soups I have ever had. Â
MacLaomainn's will stay at 5 stars until I order something that's not delicious. Â Until then, it's on the top of the list of VT food joints.
I have been craving haggis, tatties, and neeps ever since my inaugural dinner a few weeks ago! The Belhaven on tap was delightful. Friendly service. The setting was wonderfully warm and welcoming - very VT rustic, but decorated memorably with Scottish swords, quotes, maps, etc. Impressive holiday spirit. Tried the chicken and bacon nachos to start - heaping with cheese, and not just on the top! Â Split an order of stew and haggis and taddies. LOVED IT! Took some home only to make the experience last longer reheated for brunch. Â My fam has a cabin nearby and we try to keep up on local openings - been meaning to try MacLaomainn's for a while and so glad we did! Â Will definitely return. But by all means try the Scottish food!
Review Source:Exceptional!! (and trust me I'm a pretty worldly girl)
Greeted immediately by a super friendly waitress, we quickly felt comfortable in this cozy little pub. Upon learning it was our first time we were offered some samples of some Scottish and some local brews so that we could make the perfect choice. Pints are priced extremely reasonable, particularly if you're traveling and used to higher city prices.
Food impressed just as much as the service and comfort of the place... Nachos as an app were heaping, more than enough to feed 3 of us well. Two of us ordered a the steak pie on recommendation from a nice man sitting at the bar and it was DELISH! Exactly right for a brisk Vermont evening. A huge portion for a great price.
This is a must stop if you're passing through these parts on a jaunt to the snowy mountains or even if you just life a town or two away.. Will not disappoint!
Wow, this is the place to be when in Chester, VT on a weekend night! The whole town is very quiet so we were shocked to see a full house at 6:30pm on a Saturday night. The food was great, and they were playing rugby on the tv's. Our waitress seemed like a strange fit for the establishment, though. When we asked for her recommendations for food and drink, she replied that she was a vegetarian and that she didn't drink. Hahaha, still a nice lady.
The haggis was surprisingly good (I think it's some sort of intestine - but it doesn't look like it). My favorite was the fish pie - all sorts of delicious seafood covered in mashed potatoes and baked together. Yum! The steak pie also looked good. Warm atmosphere, most entrees are between $6-$14.
when I'm in town I pretty much live here every night. Â You should too!
Great selection of beers, on draft and bottled, a healthy liquor selection too.
Great food, yummy traditional options and some lighter choices available too, with a tasty dessert selection,
There is cozy indoor seating and friendly outdoor seating too. Â and (Gasp) two clean bathrooms! Â There is a dart board that I've not yet seen in use.
If you're a soccer fan, you will be happy to find the game on here! Â and if it's not the right season, there will surely be some sporting event on screen.
Oh ok, I suppose if you don't like bagpipe music, then maybe this place would be a little annoying sometimes. Â But really, who doesn't like bagpipes?! Not I!
I went here for Lunch. I ordered their Angus Burger with chips and guess what it was good. I totally recommend their Burger "Work of Art" because every topping that you could thing is with the Burger, and this is only seasonal item. Its nice to sit and eat at their porch. the ambience inside is like a Hunters/skiers hang out place. they are open 7 days a week and serve Lunch/Dinner always, but this mostly a bar/pub/tavern.
Review Source:Great surprise in the Vermont Mountains
Think about that local pub you would love to find after a day of skiing or hiking or just hanging out in Vermont. Â You know the one. Â Where the employees are incredibly friendly and the food is hearty and delicious. Â The atmosphere is warm and comfortable and you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time.
Went back for Dad's birthday and had the chicken pie, which was *really* good - chicken, carrots, peas and mushrooms in gravy with puff pastry triangles sitting on top! - although Dad got the steak pie, and Mum had the baked haddock (new to the menu) - both of which made me wish I could fit more food into my too-small self! Dangit. And Kim is definitely sweet as they come, Lisa as well - very nice servers as a rule - the cute redheaded boy was super - and cute!, and the older bartender dude is great fun - they're all happy nice folks, and chatty if they aren't too rushed...but Alan, the owner, is a true Scotsman (as far as my American ideal/stereotype goes) - a bit gruff and no nonsense, although he can be quite friendly if he has time! And he's great to ask for drink recommendations :)
Finally - get there early if you can (they don't do reservations, as far as I know), especially on Friday and Saturday - now that the weather is colder, the deck is closed and it's a bit of a squeeze on the busy nights. We have once decided to hit up the Pizza Stone down the street, when the hunger pangs just wouldn't wait. Looking forward to Mum's birthday next month and a shot at the steak pie...or the haddock...oooh choices!!!
Just got back from this great place. Â I went ahead and tried the haggis and tatties, ha! Â YUM! Â Total comfort food and it wasn't too too heavy... well maybe cause the portion size was just right. Â Our waitress Kim, was awesome, she made us feel comfortable and welcomed. Â I thought the owner, who was behind the bar would be more social, but maybe it was an off day. Â He delivered us our food and didn't say a word. Â Didn't talk when I was waiting for my b.f. in the restroom either... Oh well... My b.f. ordered the Scottish salmon sandwich and it was amazing! Â It was smoked salmon people... never had that on a sandwich before but trust me, it was divine! Â the group of Canadian women next to us raved on and on about the house made soups. Â We will be back next time we are visiting VT. Â And the prices were good to boot!
Review Source:
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