September 2nd 2016: A Day in Vermont

We headed into Vermont today, starting with a chocolate factory tour at Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory in Burlington.

Pretty interesting and free tour, with complimentary Chocolate tasting as well.

We also got a box of truffles to go, consisting of the Raspberry Truffle, Dipped Apricot Truffle, Apple Cider Caramel, Grande Valencia Truffle and Dipped Cherry Truffle.

Pretty good truffles.

Next, we headed to the downtown area,

Champ the Lake Monster Statue,
1 King Street

University of Vermont

Courtyard Marriott Burlington Harbor

Main Street Landing,
1 Main Street

ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Horse Sculpture, 101 Main Street

City Hall Park

City Hall, 149 Church Street

Burlington City Arts Center

First Congregational Church

Unitarian Church

Phoenix Books Burlington

Edward Costello Courthouse

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center

Pomerleau Real Estate

First Baptist Church

Checking out the Church Street Marketplace,

which also has the Burlington Town Center Mall.

We stopped by Leunig's Bistro, a nice looking French place in the area,

For lunch, getting the Foie Gras (Pan Seared La Bell Farm Foie Gras, Grilled White Truffle Toast Point Served with Carrot & Parmesan Farro Risotto, Sauteed baby Spinach and Port Demi Glace),

The Duck Tacos (Mint & Lime Braised Duck Tenders, Black Beans, Tomatoes, Corn, Peppers, Baby Arugula, Avocado Hummus & Cabot Cheddar in Crispy Blue Corn Shells Served with Mixed Greens)

And the Beef Bourguignon (Beef Tips Braised in Red Wine with Bacon, Pearl Onions, Carrots, Celery & Button Mushrooms, with Garlic Mashed Potatoes & Haricot Verts).

I really liked the Foie Gras because of the corn and risotto, while the Beef was pretty good as well with the Bacon and Chips.  The Tacos were just so so though.

On the way back, we passed by Battery Park,

Where one can see the Burlington Breakwater North Light,

and the Lake Champlain Navy Memorial,

Where one can see the Burlington Breakwater South Light.

We headed next into Williston VT to check out the Hubbell's Falls at the Green Mountain Power Overlook Park at 118 Essex Road,

although it took some treacherous climbing on sandy and steep ground under the bridge to get to the view of the falls.

After a stroll at the University Mall in South Burlington VT,

We passed by the Whale Tails sculpture in town

on the way to Essex VT for a Vietnamese dinner at Pho Dang, getting the Stir Fried Eggplant with Rice

and the Pho Tai Chin Nam (with rare beef and well done beef flank).

Not bad, but nothing special.

When night came, our friends decided to take us out for a stroll at Oakledge Park in Burlington,

then to the Breakwater Cafe and Grill in town for some drinks, food and live music, where we got the Citizen Cider United Press

and the Truffle Fries (truffle oil, asiago, lemon zest, parsley).

Not a bad way to end a day spent in the state of Vermont.