The Carriage House is Burlington's old-school fine-dining room: Nancy Knowles' 2004 restaurant in a restored 1859 carriage-shop building, with mesquite-grilled prime beef, Brittany Dover sole, octopus, lamb, private rooms, and a serious wine list.

Downtown Bistro & Grill is a long-running Elizabeth Street bistro built around polished comfort plates, a comfortable dinner room, patio season, private-party usefulness, and a serious wine-list surface.

West Plains Bistro is an independently owned Aldershot bistro where Ed and Sarah Catley steer a French-leaning, seasonal menu around short ribs, quiche, Wednesday bottles, and a rotating chef board.