Inn Victoria of Chester, Vermont to Publish a Digital Cook Book

Imagine the bride-to-be asks you, the innkeeper, to prepare several pies for taste testing.  The pies are traveled to New York City where a number of friends-of-the-bride

gather for a pie tasting.  You win the pie tasting and are asked to prepare over twenty 12" pies for the wedding, to be held in Chester, VT. 

Scottish Cider in Vermont

MacLaomainns Scottish Pub in Chester, Vermont is well known for the finest ale in New England, a pint of Belhaven.  What could be better; you ask?  Thistly Cross, an Award-winning Scottish Cider.

A Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast, Gourmet Food, High Tea, Vermont Weddings

This Romantic Vermont Bed & Breakfast is tooting its horn!  Someone once coined the phrase, "toot your own horn because no one else will", and they were right until I found many of our gracious guests tooting the Inn Victoria horn for us!  Whether it be Inn Victoria Vermont Weddings, Inn Victoria High Tea, Inn Victoria most comfortable beds and linens, or simply Inn Victoria Romantic Getaway...these are consistent comments we see routinely within our Tripadvisor comment section.

Look at the latest:  "We loved the charming town and accommodations but we going back because Penny and Dan were so wonderful and helpful. Best Inn keepers we ever met. We are going back to get married there is October!"

Can you believe it?  We are so blessed!

Here are several wedding cake photos well worth reviewing.  Jessica has been creating luscious High Tea items, cakes for weddings and special occasions.  I've just got to brag about her skills!  We are preparing and building our niche in the area of intimate weddings.  We find there are many people who wish to enjoy a smaller wedding celebrated with special friends or family.  You will soon be hearing more about our efforts in the area of "Intimate Weddings"

Penny and Dan Cote
Owners, Inn Victoria Romantic Getaway, Gourmet Food, High Tea, Vermont Weddings

Chester Vermont's Country Girl Diner gets a Visit From Inn Victoria Owners

The Country Girl Diner has opened under new management; what a great experience it is!  Penny, Dan and Inn Victoria's Assistant Innkeeper Jessica, visited for lunch this week.  "In order for Inn Victoria, an Okemo Valley Bed and Breakfast, to remain at the top of TripAdvisor's Award of Excellence 2011 list, we feel it is important to continue doing the things that have distinguished us from the remainder of the B&B's in Vermont.  We will continue to visit and critique each restaurant in the area for the benefit of our guests; says Penny Cote, CEO of Inn Victoria. 

 "We've particularly enjoyed the Country Girl Diner because of its original diner appeal" said Jessica.  This place is truly from out of the 50's and it has been nicely restored to its glory days.  The stools at the bar are original stainless steel with new leather round top seats.  The bar is stainless, the entire area behind the bar where the cooking preparation is stainless, and the kitchen is fully restored.  Oh...and the food is FANTASTIC!!!  We were there for lunch and so we had the lunch meals, BLT, burger, and a pulled pork sandwich....all great!  The smell of waffles and pancakes was in the air making it difficult to eat lunch when what we really wanted was the full day breakfast!

The Country Girl Diner is now one of those places that we are thrilled to suggest to our guests.  The prices are reasonable, the food is great, and the team behind the bar and the kitchen are ON IT!  For an all day breakfast or a light lunch, go for it at the Country Girl Diner in Chester Vermont.

Dan & Penny Cote
Owners; Inn Victoria, an Okemo Valley Romantic Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Fezziwig's Visits Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Romantic Bed and Breakfast

Ellen Leaf-Moore, Certified Tea Specialist & Educator of Fezziwig's Marketplace in Lebanon, Illinios visited Vermont's most romantic B&B, Inn Victoria.  With perfect charm, Ellen introduced the guests of Inn Victoria to the best of the best in teas.  To say the least, Ellen and her husband Tim were entertaining and a real joy to have as guests.

Can you imagine it?  Traveling on business in the area, Ellen & Tim chose Inn Victoria to rest for the evening.  At breakfast the next morning Ellen didn't miss a beat in her love of teas.  When I asked what type of tea she wanted for breakfast, Ellen pulled her very own specialty tea from her bag.....the tea lesson started from there.  Needless to say, it was a delightful and entertaining breakfast.  Ellen held guests captivated with her engaging tutorial and trial tea samples.

Fezziwig's is located on the famous brick street in historic downtown Lebanon, Illinois.  The store is named for the character in Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.  Dickens made his only overnight stay in Lebanon in 1842 where a chapter of his book American Notes was written.  The following year Dickens wrote his beloved A Christmas Carol.  Fezziwig was Scrooge's employer as a youth.

Fezziwig's marketplace incorporates gourmet cooking products with a wine cellar and the Fezziwig's tea company.  Check out the Fezziwig's Marketplace and you'll be sure to love it.


Penny & Dan Cote
Owners, Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Romantic Bed and Breakfast

Inn Victoria Chester, VT Reccommends Old Town Farm Inn for Japanese Dinner

Inn Victoria, an Okemo Valley Bed and Breakfast, recommends Old Town Farm Inn Japanese dinner!  One would have to question if a restaurant located many miles from the ocean can consistently provide high caliber Japanese cuisine.  I certainly did until I finally tried the Old Town Farm Japanese Restaurant and B&B for myself; I've been there three times now and I must say this is a fantastic restaurant!

Penny and I were there again last night, this time I was able to bring my camera.  What a meal!  Take a look at these pictures....this is as authentic as it gets!  Japanese chef Michiko will amaze and delight you with her traditional yet creative appetizers, entrees and desserts. Savor the flavors that have made ToKai-Tei, her family's restaurant in Honshu a favorite for over one hundred and twenty years. Try the Unagi kabayaki that was the emperor Taisho's favorite in the 1920's and 1930's. If you're a sushi lover, you'll absolutely love what she has for you.  Aleks selects the fish vendors from his extensive knowledge of the fish markets and ensures fresh fish delivery,  daily!  Ask around the area and get your own fix on the pulse of this wonderful restaurant...you'll love it!

Penny & Dan Cote
Owners; Inn Victoria, a Romantic Bed and Breakfast in Chester, Vermont

Harry's Cafe is Recomended by Inn Victoria, A Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast

One of the great joys of owning Inn Victoria of Chester Vermont, are the bountiful opportunities to indulge in great food, particularly at chef owned restaurants.  This week Penny and I celebrated some friends wedding anniversary at Harry's Cafe in Mount Holly, approximately 5 miles north of Okemo on Rt# 103.  What a fantastic restaurant!  "An Oasis for the Passionate Appetite" is the tag line at the top of Harry's web site....I agree and so well said. This place is a MUST on your next trip to the area.  Put it at the top of your list.

Trip Pearce started this restaurant over 20 years ago.  Seventeen years later Trip married his long time, biggest supporter, Debbie...(she's the Boss).  They know how to run a great restaurant....the food is fantastic and the service is right on the mark as well.  This small unassuming building from the outside is typical Vermont style, and when inside, you will feel like you are home with friends in the dining room.  The choice of foods is plentiful and the quality is very high.  I love duck, and enjoyed one of the best ducks I've ever had.  Penny enjoyed a roast pork that could be eaten with just a fork.  We'll return often, and of course, recommend Harry's Cafe to our guests at Inn Victoria. There is so much more on the menu I want to try.  Thursday night is Thai night.....guess where you can find me, next Thursday night!

Enjoy a walk through these photos!

Penny & Dan Cote
Owners of Inn Victoria, an Okemo Valley Lodging in Chester, Vermont

Breakfast Recipies from Inn Victoria, a Chester, Vermont Bed and Breakfast

So many of our guests want Penny's recipes.  The most sought after recipe from this romantic Okemo Valley Lodging is the Inn Victoria Eggs Benedict entree, with a prelude of fresh blueberry or raspberry muffin, a second course of fruit under lemon curd and vanilla bean Greek style yogurt and granola.  Yummmmmy!!
Here is a list of the ingredients:

1.  One square of a Pillsbury pastry dough
2.  Grated cheese of your choice....Dan prefers a cheese mix of
 WAAWWE Jersey Girl, Grafton and Taylor Farm
3.  Fresh tomato slices
4.  Fresh asparagus spears
5.  One day fresh, poached chicken egg
6.  Home made hollandaise sauce meyer lemons
7.  The ham? ....of course it is VT cured ham

Enjoy!.........better yet, come and visit we can talk recipe !

Oh, here is a set of photos depicting the consistent feedback we see from our guests.

       Before

After



Penny and Dan Cote

Owners of Inn Victoria, a Chester, Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Breakfast by Penny at Inn Victoria

Okemo Valley's Best Romantic Bed and Breakfast, Inn Victoria from Chester Vermont, is the home of the finest gourmet breakfast in Vermont.  Guests of Inn Victoria have no disagreement with this statement.  In fact, so many of our guests have asked for recipes that Penny and I agreed to host one blog per week on the topic of food.... food created & served at Inn Victoria.  

Penny is known for creating breakfast dreams and simply calling them whatever comes to mind.  Take for example,  this beautiful wafer looking sandwich of berries and yogurt ....what shall we call it?  Well lets take a look at what its made of and how to go about it.

1.  Bake wantons to a light crisp and allow them to cool on a cooling wire rack
2.  Mix vanilla bean Greek yogurt with lemon curd to a light touch of lemon flavor without altering
     the rich texture of the yogurt.
3.  Place one wanton in the center of the plate
4.  Dab a bit of yogurt onto the wanton
5.  Place five ripe, juicy berries of your choosing onto the yogurt
6.  Dab some more yogurt onto the berries
7.  Gently place the top wonton on the top of the yogurt and berries
8.  Sprinkle your favorite sweetener; cocoa, maple sugar, confectionery sugar...
9.  Add a mint leaf for additional charm, scent and taste

Don't try to crack through the wanton with a knife or fork....just pick up the top wafer with your fingers and take a bite...go for it!

Some might cal this a breakfast wafer, some may call it dream # 2 because it is course # 2 in a three course gourmet breakfast.  Until a blog reader comes up with a better name (and I hope someone does)...I'll simply call it Penny's breakfast concoction #9.

Penny & Dan Cote
Owners, Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast

Inn Victoria Uses Okemo Valley Foods

Inn Victoria is using foods grown and raised in the Okemo Valley for Breakfast and High Tea!  Our Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast is supporting local farmers and businesses by purchasing locally.  Have you tasted the difference between a fresh egg and one that is two weeks old?  Not only can we see the difference, but our guests can taste the difference!

Thanks to local farm markets like WAAWWE (We Are All What We Eat), owned by Lisa Kaiman, we are able to access a variety of local fresh Vermont foods from the Okemo Valley on a consistent basis.  By the way, If you've not stopped into Lisa's market yet, take the time to give it a try.  A member of the Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lisa is committed to promoting only the finest foods, and raising the best meats and dairy.  In fact Lisa was awarded for her dairy's milk earlier this year as she won big awards for world championship cheese.  Check out her website...or better yet, stop in!  Inn Victoria, an award winning, Chester VT Bed and Breakfast should be purchasing foods from winners like WAAWWE...don't you think?

Dan and Penny Cote
Owners and InnKeepers
Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast

WAAWWE

Oh yes, I did say; WAAWWE.  Just a ten minute drive from Inn Victoria Chester Vermont, is the WAAWWE Farm Market in Gassetts, VT  ...and the third place winner of the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest.  The event is hosted each March by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association in Madison, Wisconsin.  Lisa Kaiman is the owner of the cows that produced the milk for the cheese and she owns WAAWWE Farm Market.   www.waawwe.com

We Are All What We Eat; WAAWWE.  A wicked cool name for a farm and market that just won the third position out of a field of 2318 entries from 20 countries.  I've not yet had the pleasure of meeting Lisa, but do plan to visit with her this week.  It seems to me that Inn Victoria Chester Vermont should be serving our guests a world championship cheese!....don't you think so?

More on WAAWWE  in a week or so!