Awful
We have frequented the Shanty many times over the years and generally were pleased with the experience. However, last evening, we went there for my cousin's birthday and everything about eating there was bad. There were eight of us dining and we were stuck against the wall on a narrow aisle on the side of the restaurant and squeezed with 5 of us around a table that should have seated 3 as it was pushed against another round table. The food was okay except the portions have become very small while the prices have gone up. The waitress got two of the orders wrong and it took forever for the replacement meals to be brought out to us. We had 3 separate checks and the waitress never came back to collect one of them until we got tired of waiting and had another waitress send her over. Since there were eight of us the gratuity was automatically added (but @20% versus a standard 15%) and since the service and meal were not to our liking we found this very unfair. I generally tip 20%+ but it's based on the service provided. The Shanty now ranks up there with the worst dining venues I've ever been to in Burlington. We won't be going back.
Food: 2
Ambiance: 2
Service: 1
Better Than Before
In April we ate here and were happy with the dining experience. This time it was even better. My wife and I both had the "queen" prime rib and it was excellent. The salad bar was even better than last time and included real bacon bits. Our waitress was outstanding and very accommodating. And the price at $22 per meal included everything because there was carrot cake and other desserts at the salad bar. As such, the meal was very reasonably priced for the quality.
Food: 4
Ambiance: 4
Service: 5
Has Gone Downhill
We ate at the Scuffer during First Night, which we have done probably 10 times over the years (often when it was the Rusty Scuffer). The first time I dined at the old Rusty Scuffer I had one of the best racks of lamb I had ever had, before or since. Well, I had the rack of lamb this year and it might have been the WORST I've ever had. Not only was it grossly undercooked, it had absolutely no flavor and was tough. Further, the side dishes, particular the potatoes au gratin, were inedible. This dining experience is possibly one of, if not the worst, I've had in Burlington or vicinity. I gave the service a 3 because it wasn't horrible, though it wasn't top notch, either. The Scuffer had always been a reliable place to eat in the past but they won't see me there ever again. It really sucked. By the way, the candle holders looked like they had been picked out of a dumpster somewhere.
Food: 1
Ambiance: 2
Service: 3
Just Okay
We've eaten at Junior's many times over the years and enjoyed it, especially when it was at the old location. Much more like a "real" NY Italian restaurant and the wait staff was older, more experienced and much friendlier. I don't like the seating for two in the new place. You feel like you're eating with strangers at the semi-booths and the dining room is much too noisy. I ordered coffee w/cream & sugar and the waitress didn't have the sense to bring real sugar in the sweetener "box". I ordered my usual and it seemed to have a lot more pasta and much less chicken and sausage than in the past. The flavor was good but I felt like they had skimped on the main ingredients.
We also used to get all our pizzas there but they've really gotten too expensive (over $20-c'mon, it isn't all that good) and the crust is greasy and soggy. We now get our pies elsewhere.
We've been going there less & less over time and probably won't go there again in the near future.
Food: 3
Ambiance: 2
Service: 3
Better Than a Lot of More Expensive Places
We ate there Thursday might and my wife and I split a calamari appetizer that was fried quite nicely and not rubbery. We both had veal dishes. My wife had the marsala and was extremely happy with it. She's had Veal Marsala at a lot of places costing a lot more and found the Euro's quality better than most. I had the Veal Pizzaiola (sp?) and very happy with my dish as well. We split Baklava for dessert-it was said to be homemade and appeared to be-it was very good. It's a place I'd go back to.
Food: 4
Ambiance: 4
Service: 5
Super Place!
Have eaten at this place very often & it's one of my favorites. The food is consistently good and sometimes outstanding. The view of Lake Champlain can't be beat and the service is some of the best around; very professional and friendly. Plus the grounds are like paradise and they've got probably more than 100 Purple Martins swooping and diving for insects out over the lake-fastinating!
Jim
Food: 4
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Re: “Misery Loves Co.”
Very Original
Even having read about Misery....we were not prepared for the way meals were served. With a little mental adjustment we found the food well prepared, unique and the server(s) were knowledgeable and kept things flowing. It was a little pricy for a couple of items but overall the food was excellent for the price. My only complaint was the noise and the cramped space considering all the food that was being presented. Food: 4 Ambiance: 2 Service: 5