By Maggie Flanagan
Our House Bistro is a shoe-box sized gem right on the Winooski circle, just down the hill from St. Michael’s college. The charming, little restaurant has six booths, six tables, and a small bar. It’s a cozy atmosphere.
The walls are filled with an impressive collection of vintage lunch boxes and records. The most classic cartoons and movies, like the Peanuts and Star wars stare down over your table, their familiar faces provide a sense of nostalgia.
The menu has a real variety of appetizers, like Ahi Tuna Wontons ($15) and Pork Belly Brussels Sprouts ($14). Sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and soups & salads are the four big categories. But the main event is …
…the long list of mac and cheese.
The menu consists of 27 elaborate mac and cheese combinations, some more ridiculous than others.
My first visit I opted for the Southwest Mac and Cheese ($17). It came with a sparse amount of corn, a sprinkle of black beans, overwhelming amounts of red peppers, chipotle, cheddar, and a topping of tortilla chips. The crispiness of the mac was satisfying at first, but as I shoveled my spoon into the skillet, the noodle to cheese ratio appeared less proportionate.
I’m normally not one to say this, but there was too much cheese. I wished the Southwest dish had more of the fresh ingredients it promised.
My friend Hanna got the Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac n Cheese ($18). The dish was a heaping skillet of mac and cheese with fried chicken, bacon, ranch dressing drizzle, and spinach.
Hanna decided that spinach, especially when cooked, has no place in chicken bacon ranch or mac and cheese.
The second visit, I was hoping for redemption.
I chose the Our House Smash Cheeseburger, which came with two 4oz beef patties, gooey cheddar cheese, a flavorful house sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onion ($15). I was pleasantly surprised; this burger was just what I needed to warm up. It was juicy and packed with flavor, something I’d order again.
My friends had really talked this place up. I think it’s worth trying for St. Michael’s students, its conveniently close, but it’s not my new go to. The staff was friendly and attentive, but the prices were high.
Rating: 3 / 5 stars
★★★☆☆