MiddBlog

At one point in my dreams, Middlebury was a culinary academy. No really, it’s important to get a handle on where and what to eat on campus. Overall, Midd has some excellent choices:

Proctor – As Middlebury most recently renovated dining hall, it also is the greatest in capacity. It’s a bit too slick like Starbucks, but nevertheless this is a first class dining hall. Proctor specializes in its Panini presses which now require no oil spray, but sprays are available. Move your panini so others can put theirs in. Proctor salad bar is back in fashion, offering the most salad options of the dining halls. If you hear students lament the loss of the grandma curtains and hanging plants, just know that the old Proctor could have been a old-folks home in the most charming of ways. If you’re looking for stereotypes, look for Midd’s crunchy granola students to return to dining here but add in the whole host of gourmet students and a handful of former Atwater-goers. The Terrace (notice the capital T) is expansive and now comes complete with tables, chairs, and patio umbrellas. Yes, Middlebury blue patio umbrellas. Take that. And speaking of slick, Woodstove lounge is just classy enough to bring your box of cubans along. Props to you if you eat in “the diner” before your sophomore year. Hours: 7AM-2PM, 4PM-8PM. Early birds dine here.

Ross - Ross is an expansive-looking dining hall. The rows of chairs upon chairs make this sometimes more intimidating. Last year, the school eliminated the Ross “pit” in favor of a flatter appeal. Although dining services has heard plenty about the food line problem, no real solution has been announced. So feel out the ebbs and flows in this high traffic dining hall. If at all possible, go off hours. Ross specializes in Pizza and Mongolian Grille items as well as Sunday brunch omelettes. You’ll probably get more meat and fried food here than other places. If you snag backside outdoor seating in good weather, good for you. Let’s hope Fireplace lounge stays enclosed so that you have a slight shot at having a quiet meal there. Ross will be the only dining hall with hot breakfast so if you need that before class (before 9:30AM, actually), then come here. Stereotyped sports kids (read: jocks) eat here. Save yourself embarassment with the waffle-makers: use the f-ing spray. Hours: 7AM-2PM, 5PM-8PM.

Atwater - It’s like the story of how Atwater got its groove back or at least some acoustic dampening. Cold breakfast will be served here in the morning until 9:30AM, sometimes a few mins after. The big one, though, is language tables are offered here Monday through Friday. Generally, arrange with the department to know when to go but if you show up, I doubt a language table will turn you away. Then dinners Tues-Sun will be on an as-needed basis because this is the “special events” space. Atwater food is delicious and healthy, if you ever get in a meal here. The hearth fireplace will make your jealous.

The Grille – This is upstairs in McCullough. You pay your own way here. Beware, it’s easy to blow late-night cash here and that’s what makes it a successful business. Sometime in your Middlebury career, most everyone tries a Dr. Feelgood and a Love Me Tender. There are some hidden gems on the menu as well. The lunch/dinner specials are always popular for a pretty good deal. Grille hours change regularly but usually expect it to be open for lunch (gets busy with staff/admin) and weekend late nights until 2AM.

The Juice Bar – This is downstairs in McCullough but now is closed due to cutbacks. Designed to be for smoothies, espresso coffees, torani drinks, and alcoholic beverages, the Juice Bar was originally meant as Middlebury’s “bar.” 51 Main does a better job with the alcohol environment nowadays. Small concerts with the stage will probably continue but the life may have just been gutted from this space.

Wilson Cafe - This could be your lifesaver when the Library is just too much to handle. Take a sharp right going into the Library and you’ll find it there. It sometimes has some odd hours but it has a perfect snack/coffee for your study needs. Profs, peer writing tutors, and other academics like to meet here.

The Gamut Room – A lot of people forget this exists in the basement of Gifford Hall. But the student-run space can be a great alternative on a weekday night. Cheap food, homey atmosphere, and some creative murals, performances, etc. It’s a worth a visit to determine if it’s your scene. Yes, it’s pay your own way here too but you’d be surprised how much cheaper it is than the Grille.

51 Main - Located downtown, this is a popular late-night option with music and everything. But it now is open during the day with scrumptious crepes. You pay your own way here but stuff is reasonable if you make it a “night out.” Totally fine for under 21 as well — that’s what makes it great. Many students go for drinks and the particularly good dessert options. Check out their new website! Oh an music, music, music. Finally, a space that regularly programs music.

Dolci – This is a student organization that runs a professional restaurant-style dinner most weeks on Fridays. This will take place in Atwater and once a month at 51 Main. This is quite popular so be sure to be on the lookout for how they distribute tickets each week (usually via link in an email from dolci@middlebury.edu). Free and delicious. Yes, it’s okay to bring a date here.

Snowbowl Lodge – I don’t know too many folks that rely on the snowbowl food when going skiing but when you’re up there waiting for a bus back to campus, sometimes a hot chocolate really is worth it. Stay away from their chili, it’s made once a year.

FIC – This is dining services headquarters near BiHall with the large catering kitchens but no students will eat here anymore. Look for the former dining spaces to be repurposed — mostly for industrial laundry services.

Rehearsals – Now defunct. Used to be in the lower lobby of the Center for the Arts. They took the sign down and reassigned the staff to other dining locations.

Middkid.com has got you covered for local restaurants off-campus.

Back to Unofficial Orientation.