Saturday, July 22, 2017

Blue Benn: a Vermont Diner

I love diners, like a lot of us do. A lot of my rules for other restaurants are suspended for diners.  They are a different animal altogether. I've been going to the Blue Benn diner for over 30 years now, even though I have never lived in Bennington. It's a great place to meet and talk and linger over brunch, and the food is such classic diner food that you just have to go with the flow. Over the past few years I've even actually eaten from other parts of the menu than the breakfast section - which is available all day. The decor and ambiance are un-remodeled authentic diner, complete with regulars at the formica counter who flirt with the wait staff, squeaky wooden benches and the well-placed steel art deco panels.


One of the fun parts of ordering is trying to see all the specials, which are pasted like colorful flags behind the counter - several dozens of them. There are white boards with hand-written desserts of the day up in there too.



There are a couple odd omelette combinations that I probably would not have again, but on the whole one is going to get a fabulous diner breakfast at the Blue Benn. I've had them again and again over the years, and a good breakfast like that with a good friend is a nourishing experience indeed.

The sandwiches, salads, soups and dinner specials are all classic diner fare, with hot open faced meat sandwiches slathered in gravy, chicken fried steak, burgers, club sandwiches and most anything you'd find on a typical diner menu.  The specials from the wall go into other areas of ethnic cuisine, but given my love of diner classics, I can't tell you much about this aspect of the place.  Go and try - the prices are also nice inexpensive diner prices.

The desserts are also quite lovely, given the category: "diner desserts".  They're not necessarily innovative, like  the type of thing with sugar sculptures on top.  They are decadent, sweet, and lots of times have berries and other seasonal fruits involved.  On my most recent visit I sampled this coconut custard pie and was delighted by the cool custard with a golden coconut crust on top - definitely not coconut cream and I enjoyed it immensely.

The Blue Benn has a mature service staff who will take good care of you and who do not suffer fools and jerks gladly. Give them the respect they deserve and you will have very good service with a friendly attitude and smile.

Those in the know hit the diner early on weekend mornings - otherwise there can be quite a wait.  But if you know what is in store the wait is worth it.

LorreBob sez:  Go and have the classic diner experience with your friends and leave full and happy.

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