NEW DIGS, NEW DEALS, SAME VIBES
Jan 14, 2025 03:10PM ● By MARIE EDINGER
Shelburne Tap House is growing. And when it comes to the decision to expand, owners Barbara Cote and Roselle Tena say there was a want and a need. “We wanted to expand our bar, restaurant seating, and kitchen space,” Barb and Roselle say. “We also felt that our neighborhood needed another pizza option and that presented an opportunity to add to our already eclectic menu.”
The expansion became a reality when some adjacent space became available. “We jumped on the opportunity to expand, feeling that the time was right, and the need was glaring,” Barb and Roselle say. “We had outgrown our old bar and kitchen spaces. Every corner, chair, and table were a bit crowded in the old space, and now there’s more room–it’s kind of a breath of fresh air and light.” The expansion began in late February 2023 and finished in late June 2023.
A NEW BAR AND EVENT ROOM
The highlight of the expanded space is the newly built bar made from Vermont pine from Clifford Lumber in Hinesburg— over 60 feet of wood was ordered to get the angles and depth exact! It is a true “work of art” and stunning reflection of the Vermont countryside.
Another addition to the expansion is the creation of a flex room referred to as the “Rainbow Room.” The room can be rented for private parties of 30-40 guests. When not in use for private parties, it is used as a lounge so people can hang out and have a drink while they wait for a table.
PRECISION PIZZA MAKING
As part of the expansion Barb and Roselle brought in an electric energy- efficient pizza oven. “We put a lot of research and testing of other ovens before deciding on our Polin oven from Italy. It’s a precision pizza-making oven, enabling us to make the pizza exactly the way we want it.”
The Shelburne Tap House pizza dough is a cold-fermented dough that begins with a 24-hour “poolish” and then another 48 hours of cold fermentation. The extra time allotted for that style of dough results in a more flavorful dough with great texture and mouthfeel. Additionally, the cold fermentation makes the dough more easily digestible for some. Undoubtedly, making pizza dough is also a labor of love and as the Shelburne Tap House looks to expand the pizza menu offerings, be on the lookout for subs, pizza sandwiches, and slices.
Currently pizza is available Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with offerings such as a Smashburger Pizza—comprised of sesame-crusted pizza dough, special sauce, mozzarella, crumbled smash burgers, white onion, American cheese, and “shrettuce” or a Mortadella and Burrata Pizza Sandwich—comprised of a baked pizza dough folded and stuffed with thinly sliced mortadella, Vermont burrata, basil pesto, fresh basil, and crushed pistachios.
COLLABORATIONS ARE KEY
All that fantastic food is created largely with fresh ingredients through collaborations with local producers. The Shelburne Tap House works with several local farmers while in season or as they have fresh produce available. They source their ground beef from Fat Cow Farm in Charlotte and utilize many of the great Vermont cheeses—Jasper Hill, Grafton, Shelburne Farms and more. Local ice cream from Sisters of Anarchy rounds out many of the local, Vermont and regional outsourcing of delicious food.
The expanded bar also offers an opportunity to expand their beverage options and partner with Zero Gravity Brewery to create their house signature beer called “Barb”—a delicious, easy- drinking hazy IPA. “Barb” is available on draft and by growler—bring in your own or they will provide one for you.
In addition to “Barb” and other Zero Gravity pours, you will always find tasty suds from Fiddlehead, Switchback, Frost, Sip of Sunshine, and many other great Vermont breweries.
TRUE TO THEIR MANTRA
The Shelburne Tap House mantra has always been “Friends Gather Here...” and will continue to be an active partner in the community by donating to countless silent auctions, local school sporting teams and activity groups, raising money for the CHILL Foundation, Cochran’s Ski Program, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or by yearly sponsorship of Shelburne’s Town Fireworks. Clearly, the Shelburne Tap House understands its role in the community as a gathering place for all.
They also know that their reach can go beyond the local radius, and in July of 2023, the Shelburne Tap House worked with local and state representatives to coordinate an effort to feed free meals to those affected and volunteering in the cleanup of the aftermath of the devasting summer floods. “We got the green light and immediately filled our food truck, “Foodie Vuitton,” and drove to Montpelier and fed over 300 people. We didn’t leave until the truck was empty of all food,” Barb and Roselle say. Other fundraising events supported the Homeless Prevention Center in Rutland with a beverage program they hosted at the bar called “Cocktails for a Cause,” where a dollar was donated from each featured cocktail sold.
The Shelburne Tap House continues to be a local female-owned business, offering a welcome environment for all. It’s a comfy, cozy place to bring the family or meet with friends and watch a game or catch up over an array of delicious food offerings and tasty libations.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SHELBURNE TAP HOUSE
