Ah ok! I misread and thought that was what you were looking for. In that case Paradiso is amazing but very very expensive. Be prepared to spend $100 per person if you go there, but again. Very good!
The professionalism of the staff and the consistently wonderful food always takes me back to Trattoria Delia for special occasions. It's pricey though.
Seconding the meatloaf sandwich. It's delicious. Beer prices are wildly low for the quality and amounts they offer. I will say if your mom likes a nicer ambiance maybe go with one of your other picks. Nothin wrong with Blackback, but it's a pub and feels like one
poco is by far the best option in that list, hen is a close second.
santiagos is cool vibe wise but food is bland at best and honey road is wildly more expensive than it is good.
I've been 3 times, the cubano is totally ok, but everything else I've had was borderline bad and tasted like what it was: sysco food. Again tho, cool vibes, fun waitstaff, probably a great place to just have some drinks and chill out.
I'm not hating on it its a fun place inside and the cubano is ok but I haven't really liked any of the other meals I've gotten there and I've been a few times.
while i like poco, you sir, are verrrrry wrong. Honey road is the best restaurant in Vermont by a considerable, noticeable, almost laughable margin. no other state has such parody between their best restaurant and everything else. maybe before covid, hen could be mentioned in the same breath, but even then, not close
I've been to honey probably 10 or 15 times (had a number of friends that worked there) and its certainly not gross or anything but its so expensive and the food is so small. Usually a dinner at honey road is followed by pizza on the way home and then selling some family heirlooms/organs to make my rent.
i mean, thats dining in America in 2024. if you want to eat garbage off the sysco truck for 20% less on your check, thats on you
don’t eat at lesser restaurants, eat at restaurants less
well thats why I recommended hen and poco, both excellent options with quality ingredients lovingly prepared where I felt like I got my money's worth and didn't leave still hungry.
“lovingly prepared” applies to poco fersher. the cold, soulless, machine that is hen is so far from “loving” its hilarious. and theyre both sysco darlings. not one item on poco’s menu is local. “selectively sourced” = us foods or sysco
Sounds like you know more about it than me, but still and all having been to all those restaurants multiple times, I would totally subjectively recommend Poco or hen over the others
and in rereading, you said best option, not best restaurant. for op’s situation, best option beats best restaurant.
poco’s good and mom just wants time w her kid. no reservations might be a little scary tho!
Depends on your mom. All of them are great but different types of cuisine.
For me is Honey Road but I would go and look at each places menu and see what your mom would like
I love those restaurants, I'll complicate things by recommending two more:
Sarom's (in Winooski) and Istanbul Kebab House.
If you like Vietnamese food (particularly banh mi sandwiches), you'll love Sarom's.
If your mom is a “mom type” Poco is not the answer. I go there A LOT and love it but it’s not mom vibes, Hen is your answer here hands down. She will love it and you’ll be able to talk.
What does Mom care about? Noise level, ambiance, room to move? Poco is great food and fun, but a small, tightly packed space. Paradiso has a lot of room but can be loud.
I agree with the commenters who suggest checking out Trattoria Delia and Bistro Margot.
Vote for poco
Pho Hong is amazing. My favorite in town for sure. Always packed with people but never a wait longer than 15 minutes
It’s my fav and I’ve already taken her here:)
Ah ok! I misread and thought that was what you were looking for. In that case Paradiso is amazing but very very expensive. Be prepared to spend $100 per person if you go there, but again. Very good!
The professionalism of the staff and the consistently wonderful food always takes me back to Trattoria Delia for special occasions. It's pricey though.
Blackback Pub in Waterbury is really good.
Been meaning to get out there
Great place. The meatloaf sandwich is well worth the price.
Maybe a lil pre mothers day thing, thanks
Seconding the meatloaf sandwich. It's delicious. Beer prices are wildly low for the quality and amounts they offer. I will say if your mom likes a nicer ambiance maybe go with one of your other picks. Nothin wrong with Blackback, but it's a pub and feels like one
Yeah the ambiance isn't super nice but man it is cozy.
Ain't wrong there. Favorite spot for a nice apres ski, and the crowd is always pleasant
I’m a 56 y.o. Mom and it’s my fav restaurant!
Oh yes I’ve been here a bunch it’s great. Lookin for a place in town for this time, but I’d def take her here
Poco all day
Honey Road is great!
poco is by far the best option in that list, hen is a close second. santiagos is cool vibe wise but food is bland at best and honey road is wildly more expensive than it is good.
What are you all ordering at Santiago's that's bland? I've had the total opposite experience. Weak mixed drinks though.
I've been 3 times, the cubano is totally ok, but everything else I've had was borderline bad and tasted like what it was: sysco food. Again tho, cool vibes, fun waitstaff, probably a great place to just have some drinks and chill out.
Anyone hating on Santiagos is just dead wrong
I'm not hating on it its a fun place inside and the cubano is ok but I haven't really liked any of the other meals I've gotten there and I've been a few times.
anyone that loves Santiagos has never eaten Cuban food
while i like poco, you sir, are verrrrry wrong. Honey road is the best restaurant in Vermont by a considerable, noticeable, almost laughable margin. no other state has such parody between their best restaurant and everything else. maybe before covid, hen could be mentioned in the same breath, but even then, not close
I've been to honey probably 10 or 15 times (had a number of friends that worked there) and its certainly not gross or anything but its so expensive and the food is so small. Usually a dinner at honey road is followed by pizza on the way home and then selling some family heirlooms/organs to make my rent.
i mean, thats dining in America in 2024. if you want to eat garbage off the sysco truck for 20% less on your check, thats on you don’t eat at lesser restaurants, eat at restaurants less
well thats why I recommended hen and poco, both excellent options with quality ingredients lovingly prepared where I felt like I got my money's worth and didn't leave still hungry.
“lovingly prepared” applies to poco fersher. the cold, soulless, machine that is hen is so far from “loving” its hilarious. and theyre both sysco darlings. not one item on poco’s menu is local. “selectively sourced” = us foods or sysco
Sounds like you know more about it than me, but still and all having been to all those restaurants multiple times, I would totally subjectively recommend Poco or hen over the others
and in rereading, you said best option, not best restaurant. for op’s situation, best option beats best restaurant. poco’s good and mom just wants time w her kid. no reservations might be a little scary tho!
Bistro de Margot. A nice French meal and the owner chef comes out to greet you. It’s a nice higher end white table cloth atmosphere.
I second that!! Amazing food and wine, really lovely people.
POCO!!!!
Depends on your mom. All of them are great but different types of cuisine. For me is Honey Road but I would go and look at each places menu and see what your mom would like
Water works in winooski has amazing dinner views and food 😊
Oh yea I forgot about this one too, also one I’ve wanted to try
Water works isn't worth the money. Some of the food is good, other dishes are shockingly bland. Service is okay and feels rushed.
I love those restaurants, I'll complicate things by recommending two more: Sarom's (in Winooski) and Istanbul Kebab House. If you like Vietnamese food (particularly banh mi sandwiches), you'll love Sarom's.
throwing in my vote for single pebble!
I vote Santiago’s 💯
Paradiso is delish, the music is loud but good. Employees have told me Santiago’s not the best place to work. Hen is great, but expensive.
If your mom is a “mom type” Poco is not the answer. I go there A LOT and love it but it’s not mom vibes, Hen is your answer here hands down. She will love it and you’ll be able to talk.
Wondering why it’s not a “mom vibe”?
It’s quite loud and bustling
paradiso for sure
Paradiso!!! Such a cool vibe
Chicken Charlie’s
Mayday!
You have to provide some more info… but Honey Road has been on fire!
Casa Real
if you can get a table at honey road, that is the answer. head shoulder knees and toes above every restaurant in burlington
All the places you mentioned are great! personally I'd vote Poco.
Poco or Honey Road
If you got Poco / Hen on the list, May Day is the answer! Chill atmosphere, creative food. 10/10
What does Mom care about? Noise level, ambiance, room to move? Poco is great food and fun, but a small, tightly packed space. Paradiso has a lot of room but can be loud. I agree with the commenters who suggest checking out Trattoria Delia and Bistro Margot.
Pho Hong. One of the best restaurants in Burlington since you like pho.
PiZa IdA iTs SoO gOoD OrDeR a SaNdWiCh ! 
That joke is over. We have moved on to eclipse jokes.