I spend way too much time thinking about which Vermont restaurants we should try next. I’m a tad obsessed with getting to know all of the chefs, farmers and purveyors who bring us inventive, wholesome food on a regular basis. Lucky for all us Vermonters and visitors to the state, Vermont Restaurant Week starts on Friday, April 24 and runs through May 3.

With $20, $30 and $40 three-course menus at most participating restaurants, it’s time to go wild, friends. Not only do you get to eat at a number of the best restaurants in Vermont for reduced rates, a portion of the proceeds from the event also supports the Vermont Foodbank. Who wouldn’t eat and drink to that?

The only problem with Vermont Restaurant Week 2015 is that there are a ton of Vermont restaurants participating. 115 to be exact. So how can you possibly choose? I’ve compiled my top choices for Vermont Restaurant Week menus (and what I’d order). Sit back and savor every bite, while I do the heavy mental lifting for you. Be sure to let me know what restaurants you tried. I love to share notes with fellow foodies! (Or if you’re into perusing menus as much as me, here’s a link to the whole shebang on Seven Days’ site.)

Curious where we’ll be dining? You might just spot us at Junction, Phantom and Waterworks Food + Drink.

Vermont Restaurant Week: $40 Menu Choices (33 restaurant options)

My $40 Menu Choices go to some of the best restaurants in the state. You’d be hard-pressed to eat in these restaurants for $40 a person in my experience, so now is the best time to get a reservation and experience fine dining in Vermont for yourself (dial now before they’re full!). Bon appetite!

1. Hen of the Wood, Waterbury, Vermont
Hen of the Wood has always been one of my favorite restaurants in Vermont. But our bill for two usually comes in around $200 with tax and tip and a decent bottle of wine. So, our days eating out at Hen of the Wood are numbered (not that I would want to ruin the specialness of our twice-a-year visits by eating there more often…) The best part of the Vermont Restaurant Week deal at Hen of the Wood is that you can choose any appetizer, entrée and cheese for the third course for $40 with no limitations! While you might be tempted to visit the new Burlington location, the 40-seat former grist mill setting is utterly charming (and more authentic).

2. Tourterelle Restaurant & Inn, New Haven, Vermont
Tourterelle’s owners Bill and Christine Snell came from Brooklyn where they ran two popular French bistros. They’ve been serving up Parisian-inspired meals for over five years now, so I’m always surprised when I meet Vermonters who have never heard of it! Rumor has it Tourterelle just landed a superstar new chef who is reinvigorating the menu and the restaurant’s culinary appeal.
Appetizer: Sashimi de Coquilles St Jacques, Diver scallop sashimi with vanilla oil, fresh lime and jalapeño served over rice noodles
Entrée: Omble Chevalier, Grilled arctic char served over roasted hazelnut quinoa and lemon-mint vinaigrette
Dessert: Rose Petal Panna Cotta, Rhubarb syrup

3. Leunig’s Bistro & Cafe, Burlington, Vermont
Leunig’s never comes to mind when we’re eating in Burlington, because there are so many good new restaurants opening up every year. But sometimes it’s good to get back to basics with a restaurant that is always excellent. The Vermont Restaurant Week is a bit heavy on foie gras (I’m warning you now), but the inclusion of fruit in each menu item to balance out the butteriness of the foie has my mouth watering…
Appetizer: Foie Gras “Fig Newton”, Pâté sucre, strawberry-rhubarb jam, spring greens
Entrée: Grilled Petit Beef Tenderloin, Wild mushroom Vermont goat cheese and fig tartlet, roasted marble potatoes with foie gras butter
Dessert: Maple Crème Brûlée, Fresh berries

Vermont Restaurant Week: $30 Menu Choices (51 to choose from)

1. Michael’s on the Hill, Waterbury Center, Vermont
Michael’s on the Hill served up our favorite meal in 2014 during Stowe’s Restaurant Week, but it wasn’t inexpensive. This menu is an awesome way to check out the beautiful renovated farmhouse and Chef Michael’s inspired meals. I do love that while dining at Michael’s you literally break bread with your dining companions (you’ll see what I mean). There’s also an optional beer pairing for $44 total!
Appetizer: Honey Dipped Chicken Biscuit
Second Course: House Preserved Tomato Soup
Entrée: Shortrib Meatloaf, Mashed potatoes, English peas, rainbow carrots
Dessert: S’more Pie, Last summer’s berries sauce

2. Bobcat Cafe, Bristol, Vermont
The Bobcat Cafe has been our hometown watering hole for years (it’s actually where Randy and I officially met as well). The food is always good, and it’s a place where locals really do congregate. With a new brewer on staff, the Bobcat’s beer is finally drinkable again (hallelujah!). FYI, the Bobcat has one of the best burgers you’ll ever eat if you don’t opt for the Restaurant Week Menu.
Appetizer: Bacon-Polenta Fries, Wilted radicchio salad and roasted tomato jam
Entrée: Braised Vermont Pork Enchilada Verde, Chipotle-cabbage salad, pepitas, roasted Poblano peppers

3. Prohibition Pig, Waterbury, Vermont
“Hipster glossy” is the best description I’ve ever heard for the ambiance of the Prohibition Pig. I was hesitant to try it for years, as the Alchemist who inhabited the space before was one of our favorite date night destinations. The ProPig does fill the Alchemist’s shoes, however, with to-die-for roasted meats, burgers and veggie fare. They also recently opened up their own brewery next door to add to Waterbury’s great beer scene. Make sure to sample their hot sauces and BBQ sauces! (Read all about why we love ProPig.)
Appetizer: Truffled Mushroom Toast, Grilled Red Hen Bread, truffled crimini mushrooms, Parmesan
Entrée: Duck Salad, Warm house-cured confit duck leg, bitter greens, Bayley-Hazen blue cheese, cranberries, pickled red onions
Dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler, Basil whipped cream

Vermont Restaurant Week: Top $20 Restaurant Menu Choices (22 to choose from)

1. Juniper, Burlington, Vermont
I experienced Juniper during a stay at Hotel Vermont, and the charcuterie plate is delicious. The bartenders (Solomon and Mike) are always friendly as can be. The bar has a wide variety of Vermont spirits to try and a good selection of Vermont craft beers on tap on a regular basis.
Appetizer: Daily Charcuterie, Grilled Red Hen Baking Company toast
Entrée: Chèvre Gnocchi, Mushroom ragout, peas, black truffle

2. Our House Bistro, Winooski, Vermont
I had never heard of Our House Bistro until I was a judge in the Vermont Chili Festival in Middlebury this winter. Our House had an impressive trio of chilis and in the blind taste test, all of their chilis were highly ranged by the judges. Since then, I’ve been eager to stop in and see what this up-and-coming Winooski menu is all about.
Appetizer: Our House Mussels, White wine, garlic-and-butter sauce, smoked bacon, fresh tomato, basil, grilled bread
Entrée: Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich, Cheddar and bacon waffles stuffed with fried chicken with cracked pepper gravy, fries and apple-cabbage slaw
Dessert: Deep-fried PB&J, Golden-battered peanut-butter-and-strawberry-jelly sandwich drizzled with chocolate and served with a marshmallow fluff frappé for dipping or drizzling

3. Parkside Kitchen, Richmond, Vermont
The owners of the Kitchen Table have created a casual riff on the upscale restaurant with the Parkside Kitchen that’s open all day long and offers a variety of budget-friendly comfort foods. If you don’t stop in for the $20 dinner menu, they’re also offering a $10 breakfast special during Vermont Restaurant Week.
Appetizer: Chopped Caesar, Biscuit croutons, KTB caesar dressing
Entrée: Southern Fried Chicken Thighs or Tofu, Fries, buttermilk dip

Vermont Restaurant Week: Top Veggie Friendly Restaurant Choices (75 to choose from)

I’ve been quite impressed with a number of Vermont chefs who view vegetarians not as a nuisance (or another excuse to make a lazy bowl of pasta) but as a culinary challenge. Here are a few of the best vegetarian-friendly Vermont Restaurant Week menus:

1. Junction, Essex, Vermont ($30 menu) Full disclosure: Shawn Calley has been a friend of Randy’s for years. Shawn used to use Randy’s palette as a test grounds for new vegetarian dishes. Shawn is super inventive and makes vegetarian dishes special, which is often hard to find. Junction is all about access to the chefs, so be sure to give Shawn feedback on his veg fare if you see him!
Appetizer: Minutina Greens, Beet vinaigrette ice, pine nut spread, watermelon radish
Entrée: Caramelized Sunchokes, Escarole, farro, Maplebrook Fine Cheese ricotta

2. Starry Night Cafe, Ferrisburgh, Vermont ($40 menu) Starry Night as been one of our go-to Vermont restaurants for years, and the vegetarian fare is always just as good as the meat options. We haven’t been since the owner of Carhartt (yes, the clothing company) purchased and renovated the restaurant, but I hear the food is as good as ever. Paired with inventive cocktails and some of the best servers  in the state (ask for Grace or Leslie!), you will have an excellent meal at Starry Night with the service can’t be beat.
Appetizer: Charred Carrot and Shaved Watermelon Radish Salad, Toasted sunflower seeds, mixed greens, Blythedale gruyere, honey-ginger vinaigrette
Entrée:  Preserved Lemon Cavatelli, Cipollini onions, mixed olives, roasted red pepper sauce and Parmesan crisps

3. Simon Pearce Restaurant, Quechee, Vermont ($40 menu). Randy had this exact vegetarian meal during a visit to Simon Pearce’s Restaurant about a month ago. He raved about the simplicity of the chosen ingredients but the unbelieveable flavor in the dish. Ask to sit on the porch, so you can overlook the Ottauquechee River. This would be a perfect romantic evening, and using all of Simon Pearce’s glass makes for a special evening. (Read about our recent meal.)
Appetizer: Kale, Blood Orange and Olive Salad, Organic kale, pickled fennel, pignolias, lemon-herb vinaigrette, Cabot clothbound cheddar
Entrée: Caramelized Cauliflower Gratin, Lentils, roasted red bell peppers, golden raisins, pepitas, brown-butter-and-sage cauliflower purée

Looking for something a bit out of the ordinary in the Burlington area? Try Istanbul Kebab House (now in the Das Bierhaus space ), A Single Pebble (if there’s mock eel, don’t think twice about ordering it) or El Cortijo Taqueria y Cantina (make sure to get a margarita).

If you want to be a trendsetter and try out some Vermont restaurants that don’t get much press or are new to the Vermont food scene, try The Gryphon with homey farm-to-table dishes like Seafood Grits and Sesame Ginger Chicken, The Armory Grille & Bar with traditional American fare (steaks, flatbreads, chicken) in the renovated Armory building, Southside Steakhouse in Rutland with 21-day dry-aged ribeye or Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen in Barre with more hearty comfort food dishes and 28 taps!

What Vermont restaurants are you eager to try for Vermont Restaurant Week 2015? Share in the comments below.