Some restaurants stay with you long after the meal is over. Maybe it’s the food, the atmosphere or the company. Sometimes it’s a combination of all three.
For me, Black Sheep Bistro Local favorite: Black Sheep Bistro in Vergennes, Vermont’s smallest city, is one of those restaurants.
I still remember one of my most memorable dates as an adult, on a snowy Vermont evening, at Black Sheep Bistro. There’s something wonderfully romantic about watching snow fall outside while you’re tucked into a cozy French-inspired restaurant, enjoying a great meal and good conversation.
And Black Sheep has the atmosphere to match. Warm lighting, intimate tables, a relaxed French bistro feel and food that’s consistently given people a reason to return.
Black Sheep Bistro has been a longtime favorite of the Vermont restaurant scene, and for good reason. It’s been a fixture on Main Street in Vergennes for years, building a loyal following around its French-inspired menu, welcoming atmosphere and a rather brilliant approach to side dishes.
Because at Black Sheep, you don’t have to choose between mashed potatoes and French fries. You get both. And if you ask me, that alone deserves some recognition.
A French Bistro in the Heart of Vergennes
Located on Main Street in downtown Vergennes, Black Sheep Bistro brings a little French bistro atmosphere to Vermont’s smallest city.
The restaurant is intimate, with warm lighting, comfortable seating and an atmosphere that feels equally appropriate for a special occasion or a leisurely dinner with friends.
I’ve always loved French bistros. There’s an appreciation for good food without making the dining experience unnecessarily formal. You can order a glass of wine, take your time over dinner and enjoy a meal that feels a little indulgent.
Black Sheep captures that feeling.
The menu draws from traditional French cooking while incorporating Vermont ingredients and influences from other cuisines. You’ll find dishes like escargot and duck confit alongside Thai-inspired seafood, steak and seasonal vegetables.
It’s sophisticated food served in a setting where you can relax.
And on a snowy evening, I can’t think of many restaurants in Addison County I’d rather be sitting in.
The Mashed Potatoes & French Fries Are Practically Famous
Let’s talk about what might be Black Sheep Bistro’s most beloved tradition.
Every entrée comes with garlic mashed potatoes and French fries, served family-style for the table. Yes, both.
The mashed potatoes arrive creamy, buttery and full of garlic flavor, while the fries are crispy and served with dipping sauces, including the restaurant’s well-known basil aioli.
It’s such a simple idea, but I love it.
How many times have you been at a restaurant trying to decide between mashed potatoes and fries? At Black Sheep, the decision has already been made for you.
And because they’re served for the table to share, the sides become part of the meal rather than an afterthought.
The restaurant has been doing this for years, and it’s become one of the things regulars look forward to most.
I appreciate restaurants that have a signature tradition people remember. Not necessarily a complicated dish or an elaborate presentation, but something that makes dining there a little different.
Black Sheep could probably develop an entire following around its potatoes alone.
What to Order at Black Sheep Bistro
Of course, there’s plenty more to enjoy beyond the potatoes.
The menu changes seasonally, but several longtime favorites remain.
Brie & Bacon Chicken Breast
One of the restaurant’s signature entrées is the Brie & Bacon Chicken Breast, served with balsamic cream sauce, garlicky green beans and pickled red onions.
It’s a combination that sounds rich, and it is, but the tangy sauce and vegetables help balance everything out.
The dish has been a Black Sheep favorite for years, and I’d put it high on the list if you’re visiting for the first time.
Duck Leg Confit
If you love French cooking, the Duck Leg Confit is another tempting choice.
The current preparation features a plum-basil gastrique, chilled green bean salad and pickled red onion.
Duck confit is a French bistro classic, and I appreciate seeing it on a menu in a small Vermont city.
Black Sheep Bistro Steak
The restaurant’s steak is another popular option, currently featuring seared flat iron steak with chimichurri, roasted asparagus and marinated peppers.
Add those garlic mashed potatoes and fries, and you’ve got a pretty substantial dinner.
Don’t Skip the Appetizers
I have a hard time resisting an interesting appetizer menu, particularly when I’m out for a special dinner.
Black Sheep offers escargot à la Provençale, a classic French preparation, along with crispy Vermont chèvre and ginger pork fried dumplings.
The chèvre is served with hot honey peaches, baby arugula and balsamic, combining sweet and savory flavors.
I’d recommend ordering an appetizer to share, but save some room. Between the entrée and those generous potatoes, you’re going to have plenty to eat.
Save Room for Dessert
I’m not always a dessert person, particularly after a substantial dinner, but Black Sheep has a few options that make it tempting.
The maple crème brûlée is a natural choice for a Vermont restaurant with French influences.
There’s also flourless chocolate cake served with caramel sauce, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream, along with cheesecake and sorbet.
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or Valentine’s Day, I’d order dessert and linger a little longer.
One of my favorite things about going out to dinner is having an excuse to slow down. No rushing through the meal or immediately asking for the check.
And Black Sheep is a wonderful restaurant for that.
A Longtime Favorite in Vermont’s Smallest City
Vergennes has developed a wonderful restaurant scene over the years, and Black Sheep Bistro has been an important part of it.
The restaurant has earned a loyal following among Addison County residents and visitors, with its French-inspired cooking and signature family-style sides.
I also love that it’s located right downtown.
Vergennes is one of my favorite small Vermont cities to explore, with historic architecture, independently owned shops and a beautiful Main Street.
If you’re visiting during the warmer months, spend some time walking around downtown before dinner. Vergennes Falls Park is nearby, with views of the waterfalls along Otter Creek.
In winter, I’d plan an earlier arrival, enjoy a little time downtown and settle into Black Sheep for a leisurely dinner.
And if you’re staying in the Champlain Valley, it’s a convenient dining destination from Middlebury, Bristol or the Lake Champlain shoreline.
One of My Favorite Vermont Date Night Restaurants
I think a memorable date has relatively little to do with how much money you spend.
Some of my favorite dates have been simple evenings with good food, conversation and nowhere else we needed to be.
That snowy evening at Black Sheep Bistro has stayed with me for years.
I remember the warmth of the restaurant, the snow falling outside and how much I enjoyed the experience. It’s funny what details stick with you.
And while I certainly wouldn’t turn down a return visit for the mashed potatoes and fries, it’s the overall experience that makes Black Sheep one of my favorite restaurants to recommend for a date night in Vermont.
If you’re planning a romantic dinner in Addison County, I’d put it near the top of your list.
What to Know Before You Go
- Location
- Black Sheep Bistro is located at 253 Main Street in downtown Vergennes, Vermont.
- Hours
- Dinner is served Tuesday through Thursday, 4:30–8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 4:30–9 p.m. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday.
- Reservations
- Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekends and special occasions. Call 802-877-9991 to reserve a table. Reservations are not accepted by email.
- Menu
- French-inspired cuisine with seasonal ingredients, including steak, duck confit, seafood, chicken and vegetarian options.
- Prices
- Current entrées generally range from $28 to $38, with appetizers starting around $12. Check the current menu for updates.
- Dietary Options
- The menu identifies several vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. Contact the restaurant directly about allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Takeout
- Online ordering and takeout are available.
- Parking
- Street parking is available in downtown Vergennes.
- Nearby Attractions
- Vergennes Falls Park, downtown Vergennes shops, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and Button Bay State Park.
- Phone
- 802-877-9991
- Don’t Miss
- Every entrée includes family-style garlic mashed potatoes and French fries. The dipping sauces are another highlight.
Black Sheep Bistro has been part of the Vermont dining scene for years, and I appreciate restaurants that maintain their personality while giving people a reason to keep coming back.
For me, it’ll always be associated with a snowy Vermont evening and one of my most memorable dates.
And, of course, a table full of mashed potatoes and French fries.
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