localflavor Burlington Bay Market and CafÈ offers quite a catch

Author: Tamara Hilmes

If you find yourself craving the catch of the day after a long day of shopping on Church Street, walk a couple blocks down to the Burlington Bay Market and CafÈ located on Battery St., near the ferry. This market and restaurant combo is located right on the edge of Lake Champlain and offers a great view of the lake from its deck on the back, though I would recommend the seating inside as cold winter months lie ahead. The windows in the back of the dining area offer an equally good view minus the Vermont cold.

Whether you are searching for an after-shopping snack or a complete meal, Burlington Bay has got you covered. Upon entering the establishment, I found myself in the middle of a miniature grocery store with shelves upon shelves of food standing next to several refrigerated cases. These shelves and cases were filled to the brim with all sorts of random foodstuffs ranging from beverages and snack foods to pastries and tons of Vermont white cheddar and other cheeses. Beyond the cases of food is a seafood case, much like one you would find at a large supermarket. Fresh tuna and halibut lie in wait for those with a fishy craving, but if you would rather have someone else cook your dinner for you, head over to the cafÈ counter at the back of the industrial-style building.

The cafÈ menu offers a variety of salads, wraps and sandwiches both fishy and otherwise, all for around $10 or less. If you are looking for something light and fresh, go for the Organic Spring Mix Salad. With candied walnuts, red onion and raspberry-infused cranberries tossed in a healthy portion of organic mixed greens, all topped with the house vinaigrette, Burlington Bay has achieved an unique but nicely coordinated combination of flavors. Try the salad with grilled salmon on top for an extra-savory meal, all for $8.99.

If you want a fishy dish, but are not keen on salad, try the Crab Cake Sandwich for $6.99. This sandwich, listed under "The Bay Future Classics" on the menu above the counter, features a classic crab cake made from fresh Canadian rock crab, though this changes depending on the season. The crab cake is served on a toasted deli roll and topped with lettuce, tomato, lemon and Cajun mayo. The simple presentation of the sandwich on a plain white plate may, however, reflect its taste. The crab cake was somewhat bland and a little underwhelming.

If eating leaves or fish is not your taste, opt for the Chipotle Cheddar Burger, one of Burlington Bay's "Classics." The $7.99 burger is topped with lettuce, tomato, Vermont cheddar, red onion and chipotle mayo and served on a toasted bun. The burger was delicious, although slightly undercooked (this coming from someone who likes their meat cooked well done, however). The Bay serves up a pretty standard burger, although as Emeril would say, the chipotle mayo kicked it up a notch. The meal would have been more satisfactory had the burger been accompanied by the usual French fries, as eight dollars for just a burger on its own seems a little exorbitant. Not to mention the burger looks so lonely on the stark white plate.

Although sides are not included in the price of your meal, extras are readily available in the market. A wide range of regular and gourmet chips hang on racks near the counter. However, beware - a lot of the market items are just as overpriced as the entrees. Also, I would recommend just asking for tap water, as their beverages are also a little on the pricey side. Although they have a great assortment of various flavored waters, sodas, juices, milk and much more, one little can of Sanpellegrino Sparkling Orange soda cost $1.40.

The food may be slightly over priced, but the taste and atmosphere help make up for the dent in your wallet. After ordering and paying upfront, you can either watch your meal being prepared behind the counter, or grab a number and take a seat at one of the small round tables overlooking the lake. For optimum viewing pleasure, I would recommend going to the cafÈ for lunch rather than dinner when the lighting is more conducive to sightseeing. While you eat you can also enjoy the decent soundtrack that Burlington Bay has playing softly in the background as well as the unlimited usage of your very own salt and pepper shakers (a pair for each table!). Funny enough, the shakers are exactly the same as those used by Middlebury College Dining Services. The cafÈ also has the most customer-friendly signage that I have seen in a while. Signs hang over the counter reading "Order Here" and "Pay Here" and the trashcans all say "PUSH" on the little plastic door. Burlington Bay even managed to up the festive atmosphere with the addition of a fully lighted and decorated Christmas tree in the corner of the dining area.

So whether you are just stopping in for a snack, or sitting down to lunch or dinner, you will be sure to have a satisfactory Burlington Bay experience. Only beware of overpriced products and entrees should you choose to make this lakeside establishment your refueling destination.