While The Arcadian, a modern Italian restaurant in Middlebury known for its handmade pasta, no longer operates full-time, it makes a special guest appearance — popping up, you might say, — for two evenings a month in Haymaker Bun Co.’s space on 7 Bakery Lane, where the two businesses formerly operated in tandem. Last Thursday, the approximate 115 lucky ticket holders shuffled into a space normally brimming with James Beard award-nominated buns and lattes to feast on some widely revered pasta and desserts under dimmed lights.
Hope Jerris ’25.5 went for her second time to The Arcadian pasta pop up this past Thursday with a friend.
“It’s definitely a pricey endeavor but I’ve really enjoyed going to the pasta pop-ups,” Jerris said in an interview with The Campus. “It’s a nice occasion to go to a nice dinner with friends off-campus and celebrate our friendship. I love the vibe there after dark, it’s dark and cold outside but cozy and lively inside.”
The menu varies with each event, but every pop-up features a curated selection of appetizers, handmade pasta dishes — both meat and vegetarian options — savory entrées, and a variety of desserts. The restaurant also serves different drinks and cocktails, both alcoholic and zero proof.
“Ordering is typical Haymaker-style counter service,” Jerris said. “This time around we had focaccia with ricotta and thyme and roasted carrot arancini for appetizers. I thought the arancini were particularly delicious, crispy on the outside and creamy deliciousness on the inside. We got arancini at the pop-up last year and they were a hit then, too. For the main course, we ordered rigatoni ragù and shrimp scampi with white wine sauce and polenta. I was especially impressed by the shrimp dish, which was exactly what I had been craving.”
Desserts last Thursday included a tiramisu and a blood orange tart as part of the full spread prepared by the dedicated family business that hosts the pop-up events.
Married couple Caroline and Matt Corrente ’06.5 opened Haymaker Bun Co. and The Arcadian in 2018, creating a dynamic dual-concept space. In the mornings, Caroline ran Haymaker, serving breakfast and pastries, while in the evenings, Matt transformed the space into The Arcadian.
The name “Arcadian” comes from Matt’s favorite painting, “The Course of Empire: The Arcadian or Pastoral State by Thomas Cole.” The painting depicts a rural paradise, which the Correntes see as resonating with Vermont.
However, like many restaurants, The Arcadian faced challenges in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2021, the couple made the difficult decision to close its doors as a full-time restaurant.
“We closed down The Arcadian portion of the restaurant after the pandemic — it was too crazy, with everything happening in the world and a staffing crisis,” Caroline said in an interview with The Campus. “We have little kids, so my husband transitioned to a more traditional nine-to-five job.”
While The Arcadian ceased daily operations, Haymaker Bun Co. remained a staple in Middlebury’s food scene, continuing to serve breakfast and lunch offerings.
A year and a half ago, after Matt settled into his job as the director of Finance and Operation at the Addison County School District, he decided to revive The Arcadian in the evenings, and started curating menus for pasta pop ups.
“Matt’s been a chef since graduating from Middlebury and later attending culinary school, so the pop-ups gave him a way to keep cooking and give the community a chance to enjoy great Italian food.” Caroline said.
The pop-ups are a stand-out success for Haymaker in the wake of recent financial difficulties. In an Instagram post on Feb. 25, Caroline asked the community to help her business out by purchasing gift cards.
“Like so many small businesses, Haymaker is currently experiencing turbulent economic conditions. We are navigating rising food costs (hello eggs!”), and bracing ourselves for the ripple effects of tariffs, all during the slowest time of the year,” she wrote in the post.
If customers purchase a gift card — which can also be used for the pasta pop-ups — they will receive a small bonus on any purchase amount as a thank you.
The 100–130 tickets for the pop ups sell fast, nearly within 30 minutes of being posted on their website. The pop ups are announced through Haymaker’s monthly newsletter, and customers can then make reservations online. If there are extra seats, they make sure to post about it on their instagram.
The focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients is a key part of what makes The Arcadian’s pop-ups stand out. During the colder months, The Arcadian gets ingredients from Woods Market Garden in Brandon, Vt. and Black River Produce, a wholesale food distributor in North Springfield, Vt.
As long as the community continues to embrace them, the Arcadian pop-ups will remain a highly anticipated event in Middlebury’s dining scene, one that brings people together in good company, and the warmth of a restaurant that can feel like home.
Editor’s Note: Managing Editor Madeleine Kaptein ’25.5 contributed reporting to this article.
Mandy Berghela '26 (she/her) is a Senior Local Editor.
Mandy previously served as a local editor and staff writer. She is a Political Science major with a History minor. Mandy serves as co-president for Southeast Asian Society (SEAS), a member on the Judicial Board, and an intern for the Conflict Transformation Collaborative. In her free time, she enjoys cycling and reading fantasy novels.
