Winner:
A Single Pebble

Runner-Up:
Tiny Thai

NICE RICE

It’s no surprise that A Single Pebble, one of our perennial winners in the “Best Place to Have Dinner” category, is on this year’s list of Daysies recipients. But it’s noteworthy that the classic Chinese eatery also took the prize in our new “Best Asian” category.

Why are Vermonters so hot for ASP? It could be the wealth of vegetarian options — folks flip for the mock eel made of braised shiitake ’shrooms and the Buddha’s sesame “beef,” actually crisp seitan. Or perhaps it’s the unique serving arrangement: Food is offered up “family style” on a lazy Susan for easy sharing. Then again, those evocatively named dishes, such as “chop your head off” soup, “ants climbing a tree” and “red pine chicken,” simply taste good enough to keep us coming back again and again.

Want to sample Chef Steve Bogart’s specialties on a budget? Try the seven-course tasting lunch for just $15 per person.

-Suzanne Podhaizer