• Lee Krohn
• Guild Tavern

Guild Tavern — The folks in the Farmhouse Group have a knack for turning spaces that used to house fast-food joints into bastions of local cuisine. They did it at the Farmhouse Tap & Grill on Burlington’s Bank Street, which used to be a McDonald’s, and at Guild Tavern, formerly a Ground Round. At the Tavern, chef-owner Phillip Clayton offers up classic steakhouse fare — such as rib eye with Béarnaise and steak sauce accompanied by buttermilk whipped potatoes and onion rings — using ingredients sourced from area farms. While waiting for your steak, choose from the selection of classic cocktails, such as a gin, brandy and vermouth concoction from the 1930s called Warday’s, or try out the bartender’s original takes on modern mixology.

Other Finalists (Inside Chittenden County)

• EB Strong's Prime Steakhouse
• Hen of the Wood
• Leunig's Bistro & Café
• The Windjammer Restaurant