The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

Name: The Reluctant Panther Restaurant
Address: 39 West Road, Manchester, VT, United States, 05254
Telephone: (802) 362-2568
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8 (1225)

$31 to $50

American

39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 7, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

About this restaurant

Romantic
Charming
Good for special occasions

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant features locally sourced American cuisine in a relaxed yet elegantly upscale atmosphere. Menus are complemented by a multiple year Wine Spectator award winning wine list
The Reluctant Panther is happy to accommodate well behaved children but does not offer a children's menu.
Reservations Required.
Please Note: We do not allow dogs in the restaurant, inside or out, with the exception of service animals.

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
Phone number
(802) 362-2568
Website
http://reluctantpanther.com/dining
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Sigal Rocklin
Private party facilities
The Panther Pub is Warmly lit and comfortably furnished, the Pub is used for special events and private party bookings. Business dinners and small wedding rehearsal dinners are particularly effective in The Panther Pub.

Location
39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254
Neighborhood
Manchester
Cross street
Seminary Road
Parking details
Parking is available in our private lot or in public spaces nearby. We have handicap access parking both in the front and rear of our buildings.
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Lobster & Brie Fondue$20.00
Crispy Pancetta, Baguette
Maplebrook Farm Burrata$16.00
Crispy Prosciutto, Roasted Winter Squash, Pear, Pumpkin Seeds, Grilled Cranberry Bread, Aged Balsamic
Crispy Brussels Sprouts$15.00
Caesar Vinaigrette, Parmesan, Crispy Capers, Sunflower Shoots
Buttermilk Fried Local Quail$17.00
Deviled Quail Egg, Spinach, Bacon Vinaigrette, Hot Honey Aioli
Mixed Greens Salad$13.00
Butternut Squash, Apples, Pecans, Pomegranate, Thyme Vinaigrette
Zucchini Blossoms Stuffed with Pea Risotto$16.00
Gluten Free Tempura, Feta, Spinach Cashew Pesto
Smooth Duck Liver Pate$17.00
Rhubarb Compote, Spicy Quick Pickled Aspargus, Crispy Prosciutto, Watercress, Baguette
Soup of the Day$12.00
Chef's Inspiration

Entrées

Switchback Ale Braised Short Ribs$38.00
Smoked Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Pearl Onions, Crispy Shallots
Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab$38.00
Basil Pesto Orzo, Spinach, Shaved Radish, Creamy Lemon Beurre Blanc
Pistachio Stuffed Lamb Loin$54.00
Minted Pea Risotto, Zucchini, Watercress, Feta Cheese, Aged Balsamic
Vegan Roasted Cauliflower$34.00
Tahini, Za’atar Chickpeas, Snap Peas, Radish, Ramp Chimichurri
Vermont Farms Grilled Pork Chop$38.00
Creamy Ramp Polenta, Green Beans, Almonds, Bacon Vinaigrette
Seared Halibut$39.00
Basil Pesto Zucchini Noodles, Green Beans, Asparagus, Sunflower Seeds, Rhubarb Sauce
Roasted Misty Knoll Chicken Breast$36.00
Herb Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms, Local Spinach, Ramp-White Wine Cream Sauce, Crispy Parmesan
Grilled Vermont Ribeye$54.00
Bacon Fingerling Potatoes, Green Beans & Mushrooms, Ramp Chimichurri Sauce
Fish of the Day
Farm Vegetable Risotto, Butter Sauce

What 1,225 people are saying

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Vermont
Best Food
Vermont
Great for fine wines
Vermont
Romantic
Vermont
American
Southern Vermont
Best Overall
Southern Vermont
Best Food
Southern Vermont
Great for fine wines
Southern Vermont
Romantic
Southern Vermont
American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant offers a "divine dining experience" with "exceptional" food and service. The ambiance is praised as "festive" and "inviting," featuring a "beautiful setting." Guests appreciate the "unique and flavorful" dishes, with highlights like the "out of this world fantastic" grilled pork chop. Perfect for special occasions or a memorable meal.

1,225 Reviews

R
Robert
Greater Boston3 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 29, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
First time eating there Superb food. Would have rated it above five stars if I that had been an option. Service excellent. Dining room airy with plenty of natural light and the tables far enough apart that we weren't bothered by conversations at other tables. Room could use a bit more sound absorbing decor.
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M
Moira VIP
Los Angeles1 review
3.0
Dined on May 28, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
The chef required the full order to go in at once so, of course, our entree arrived before we finished our appetizer. That shouldn’t happen when you’re spending $$$$ for a meal.
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a
aileen VIP
Greater Boston7 reviews
3.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
I really, really wanted to like this place. The Inn is great and everyone is so friendly. The meal at the restaurant was mediocre. The fried zucchini blossoms were over battered and over fried to the point they were almost black. The beer braised short ribs lacked flavor and depth. It’s as if they were thrown in the oven without searing 1st, adding veg and herbs, broth/wine, then slow roasting. They almost tasted boiled in beer. I thought, well at least I get some mashed potatoes on the side. But they weren’t anything to write home about, very bland. Service was good, and our table was great.
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p
pam
Idaho7 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 23, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
the staff, ambiance and food is just perfection! We consider it the best food in this area…spectacular. Attention to detail with everything is wonderful.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Vermont1 review
5.0
Dined on May 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
My dear friends and I had a divine dining experience last night. Our three course meals were exquisitely presented and incredibly delicious! Service was excellent despite having a trainee learning the service protocols. We are repeat clients for more than a decade for these reasons and more!
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j
judy
Asheville / Western North Carolina23 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 15, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Quail appetizer was served with 2 tiny quail eggs - extremely delicate and perfect. The fish was fresh, served with a lemon-y sauce, and a Pinot Grigio complemented wonderfully. Dessert was a unique créme brûlée, served with a robust espresso. My compliments to the chef!
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J
Jackie VIP
New York City10 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent in every way! There’s nothing better than a pork chop done perfectly, and they nailed it!
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N
Nancy
Tampa12 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is my new favorite restaurant. The food was unique and flavorful. Presentation was exquisite. Love every moment there.
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J
Jacqui
Chicago / Illinois1 review
5.0
Dined on May 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
The food, the service - all exceptional. If you go to Manchester and you do not make time to dine here - you are truly missing out
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J
Janice
New York City4 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our 1st time at the Reluctant Panther. The restaurant is very old and elegant. The dining room is warm and inviting. I wish I remembered our servers name because she was a doll. So friendly, very professional and always there if we needed something. We got everything from and appetizer to dessert and I must say from the first bite to the last, everything was delicious. I was so happy with the cheeseboard appetizer. The cheeses were so good especially the cheddar and the whipped honey was delicious. I ordered the sea bass and risotto and my husband ordered the grilled pork chop. Both were outstanding. Don't pass this place up if you are in Manchester.
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FAQs

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 1225 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jun 7, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 8 times today

Google Map for The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Additional information

Cross street
Seminary Road
Neighborhood
Manchester
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
American, Seafood
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Parking is available in our private lot or in public spaces nearby. We have handicap access parking both in the front and rear of our buildings.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Sigal Rocklin
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://reluctantpanther.com/dining
Phone number
(802) 362-2568
Private party facilities
The Panther Pub is Warmly lit and comfortably furnished, the Pub is used for special events and private party bookings. Business dinners and small wedding rehearsal dinners are particularly effective in The Panther Pub.

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Menu

Appetizers

Lobster & Brie Fondue$20.00

Maplebrook Farm Burrata$16.00

Crispy Brussels Sprouts$15.00

Buttermilk Fried Local Quail$17.00

Mixed Greens Salad$13.00

Zucchini Blossoms Stuffed with Pea Risotto$16.00

Smooth Duck Liver Pate$17.00

Soup of the Day$12.00

Entrées

Switchback Ale Braised Short Ribs$38.00

Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed with Crab$38.00

Pistachio Stuffed Lamb Loin$54.00

Vegan Roasted Cauliflower$34.00

Vermont Farms Grilled Pork Chop$38.00

Seared Halibut$39.00

Roasted Misty Knoll Chicken Breast$36.00

Grilled Vermont Ribeye$54.00

Fish of the Day

What 1,225 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is The Reluctant Panther Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is The Reluctant Panther Restaurant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information