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

955 Reviews

$31 to $50

American

Top Tags:

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. With excellent service and outstanding ambiance, the Panther Restaurant boasts the highest Zagat rating in northern New England. 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.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Feb 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 13 times today

Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
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.
Private party contact
Matt Mandino: (802) 362-2568

Location
39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254
Neighborhood
Manchester, Vermont
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

Popular dishes

Lobster & Vermont Brie Fondue$20.00
Crispy Pancetta, Chives, Toasted Baguette
Butternut Squash, Apple & Spinach Salad$16.00
Bourbon-Maple Goat Cheese Cream, Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette, Cider Reduction
Duck Pate$17.00
Bacon Jam, Fig Compote, Pickled Grapes, Almonds, Toasted Baguette
Maple Brook Farm Burrata$16.00
Local Heirloom Beets, Basil Pesto, Pistachios, Pomegrante, Aged Balsamic
Crispy Brussels Sprouts$16.00
Caesar Dressing, Parmesan Cheese, Crispy Capers, Sunflower Shoots
Local Farm Mixed Greens$14.00
Dried Figs, Shaved Rupert Cheese, Cauliflower, Slivered Almonds, Orange Vinaigrette, Aged Balsamic
Vermont Cheese Selection$18.00
Roasted Grapes, Apple Butter, Almonds, Vermont Crackers
Soup of the Day$12.00
Chef's Inspiration

Entrées

Seared Cod Loin$36.00
Creamed Leeks, Wild Mushrooms, Romanesco, Potato Shoestrings, Crispy Capers
Vermont Farms Pork Chop$37.00
Bacon Potato Gnocchi, Apple, Butternut Squash, Pickled Fennel, Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Seared Scallops$45.00
Parsnip Puree, Butternut Squash, Black Rice, Crispy Leeks, Blood Orange Emulsion
Swithback Ale Braised Short Ribs$37.00
Smoked Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Cipollini Onions, Brussels Sprouts
Vegan Carrot & Spinach Pappardelle Pasta$34.00
Wild Mushrooms, Spinach & Cashew Pesto, Shaved Cauliflower
Braised Venison Osso Buco$42.00
Creamy White Polenta, Bacon Lardons, Celery Root, Pomegranate, Parsley Gremolata, Black Pepper Jus
Roasted Misty Knoll Chicken Breast$36.00
Butternut Squash & Mascarpone Ravioli, Romanesco, Creamy Shallot Sauce, Pecan Crumble
Farm Vegetable Risotto$33.00
Chef Inspired
Grilled 'Butcher Reserve' Vermont Ribeye$47.00
Sweet Potato Puree, Parsnip & Sauteed Spinach, Wild Mushroom & Middlebury Blue Cheese Compote

What 955 people are saying

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
4.9Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Vermont
Best Food
Vermont
Best Service
Vermont
Best Ambiance
Vermont
Innovative
Vermont
Great for fine wines
Vermont
Good for special occasions
Vermont
American

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OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
5 reviews
vip
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely love it there
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything about the Reluctance Panther was exquisite from the ambiance and the service to the innovative food and drink. Kudos for a setting a wonderful evening and we will be back soon.
SR
SuzieR
New York Area
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our first time at this restaurant and we are already planning on going back. The food was outstanding!! The staff was excellent-very attentive! A very elegant meal!
PS
PhilipS
New York Area
13 reviews
vip
5.0
13 reviews
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Perfect meal from beginning to end. From the entrance to the dessert, this was one of the best experiences we have ever had. A must do on any VT visit.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fantastic dinner.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Atlantic City
6 reviews
vip
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on January 10, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Fabulous dinner as always. Service impeccable as usual & food was out of this world creative & delicious!
JP
JP2012
New York Area
35 reviews
5.0
35 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Superb restaurant. Food, service, ambience everything fantastic and compared to NY prices quite reasonable. Would highly recommend for special occasions
CG
ChristineG
New England
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service was absolutely incredible. The blend of flavors were perfect
BT
BluTraveler
New England
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a gem in Manchester! We celebrated on New Year's Day 2023. The inn and dining room was beautifully decorated. We had superb service. The food was stunningly good. Lobster/brie fondue to start. Rib eye steak cooked perfectly to order. Short rib entree with root vegetables and cheddar mashed potato. Savory nirvana! We will be back again!
KH
KristinH
New York Area
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 1, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Absolutely amazing food from the burrata appetizer to our ribeye and short rib entrees and homemade desserts. Drinks were outstanding. Service was exceptional. This restaurant has become our favorite place to dine when visiting Manchester.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Montana
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 31, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful experience, one of the best meals we’ve had ever. Cannot recommend highly enough.
VM
VitoM
Richmond
3 reviews
vip
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience5
Time with our sons
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on December 28, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place
KM
KevinM
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food, atmosphere and service!
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined on December 22, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
As usual the Reluctant Panther never ceases to amaze with their cuisine, ambiance and superior service. The lobster/Brie fondue was to die for and the chicken and venison was delicious!
MP
MatthewP
Los Angeles
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 21, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Lovely, calm, cozy, and inviting ambience. Food was beautifully presented and delicious and the service was friendly and attentive without being intrusive.
S
Stephane
New York Area
22 reviews
vip
5.0
22 reviews
Dined on December 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was for my wife birthday and it was the perfect set up to celebrate!
d
deborahc
New England
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 17, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
As always, amazing food and experienced, knowledgeable servers! The ambiance ((especially at Christmas) is outstanding. Everyone goes out of their way to be sure your experience is top notch
D
Docdave
New England
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on December 16, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Anniversary dinner
AH
AnnH
New York Area
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on December 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a delightful meal! Starting with our reservation process to our departure, such a friendly, accommodating and lovely experience. Mary, at the front desk, was so welcoming and our servers were professional and exact in their service. Beautiful menu and wine list. Just love this place. Don’t forget to ask how the name was derived. We will be back!
DM
DevanM
New England
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 14, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I had dinner to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We shared the lobster and Brie fondue and the duck pate for appetizers. For entrees we had the scallops and venison osso buco and for dessert we shared the maple custard… everything was absolutely delicious. The service was outstanding. Attentive without ever feeling rushed… the timing of everything was on point. Overall, it was truly a memorable evening.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful staff, beautiful atmosphere and food was terrific
RW
RichardW
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
WE will be back. The chef is exceptional!!!! This will be a destination place for us because of the chefs creativity.
JM
JillM
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 13, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful meal! Fantastic service. Can’t wait to return.
MD
MelD
New York Area
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always outstanding and a local favorite!
j
jwalkermobile
New York Area
98 reviews
vip
5.0
98 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great spot for a romantic dinner. Food, cocktails, wine list, service and ambiance all fantastic!
HN
HunterdonNJResident
New York Area
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 9, 2022
overall5food5service2ambience5
What a great night! We were in town celebrating my wife birthday. The food and ambience was simply amazing. The dinning room was very festive with several fireplaces and decorated Christmas trees. I would highly recommend.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New England
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything… the service, the ambiance, the food… was perfect. We loved it here and can’t wait to come back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was our second time to the Reluctant Panther. The first time was wonderful and the second was a repeat performance. We’ll be sure to save an evening for the Panther whenever we’re in Manchester.
s
sybilm
New York Area
5 reviews
3.0
5 reviews
Dined on December 3, 2022
overall3food2service5ambience4
Not impressed. Meh. The wine list was great but our food was overcooked and undercooked (venison osso bucco and Wagyu Beef entrees). Nothing special and a let down, to be honest. Our server was terrific, however.
TL
ThomasL
1 review
1.0
1 review
Dined on December 2, 2022
overall1food1service5ambience5
The place was beautiful and and really nice 👍. However the meal was overpriced and very salty . I expected much more from this place . It was my Husband’s 65th birthday and I thought more of than this .
BC
BenC
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
We loved the reluctant panther. Ambiance, host, waitress and the dinner were all wonderful. Braised ribs and pork dinner, sides were excellent. Waitress attentive and very pleasant. The cranberry ice cream was to die for! We will be back!
t
thomas
Philadelphia
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on December 1, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Excellent meal and wonderful service as always. Great way to end a few days away from home.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great meal and service. Great value for the money. Server’s recommendations were great.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
3 reviews
vip
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food is always exceptional. Room is beautiful and staff attentive. Best spot in Manchester.
WM
WillardM
Birmingham
30 reviews
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on November 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
A wonderful, relaxing spot to have a great dinner. Just lovely.
OT
OpenTable Diner
New York Area
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 24, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazong form start to finish. Joy was our server , she was great !!
c
christianw
New York Area
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Food is seriously good. Compares well to some of the best NYC offers. Staff is friendly. Service was outstanding.
n
newjersey
New York Area
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great restaurant with great food. 2nd time there. Sat outside the first time and had spectacular view of the mountains. Would recommend it but book ahead.
BM
BMR33
New England
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Haven't been to this restaurant in a few years. Whole new scene in both DR and Kitchen. One of the best now in Manchester area. Food is high quality and very good. HIghly recommend.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 955 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Feb 3, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 13 times today

Google Map for The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

39 West Road, Manchester, VT 05254

Additional information

Cross street
Seminary Road
Neighborhood
Manchester, Vermont
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–8:30 pm
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.
Private party contact
Matt Mandino: (802) 362-2568

The Reluctant Panther Restaurant

Make a reservation

Additional information

Lobster & Vermont Brie Fondue

Seared Scallops

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

Appetizers

Lobster & Vermont Brie Fondue$20.00

Butternut Squash, Apple & Spinach Salad$16.00

Duck Pate$17.00

Maple Brook Farm Burrata$16.00

Crispy Brussels Sprouts$16.00

Local Farm Mixed Greens$14.00

Vermont Cheese Selection$18.00

Soup of the Day$12.00

Entrées

Seared Cod Loin$36.00

Vermont Farms Pork Chop$37.00

Seared Scallops$45.00

Swithback Ale Braised Short Ribs$37.00

Vegan Carrot & Spinach Pappardelle Pasta$34.00

Braised Venison Osso Buco$42.00

Roasted Misty Knoll Chicken Breast$36.00

Farm Vegetable Risotto$33.00

Grilled 'Butcher Reserve' Vermont Ribeye$47.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Sort by

Filters

Cleaning & sanitizing

Physical distancing

Protective equipment

Screening

FAQs

How is The Reluctant Panther Restaurant restaurant rated?

Is The Reluctant Panther Restaurant currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information