Melaza Bistro

"What a delightful restaurant! We loved it so much, we dined there two nights in a row. The Caribbean menu was a treat to this gluten sensitive diner, as every entree is naturally gluten free! Each tapas, entree, or dessert we tried over two evenings was prepared with depth of flavor, fresh ingredients, and pleasing presentation. We found the atmosphere to be charming and the staff friendly and courteous. While the restaurant is struggling with the national dilemma of staff shortages, these hardworking people kept smiling, got our food to us piping hot, and even had time to recommend dishes when we couldn’t decide. Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy this delicious restaurant!"

"I'm expressing these thoughts with an understanding of why some of my concerns may not be widely shared. Firstly, the restaurant is neatly tucked in the heart of Woodstock, Vermont, drawing my family and me due to the promise of authentic Spanish cuisine. Initially, the atmosphere was less than ideal, with cramped seating hindering our ability to enjoy a quiet family dinner. We anticipated ambient chatter but found ourselves struggling to hear amidst everyone else's conversations, despite the place being somewhat empty. This highlights the compact size of the restaurant, likely influenced by the older buildings in downtown Woodstock and the premium rent associated with the area. Secondly, my order of a market-priced steak, my wife's Jerk chicken, and my son's chicken nuggets left us disappointed. The items were overpriced, and the food lacked seasoning. Authentic Spanish cuisine typically boasts seasoned and flavorful dishes, but we found ourselves questioning whether the food had been seasoned at all. Although my son enjoyed his $10+ chicken kids meal, receiving bland food at these prices felt unacceptable. We recognize the location's influence on pricing but believe that blandness shouldn't be the compromise, perhaps catering to a diverse community less accustomed to bold seasonings. Lastly, the customer service was satisfactory—courteous with occasional lapses in attention, never crossing into rudeness. Overall, not a terrible place, but for those seeking truly authentic Spanish food or more reasonably priced options with better quality control, I recommend exploring other establishments."

"The service at this restaurant was impeccable. I didn't have a reservation at peak dinner time and they squeezed me in! My girlfriend got the pumpkin bisque, which she really liked. The chimichurri steak was also delicious, and so were their salmon."

"I was very impressed because when I got to the restaurant part of the menu was Puerto Rican!! The food was spectacular, the service was very excellent. I wanted to meet the chef but there were many diners in the place."

"Enjoyed dinner here recently for the first time and we will definitely be back. Great ambiance and service. We started with the pulled pork plaintain cups appetizer which were delicious and unique. My friend had the Cuban sandwich which came with delicious yucca fries with a chipotle aioli, and I had the Annatto rice and pulled chicken sofrito. The main plates come with a house salad and roll. Recommend calling ahead for a reservation."