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From his kitchen on Main Street, our chef plans his menu every day after talking with farmers. Steven is looking for local ingredients at their peak… nourished on the soil and water of Vermont. From there, he begins a journey that might take him down the road to a cheese maker or baker. He considers how the weather has flavored this season's produce, what local herbs or spices from far away might best bring out that uniqueness, and which cooking techniques are most suitable.

Steven is always looking for those classics – something familiar or comfortable, as well as something with a twist – that will bring back the best days we've enjoyed with friends and family around the table. It is, as he explains, "What farmers enjoy growing, people enjoy eating, and I enjoy cooking."

You won't find many adjectives on our menu. Each item is a simple statement of fact. We encourage conversations about food, and we'd love for you to ask your servers or hosts any questions you might have, or just go up to the kitchen and ask Steven!

While our menu changes, there are things you can almost always count on: When available from local farms, there will be a steak from our grill, though the cut will be determined by what our farmers have on hand. And you can count on a burger. Potatoes are of course a gift to Vermont, so they will be here roasted and mashed and in many other ways.

Steven likes to put the spotlight on vegetables to star on the plate, so there will be substantial entrees for vegetarians and vegans. Every day, we will feature a variety of cooking technique and flavors that come from kitchens around the world.

You can choose from an assortment of small plates to sample, take comfort from an entrée size bowl of hearty stew, silky soup, or generous salad, or savor entrees featuring local beef, chicken, pork, or trout, or sustainable seafood. Our food will help you celebrate, restart, relax, or savor your day. You can enjoy a bite to eat or linger at your table.

Launched by four partners in May 2008 based on a community centered investment and business model, Claire's Restaurant and Bar offers a warm and comfortable environment, the best meals in the area, and live music.

Chef Proprietor Steven Obranovich trained in kitchens in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Strasbourg, France, before deciding to make a home in Hardwick where he could celebrate the distinct flavors of the best local ingredients from small farms and artisans. Proprietor Kristina Michelsen, a singer songwriter, welcomes you to Claire's. She is active in the local folk music community and is an attorney and Hardwick resident, UVM and Vermont Law School graduate. Co-owner Linda Ramsdell runs the Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, providing a home for writers and booklovers locally, and nationally she is a leader in the independent booksellers movement. Co-owner Mike Bosia of Hardwick is an assistant professor at Saint Michael's College, where he teaches comparative politics and the politics of food.