The Towne Tavern, located in Averill Park, is about a 20-minute drive from RPI. It offers great food at good prices and provides a welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant is reminiscent of a traditional tavern with a comfortable environment that allows for an enjoyable evening with friends. The all-wood décor offered a real homey feel.
The service was reliable throughout the meal. Although I wasn’t instantly taken care of the moment that I was seated, the staff still remained attentive all evening. It was clear that my table would not be forgotten, which provided an opportunity to relax.
The meal started with a house salad, New England clam chowder, and the house-special stuffed jalapeño peppers. The jalapeño peppers, filled with ricotta cheese, were rich and creamy with just the right amount of bite. When topped with raspberry sauce that was served with the dish, the appetizer was taken to a whole new level. The house salad didn’t really have any distinguishing features—with the exception of a homemade honey mustard sauce that offered a nice complement—and the New England clam chowder could have been a bit creamier with more substance than the small chunks of clam meat and potato in it.
Dinner consisted of a variety of dishes including: chipotle lime chicken, half-rack of ribs, beef brisket, and meatloaf (a Tavern special). The chipotle lime chicken offered a tangy but slightly spicy bite; it was moist and delicious. The half-rack of ribs and beef brisket were prepared with a dry rub and served with three types of barbecue sauce. Each of the three sauces was good in its own right, but the one that stood out compared to the others was a maple syrup bourbon barbecue sauce, which was able to combine the smokiness of the bourbon and the sweetness of the maple syrup to send your taste buds on a mouth-watering journey. The meatloaf was moist and served with gravy; the combination created one of the most outstanding meatloaves I have ever had. Both the chipolte lime chicken and the meatloaf were served with mashed potatoes. These potatoes were appetizing, but on the dry side. The half-rack of ribs and brisket came with a choice of two sides—of the different choices, I selected barbecue baked beans and sweet potato fries. The barbecue baked beans were not typical of any baked beans served at restaurants in the areas I have frequented. The dish featured multiple types of beans with a homemade barbecue sauce, making for a splendid side. The sweet potato fries were cooked to perfection, creating a great alternative flavor to that of normal fries.
For the amount of food served, the prices were quite reasonable, especially when considering the quality of the dishes. The small jalapeño peppers were a little pricey at $5.95, considering that only six small jalapeños peppers were served; however, they were still a great introduction. The Combo ’Cue at $17.95, which consisted of a choice of a few barbecue items (I chose the half-rack of ribs and beef brisket), was exceptional and should satisfy most people’s hunger. The meatloaf, at $11.95, was an outstanding dish and just the right price for the amount of food. Finally, the chipotle lime chicken at $14.95 was very filling and, once more, a fair price for the amount provided.
The enticing combinations of flavors that were served in this meal have left me hoping to return soon and sample other items on the menu, such as the various burgers named after places in the local area, paninis, sandwiches, pizzas, and other barbecue choices. If the few menu items I tried are any indication of the rest of the meals offered in this fine establishment, The Towne Tavern is sure to please.
