BRONWYN on Battenkill

I really wanted to love this place but I couldn't.
My husband and I dined last night with reservations, which I highly recommend if you go because it was packed as early as 5 pm when they opened.
Hostess and wait staff were very friendly and alerted us to the 3 course meal pricing which we weren't aware of. Saved us the cost of an appetizer.
Lighting - where are the lights? It was extremely dark in the side room we were in. Once the sun went down I couldn't see my meal at all - it was bowl of blackness. Same for outside when we left. For safety purposes there needs to be a spotlight in the parking lot - Pitch black outside.

For Apps/Starters we got the Bretzel, Sausage, and Pierogi. The Bretzel was just as expected but the $2 extra for a small condiment container of cheese sauce was disappointing. Very mild cheese flavoring, more of a Gruyere/Alpine than the noted Cheddar and was very thin, water like consistency. Sausage was very flavorful. The Pierogi had the appearance of being crispy/fried but was not. The texture of the outside made me think it was baked perhaps. It was also one pierogi. In their defense the menu does list it as Pierogi, singular. In my head I was expecting several because it was $14 appetizer. The dill Creme fresh was delicious but didn't pair well with pierogi. It would be great with a gyro though!
For meals, we got the 2 lb Pork Knuckle and Sauerbraten. Both were served with an unbalanced amount of sauerkraut/cabbage to meat. The Sauerbraten was good but nothing "wow" and the dish could benefit from a crunchy texture. Replace even a 1/4 of the cabbage served with it, with some of the home fries. The dish also noted it had bacon but I tasted nor felt any bacon flavoring/texture. Due the lighting I was just eating forkfuls of blackness so I couldn't see if there was bacon in my dish. I also tasted no notes of Cherries or sweetness from the kirsch soss.
The Pork Knuckle was the most disappointing. It had zero flavor. Not even basic salt or pepper. The fat of the Knuckle was also under cooked and it shouldn't have been plated. The fat should have been cooked to the consistency of bacon, allowing the diner to get that natural flavor but it was inedible in the condition it was served. Having enjoyed Pork Knuckles across Germany, this was extremely disappointing. My husband didn't finish his dish, not because he couldn't but because it wasn't exciting to eat it.
The chocolate mousse is not a mousse. Not airy or fluffy in the least. It was very tasty and rich but had the consistency of cake frosting - too thick. The cherries and whipped cream helped to cut the richness but there wasn't much of that. The stemmed glass it was served in also made it impossible to enjoy. Would recommend a different plating and if the the consistency is not changed, it would benefit from an extra layer of cherries and cream.
We also got 2 beers and a glass of wine.

Also, as trivial as it may seem, get better napkins. The ones provided are what you find at a diner or counter service, not a place charging $30 for an entree. They are cheap and stick to your skin.

Again, I really wanted to love this place and to make it a regular spot to go, but for $170 ($140 plus $30 tip) for 2 people, this didn't do it for me.

Just had a phenomenal meal at a new German restaurant in our little town here in Vermont. It is easy to see why this Pork Schnitzel beat Bobby Flay! Even better than I had growing up, sorry Mom! Bronwyn is a great addition to Arlington and we will definitely be back. Place was very busy, but everything was on point! Servers Kelly and Lauren were outstanding!

Everything was absolutely amazing! The pickled eggs, charcuterie and pierogi starters were all so delicious while also complex. Our entrees were also all incredible. We left so full that we got dessert to go (also phenomenal.) Our server, I wish I caught her name, was very informative, knowledgeable and very attentive; especially since we were very new to the terms. 1000% will go back.

I would not be exaggerating to say that this is food for my soul. German food like my grandmother used to make. Everything from the sausages to the sauerbraten are cooked to perfection. House made beer. Braised cabbage with generous chunks of tender brisket. The best German Potato salad I’ve ever had! Oh- and my vegetarian daughter was thrilled with her options- we all left with full, happy bellies! Echoing the few other “1st” reviews for this brand new restaurant in Arlington - the vibe is great and the ambiance and service provided us with a fabulous dining experience. We are so grateful that the owners of the sister Bronwyn in Somerville MA decided to open this little slice of heaven near our home in quaint Arlington. This whole town just got a huge culinary boost!

Awesome setup, great staff Happy to see they will be a successful restaurant. I had a melt in your mouth brisket and chocolate cake. Can't go wrong there. Great job.