The Reservoir in Waterbury, VT used to be called Waterbury Wings, so they have a strong wing heritage. When they changed their name, they also changed their menu to offer a wider selection of food, but it is still a good 'ol pub type of place, with the usual Vermont spin: tons of craft brews and use of local food.
There are nine different styles of wings offered, mostly consisting of varying levels of heat intensity, along with a Teriyaki style, Chipotle, Honey BBQ, Spicy Honey BBQ and a spicy horseradish. All of them are available either "crispy" (fried) or grilled. They also have frequent specials for additional wing flavors.
Their crispy style are quite good, but I have a preference for the grilled option, which come out nicely blackened and flavorful with a nice light rub. Straight up buffalo style ("hot") is quite good. The horseradish is interesting, as it is kind of a wet rub style with fresh horseradish, which isn't as hot as you might think. However, my two favorites are the Teriyaki style, especially served with the grilled wings, and one that they only offer as a special: Southwestern style. The Teriyaki are served with a thick sweet and tangy glaze that has plenty of garlic and Chinese five spice flavor in it. They are a mess to eat, but well worth it. The Southwestern style come highly recommend if it is available – it is a wonderful combination of savory spices, heat and a little sweetness that just sings when paired with the grilled wings. It would make even Bobby Flay proud!
My only sticking point with the wings here is that their crispy style wings sometimes come out a little tough – the flavor is great and they are nice and juicy, but the meat itself is a little tough. Perhaps they are cooked at too high of a temp or just a bit too long. It is a minor quibble, but one that I feel is worth mentioning. My solution is to go for the grilled version! Overall, a great place for wings and if you're also into great beer, terrific burgers and fantastic french fries (they might be laced with crack, they are so addictive), then it is well worth a stop for a wing fanatic.
RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Alchemist – Waterbury, VT
An extremely popular watering hole, The Alchemist is a brew pub that offers up delicious locally sourced food to go along with its amazing hand-crafted beers. It is a favorite after-work spot of the locals and on a Friday night…