When you're in Vermont, if you are anywhere near Wilmington (halfway between Bennington and Brattleboro, at the southern end of the state), you MUST go to Le Petit Chef.
The chef-owner, Betty Hillman, is the daughter of the late Libby Hillman, a terrific teacher and writer out of Chicago. Betty's food easily rivals what I can get in NYC, and her wine list is quite good (including some organics!). If you call ahead, I'll bet she could do a fabulous vegetarian meal for your wife -- and you won't be unhappy ordering off the menu! (I'm only concerned that LPC might be closed for mud season while you're in VT.

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In Hartford, Paul always liked Hot Tomatoes. It's been a few years since he's been there, though, so it might have changed or closed.