It's literally a small shack, but that's part of the appeal. It feels like you're in your great-aunt's kitchen. I tried this spot based on the recommendation of a friend out in Bristol. I have the best friends. Their menu is small and interesting. They offer a variety of small plates, tapas-size pastas, veggies, a burger, and a handful of pizzas. The food is homemade and highlights the local growers and makers in the Appalachia. I note this because you can definitely tell. My meal: -- Ginger Margarita: strong with subtle spice -- Crispy Chicken Wings: sorghum and ginger vinegar, fermented leek ranch. The wings were crispy as described but I was expecting some breading; however, texture-wise, these were better than breaded wings. Some spice would've been a nice complement to the vinegar flavor. The ginger was missing in action. A little hot sauce (maybe Truff?) would've paired well. The ranch was top notch, so I was disappointed to see it missing (and one of the wings I started) when they packaged my leftovers. -- Ricotta Tortelloni: charred and smoked onion butter, sage, balsamic. Amazing. Perfectly al dente and fresh with subtle yet rich flavors. -- Farmer's Pie: I was in the mood for some pepperoni which can be added to any of their pizzas except tonight's special, the Farmer's Pie. Since the server talked it up so nicely and because specials are ephemeral, I ordered it without trepidation. It was so fresh and unique, topped with nettle pesto, flowers, veggies, and some cheeses. Fantastic. -- Black Walnut Gelato: a vanilla-based gelato. It wasn't as soft and creamy as gelato usually is, but I didn't mind. The walnuts are incorporated into the gelato so you won't find any pieces to actively chew. It gave the gelato such an interesting and complex flavor. I really enjoyed it and was sad I was too full to finish. I enjoyed the vibe overall, from the tunes, to the down-home decor, to the intimacy of the dining room. It's the perfect spot for a solo dinner or a date.
Sean Bias
The best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jane Wieder
Amazing
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joshua Davis
A Delicious Cool
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa Gentry G.
Me and a friend were so excited to try this restaurant but we were extremely disappointed. The food did not have the flavor nor presentation that we expected. One of the entrees was fish and it was not edible. There was not a single course that we were the least bit "wowed" by, On another note ...Compared to similar experiences we expected small portions but these were tiny which would have been dismissed had the food been as expected for the price we paid. The one star is the result of good service. The wait staff was knowledgeable, professional and the food was served promptly as we finished each course.
M M.
Destination meal. Have been looking forward to this reservation for weeks, read about it, talked about it , and now I've enjoyed it. Thursday night is the best night because it is the lowest volume of customers. The service was amazing. The food was fun, n tasty--it was definitely an event.
Erin H.
I was too busy enjoying the food to grab photos if that says something. The amuse bouche was a great start - pot licker broth, crispy pie ears lettuce wraps, and pickled beats. All three were delish accompanied by one of the best old fashioned I've had in a long time. The rest of courses proved to be equally delish - especially the pasta which we added the truffle upgrade too - they were very generous with the truffles! We opted for the wine pairing with the meal - the wines paired wonderfully with the food with the exception of the pasta course which they quickly substituted out another wine for which was greatly appreciated. The atmosphere was intimate and cute - a great place for a date night. I'd definitely go back and I'm excited for the new concept they'll be opening nearby at a b&b where the tasting menu will move to. I'd highly recommend giving the shack a try.
Shannon Socolosky
The Shack was a refreshingly unique experience and we are still talking about the incredible flavors we enjoyed there. When we walked in to the tiny restaurant, we noticed the interior is completely unpretentious. At the Shack, the focus is the meal you will enjoy there and we really enjoyed that. We had a wonderful five course meal (with extra gifts added from the chef) and each had a different wine paring. The wine was very intelligently paired and really just made the evening. My husband and I had different food and wine with each course and with one of the courses we were each given a Chenin Blanc that were so radically different. We loved it, and the food was equally exciting. The chef meandered from Asian to Italian cuisine while sewing a thread of Appalachia through each course to tie it all together. Really inspired food and we cannot wait to return.*The food was beautifully plated but we did not take photos so you will just have to go enjoy it for yourself to see the chefs creations...they will likely be different next week anyway.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
El Summers
Remember when your mother said not to judge a book by its cover?The Shack is a small brick building in downtown Staunton that has eclectic decor with mismatched chairs and what appears to be amateur photos on the wall, like you may see in your grandmother's house. It's fun, warm, and welcoming!The tasting menu is not just a flavorful fare for your mouth, but each dish is presented like a work of art, a culinary feast of color and texture!Chef Boden's menu is a fantastic fusion of cultural favorites, guided by his Eastern European Jewish roots, sourced from local farmers, and served with Virginia hospitality.We added the wine pairing, which allowed us to explore wines outside what we would usually select, which enhanced each course and the experience!Cheers to a delightful dinner!?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris P.
My wife and I drove two hours and spent the night near Staunton because we wanted to try this place. The service was very good and the ambiance was what we expected - intimate and nothing fancy. For what we paid, every course should have been incredible. Sadly, they were not. First course: the apples were delicious. The peppers were pretty good. Second course: the bok choy was very bland with very little flavor. The Honey nut/orange/sardines was inedible. I suppose a sardine-lover might like it, but neither my wife nor I could eat it. It was way too fishy. Third course: the creste de gallo was interesting and very good. The whippoorwill peas were the highlight of this dish. Fourth course: The swordfish was fine but the hanger steak was great. The grapes made the hanger steak super interesting. Overall, we both agreed that, while we are glad we gave it a try, it is not a place we will try again. And, it was certainly not worth the cost. We have eaten at Michelin star restaurants where you expect to spend this much. Those experiences have been worth it since each course was incredible. Not so at the Shack.
Food and service is excellent. Dedicated team that cares about what they are doing here. Creative local farm-to-table with high end presentation. We love the tasting menu and love how they try new things. A must visit when we pass through VA.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marlena H.
If you eat here, you deserve to waste your money. For two people, the $280 and 3 hour meal consisted of peas, squash, sardines, and cheese. Felt fancy, but tasted maybe ok. This is a fine dining establishment for people that don't know what that means. Way too bright and we could hear everyone's conversation. Don't waste your time or money.
Nick E
Food was not good for the price point. The portions were super small and the seasoning left Something to be desired. The price point for the amount of food is ridiculous. If the portions are going to be small with a high price the food better be perfect and rich so I leave full. Unfortunately the ambience feels like you are in your grandmothers house that is old and dilapidated and it’s really not an inviting fancy experience. The food quality was good but the flavor and portion size were really underwhelming to say. I’ve been to many fancy restaurants with large portions small portions, expensive and not so expensive and unfortunately this experience fell flat on its face. Staff is very friendly but not all that helpful when it comes to figuring out what you want to eat. We tried everything on the menu and the best thing was the amuse Bouche. Do not go here if you value your money in your pocket.
Anne Hawks
My husband took me here for my 40th birthday - phenomenal food, wine, service… all around amazing experience in a quaint little spot. Don’t change a thing. If I could give 10 stars, I would.
Craig Simon
Had an awesome meal here to kick off our wedding weekend. The food was fantastic, the service was exceptional and we can't wait to come back to town and go here again to try out what they come up with next. Just a great all around evening!
It's literally a small shack, but that's part of the appeal. It feels like you're in your great-aunt's kitchen. I tried this spot based on the recommendation of a friend out in Bristol. I have the best friends. Their menu is small and interesting. They offer a variety of small plates, tapas-size pastas, veggies, a burger, and a handful of pizzas. The food is homemade and highlights the local growers and makers in the Appalachia. I note this because you can definitely tell. My meal: -- Ginger Margarita: strong with subtle spice -- Crispy Chicken Wings: sorghum and ginger vinegar, fermented leek ranch. The wings were crispy as described but I was expecting some breading; however, texture-wise, these were better than breaded wings. Some spice would've been a nice complement to the vinegar flavor. The ginger was missing in action. A little hot sauce (maybe Truff?) would've paired well. The ranch was top notch, so I was disappointed to see it missing (and one of the wings I started) when they packaged my leftovers. -- Ricotta Tortelloni: charred and smoked onion butter, sage, balsamic. Amazing. Perfectly al dente and fresh with subtle yet rich flavors. -- Farmer's Pie: I was in the mood for some pepperoni which can be added to any of their pizzas except tonight's special, the Farmer's Pie. Since the server talked it up so nicely and because specials are ephemeral, I ordered it without trepidation. It was so fresh and unique, topped with nettle pesto, flowers, veggies, and some cheeses. Fantastic. -- Black Walnut Gelato: a vanilla-based gelato. It wasn't as soft and creamy as gelato usually is, but I didn't mind. The walnuts are incorporated into the gelato so you won't find any pieces to actively chew. It gave the gelato such an interesting and complex flavor. I really enjoyed it and was sad I was too full to finish. I enjoyed the vibe overall, from the tunes, to the down-home decor, to the intimacy of the dining room. It's the perfect spot for a solo dinner or a date.
The best.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Delicious Cool
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Me and a friend were so excited to try this restaurant but we were extremely disappointed. The food did not have the flavor nor presentation that we expected. One of the entrees was fish and it was not edible. There was not a single course that we were the least bit "wowed" by, On another note ...Compared to similar experiences we expected small portions but these were tiny which would have been dismissed had the food been as expected for the price we paid. The one star is the result of good service. The wait staff was knowledgeable, professional and the food was served promptly as we finished each course.
Destination meal. Have been looking forward to this reservation for weeks, read about it, talked about it , and now I've enjoyed it. Thursday night is the best night because it is the lowest volume of customers. The service was amazing. The food was fun, n tasty--it was definitely an event.
I was too busy enjoying the food to grab photos if that says something. The amuse bouche was a great start - pot licker broth, crispy pie ears lettuce wraps, and pickled beats. All three were delish accompanied by one of the best old fashioned I've had in a long time. The rest of courses proved to be equally delish - especially the pasta which we added the truffle upgrade too - they were very generous with the truffles! We opted for the wine pairing with the meal - the wines paired wonderfully with the food with the exception of the pasta course which they quickly substituted out another wine for which was greatly appreciated. The atmosphere was intimate and cute - a great place for a date night. I'd definitely go back and I'm excited for the new concept they'll be opening nearby at a b&b where the tasting menu will move to. I'd highly recommend giving the shack a try.
The Shack was a refreshingly unique experience and we are still talking about the incredible flavors we enjoyed there. When we walked in to the tiny restaurant, we noticed the interior is completely unpretentious. At the Shack, the focus is the meal you will enjoy there and we really enjoyed that. We had a wonderful five course meal (with extra gifts added from the chef) and each had a different wine paring. The wine was very intelligently paired and really just made the evening. My husband and I had different food and wine with each course and with one of the courses we were each given a Chenin Blanc that were so radically different. We loved it, and the food was equally exciting. The chef meandered from Asian to Italian cuisine while sewing a thread of Appalachia through each course to tie it all together. Really inspired food and we cannot wait to return.*The food was beautifully plated but we did not take photos so you will just have to go enjoy it for yourself to see the chefs creations...they will likely be different next week anyway.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Remember when your mother said not to judge a book by its cover?The Shack is a small brick building in downtown Staunton that has eclectic decor with mismatched chairs and what appears to be amateur photos on the wall, like you may see in your grandmother's house. It's fun, warm, and welcoming!The tasting menu is not just a flavorful fare for your mouth, but each dish is presented like a work of art, a culinary feast of color and texture!Chef Boden's menu is a fantastic fusion of cultural favorites, guided by his Eastern European Jewish roots, sourced from local farmers, and served with Virginia hospitality.We added the wine pairing, which allowed us to explore wines outside what we would usually select, which enhanced each course and the experience!Cheers to a delightful dinner!?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I drove two hours and spent the night near Staunton because we wanted to try this place. The service was very good and the ambiance was what we expected - intimate and nothing fancy. For what we paid, every course should have been incredible. Sadly, they were not. First course: the apples were delicious. The peppers were pretty good. Second course: the bok choy was very bland with very little flavor. The Honey nut/orange/sardines was inedible. I suppose a sardine-lover might like it, but neither my wife nor I could eat it. It was way too fishy. Third course: the creste de gallo was interesting and very good. The whippoorwill peas were the highlight of this dish. Fourth course: The swordfish was fine but the hanger steak was great. The grapes made the hanger steak super interesting. Overall, we both agreed that, while we are glad we gave it a try, it is not a place we will try again. And, it was certainly not worth the cost. We have eaten at Michelin star restaurants where you expect to spend this much. Those experiences have been worth it since each course was incredible. Not so at the Shack.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food and service is excellent. Dedicated team that cares about what they are doing here. Creative local farm-to-table with high end presentation. We love the tasting menu and love how they try new things. A must visit when we pass through VA.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you eat here, you deserve to waste your money. For two people, the $280 and 3 hour meal consisted of peas, squash, sardines, and cheese. Felt fancy, but tasted maybe ok. This is a fine dining establishment for people that don't know what that means. Way too bright and we could hear everyone's conversation. Don't waste your time or money.
Food was not good for the price point. The portions were super small and the seasoning left Something to be desired. The price point for the amount of food is ridiculous. If the portions are going to be small with a high price the food better be perfect and rich so I leave full. Unfortunately the ambience feels like you are in your grandmothers house that is old and dilapidated and it’s really not an inviting fancy experience. The food quality was good but the flavor and portion size were really underwhelming to say. I’ve been to many fancy restaurants with large portions small portions, expensive and not so expensive and unfortunately this experience fell flat on its face. Staff is very friendly but not all that helpful when it comes to figuring out what you want to eat. We tried everything on the menu and the best thing was the amuse Bouche. Do not go here if you value your money in your pocket.
My husband took me here for my 40th birthday - phenomenal food, wine, service… all around amazing experience in a quaint little spot. Don’t change a thing. If I could give 10 stars, I would.
Had an awesome meal here to kick off our wedding weekend. The food was fantastic, the service was exceptional and we can't wait to come back to town and go here again to try out what they come up with next. Just a great all around evening!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Duck Confit