Moon Dog Cafe & Natural Foods Market, Chester, VT

Follow the MD Party on Facebook!

2011-07-07T09:15:00.003-04:00

We are now on Facebook! Please follow our biz page and check-in with us there. You don't need a FB account to read about the Moon Dog.

We post daily -- all of our specials, beautiful new items, Friday night dinner menus and anything that's important....or ridiculous!

Moon Dog Facebook page

See you on Facebook!

Mexican Night! Friday, 4/15 at 6pm

2011-04-05T17:56:00.003-04:00

You asked for it, you got it! Friday night dinner at the Moon Dog.

Friday, 4/15 at 6pm only.

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4 course, organic Mexican dinner for only $14.95 -- with very low-cost babysitting! (contact Domenica: thesongyard@gmail.com to confirm babysitting)

Reservations a MUST! Limited seating at 6pm. Reserve yours: (802) 875-4966

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MENU (all of our items are organic unless otherwise noted)

*Organic black bean soup

*Avocado Salad

ENTREES (choose 1)

*Burrito Wrap

-or-

*Burrito Bowl (gluten-free option)

*with refried beans, brown rice and VT cheddar

Choice of: beef, chicken or Southwest tofu

DESSERT

*Organic cinnamon ice cream

*Coffee

*Tea

--Cappucino or Latte $2 extra

B.Y.O.B.

Valentine's Dinner, Sat. 2/12 -- 6pm & 8pm Seatings!

2011-01-21T18:43:00.005-05:00

Valentine's Dinner at the Moon Dog on Saturday, February 12th.

Moon Dog will be transformed into a romantic, intimate setting for you and your beloved with tableclothes, candles and beautiful flowers. Shady Mountain Folk will be singing their lovely melodies during both seatings.

2/10 update: 6pm is SOLD OUT. 2 tables left for 8pm.

(802) 875-4966.

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Valentine's Dinner Menu

[All ingredients organic and local whenever possible.]

Soup

Roasted garnet yam & sweet pepper bisque

Salad

Lush strawberries, VT goat cheese, walnuts over mesclun with balsamic vinaigrette

Entrees (choose one)

Our own homemade Lump Crab Cakes (gluten- free)

Chicken Parisienne - boneless breast of chicken slow simmered in a rich gravy of red wine & creme fraiche (gluten-free)

Homemade VT cheese ravioli alfredo on a bed of wilted arugula

~ served with herbed orzo and green vegetables

Dessert

Chocolate bread pudding with chocolate covered strawberries

Organic coffee or tea. Cappucino or latte $2 extra.

BYOB.

The Angel in the Window

2010-12-06T07:32:00.004-05:00

Amazing Holiday Gifts!

2010-12-03T13:24:00.003-05:00

Happy holiday season! Moon Dog gifts are 10% off this weekend.

Shop for wonderful products such as:

*D. Lasser pottery

*Himalayan candles

*Glittens

*Animal hats -- for big & small people. So freakin' cute! ($20 here, $35 at VT Country Store).

*Plant based perfumes

*Sensuous soaps from around the world

*Tibetan prayer scarves (we can't keep these in stock!)

*The cutest aprons

*Gorgeous silk scarfs from India

*Recycled burlap backpacks

*Hand-crafted jewelry

*Bennington candles

*We still carry Indian saris for people going south to the warmth!

*Great stocking stuffers: $2 finger hand-woven finger puppets, Buddha keychain lights....and so much more!

Fall Foliage!

2010-09-28T07:27:00.002-04:00

VT is gearing up her skirts for the most gorgeous season--foliage! Seems a bit earlier this year--at least in the Chester area--so book your hotels now. Be sure to come by the Moon Dog and say hello, have a coffee and check out all of our new products. Luscious soaps, African aprons, angelic windchimes and all sorts of fabulous gifts that Jacki collects on her travels.

If you haven't been to Moon Dog lately, we think you'll LOVE the way we've switched the store around.

Hope to see you soon!

Steve's Skeeter Skatter

2010-07-13T17:07:00.003-04:00

Our good friend (and co-founder of the Moon Dog) Steve Restmeyer has developed a fabulous insect repellent, Skeeter Skatter!

It's made from plant-based essential oils and smells wonderful. This is miracle milk for a summer that has been plagued with deerflies!

Check out Steve's Skeeter Skatter website and order directly or come into the Moon Dog and pick up your bottle of Skeeter Skatter.

Interview with Jacki

2010-06-21T12:53:00.004-04:00

Jacki was kind enough to sit down and tell us a little more about herself. You may see her working her magic in the MD kitchen or whipping up a frothy drink, but here's a deeper glimpse into the heart behind the Moon Dog.

Was it a dream of yours to start an organic cafe in VT after working 20+ years as a floral designer on L.I.?
No...not really. An opportunity came my way and I took it. I always loved to cook and I have been collecting dishes my whole life. When the cafe opened, I didn't even need to buy any!

How did the name "Moon Dog" come about? Is it based on that hippy dude from the 60s?
Kind of easy and not so romantic... a friend of mine and I had a small business in N.Y...our business card had a beautiful graphic of a moon, smiling and winking...and I loved that artwork. We were on the phone and after 2 bottles of wine between us trying to come up with names that went with "moon" so I could still use that beautiful artwork that I loved so much, we had it: Moondog! That beautiful moon is still on my business card along with a drawing of my dog Max.

Word on the street is that you're writing a cookbook? True or false?
Yes...I am ...and very excited about it! Alot of customers have been asking and all the Moondog faves will be in it.

What's your favorite thing about living in VT?
That's easy...the people. They are like no others. The friends I have made here are the greatest and unlike N.Y. (where I am from), the lifestyle here allows you time to spend with them. In N.Y., it always took 2 weeks and 5 phone calls with everyone juggling their busy schedules to make the time to get together. It's the simple life here. It's much easier.

After 6 years in the restaurant biz, any advice for those looking to open their own cafe/market in VT?
Have lots of money or very generous friends :)

Tell us a little more about the newest Moon Dog, Buddy.
Buddy! Well, he is my favorite topic...and I could sum him up by giving away part of my cookbook dedication:

And Buddy...who always sits in the passenger seat while I drive, on his tiptoes,with his paws on the very edge of the seat, and his head out the window as far as it will go.......Buddy, I want to be just like you.

Our Amazing Transformation!

2010-06-02T16:37:00.040-04:00

Moon Dog Cafe has dusted herself off for spring and she's looking mighty fine these days, if I may say so myself. There's so much to see! What are you waiting for? Get on down to Chester!

We have a lovely new menu with all of the delicious food you love, plus new salads such as Krishna Cobb, Buddy's Buffalo Chicken and Sweet Sue's Spinach Salad. We have upgraded our smoothie menu, too--including Buddy's crush (a mix of organic black cherries, fresh squeezed orange and crushed ice), named after the newest Moon Dog!

Let the pictures speak for themselves...

Our gorgeous, handcrafted produce cooler--filled with organic veggies, local honey and more!

Mmm ....Wilcox ice cream.

C'mon. Come closer. You know you want a bite..

An easy-to-read menu above your head with daily specials....

Marielle hard at work, stocking organic dairy products....

Salad platters! Now that's what I'm talking about!

Yummy organic treats for your own Moon Dog!

"Skeeter Skatter" --our own natural insect repellent, created by Steve Restmeyer.

Incredible soy candles from Bennington Candle--so delightful. Funky cards from Papyrus...handcrafted bling! All great gift items.

Silky saris from India--one of our most popular items--and beautiful printed sarongs. We just can't keep these in stock!

Meet the Newest Moon Dog!

2010-04-09T07:23:00.000-04:00

Here's BUDDY!

Changes Afoot

2010-02-25T16:32:00.007-05:00

The Moon Dog has been in business for... (drumroll, please...) 6 years! Can you believe it? All thanks to you wonderful customers who have supported us through the good and tough times.

So, guess what? We've got big changes ahead. The Moon Dog is going to be completely re-vamped and freshened up this spring. But don't worry--all of the delicious organic food, delightful gifts and friendly vibes will still be there!

We're expanding our BULK section 3x the size it is now. We're adding new items to the menu. We're creating a beautiful produce section that will knock your socks off. Plus, the gift section will have more of our amazing items--like the gorgeous saris from India, Bennington candles, luscious soaps and funky cards! We're creating a comfy coffee lounge--and a greenhouse corner!

Keep an eye on the blog and look for our fabulous 2 day PARTY to celebrate all the goodness during Mother's Day weekend. We're going to have a psychic fair on Saturday and live music Sunday. Just you wait until we post the before and after photos of the Moon Dog--you're not gonna believe it!

Plus, we love to celebrate artists--here's our friend Mickie's portrait of the Moon Dogs:

See you soon!

The Newest Look

2010-02-12T09:14:00.019-05:00

As we all know, Jacki loves to switch up the view every season at the Moon Dog! So, here are some of the latest photos of our beautiful cafe--if you haven't seen us since the summer, be sure to visit the next time you're in VT!

Fresh & delicious DINNERS TO GO:

...cooked on a beautiful NEW stove! (let's see how long this one lasts!)

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Of course, we're not just about mouth-watering organic food (like our Chicken Curry Sandwich that make people drive hundreds of miles to eat one--no joke.) We also carry wonderfully unique soaps from VT, France, Italy and around the globe!

Winter blues have you down? Light up--with our toasty candles!

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STAY TUNED for more photos of the Moon Dog Cafe, now in our 6th year! Thanks again for all your support! Om namah shivaya.

Fresh Sushi!

2010-01-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

Our tasty sushi is BACK! Come in during the weekends and feast on fresh, organic vegetarian rolls...roasted red peppers, avocado, portabella, cucumber --- yum!

Call ahead to be sure that we have what your sushi tastebuds crave. And vegetarians, rejoice!

(802) 875-4966

Alive & Kickin' (at least rolling around...)

2009-10-11T11:21:00.003-04:00

Foliage is in FULL swing! The economy may have shrunk the crowds a bit in VT, but the trees aren't listening. It's the best foliage in years! More orange-yellow than red--simply stunning.

Come join us for a hot drink, yummy sandwich and peruse all of our gorgeous gifts from around the world! By the way, we can't keep our hot sari skirts in stock! Candles, jewelry, French & Italian soaps, gourmet cheeses and of course, local maple syrup.

We're alive and kickin'--well, at least we're trying to keep moving!

Thanks for your support--
The MD crew

We'll Miss You, Scout...

2009-07-21T20:43:00.006-04:00

1996-2009

Summer's Here! And So Is The Ice Cream!

2009-07-18T18:23:00.003-04:00

I'm happy to report that Moon Dog is alive and kicking--and serving tons of Wilcox ice cream! Can't do dairy? Try the ridiculously good organic Coconut Bliss frozen dessert. Or the mango or watermelon pops, too!

So come on in for a sweet treat and while you're snacking, check out our gorgeous imported Indian skirts. They're a huge hit!

Thanks for supporting the Moon Dog---it's because of you that our door is still open after a very difficult season.

Don't forget that Friday nights are Crepe Nights! 6:30-10pm. Krissy makes delicious savory and sweet crepes--including gluten-free crepes (try finding that anywhere in Vermont!) No reservations necessary. BYOB.

See you soon!

The MD Crew

Need An Intuitive Reading or Reiki?

2009-03-17T20:08:00.001-04:00

One of our favorite Moonies is offering intuitive readings! Ask for Raven, our Tarot reader extraordinaire if you are interested in finding out more.

Come visit her website: Matarot Intuitive Wellness or set up an appointment by calling (802) 376-5767. She offers Tarot, IChing, Rune Stones & Reiki sessions.

Why Buy Local? Keep The Moon Dog Open!

2009-03-06T08:14:00.002-05:00

A personal story from Jacki, owner of the Moon Dog Café:

"I thought about putting a sign in my window asking that everyone who knows me or the Moon Dog to please come in once a week just to buy something small: a dozen eggs, a gallon of milk. I know that we don’t have the variety of the big health food stores/local co-ops and are not able to offer case sales. Yet if everyone in Chester would purchase one little thing a week, it would make the difference between me staying in business or closing the Moon Dog.

I know times are tough for everyone and that’s the time that we have to stick together. All I’m asking is that everyone come in and spend $10 a week. It makes a big difference! Thanks for your support of the Moon Dog."

Peace and love,
Jacki

Thank You!

2008-06-25T22:50:00.002-04:00

Another great review for Moon Dog--a big thanks to LifeStyle Revolution for highlighting us on their blog.

Another Satisfied Moonie

2008-06-13T08:35:00.002-04:00

One of our beloved regulars came in for lunch yesterday. She hadn't tried the fruit and cheese platter--but was suddenly overcome with a desire for it.

Good choice.

Here's the email I received less than 2 hours later:

...ok...food coma...coming on...I can feel it...there is nothing that even closely resembled moderation or mindfulness in the eating of that lunch. Dainty nibble of cheese? Leave some for dinner? Able to move right now? Able to move anything through my system later?

I think not.

yum

Enough said.

Commonly Heard Quotables In Moon Dog

2008-05-12T07:03:00.011-04:00

Are we at the Moon Dog yet? Yes!

Woah...check out this window!!

I need some soap from Vermont...Italy...and lotion...and maybe a new necklace (or two). Made locally? Even better! Hey, what about some pottery? Photos? Cards?

Mmm...what's that smell? Nag champa? Soy candles? Essential oils? Wow, look at the crystals! And they serve homemade organic food?? Where am I? (You're in Vermont.)

Snow, Snow, Snow

2008-03-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

Mention our blog when you come in for a visit and get a free cappucino!! Beat the winter blues! Spring is coming...

Thank You All!

2008-02-23T11:52:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the show last night--it was an amazing success!! We were thrilled to see so many show up on a cold winter's night!

All of Scout's photos are available for sale and can be found on my Flickr page. Just click on Scout's big head (even bigger after last night!) and it will take you to Flickr. The photos are unframed, matte prints in 5x7 ($5), 8x10 ($10) and 11x14 ($20). Shipping is included if you live in the US. There are extra Scout photos at Flickr that were not included in the show but I'm sure you'll enjoy!

Contact me at matarot@gmail.com or at the cafe if you're interested in purchasing a print. Thanks again!!

Moon Dog in the Boston Globe!

2008-01-14T13:05:00.000-05:00

Moon Dog was briefly mentioned in the lovely piece on Chester that was in Boston Globe's Travel section last Sunday. Our friends over at Inn Victoria also received a great review!!

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas from all of us at the Moon Dog!

Here's to a wonderful and prosperous 2008!!

Jacki, Revealed

2007-09-14T10:01:00.000-04:00

Jacki and a group of lovely Chester women have joined together to promote our lovely town. How they do it? By shedding their clothes, of course! Pam Nelligan has created a tastefully shot calender of 12 Chester business women in various forms of undress. If you've seen the movie Calender Girls with Helen Mirren, you'll know what I mean! 12 gorgeous women and one wonderful cause.

All proceeds benefit the town of Chester. To see and purchase the 2008 calender, just click here. (Jacki's on the left.)

Time For A Little Resurrection!

2007-08-07T04:03:00.000-04:00

Yes, we still happily exist at the Moon Dog. That's the way life is in VT: suddenly, it's a year later and we haven't updated the blog. Well, what's a year, right?

Anyway, here's some Moonie news:

We were visited by these cool folks at Yert.com, who are trying to raise awareness about global warming by taking a year-long road trip across America. Check them out!

Jacki introduced a whole new line of beautiful, natural baby products from California Baby. Your babe will absolutely love them!

We have locally grown cukes, corn and other wonderful produce now that the season is in full-swing. Ahh...nothing like VT produce. Yum!

We're in expansion-mode! Moon Dog will be expanding further into the building and will be offering more in the way of health & beauty, funky local art, stones & crystals and plants! Look for our bigger store by Fall '08!

We're open from 10-7 Mon-Sat and 10-5 on Sundays, so stop on by!

Another Great Review For The Moon Dog!

2006-05-12T16:23:00.000-04:00

We ventured into the small town of Chester (only a couple minutes away) and started by getting a bite to eat at the Moon Dog Cafe. The owners are very friendly and had just moved into a larger location. They have a great menu of organic foods and it served as a perfect mid afternoon meal.

Read the entire review here.

Play That Funky Music

2006-02-18T08:53:00.000-05:00

Many people ask, "What's that great music playing on your stereo?" It's Putamayo World Music!

We LOVE the Putamayo CDs, especially the Latin, South Pacific and Mali ones. We regularly play World Groove and French Cafe, as well.

Check out the website and soon you can have your car or house sounding just like the Moon Dog!

A Great Review For The Moon Dog!

2006-02-11T16:08:00.000-05:00

You can read the full review here.

While in Chester, I strongly recommend the Friday dinner at the Moon Dog Organic Cafe, possibly the best ratio of quality to price I've ever had, and one of the best meals ever.

Thanks to the kind reviewer who posted such a positive review!

Prayer For Jell-O

2005-08-05T14:45:00.000-04:00

oh, Jello mold
will you hold
in this heat and delay?

We pray for your gelling
and to stop dwelling
on your homemade watery grave.

It's almost dinnertime, dear
let's make it clear.
Without dessert, tempers will fray.

Sophie and the mouse

2005-03-07T17:41:00.000-05:00

Its saturday morning.A sleepy Sophie wakes up and decides to go down to the kitchen to make some coffee( a rare treat for her), she usually waits til she gets to the cafe and has a soy cappuccino.But today she's tired( she worked a 14 hour shift at the cafe yesterday).She reaches for the coffee pot and in the sink right next to it there is a small dark grey mouse."Shit" she screams, well i guess ill wait until I get to the cafe after all.Sophie heads over to the phone to call Grog.
The phone rings.
Someone picks up..........
"Grog speaking"
"What ya up to today?"
"Hi Sophie Im heading over to the grain store to pick up some feed, maybe going to work out."
"Are you going to pass through Chester? I have a mouse in my sink."
"Well, you want me to tell you how to get rid of it?"
"Hell no I want you to come over and get rid of it."
(she hears Grog giggle on the other end, as if this was the least bit amusing.)
"Alright I'll be right over."
"Grog, thats ok. Im on my way out to the cafe.Just come before I get home at 5."
Sophie gets home a little after 5.
The mouse was gone, Grog was here, and all is right with the world.

Rhode Island Moonie Adventure

2005-01-16T13:52:00.000-05:00

Saturday Eve Menu for January 15, 2005
City Girls we are in a far off land set in the mountain tops on top of the world somewhere. Great music and shoes began the road trip to this place. Our arrival on Friday eve was a true test. Ice and stillettoes do not mix. This was our first lesson. Second lesson...New Hampshire is not in Rhode Island. City Girls were invited by Wren to see Dru play at a brewrey in NH. Cool stuff...vodka...reggea...more vodka...shaken up on the dance floor. Grog was our smiling escort that took a back seat to our adventure. Wren was stunning in her red. Sophie was obviously somewhere else in a far off land in another hemisphere...but memories of what once was a long time ago got her thinking...I need to dance with these City Girls. City Girls are definately leaving a bread crumb trail to lead them back to this place somewhere on top of the world.

Meet The Moonies

2005-01-15T13:34:00.000-05:00

Interspersed with our menus and happenings, there will be interesting stories to tell about our regular cast of characters, the Moonies (no relation to the cult).

Cast of Characters

1. Sophie: top dog.
2. Squirrel: currently in foreign lands studying shamanism and herbalism.
3. Grog: everybody's best friend. Loves the ladies.
4. Misty: she does everything the right way.
5. Wren: our brightest light.
6. Dru: rock star extraordinare.
7. Madame X (a.k.a. Busty Busgirl): our newest member.
8. Gray: our best customer. We love him.
9. Nic: The Voice (we mean that in an endearing way).
10. Tia: The Girl Next Door.