Tomato Fresco Bruschetta with Maple Brooks Farm smoked mozzarella, prosciutto, fresh basil, and vine ripe tomato relish on grilled crostini.

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As Tim, my husband and dining companion, and I pulled into the Windjammer parking lot on Friday evening before 5 p.m. we were surprised to find a place to park. Truth be told, Tim and I are regulars of the Upper Deck Pub, the 100-seat restaurant within a restaurant, and finding a parking space on a weekend night, no matter how early, is not usually that easy.

More than a popular sports bar, the Windjammer's Upper Deck boasts a full pub menu, a wonderful selection of beers, an extensive wine list, a fantastic martini menu, and a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. I can personally vouch for the Upper Deck Nachos with its blend of three cheeses melted atop an abundance of black bean puree, fresh pico de gallo, jalapenos, and scallions (add pulled chicken, pork, or chili for a heartier first course) and the Fried Calamari with banana peppers, drizzled with a balsamic reduction, and served with marinara sauce. For an entrée, you cannot go wrong with the French Dip Baguette. Just image the perfect meld of roast beef and a delicious horseradish sauce served on a handmade Portugese roll and mouthwatering au jus on the side...a winning combination.

But tonight is all about the Windjammer, a 30-year family owned and locally operated restaurant committed to offering the best steaks, prime rib, and freshest seafood in Burlington. The Windjammer is much more than traditional meat and potatoes. In fact, five-year executive chef JJ Vezina offers two nightly specials where his culinary expertise, gleaned from a career that included stints as sous chef at Waterworks and Leunig's Bistro, shines. Friday Vezina featured an amazing 12 oz. pork chop stuffed with imported brie, apricots, and proscuitto di parma, finished with an orange zested honey-hefeweizen glaze (in case you were wondering hefeweizen is a German wheat beer). He also developed a list of Windjammer Specialties, non-traditional entrée selections, along with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, which are new to the menu.

Tim and I opted to forgo the tempting array of appetizers choosing instead to enjoy the extensive salad bar that was included with our entrees. The award-winning salad boat was loaded with fresh vegetables, bean salads, pastas, cheeses, marinated vegetables, freshly baked bread, homemade dressings, and a variety of unique salad toppers including sesame sticks, Chinese noodles, sesame seeds, and homemade croutons to name a few.

Our server, Valerie, recommended the Basil Phyllo Salmon, an 8 oz. Atlantic salmon filet wrapped in a flaky phyllo dough crust finished with a blood orange-coconut coulis. As tempting as it was, we elected to stay with our original choices. Tim made a tasty seafood selection: the Baked Jammer Scallops. A half dozen oversized scallops prepared in a delicious bacon, leek, and parmesan cream sauce accompanied by light and fluffy seasoned wild rice. I chose the non-traditional Bleu Bistro Steak. My entrée was a choice 10 oz. steak cooked perfectly to my specifications, medium rare, seasoned with a house rub, a gorgonzola cream sauce, balsamic onions, and crispy pancetta which found a home on perfectly mashed Yukon gold potatoes.

Although we tried, it was impossible to resist a tempting treat from the dessert menu. We chose a petite portion of their wildly popular Peanut Butter Pie, just right for a bite or two each. The light peanut butter confection was topped with chopped peanuts, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzles. Add two cups of freshly brewed coffee and we were happy and satiated.

Before we departed longtime general manager Dan Phelan stopped by our table to introduce himself. While we chatted I was reminded that the Windjammer is available for private functions. The restaurant features two secluded dining rooms, one accommodates up to 60 guests and a smaller room that fits up to 20, and offers custom menu packages perfect for any occasion. Mothers' Day, graduation, Fathers' Day, and wedding season are just around the corner, and if you want a truly unique affair with a wide variety of palate-pleasing choices, call the Windjammer.

The Windjammer is located at 1076 Williston Road in South Burlington. Lunch hours are Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., dinner from Monday-Saturday 5-10 p.m., Sundays 5-9 p.m. and the Upper Deck is open Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Sundays 2:30-10 p.m. Call 862-6585 for reservations and to book your special occasion or visit them on the web at www.windjammerrestaurant.com.