Jessica's at Swift House Inn

06/09/2026

We are Matthew Robinson and Serena Kim. We have been married for almost five years on July 3. Here are some lessons that we learned about running a small husband-and-wife business.

1. We split our duties so that the division of our roles and responsibilities is clear. I (Serena) handle the marketing (a big amorphous task), supervise the four-acre gardens and anything botanical inside and out, and participate in human resources. Matthew handles everything financial, hires the tradesmen, designs the interiors of all the common areas and guest rooms, manages Jessica's at Swift House Inn, occasional sommelier and host, and serves as the 24-hour handyman. He is the heart of the human resources department. Wow, now that I see this list, I realize how hard Matthew works!!

2. We are forging a new story about the inn and who we are as a couple together. This has been a work in progress since we come from such different backgrounds. Matthew was born and raised in East Aurora, NY to English parents. He attended Harvard and went to business school in London, where he lived for ten years. He also has 30+ years of experience as a TV executive in L.A. It was in this role that he traveled the world and stayed at the finest hotels, learning what excellent hospitality is all about. Meanwhile, I was born and raised in California and hail from L.A.'s Koreatown. I have decades of experience as a music journalist, copywriter for Apple and Samsung, and made a great living as a NYC DJ for many years. I may not have stayed at the finest hotels in the world and eaten at the fanciest restaurants, but I know my way around a marketing brief and a social media caption. Together we make a pretty good team! Also, the story we are forging together is about being real about our together-story, putting our heart on the line in creating a business that respects the dignity and livelihoods of our employees, and in curating and crafting a beautiful space for our guests to celebrate important milestones or just enjoy the majesty of Vermont.

3. We have a day called Sanity Saturday. Even though I had to dash off a last-minute email about a glitch in Jessica's reservation system, and Matthew still had to work dinner service, we found a few hours on Saturday to drive to Dorset, poke around a consignment shop, eat a sandwich and come back to the Inn. Being intentional and committed to taking some time to ourselves means that we are also investing in our relationship, not just working around the clock to survive!

Well, that's our story. Please tell us yours! Or let us know any tips you might have for surviving as a mom-and-pop business.

05/27/2026

Greetings Swifties,

Did you know that we are now open for dinner on Wednesday evenings at Jessica's? The bar is always open from 5 to 8 seven days a week. It's so beautiful and quiet out, come and join us!

If this is the first time you're hearing about us:

Jessica’s is a contemporary American restaurant in the heart of Middlebury—refined, seasonal, and quietly distinctive.
Just two blocks from downtown, it pairs thoughtful, ingredient-driven cooking with an award-winning wine list and a dining experience that feels both polished and personal. Inside, intimate rooms—main dining room, library, and enclosed porch—offer a sense of scale that’s rare and intentional, with fireplaces that make winter evenings feel especially inviting. In warmer months, the deck opens to the gardens.

Surrounded by lawns and kitchen beds of herbs and flowers used in both the kitchen and throughout the inn, Jessica’s is deeply connected to its setting. Settle in, take your time, and let the evening unfold—at the table or with a drink in hand as the light fades over the grounds.

04/19/2026

Regular menu also available! Three courses fifty five dollars! Community welcome 🙏✨

04/06/2026

We are still serving breakfast and the bar is open every evening. But dinner will be closed all this week, until Thursday, April 16. And then you can blow your income tax return on a fancy dinner!

This week, Jessica's at Swift House Inn is closed for semi-annual deep cleaning and a well-deserved break for the staff. We will reopen on Thursday, April 16. Our front desk is happy to recommend wonderful local dining options. Breakfast and the bar will still be serving.

03/03/2026

This kitty started hanging around the inn last year, and bringing little "gifts" into the dining room. So we finally captured him and delivered him to Homeward Bound, Addison County's Humane Society to see if he belonged to anyone. They posted a pic of him on their page and sent out the alert. We waited, and nobody stepped up. So we paid the adoption fee, got him microchipped, and brought him home with excitement about how he would get along with our other pets. It's been great! He walks around the property all day long and socializes with guests. He plays with our other kitty Freyja. He boops noses with the dogs. Everyone, from the housekeepers to the front desk agents, have funny stories about Griswold. We are so thankful that he adopted us!

Meet Griswold, our resident inn cat. He’s an indoor–outdoor gentleman who takes his neighborhood rounds seriously and occasionally charms guests into worry. Rest assured, he is deeply loved, well fed, and very much at home. Please admire him, but don’t adopt him.

03/03/2026

There’s a little restaurant in a little town in Vermont, where we believe in kindness in the kitchen, in the dining room, and in the way we welcome every guest. We come from different backgrounds, skillsets, and perspectives, united by a shared respect for Vermont’s vegetables, seasons, and the farmers who sustain us. We cook with what is grown here, raised here, and foraged here, honoring those ingredients with intention. The result is food that feels rooted and generous, served in a space where everyone belongs at the table.

02/21/2026

Cozy value = Sunday Supper

02/09/2026

Learn more about our fabulous weekly Wine Wednesday event. Jessica's restaurant is not serving dinner, but instead we have a wonderful winter event that showcases wine tasting, complimentary nibbles, and education about your favorite varieties.

https://swifthouseinn.com/event/wine-wednesdays-loire-valley-libations/

Our Wine Wednesday events have been a huge success this winter, drawing out wine lovers from all over Addison County. On February 18, we're having a special takeover in which Farrell Distributors come through and showcase Kermit Lynch, for a unique tasting journey featuring French imports. Ah oui oui!

Here's the complete schedule for February:

Feb. 11: Loire Valley Libations
Feb. 18: Kermit Lynch Takeover
Feb. 25: California Dreaming

Regulars know that they will be treated to cheese and fruit nibbles, wine tasting, and lots of information and education from our sommelier Ella Donnelly-Wright. In addition, deep discounts will be available from a vast assortment of cellar selections. Stock up! Get educated! And have fun mingling with friends, old and new! Cheers!

02/01/2026

Shrimp linguini is on the menu for Sunday Supper!