We visited this tavern/restaurant on Wednesday 4/25/12.  While I have lived in the Upper Valley since 1985, I have never been to this part of the area, nor this restaurant.  There were many empty tables but we were asked if we had a reservation.  This is especially strange, as the place never filled up during our entire stay.  Reservations at a tavern??  We opted to dine upstairs as we were informed that the band will be starting in about an hour.  The upstairs dining room was a bit more elegant, with white linens, flowers and candles.  While there was only four of us, we were sat a roomy table for six.  It was a tad hard to talk to everyone.  What is more weird is that my chair literally was in the aisle and every time someone walks by, I got bumped.  When the waiter was talking to the table behind me, he was close enough that he rested his hand on the back of my chair.  Fine dining this is not.  The building is old and not well maintained.  Perhaps, that would be fine for the downstairs tavern.  Almost cozy like.
 
My wife and I split a salad, she ordered the fish and chips, I ordered the pork tenderloin, a basket or bread was $5, and we split a dessert.  We had three beers.  Our bill with 15% tip was just shy of $100.  OUCH!  We are not talking about Woodstock or Hanover rent prices here!  This is downtown Hartland VT!  I am not appreciative of their country ‘charm’.  Home Hill prices for Hartland VT.  C’mon!
 
Our waiter was most friendly and knowledgeable with the menu.  He was most accommodating with special requests.  Our salad was under seasoned and under dressed.  My wife did enjoy her fish and chips.  The batter was well balance and the scrod was nice and tender.  My pork tenderloin with a soy ginger sauce was a bit disappointing.  The sauce over powered such a delicate cut of meat.  There were three very skinny asparagus spears  The rice under the pork was ok.  I expected much more for $23.  The menu said crusted with Asian slaw.  There was none of that.
 
Dessert was a surprise.  Their homemade ice cream was quite good.
 
There are many better choices in the UV.  I suppose if you live in the Hartland area and do not want to drive 10 miles to the metropolis of Hanover/Lebanon, then the ‘Skunk’ is your home town favorite. 

Charming. Delicious. Cozy. But the owner charged me $3 to substitute mashed potatoes for fried red potatoes. Come on! Does s/he have an attitude (or do I)???

holla for the skunk! eat downstairs -- its cozy, english pub style. love the fireplace in the middle. the pretentious people sit upstairs. chicken carlos & fish & chips are the best. soups are good too. great beer mugs (i know that's weird to say but the beer always tastes better at the skunk & i swear the mugs have something to do with it!).