Berskhires restaurant recommendations?
Sep 26th, 2001, 10:16 AM
#1
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Berskhires restaurant recommendations?
Hi. I'm heading to the Berkshires for the first time in two weeks and would love some restaurant recommendations. We're staying in Stockbridge but are willing to travel to the other nearby towns. All price ranges and cuisines welcome!
Sep 26th, 2001, 12:03 PM
#2
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The Old Mill in Egremont is great, around a 15 minute drive from Stockbridge. John Andrews is also great, 20 minutes away on 23 just past Egremont. Lenox has some good restaurants, but I don't remember names. Martins in Great Barrington is great for breakfast.
Sep 29th, 2001, 05:42 PM
#3
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We just spent a weekend in the Berkshires and had a WONDERFUL meal at SWEET BASIL's....(Italian) - it is on the main road in South Lee on the way into Stockbridge (left side). We stopped by the side of the road to light candles at 7 PM with some locals in remembrence of the WTC disaster and they suggested the place. We loved it.
As for "The Old Mill"....very cute atmosphere and nice old building but we found the food less than acceptible and the service worse. A nice place to take a picture tho.
As for "The Old Mill"....very cute atmosphere and nice old building but we found the food less than acceptible and the service worse. A nice place to take a picture tho.
Sep 30th, 2001, 06:17 AM
#5
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In downtown Lenox the stars currently are Spigalina, Church St. Cafe, Roseborough Grill and Lucia, all serving what might be called moderately creative Continental-inspired cuisine and all roughly equivalent in quality and price (entrees in the high-teens to mid-twenties, generally. Each also has a good wine list, with Roseborough's perhaps the best. Church St. usually stocks some interesting single malts. I've eaten about two meals a week in these places for nearly the last three years, so know them all quite well - if pressed, I might give the slight nod to Church St.
Bistro Zinc is about the same price but serves bad food with attitude - possibly the worst excuse for cassoulet I've ever eaten when I recently tried to give them one more (and definitely their last) chance. Antonio's is a bit less money and their new menu has significantly improved what used to be mediocre bordering on bad Italian food. The dining room at the Candlelight Inn is also very nice, but I have only been there once so don't know it as well.
Heading out of the town center drops the prices somewhat. Just to the north on Rt. 7, Lenox 218 is good and usually a bit easier to get a table at when the town is full. Trattoria il Vesuvio is red-checked tablecloth Italian and was very good at one time, less so recently.
To the south, also on Rt. 7 just over the line into Lee, possibly the best value for money to be had in the area is Cork and Hearth - chef/owner Chris Ryan does great things with duck and his steamed mussel appetizer is outstanding.
Further up the line just into Pittsfield is Dakota - a hunting lodge-style steakhouse cum salad bar place that is fine if you like that sort of thing and South Mountain Grill, which used to be good but has been very disappointing on recent visits.
I rarely venture as far south as South Egremont but did once to see why I had heard so many rave reviews about John Andrews and was not disappointed.
Bistro Zinc is about the same price but serves bad food with attitude - possibly the worst excuse for cassoulet I've ever eaten when I recently tried to give them one more (and definitely their last) chance. Antonio's is a bit less money and their new menu has significantly improved what used to be mediocre bordering on bad Italian food. The dining room at the Candlelight Inn is also very nice, but I have only been there once so don't know it as well.
Heading out of the town center drops the prices somewhat. Just to the north on Rt. 7, Lenox 218 is good and usually a bit easier to get a table at when the town is full. Trattoria il Vesuvio is red-checked tablecloth Italian and was very good at one time, less so recently.
To the south, also on Rt. 7 just over the line into Lee, possibly the best value for money to be had in the area is Cork and Hearth - chef/owner Chris Ryan does great things with duck and his steamed mussel appetizer is outstanding.
Further up the line just into Pittsfield is Dakota - a hunting lodge-style steakhouse cum salad bar place that is fine if you like that sort of thing and South Mountain Grill, which used to be good but has been very disappointing on recent visits.
I rarely venture as far south as South Egremont but did once to see why I had heard so many rave reviews about John Andrews and was not disappointed.
Sep 30th, 2001, 11:20 AM
#6
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I grew up, quite literally, in the shadow of South Mountain. The food scene has changed drastically since I've been gone...but with parents still there until recently, there were frequent returns. Cork and Hearth is certainly an oldie...there as long as I can remember, 40+ years at least. Just wanted to add that Dakota is not necessarily just a steak place. I've had both the best salmon and brook trout I've ever had prepared there and in the winter, especially, with it's huge fireplaces, the atmosphere is quite enjoyable.
Sep 30th, 2001, 02:35 PM
#7
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We just got back this afternoon from a very pleasant weekend stay in the Berkshires. Stayed in South Egremont and had a great dinner one night at the Union Grill in Great Barrington - right in the middle of the downtown area on Rte. 7. Very funky decor - friendly and efficient service - interesting menu choices and beautifully prepared food. We followed the suggestion of a local shopkeeper and sought out the Swiss Hutte restaurant on Rte. 23 right on the border between South Egremont and Hillsdale, NY. Delightful, sophistocated dining with many authentic swiss dishes on the menu. Reservations are a must on the weekend and it's a bit out of the way, but we loved the place and would definately return next time we're in the area. Enjoy!
