amherst/northampton/hadley special occasion bakeries

Thanks! Checked out the site . Looks like they are a full service caterer, too. Nice.

Anyone out there have any other recs?

ehere in General New England Archive

amherst/northampton/hadley special occasion bakeries

We're in SoCal, but our twin daughters are students at Hampshire and I'm doing some advance planning for their 21st b-day in the spring. Can anyone recommend an excellent special occasion baker for their cake(s)? We've used Atkin's Bakery for their cakes in the past. Easy to order from a distance by phone or internet, and they've been very accommodating, so I've no complaints with them, but I'm looking for something a bit more dazzling for this special occasion. Perhaps there's someone who's had a wedding or event in the area who can offer specific recommendations? Please no baker whose specialty is fondant-covered creations - my kids hate fondant (as do I).

ehere in General New England Archive

anniversary dinner in amherst/northampton

Thank you everyone for your help! The drive sounds wonderful, and the place looks charming, so Blue Heron it is.

Thanks also for the warnings about bridge traffic. I'll keep that in mind for our general travels.

ehere in General New England Archive

anniversary dinner in amherst/northampton

Thanks for the suggestions! Here is my shortlist. I've distanced them on mapquest and listed them from closest to farthest:

Circa
Chez Albert
Sienna
Blue Heron

Blue Heron's menu looks like it would appeal most to all family members. But I'm up for any of them. Any thoughts on my choices? Comparisons of food/service/physical space?

Also, this may sound stupid, but as I said, we're not familiar with the area --- what is traffic like? A fifteen minute drive doesn't deem like a big deal --- is there such a thing as rush hour there? Mapquest sends us up the 91 to Sunderland, not along surface streets, so I was curious.

ehere in General New England Archive