Lenox637's Profile
POLL: Can you walk to an actual grocery store?
I live in Berkshire County in MA... I have two large chain supermarkets and a high end market that sells NEFF Beef, organic free range chickens, local farm produce etc.... they are all within a mile from my house.
Catered Barbeque in Western MA?
A small BBQ joint in Pittsfield that opened 2 years ago is already expanding into 3 times their original space. I believe they do catering and they have somme really good 'Q. They are called Mad Jack's BBQ. They do have a website...
http://www.madjacksbbqonline.com/Catering.html
Spring Street Pizza-Williamstown, MA
I'll have to scrounge around to find out, but I'll get back to you
Spring Street Pizza-Williamstown, MA
So.... in my desperate search for worthwhile pizza in Berkshire County I happened upon a new addition to the pizza experience. Spring Street Pizza in Williamstown, Ma. I have to start out by saying that I am VERY particular about pizza, understanding that there are many "styles" of pizza that are very good. I went to SSP and had their "Green Monstah" specialty pizza, being a rabid Sox fan and it being springtime! It had grilled marinated chicken, spinach, fresh mozz and pesto. It was indeed green and in my opinion a bit wet overall. Personally I thought that the pesto overpowered the spinach and the marinade on the chicken didn't really add to the experience. The crust was alright, it seemed like it didn't cook all the way through.I find that many pizzerias go to the "wood fired" style ovens, whether they are indeed wood fired or the modern gas fired ovens. Having worked in a handful of pizzerias over the years I have used both and have found that there is a major learning curve on these ovens because they all cook differently, even if they are modern "kit" ovens or pre-fab commercial ones.
On the menu I noticed that their specialty cheese pizza had both chèvre and feta on it. Personally I would choose one or the other. Quite a few of the specialty pizzas seemed to have one or two ingredients they could have done without. IMHO simplicity is where the absolute best pizza resides. Overall I would give Spring Street Pizza an 82 out of 100. I hope they do well, I'm sure they will, being in a college town, but it's too far for what I would consider so-so pizza.
Christmas eve all seafood dinner favorites?
Whole salt encrusted fish. Anything from Branzino to Red Snapper
turkey question
probably too late but... take it out when it hits 160 and tent with foil, it will still be hot
Need help about my parm. regiano
Good Parmigiano Reggiano has little whit specks through it which are a result of the cheese aging. I'm pretty sure that they are clusters of amino acids. I'm sure one of our cheese experts out there will have a more comprehensive answer.
Shoebox Recipes & Memories
My eldest sister's God Mother(Nanny Margaret) had a colonial era Inn on the old Boston Post Road in central Maine. We would walk through the woods to some ledges with her and pick blueberries. It was such a very special place, a working wood stove, a pedal organ and horse carriages in the barn. The "facilities" were still in the back of the shed attached to the kitchen. Nanny Margaret would bring us into the kitchen and bake the most wonderful Blueberry Cake. The recipe made it into the Family Recipe Book that my Mom and Dad put together years ago.
!/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
2 eggs beaten
1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
1/3 cup half and half
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
preheat oven to 350 degrees
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt.
Cream the sugar and butter until light, add the beaten eggs to the creamed butter and sugar.
Add the dry ingredients 1/3 at a time alternating with the half and half until all is fully incorporated. Fold in the blueberries.
Pour batter into buttered 9x9 pan and bake for 35-50 minutes.
Spice Dragon in Pittsfield, best bet for great Pad Thai in the Berkshires?
We like to go to Spice Dragon once in a while. I will vouch for the Clay Pot Curry, I love it. Good balance of flavor with the right amount of heat. It comes to the table at a lava like temperature so you have to be VERY careful. They run a Pad Thai special and from what I have heard they do very well, though I haven't had the Pad Thai yet.
Speaking of Sturbridge has anyone done this dinner in Old Sturbridge Village?
Just bookmarked the page for the Family Cooks Program, my girls are still too young but when they are of age we're IN!!
John Andrew's in Egremont....really?? Need some CH's opinions please!
My SO and I have been going to JA's 3-5 times a year for the last 18 years. Only once did I find service offensively inept. There have been times that the service was questionable. Having lived in the Shire for over 30 years, and worked in various aspects of the food industry, quality, year round front end service is hard to come by. The area is not conducive to a large population of professional, top end waitstaff and expediters. Some restaurants are lucky and have found individuals that can bring a restaurant's kitchen and front end to a seamless dining experience. Unfortunately, front end is where the dining experience in the Berkshires lacks.
Orchard with Activities
In Richmond Massachusetts (Berkshire County) Hilltop Orchards has apple picking, hay rides and a store that sells freshly made cider, cider donuts, maple candy etc... Hilltop Orchards also has a winery and wine tasting at the orchard store as well. Great people and a great time for everyone!! http://www.hilltoporchards.com/
Rehearsal Dinner Spot in Lenox, Ma?
Avoid Zinc. If they have the space Alta would be a great spot for being right in Lenox.
The Berkshires with a baby
Most restaurants in the Berkshires are fine with babies especially when one is dining earlier in the evening. The Dakota is in Lenox and quite a ways from Gt. Barrington. This site is full of threads about the Berks, it really comes down to what YOU want to eat. There are some places that are gathering spots for the after work crowd such as Mission Bar and Tapas in Pittsfield, but I feel that you will find most restaurants will be quite accommodating. When Bistro Zinc was in it's heyday MSO and I would bring our 6 month old daughter there for an early dinner, knowing full well that if she started acting up we would quietly take our meal to go. Good luck and enjoy your visit.
New Lebanese restaurant in Pittsfield, MA
you are probably checking older threads, as far as places in Pittsfield to try....... Brix Wine Bar, Mission Tapas, La Fogata, Spice Dragon. There are fantastic restaurants a short drive from downtown Pittsfield as well. Mezze Bistro and Mill on the Floss north of town. Bistro Rouge, Once Upon a Table, Wheatleigh Inn, Old Inn on the Green, Allium, John Andrews Farm Kitchen south of town to name a few.
-----
Mezze Bistro + Bar
777 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
Wheatleigh
11 Hawthorne Road, Lenox, MA
John Andrew's Restaurant
RR 23, North Egremont, MA 01252
Brix Wine Bar
40 West St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Recs for Hancock, MA. area needed, please
Brix Wine Bar, Mission, Spice Dragon, Mezze Bistro, Allium, Alta, Bistro Rouge, John Andrews Farm Kitchen, Old Inn on the Green, Wheatleigh
-----
Mezze Bistro + Bar
777 Cold Spring Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
Wheatleigh
11 Hawthorne Road, Lenox, MA
John Andrew's Restaurant
RR 23, North Egremont, MA 01252
Brix Wine Bar
40 West St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
What do you pack for your children's lunch?
nope.... just homemade mayo..... sometimes she likes carrot sticks, greek yogurt or an apple
Lenox, MA - baby-friendly recs?
If you are going to Spice Dragon to relive Kim's Dragon it might be a slight let down. I've been three times and enjoyed it quite a bit. They were very kind to my young daughters(they have kids' Bento boxes filled with a well rounded meal) great service and the food was quite good. The spring rolls were great but if you want Mom's then she will need to cook them for you. The shaken beef was also superb. I've seen people complain that it isn't like Kim's, but it ISN'T Kim's it is Spice Dragon. They have selections from Spice's Korean influenced menu as well as the favorites from Kim's Dragon. The sushi bar is open and that is always well done. So personally I have no complaints.
-----
Kim's Dragon Restaurant
1231 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Lenox, MA - baby-friendly recs?
Mazzeo's, Spice Dragon, Arizona Pizza, Dakota, Fin, Rouge, though the service may be slower MSO and I brought our baby there knowing that the owner's child was present.
-----
Arizona Pizza
51 Park St, Lee, MA 01238
Purees/Smoothies for a sick friend
I always enjoy orange, strawberry, banana smoothies to which I add, not necessarily at the same time, soy protein powder, bee pollen, royal jelly, greek yogurt etc..... I would highly recommend he look into wheatgrass juice as well. Wheatgrass is packed with nutrients.
Who has the best pizza in Berkshire County??
I heard a rumor that there was a guy who ran an "underground" pizzeria from his home in Lenox once or twice a week. From what I've heard it's pretty amazing..... I'm going to try and hunt this person down and see if he exists or if it's just an urban legend. The Berkshires desperately need good pizza!
What am I doing wrong with this wet pizza dough?
I tried his recipe and ran into the same problem...... I oiled my hands and found if I worked quickly then it worked out fine.
rehearsal dinner in berkshires - looking for a biergarten (german beer garden) vibe
Many of the small towns in the Berkshire area have outdoor "pavilions" that belong to the VFW or the fire dept., etc... that may be rented. You could then hire a caterer to handle the food and drink. This way you get exactly what you are looking for. In regards to a place that is or has a beer garden, that may be a tough call.
~Vanilla extract~
I've never made vanilla extract before but I do make Limoncello and cordials etc.... Just as in cooking I would use really good ingredients. For Limoncello I use a good 100 proof vodka. Triple distilled is what I personally prefer, it gets expensive but the end product is well worth it. I have heard of people running vodka through clean Brita filters but have never tried this myself. The one guy I know who does it swears by it. Good Luck!!
Pittsfield - Lennox - Williamstown Recs Please
Cafe Lucia IS great.... if you're not from Lenox. The menu has not changed for 20 years. They do make the best Osso Buco in the Berks.
-----
Cafe Lucia
80 Church St., Lenox, MA 01240
Pittsfield - Lennox - Williamstown Recs Please
I just checked out Yelp as well....... Yelp was NO help. The reviews, in my opinion, are way off the mark in many cases.
