wmassnative's Profile
Chow alert! Ashfield Lake House Burgers
last I heard the burgers were still ok, if you wanted to wait an hour before it was cooked.
Hotdogs in western MA
I'm not sure if it is because the hotdogs are good or just because our general love for our summer tradition, but my family always goes to a little ice cream/sandwich place across from the Turners Falls airport for sauerkraut or chili cheese dogs. That plus one of their giant ice cream cones makes me so happy...
Restaurants everyone seems to HATE but you love
I have to second the buffalo tofu... and the Moscow mules!
Great spot halfway between Boston and North Adams ?
I agree with all the Rt 2 recommendations- and since I drive this way almost every weekend, I'll add that both roads take the same amount of time, but Rt 2 is much more pleasant from my experience.
Seafood Restaurants in Western MA / Pioneer Valley?
I don't know if I can speak for quality, since I haven't had their fish in years, but my family has always gone to Pete's Seafood in downtown Greenfield when we are in need of fried clams and can't make it to the coast... and their gazpacho and onion rings are also very good!
Quality dinner in Northampton, MA
Did you search on the board? Look at the "thoughts on the pioneer valley" post for some ideas, but there have been a bunch of discussions about Northampton. I hardly venture there anymore, or I would give you specifics...
Gill, MA: Gill Tavern?
Has anyone been to the Gill Tavern in Gill, MA? I just heard a report of really good crab bisque and and enjoyable night out, but I'd love to hear from people on this board. It would be great to have another spot to add to the Montague-area list...
new place in old Tir Na Nog site
Does anyone have an update; has this place opened? Any reports?
Hope & Olive: Anyone been yet?
Are you talking about Sierra, in Northampton, or Sienna, in South Deerfield?
I've finally decided that my positive view of the Western MA dining scene must be skewed by that fact that I come from the West County (Shelburne Falls) area. Not only are H&O, Gypsy Apple, and Elmer's (breakfast!) local, there are also spots that are great at particular things; I am very fond of the both the burgers and the apple walnut Gorgonzola salad with cranberry wheat bread at Cafe Martin and the soup and fried chicken at the Mohawk Park Campground Pub (in a trailer park in Charlemont, they don't look like much but the food is surprisingly good) I've also mentioned on here a few times that the cheeses and ice cream at the Curtis Country Store in Charlemont are worth a trip.
I guess I'm just lucky to be in a prime Western MA food location!
Ice Cream Heaven- Charlemont Country Store
Now that it is well into summer I've been thinking a lot about ice cream. The pioneer valley has plenty of good spots (I'm a big fan of Flayvors of Cook Farm in Hadley, MA) but the very best I've found is at the Country Store in Charlemont: there is a small farm just up the road that provides them with rich, creamy, and not too sweet ice cream from their Jersey cows. Mmm... I love the blueberry ice cream, which uses local berries too!
Charlemont isn't usually a foodie destination, but this place is worth stopping by. The fresh ricotta and goat cheeses are also wonderful.
western MA pre/post-hike chow
I would go on Route 2 if I were you, since it is a pain to go through Northampton. My favorite big breakfast spot (the pancakes- yum!) in the area hands down is at Elmer's Country Store in Ashfield. Of course, if you aren't familiar with the roads it might be a bit out of the way (just in between Routes 9 & 2; you'd basically have to go on 116 from Deerfield through Conway to Ashfield, and then stay on 116 to Route 8 north to get to North Adams, which is really pretty but somewhat slow). From Greenfield to North Adams is a bit tough breakfast-wise, although you can find some baked goods (Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters, Mocha Maya's, Charlemont Country Store) and little breakfast places (there is one next to the Charlemont Post Office that is supposed to be basic but good) along the way.
Unless you get a specific good recommendation I'd stay away from eating in North Adams. There are supposed to be some hidden gems but I haven't found them!
Bad experience at Hope & Olive
I have been reading your comments and those of others with interest, since I haven't yet gone to the H&O. It seems in general there are things people like but that we all wish Bottle of Bread was still in operation.
However, having lived on both coasts and abroad I simply don't understand the sentiment that people here have "lowest common denominator tastes". I find there are many places in W. Mass where you can find much fresher ingredients, prepared with more respect for the true flavors of the food, and at a much better price than in Boston (where I now live, though I visit the West County frequently). Of course there are places that are mediocre or worse, but this is true of all areas. The variety of good foods may not be on par with more metropolitan areas but the ratio of good to bad certainly holds its own.
Want to Cook Mexican
If you are writing from the berkshires you may have better luck on the New England board. I'm sure there are places out there for what you need; I saw a tortilla press recently at the Lamson Goodnow outlet in Shelburne Falls.
great special occasion meal in western mass
Ristorante DiPaolo in Turners Falls:
www.ristorantedipaolo.com
Fresh Corn Tortillas in Western MA
I think I saw a tortilla press at the Lamson & Goodnow outlet in Shelburne Falls this weekend...
Dining near Conway, MA?
It is a fixed menu, no choice (though I hear there is a second option such as mac & cheese or something for children) and the plate varies every week. Usually it seems there is bread, soup, the main plate, and perhaps a dessert. When I went there was only the main plate. It was delicious; garlic sauteed greens, fish cakes, sweet potato oven fries and cornbread.
Dining near Conway, MA?
I agree with the above- Shelburne Falls and Ashfield are the way to go if you want to avoid the Greenfield area. Gypsy Apple for a "special" meal, but the other must is Elmer's for breakfast (or a casual Friday night meal, whatever plate they are serving that night).
Shelburne Falls, MA the Village Restaurant: surprisingly good
Because Cafe Martin didn't open for 15 minutes and already had a line, and the Gypsy Apple Bistro was closed, we decided to head over to the Village Restaurant for lunch. I was happy enough with my meal that I thought a posting here was worthwhile: my Reuben sandwich was amazingly good quality, extra sauerkraut as requested (trust me, this is truly hard to get in most places) and nice crispy bakery bread not soaked in butter or sandwich juices. Service was great... an unexpectedly enjoyable meal!
Shelburne Falls: West End Pub?
I tried the West End Pub this weekend with a friend, and it was very disappointing! We got drinks and two appetizers. The spring rolls were good, nothing special (the dipping sauce was good and spicy) but the spinach artichoke dip was awful- a gloppy, flavorless mess. The service was extremely slow given the small number of tables (food arrived, but other than that no waitress came around the corner for at least 30 minutes).
After asking around, it turns out our experience was pretty much the norm; the concept is good, but the food and service leave much to be desired.
On the bright side, we had a very pleasant surprise at the Village Restaurant in Shelburne Falls: for a relatively low-frill spot I was surprised how good my Reuben was... crisp, extra sauerkraut as requested, good quality meat. mmm...
Rendezvous, Turners Falls MA?
I haven't seen a review of the Rendezvous in Turners Falls, MA since it was renovated; has anyone been? I would like to try it but need to convince some family members....
Hope & Olive: Anyone been yet?
Unfortunately I have to agree with the negative assessment of Greenfield, and I have lived in the area for 28 years and seen it go down hill. While there are nice people and interesting places in the outskirts, I find it hard to believe anyone could disagree all those ragtag store fronts (and boarded up buildings!) on Main Street are enough to turn away most people, and this is not good for the economy or the local people. In recent years it is very common for people to bemoan what has happened to the town. There are good things to be found, but in general the downtown is an area I skip whenever possible.
That being said I have been happy to see quite a few new restaurants and other businesses make a go of it there in recent years. I stopped going to the People's Pint a few years ago when the service became very spotty, but it has gotten so many positive posts here recently I think I'll try it out again. After the Hope & Olive, that is...
Hope & Olive: Anyone been yet?
I heard that the Hope & Olive opened in Greenfield this weekend. Has anyone been yet?
Thoughts on the Pioneer Valley
Rao's coffee now is roasted according to the preferences of the new owner. Scott Rao had different standards, for sure- and since Scott helped open Esselon the coffee there probably most resembled the original Rao's coffee. Woodstar was opened by someone who used to work for Scott Rao and that is probably why Woodstar is now using Esselon coffee.
I did just hear that Scott Rao is no longer at Esselon, but I don't think that would change the food quality...
Thoughts on the Pioneer Valley
I agree both with your thoughts and also that you are missing some good places (Flayvors of Cook Farm for ice cream is truly fantastic). I also wanted to point out that naming only the Amherst/Noho area as the "Pioneer Valley" and then saying food in the Pioneer Valley is sub-par is an injustice to the many other towns that make up the Pioneer Valley- such as the Shelburne Falls area, which has received many great reviews on this board. Still, your main point is taken. The area really appeals mostly for cheap student food that is delivered at all hours.
Shelburne Falls: West End Pub?
hmm... yes, I disagree as well. I understand the concept. However, I left and came back early just in case they got to my name before the 30 minutes had passed, given that usually in a restaurant the time given is an estimate. This is the first place I have been that the time given is a guarantee to the point where there are empty tables inside and waiting people outside (and while there is not much of a waiting area, plenty of people were waiting at the door). I don't mind if you want to wait in a circumstance like that, but I will go elsewhere.
Shelburne Falls: West End Pub?
When I was at Cafe Martin (two Sundays ago) I also had to wait a long time for a table. While the service was good once we got in, I was put off by the wait. There were 3 tables of 2 waiting, and the hostess kept holding tables for people on the list before us who weren't in line any longer, just because they might come back. It was strange and a little upsetting. I would have gone to Gypsy Apple instead but they ran out of hamburgers (!) and we had been dreaming of a good one that whole weekend.
Shelburne Falls: West End Pub?
Has anyone tried the new restaurant in the space that used to be The Shire on the Buckland side of the bridge in Shelburne Falls? While waiting in line for Cafe Martin last Sunday I heard Marty (owner) had opened the new place and that it had a similar menu. I'm curious for any reviews you may have...
Esselon Cafe in Hadley, MA: Thoughts?
You are correct that Scott Rao sold Rao's a few years ago. It seems to me that the coffee quality there has gone downhill a great deal since he left. Now I'll have to make the jaunt to Esselon just to get some of that coffee!
NEW FIND IN SHELBURNE FALLS
I'm not certain, but I believe I was at Gypsy Apple on Sunday for lunch... the day after the Riverfest.
NEW FIND IN SHELBURNE FALLS
I definitely agree- both with the silly name and wonderful food! The name and slightly glaring sign might have kept me from trying this for a while if the chef hadn't been giving away samples of his home-smoked trout during the local riverfest. The next day I was back for lunch, and I can say even their Hamburger and their Tuna sandwich far surpasses the norm. I have heard from very experienced diners that the food quality at Gypsy Apple rivals that of anything to be had even outside of the WMass area.
Another newcomer I would highly recommend is on the Main St. of Ashfield, MA. Unfortunately, I was never told their name (just brought there by another local) but they are almost exclusively a breakfast and dinner establishment (no lunch except an espresso bar with baked goods) in a nicely restored, very old building. I had the Eggs Pope Benedict (thick slab of ham and ripe tomato) for around $8 and the coffee was actually strong, which is tough to find at a breakfast spot. I have heard their menu-style dinner is also delicious. This area has been losing good breakfast restaurants recently so I am thrilled to find another place!
