Blog / Restaurants
Five Ways to Eat Your Way Through Western Massachusetts
Good Stock Farm, Hatfield | Photo by Kevin Miyazaki
With several new restaurants and a cooking school open and a handful of food-centric events like the Cummington (Aug. 21-24) and Three County (Aug. 29-Sept. 1) Fairs and Northampton's annual Restaurant Week (Sept. 7-11), you'll have no shortage of ways to fill your belly in western Massachusetts as this summer comes to a close.
Enter to Win & Toast to the Good Life in Western Massachusetts
Black Birch Vineyard, Southampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
During August and September, enter to win our Brewery and Winery Getaway, celebrating all of the libations being made right here. The package includes: two nights for two at Northampton's brand new, state-of-the-art hotel, the Fairfield Inn and Suites; a mix-and-match tour with the top-down in Pioneer Valley Tour's convertible to the breweries and wineries of your choice; and $100 for dinner at the Northampton Brewery, western New England’s original brewpub.
6 Things to Add to Your Mid-Summer Bucket List
Chesterfield Gorge | Photo by Lynne Graves
Can you believe July is already half over? As the summer months continue to slip away, here are a few things to add to your things to do in Massachusetts summer bucket list, from sidewalk sales to swimming holes, Shakespeare to rock music and more!
Dine Farm to Table in Western Massachusetts
The Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst | Photos by Lynne Graves
Come taste the season. Enter to win the Farmers Market Chef Experience Weekend at the Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst! The package includes a two-night stay at the Lord Jeffery Inn, breakfast for two, and a shopping excursion with Executive Chef Dino Giordano to the Amherst Farmers’ Market to select ingredients for a private lunch prepared by the Chef.
Baked goodness in Western Massachusetts
Tart Baking Baguettes | Photo from Facebook
The local bakery has made something of a comeback in the last 20 years. In fact, you can get bread baked all or in part from wheat that is locally grown. Most local bakeries serve morning coffees and afternoon lunch so you aren’t limited to just what you can take home. And since our region in Western Massachusetts is known for its creativity, you’ll find way more than just sourdough, whole wheat loaves, croissants and some baguettes at places like the Henion in Amherst, Bread Euphoria in Haydenville, and Hungry Ghost Bread, Woodstar Cafe, and Tart Baking Co. in Northampton.
Stick to your resolutions while dining out in Hampshire County
Paul and Elizabeth's | Photo by Lynne Graves
OK, so it's January and it's time for the traditional New Year's resolutions. High on most people’s lists are exercise and eating better, especially after the food fest of the holiday season. Our food blogger Don Lesser suggests a few places across Hampshire County where you can stick to your resolutions while dining out like the 100% vegan cafe in Florence or the 35-year-strong Paul and Elizabeth's in Northampton.
Christmas Tree day trips in the Hilltowns
Justamere Tree Farm | Worthington, MA
What better reason for a trip to Hampshire County than to get your holiday tree? Take a trip to Justamere Tree Farm in Worthington for the tree and lots of maple goodies or Hanging Mountain Farm in Westhampton for one of the best breakfasts in Western Massachusetts at its restaurant, the Strawbale Cafe.
International fare in Hampshire County
Banh Mi | King Street Eats
Our food blogger Don Lesser originally planned to write about a different set of restaurants this week, but after a devastating fire in Hadley destroyed his favorite Banh Mi and Pho place and a much beloved Mexican restaurant, plus a host of other small stores and eateries, he found himself searching for other places to feed his international food cravings all over Hampshire County in Amherst, Easthampton, Northampton and South Hadley.
The pumpkin prepared: Bistro Les Gras
Bistro Les Gras | Northampton
Feeling fancy? Feeling French? Chef Daniel Martinez of Bistro Les Gras in Northampton shared one of his favorite seasonal recipes for pumpkin for you to try! Check out his Bisque d’Homard et Citrouille á la Curry (curried lobster and pumpkin bisque). Bistro Les Gras is an award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Northampton, focused on sustainable French cuisine.