Guidos Marketplace (in Lenox and Great Barrinton) is a Berkshires institution. A combination of gourmet and organic, it's sort of a Whole Foods and Dean and Deluca combined. When I had an afternoon to myself today, I thought I would go to Guidos to get ingredients to make a new recipe for dinner.
Problem 1 - The cashier left an item out of the bag and I didn't realize it until I got home. And it was ice cream. :( I paid for it, and it was a fifteen minute drive to go back. Poo.
Problem 2 - The garlic looked like it had been harvested during the Clinton administration - dry and brown with rotted spots.
Problem 3 - The local apples I bought were mealy.
I haven't given up on Guido's but I'm not sure how soon it will be before I return.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Haven Bakery and Cafe - Brunch
I took M. and C. to the Haven Cafe in Lenox to try their brunch. Keep in mind at the Haven the eggs come with greens, baguette, and roasted potatoes, so if you have a yen for hash and home fries, look elsewhere.
However, the eggs benedict, one of the most expensive items on the menu at $13 had a heavenly Hollendaise. I have been comparing every EB to the revelatory EBs I experienced two mornings in a row at Payard at Ceasar's Palace this past August and I can say that Haven made a light and lemony hollandaise that rivals the French. Instead of a flaky croissant, though, Haven puts its eggs on a ham-gruyere biscuit which is delicious but does become a little soggy. (The BG has a problem with sogginess, FYI - so this may be relevant only to me.) The greens were basically not dressed, which was a disappointment, and I can't say I have any recollection at all about the roasted potatoes, which is never a good sign. M. had the breakfast burrito and C had a frittata of the day - they both reported their meals as excellent. We all enjoyed the Haven Hot Chocolate, which I would recommend highly if you ae in the mood for a very rich and chocolatey experience.
I still find Haven a touch on the precious side - it definitely caters to weekenders like me with $5 bags of gourmet pretzels for sale - but brunch was undeniably tasty and the service was very efficient. Keep up that hollandaise, Haven - you can't not like a place that does a French sauce and hot chocolate so well.
However, the eggs benedict, one of the most expensive items on the menu at $13 had a heavenly Hollendaise. I have been comparing every EB to the revelatory EBs I experienced two mornings in a row at Payard at Ceasar's Palace this past August and I can say that Haven made a light and lemony hollandaise that rivals the French. Instead of a flaky croissant, though, Haven puts its eggs on a ham-gruyere biscuit which is delicious but does become a little soggy. (The BG has a problem with sogginess, FYI - so this may be relevant only to me.) The greens were basically not dressed, which was a disappointment, and I can't say I have any recollection at all about the roasted potatoes, which is never a good sign. M. had the breakfast burrito and C had a frittata of the day - they both reported their meals as excellent. We all enjoyed the Haven Hot Chocolate, which I would recommend highly if you ae in the mood for a very rich and chocolatey experience.
I still find Haven a touch on the precious side - it definitely caters to weekenders like me with $5 bags of gourmet pretzels for sale - but brunch was undeniably tasty and the service was very efficient. Keep up that hollandaise, Haven - you can't not like a place that does a French sauce and hot chocolate so well.
Route 7 Grill
999 Main Street (rte 7)
Grewat Barrington, MA 01230
www.route7grill.com
Don't always stop in the center of Great Barrington, although there are many alluring eating opportunities in town. Drive a little further south on Route 7 and you will come upon the charming Route 7 Grill, a restaurant built around an impressive two-sided open stone fireplace. They specialize in BBQ-d meats smoked in-house and all the items on the menu originate from local farms, all at a reasonable price.
The atmosphere is definitely cozy, simple and family friendly. This is all about comfort food, not about fine dining.
I went to the Rt 7 Grill last Saturday with my friends M and C. M is a vegetarian and when she simply wondered out loud what the pasta of the day might be, both the waitress and the host came over to point out all the vegetarian options on the menu. We started with freshly made chips and salsa - the chips were hot and crispy and the salsa was flavorful with a slight kick. Then they put down corn bread that was crumbly, corn-y, not too sweet. I started with the house salad which featured fresh greens (some of which looked like seaweed but weren't - we couldn't ID what variety of green it was), apples, cheddar, and almonds with a maple-bacon vinaigrette that had real chucks of bacon. Delicious. M. ended up ordering four sides - beets, mac and cheese, fresh homemade applesauce and... I can't remember. But there are fish options and there is always a pasta of the day.
I ordered the brisket with mac and cheese and onion strings - the meat was tender enough to cut with a fork but a tiny bit on the fatty side. C. ordered the pot roast cooked in Guinness, which was so rich and tender, I think I would opt for that over the brisket next time.
For you mac and cheese fans, the side is served in individual ramekins with crusty crispy cheese melted over the top. Gooey with a bit of cheddar sharpness - very satisfying. Sometimes I regret ordering onion rings/strings but these were thin and crunchy without being greasy.
For dessert, we had chocolate pecan pie with SoCo Creamery Dirty Chocolate ice cream. The pie was an excellent balance of pecans and chocolate.
The restaurant wasn't very full when we arrived early, about 5:30, but as we left around 7, it was filling up. I would suggest getting there early during the high season.
Grewat Barrington, MA 01230
www.route7grill.com
Don't always stop in the center of Great Barrington, although there are many alluring eating opportunities in town. Drive a little further south on Route 7 and you will come upon the charming Route 7 Grill, a restaurant built around an impressive two-sided open stone fireplace. They specialize in BBQ-d meats smoked in-house and all the items on the menu originate from local farms, all at a reasonable price.
The atmosphere is definitely cozy, simple and family friendly. This is all about comfort food, not about fine dining.
I went to the Rt 7 Grill last Saturday with my friends M and C. M is a vegetarian and when she simply wondered out loud what the pasta of the day might be, both the waitress and the host came over to point out all the vegetarian options on the menu. We started with freshly made chips and salsa - the chips were hot and crispy and the salsa was flavorful with a slight kick. Then they put down corn bread that was crumbly, corn-y, not too sweet. I started with the house salad which featured fresh greens (some of which looked like seaweed but weren't - we couldn't ID what variety of green it was), apples, cheddar, and almonds with a maple-bacon vinaigrette that had real chucks of bacon. Delicious. M. ended up ordering four sides - beets, mac and cheese, fresh homemade applesauce and... I can't remember. But there are fish options and there is always a pasta of the day.
I ordered the brisket with mac and cheese and onion strings - the meat was tender enough to cut with a fork but a tiny bit on the fatty side. C. ordered the pot roast cooked in Guinness, which was so rich and tender, I think I would opt for that over the brisket next time.
For you mac and cheese fans, the side is served in individual ramekins with crusty crispy cheese melted over the top. Gooey with a bit of cheddar sharpness - very satisfying. Sometimes I regret ordering onion rings/strings but these were thin and crunchy without being greasy.
For dessert, we had chocolate pecan pie with SoCo Creamery Dirty Chocolate ice cream. The pie was an excellent balance of pecans and chocolate.
The restaurant wasn't very full when we arrived early, about 5:30, but as we left around 7, it was filling up. I would suggest getting there early during the high season.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Berkshire Mountain Bakery
Route 183
Housatonic MA
www.berkshiremountainbakery.com
I love this bakery. I feel a little unfaithful to the Cakewalk, but they really are completely different animals. BMB supplies bread to farmer's markets and restaurants - the bakery itself it just a retail outlet, not the pleasant destination Cakewalk is.
However, their pain au chocolat (and I use that label specifically as they are related to their French cousins much more closely than those dense, powder sugar covered distant relatives sold in the US as chocolate croissants) is to die for (sorry, Cakewalk!). The baguette is also one of the finest - just the right balance of airiness and crispness. It also holds its own impressively for two days. Every single loaf I have tried has been excellent for what it is - chewy wheat bread, hearty rosemary potato (with real little soft potato chunks), and the fabulous ciabatta. The sourdour sandwich bread freezes wonderfully and is now makes my favorite toast in the world - there is something outstanding about the way it the hot crunchy bread absorbs the butter.
So run, don't walk, to the BMB. They are open seven days, so you have no excuse!
Housatonic MA
www.berkshiremountainbakery.com
I love this bakery. I feel a little unfaithful to the Cakewalk, but they really are completely different animals. BMB supplies bread to farmer's markets and restaurants - the bakery itself it just a retail outlet, not the pleasant destination Cakewalk is.
However, their pain au chocolat (and I use that label specifically as they are related to their French cousins much more closely than those dense, powder sugar covered distant relatives sold in the US as chocolate croissants) is to die for (sorry, Cakewalk!). The baguette is also one of the finest - just the right balance of airiness and crispness. It also holds its own impressively for two days. Every single loaf I have tried has been excellent for what it is - chewy wheat bread, hearty rosemary potato (with real little soft potato chunks), and the fabulous ciabatta. The sourdour sandwich bread freezes wonderfully and is now makes my favorite toast in the world - there is something outstanding about the way it the hot crunchy bread absorbs the butter.
So run, don't walk, to the BMB. They are open seven days, so you have no excuse!
Berkshire Green Grocer
42 Park Street
Lee, MA
www.berkshiregreengrocer.com
This little market is basically at the end of my street and I went in once right when I moved here and then promptly forgot about it. This is too bad! It is a charming little store (and I think the one issue is that it's small and thus limited) and I went in yesterday to pick up some eggs from a "real farm." I thought $4.25 was reasonable for a dozen eggs from a family farm. There is produce from local farms and a limited selection of fresh beef from Leahey Farm in Lee. Yesterday they only had some steaks on the large side, some lamb sausage, and for $8, a package of "real" hot dogs (which I'm sure is fabulous) - so it was nothing I was in the market for in the moment. They get Berkshire Mountain Bakery bread once a week (and I would say it would be Friday or Saturday as they still had some baguette left on Saturday). There is also an array of brands that will be familiar to anyone who has shopped at Whole Foods.
Claire's Cafe is attached to the store and it sells coffee, teas, and baked goods. Organic sandwiches and salads are served from 11:30-2:30. I haven't sampled anything from the cafe yet but I will report back when I have. Please stop in - I hope they are doing a good business but I don't see a lot of traffic going in and out.
Lee, MA
www.berkshiregreengrocer.com
This little market is basically at the end of my street and I went in once right when I moved here and then promptly forgot about it. This is too bad! It is a charming little store (and I think the one issue is that it's small and thus limited) and I went in yesterday to pick up some eggs from a "real farm." I thought $4.25 was reasonable for a dozen eggs from a family farm. There is produce from local farms and a limited selection of fresh beef from Leahey Farm in Lee. Yesterday they only had some steaks on the large side, some lamb sausage, and for $8, a package of "real" hot dogs (which I'm sure is fabulous) - so it was nothing I was in the market for in the moment. They get Berkshire Mountain Bakery bread once a week (and I would say it would be Friday or Saturday as they still had some baguette left on Saturday). There is also an array of brands that will be familiar to anyone who has shopped at Whole Foods.
Claire's Cafe is attached to the store and it sells coffee, teas, and baked goods. Organic sandwiches and salads are served from 11:30-2:30. I haven't sampled anything from the cafe yet but I will report back when I have. Please stop in - I hope they are doing a good business but I don't see a lot of traffic going in and out.
Angelina's
Locations in Pittsfield, Great Barrington, etc.
The menu I picked up from Angelina's in Pittsfield said it had a location at 95 Main Street in Lee, which is right in the middle of downtown. I don't know if this is a former location or one to come, but I am hoping Angelina's has a future in town.
I have been curious to try the old standby steak and cheese at Angelina's for a while and had the opportunity over the weekend. The sub store is pleasantly, genuinely retro in its no frills sign over the counter listing the sandwiches available, the rack of chips off to the side, the case of soda in the corner. When I grew up in Waltham, there seemed to be about five of these kind of sub shops within a ten minute drive of my house and I don't know if any of them still survive.
For 6 bucks, you can get a steak and cheese with your choice of onions, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, etc. I opted for just the tomatoes. It was ready in about five minutes and stayed well intact for the ride from Pittsfield to Lee, still warm when I unwrapped it. The cheese was American - such a excellently salty, melty cheese for such purposes. The steak was lean but juicy. The roll was fresh. Overall, very satisfying.
There were many other options on the menu I found tempting - a chicken caesar wrap, a taco sub. There are also all the classic options. I am hoping the Lee locale does open because this seems like the ideal option for getting into town at 7 on a Friday and wanting to pick up a meal that is quick, cheap and satisfying. I'll keep you posted!
The menu I picked up from Angelina's in Pittsfield said it had a location at 95 Main Street in Lee, which is right in the middle of downtown. I don't know if this is a former location or one to come, but I am hoping Angelina's has a future in town.
I have been curious to try the old standby steak and cheese at Angelina's for a while and had the opportunity over the weekend. The sub store is pleasantly, genuinely retro in its no frills sign over the counter listing the sandwiches available, the rack of chips off to the side, the case of soda in the corner. When I grew up in Waltham, there seemed to be about five of these kind of sub shops within a ten minute drive of my house and I don't know if any of them still survive.
For 6 bucks, you can get a steak and cheese with your choice of onions, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, etc. I opted for just the tomatoes. It was ready in about five minutes and stayed well intact for the ride from Pittsfield to Lee, still warm when I unwrapped it. The cheese was American - such a excellently salty, melty cheese for such purposes. The steak was lean but juicy. The roll was fresh. Overall, very satisfying.
There were many other options on the menu I found tempting - a chicken caesar wrap, a taco sub. There are also all the classic options. I am hoping the Lee locale does open because this seems like the ideal option for getting into town at 7 on a Friday and wanting to pick up a meal that is quick, cheap and satisfying. I'll keep you posted!
Panayiotis Grill and Pizzaria
54 Main Street
Lee MA
413-243-8220
Panayiotis has a pleasant, simple atmosphere with high ceilings and tables spaced far enough apart for privacy. The lighting could be a little more intimate, but it works. It has the feel of a mid-range restaurant but the menu is huge - really more like a diner. If any of you have seen Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, you know Gordon sees a wide range of offerings as a danger sign. However, the one time I ate in rather than picked up pizza, everyone was happy with what they ordered.
So, let's get to the pizza, because I had heard this is what they are known for, and if you like classic Greek pizza, this is about the best I've had in a long time. The crust is thick, pillowy, and buttery, with a crispy, crunchy edge. Toppings are placed between the sauce and a thick layer of cheese. The cheese is generous and seems to be more than mozzerella as it has a sharpness as well. Pizzas are baked until the cheese has a golden brown crispness.
As you may be able to tell, I am a fan of this pizza. However, it has a down side. Unlike my very favorite type of pie, the crisp thin crust, the first two pieces of Panayiotis's pizza is delicious and you want a third piece but a third piece is a mistake, a recipe for indigestion. I have not internalized this lesson yet, so once I eat that third piece, I am convinced that I do not want this kind of pizza again for another six months.
Lee has a pizza option shortage. Arizona Pizza is really not very good at all - there is nothing so disappointing as a mediocre pizza as there is no excuse for it. Baba Louie's in Great Barrington is outstanding, but that's twenty minutes away - not really convenient for a quick take out choice. The small Boston chain Hot Tomatoes opened a location in Pittsfield - hey guys, why not come over to Lee?
Lee MA
413-243-8220
Panayiotis has a pleasant, simple atmosphere with high ceilings and tables spaced far enough apart for privacy. The lighting could be a little more intimate, but it works. It has the feel of a mid-range restaurant but the menu is huge - really more like a diner. If any of you have seen Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, you know Gordon sees a wide range of offerings as a danger sign. However, the one time I ate in rather than picked up pizza, everyone was happy with what they ordered.
So, let's get to the pizza, because I had heard this is what they are known for, and if you like classic Greek pizza, this is about the best I've had in a long time. The crust is thick, pillowy, and buttery, with a crispy, crunchy edge. Toppings are placed between the sauce and a thick layer of cheese. The cheese is generous and seems to be more than mozzerella as it has a sharpness as well. Pizzas are baked until the cheese has a golden brown crispness.
As you may be able to tell, I am a fan of this pizza. However, it has a down side. Unlike my very favorite type of pie, the crisp thin crust, the first two pieces of Panayiotis's pizza is delicious and you want a third piece but a third piece is a mistake, a recipe for indigestion. I have not internalized this lesson yet, so once I eat that third piece, I am convinced that I do not want this kind of pizza again for another six months.
Lee has a pizza option shortage. Arizona Pizza is really not very good at all - there is nothing so disappointing as a mediocre pizza as there is no excuse for it. Baba Louie's in Great Barrington is outstanding, but that's twenty minutes away - not really convenient for a quick take out choice. The small Boston chain Hot Tomatoes opened a location in Pittsfield - hey guys, why not come over to Lee?
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