Restaurants in Berkshires, MA

Where to eat in Stockbridge, Lenox, Egremont, Lee and others

Feb 9, 2007 Fran Folsom

This Western Massachusetts region offers up a plethora of charming villages and delicious eateries. Here's a selected list.

Stroll the streets of any of the small towns in the Berkshires and you literally bump into wonderful restaurants. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find.

Stockbridge

The Red Lion Inn, 30 Main Street, Stockbridge 413-298-5545

The Red Lion has come into the 21st century with its American regional cuisine. Sample roasted fennel and pear salad with baby arugula, grilled Moroccan spiced tuna herb grilled rack of lamb chops. There’s also The Lion’s Den, serving a lighter menu of burgers, ale steamed mussels and bowls of hot chili in a pub atmosphere.

West Stockbridge

Rouge, 3 Center Street, West Stockbridge 413-232-4111

William and Maggie Merelle’s tiny bistro is a newcomer to this charming village. Everything here is top drawer; from the appetizers of fresh farm field greens topped with slices of crispy sautéed Old Chatham camembert and cherry tomatoes, to the house specialty; BBQ baby back ribs La Rouge served with rosemary infused mashed potatoes and Napa slaw. Complete the meal with a caramelized banana tart topped with vanilla and chocolate ice cream and warm caramel.

Egremont

John Andrews Restaurant, Route 23, Egremont 413-528-3469

Out of the way but worth the drive. The choice of appetizers is marvelous, grilled foie gras with brioche, fig jam, herb salad and red wine vinegar caramel, and or grilled calamari with cucumber and cilantro salad. Dinner choices range from grilled hanger steak with Great Hill blue cheese is rich, to wild striped bass with fingerling potatoes, to fettuccine with wild mushrooms and pine nuts, all are splendidly prepared to order. An impressive wine list has garnered chef/owners Dan & Susan Bianchi-Smith the Wine Spectators Award of Excellence.

Great Barrington

Martin’s, 49 Railroad Street, Great Barrington 413-528-5455

Tucked away on a side street, surrounded by upscale restaurants, Martin’s has been holding its own here for eighteen years. Chef/owner Martin Lewis will tell you the secret to his omelets is that he learned to make them at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Grab a newspaper from the pile on the stool, settle at a table and order up, it’s all great. And, get a chocolate or cinnamon babka for later.

Lenox

Church Street Café, 65 Church Street, Lenox 413-637-2745

Lunch choices at this classy café range from Louisiana gumbo, to quesadilla’s with black beans, green chiles and Jack cheese to the Church Street chicken salad with apples and dried cranberries.

Dinners are also special; sautéed Maine crabcakes with dilled tartar sauce or lemon glazed wild salmon filet with herbed breadcrumbs.

Spigalina, 80 Main Street, Lenox 413-637-4455

In a c.1805 Greek Revival house with exposed hand-pegged beams chefs Lina and Serge Paccaud create gourmet Italian dishes. Lina, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, likes variety so she changes the menu every two weeks. She does leave two items, her Limoncello fettuccine with sautéed shrimp and Serge’s mocha hazelnut layer cake.

Lee

Chez Nous, 150 Main Street, Lee 413-243-6397

Franck Tessier and Rachel Portnoy have put a touch of France into their funky, colorful restaurant. Everything is made fresh on the premises, from the pate of onion chutney, and cornichons served with peasant bread, to the beef short ribs braised in red wine. Desserts are Rachel’s specialty, try the caramelized upside down apple tart.

Pittsfield

Shaker Suppers at Hancock Shaker Village, Route 20, Pittsfield 800-817-1137 or 413-443-0188

Set your watch back two centuries to 1830 and enjoy a candlelit dinner in the Believers’ Dining room. Chef Paul Proudy uses fresh products grown at the village. There’s squash and carrot soup, followed by pot roast of beef with cranberry chutney or ham baked in cider and Sister Mary’s zesty carrot dish. Top dinner off with a serving of warm bread pudding.

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