The Berkshires New School
The locavore food and drink movement has created new stars in the Berkshires: artisan butchers, bakers, brewers, coffee roasters and Brooklyn chefs who have relocated to take advantage of the local bounty.
The Berkshires New School
The locavore food and drink movement has created new stars in the Berkshires: artisan butchers, bakers, brewers, coffee roasters and Brooklyn chefs who have relocated to take advantage of the local bounty.
Cultural places in the Berkshires like Tanglewood, Mass MoCA, Jacob's Pillow and the Williamstown Theater Festival have traditionally stolen the headlines as the stars of this picturesque region, but the locavore food and drink movement is shifting the spotlight. Artisan butchers, brewers, distillers, coffee roasters and Brooklyn chefs have set up shop here to take advantage of the local bounty and are bringing an urban vibe to rural Western Massachusetts.
Take a long weekend to explore the region with this guide that highlights eating, drinking and shopping recommendations from local chefs and a brewer. You'll find a combination of Brooklyn and bohemian influences. Check out our other FED | Guide for a more quintessential and classic approach to the Berkshires.
To get the full Berkshires guide to local restaurants, bars and shops, download the free Find. Eat. Drink. iPhone guide with recommendations from local chefs and bartenders.
MORNING
Six Depot Roastery Cafe | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Coffee, Tea, Breakfast & Lunch | Six Depot Roastery Cafe
Located in a historic train station, this is a small batch coffee roastery, tea house, artisanal food shop and art gallery. Chef Flavio Lichtenthal roasts his beans on the premises. They also serve fresh salads, soups, panini, egg dishes and baked goods made with local ingredients.
“I love their coffee blends, the Seck-Sie in particular. I stop in for the Shakerato. It's espresso with a little simple syrup and then shaken in a cocktail shaker so it gets an amazing creme.” - Chef Scott Cole of Monterey General Store
6 Depot Street, West Stockbridge, MA 10266 | T: 413.232.0205 | www.sixdepot.com
Monterey General Store | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Country Store & Cafe | Monterey General Store [Temp. Closed]
A quintessential country store and cafe owned by chef Scott Cole. The shelves are lined with a broad spectrum of items ranging from artisanal jams and spices like Harissa to cans of Spam and Brillo Pads. The croissants and scones are baked in-house. Grab a coffee or stay for lunch.
“Scott Cole is an amazing cook. His aesthetic and taste value are awesome.” - Chef Jeremy Stanton of The Meat Market
“For all things curated and cooked by Scott Cole.” - Chef Daire Rooney of Mezze Restaurant Group
448 Main Road, Monterey, MA 01245 | T: 413.528.5900 | www.monterey-general-store.com
SHOPPING
Rawson Brook Farm | The Farmhouse + A Baby Goat | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Goat Cheese | Rawson Brook Farm
They make one product which is Monterey goat cheese. Roam around the farm, meet the goats and grab cheese from the cooler to buy. Don't worry if no one is around because you leave your money in the cash box. It's all on the honor system.
“They have fantastic goat cheese. They offer 3 varieties of flavor of chevre and it’s stunningly good.” - Chef Scott Cole of Monterery General Store
“I put it at the top for chevres. It just amazing, creamy and seasoned. They have batch numbers on everything. It is so incredibly rich and doesn't have any of the chalky dryness that a lot of soft chevres seem to have.” - Chef Bjorn Somlo of Nudel
185 New Marlboro Road, Monterey, MA 01245
T: 413.528.2138 | www.montereychevre.com
Great Barrington Farmers Market
Held every Saturday morning from 9am - 1pm in season, you’ll find vendors selling local cheeses, breads, produce, poultry, meats, ice cream, artisan goods and flowers.
“This is a great farmers market. I love Sean Stanton’s North Plain Farm sausage grilling station, Berkshire Mountain Bakery for their ciabatta and Indian Line Farm always has an amazing farm stand. There are lots of flowers to be had here too.” - Chef Scott Cole of Monterery General Store
“It is a must to visit.” - Chef Dan Smith of John Andrews
775 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
www.greatbarringtonfarmersmarket.org
Cheese at Rubiner's Cheesemongers | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Cheese | Rubiner’s Cheesemongers
Located in an old converted bank they sell gourmet foods. Owner and cheesemonger Matt Rubiner trained at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Behind the shop, Matt has a cafe called Rubi’s where you can order sandwiches made with the ingredients from the shop.
“They offer an amazing choice of cheese, charcuterie and specialty goods, including chocolate and pasta.”- Chef Brian Alberg of The Red Lion Inn
“I stop in here for all my cheese and charcuterie supplies.” - Chef Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar & Grill
“Matt Rubiner is just the master with cheeses and condiments. He offers a supreme product that is incredible, the randomness, the training and education behind everything. It's a pretty store and they open up every cheese and scrape each one to make sure there isn't a single oxidized edge. So when you buy your cheese, every piece has been looked after every day. That's an amazing service.” - Chef Bjorn Somlo of Nudel
“Matt is a master and curates a great cheese selection. I don’t ask for anything specific, just to give me cheese for five or ten and I have all the faith in the world that everything will be amazing.” - Chef Jeremy Stanton of The Meat Market
264 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 10230 | T: 413.528.0488 | www.rubiners.com
AFTERNOON BEER TASTING
Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Craft Brewery | Wandering Star
Family-owned, 15-barrel production microbrewery. You can stop in on Saturdays for a tasting with Chris Post, who trained at Manhattan’s Chelsea Brewing Company. Their beer is sold all over the Berkshires and New York City. Get a growler to go and bring a taste of the Berkshires home with you.
11 Gifford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201
T: 413.717.7041 | www.wanderingstarbrewing.com
Open Saturdays from 12pm - 3pm
LUNCH
Butcher, Charcuterie, Sandwiches | The Meat Market
Chef Jeremy Stanton sources directly from small independent Berkshire County farms. They sell custom-cut meats and house-made charcuterie. They also have a cafe for lunch with grass-fed burgers, sausages, liverwurst and pig face tacos.
“This is one of my favorite places. I come here for the Cuban sandwich or the liverwurst sandwich with pickled onions and grainy mustard. The food is super good and simple.” - Chef Stephen Browning of Prairie Whale
“This shop is so special and local with great in-house cured meats. It’s an A++ in my book.” - Chef Josephine Proul of Local 111
389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 413.528.2022 | www.themeatmarketgb.com
Bistro Box | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Roadside Eatery | Bistro Box
Opened by CIA (Culinary Institute of America) grads, they serve American fare made with premiere ingredients from a roadside stand.
“It’s all outdoor dining with great roadside food.” - Chef Jeremy Stanton of The Meat Market
937 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 413.717.5958 | www.thebistrobox.rocks
Sandwiches + Olive Oil + Provisions | Bizalion's Fine Food
"This shop is owned by a couple, one is French and the other is Irish. They make French-style sandwiches and import things like crazy olive oils from France." - Chef Stephen Browning of Prairie Whale
"I love getting their charcuterie and sandwiches on their baguettes. It's very French."- Lisa Landry of Six Depot
684 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 413.644.9988 | www.bizalions.com
EVENING
Grilled Sardines at Prairie Whale | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Cocktails & Dinner | Prairie Whale
Farm-to-table, nose-to-tale cuisine from chef Stephen Browning. Before moving to Great Barrington, he was the executive chef at Marlow & Sons in Brooklyn. They have craft cocktails, and great wine and beer lists.
“One of my favorites for brunch. I love the relaxing atmosphere and chef Stephen Browning's great fresh vegetable-and-egg pairings, polenta, house-made sausage, poached eggs and killer scones.” - Chef Daire Rooney of Mezze Restaurant Group
“They go out of their way to find the best locally grown or raised products for their highly seasonal menu.” - Chef David Wurth of Crossroads Food Shop
178 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230 | T: 413.528.5050 | www.facebook.com/PrairieWhale
Photograph courtesy of the Dream Away Lodge
Cocktails & Dinner | Dream Away Lodge
A 90-year-old lodge with a storied past. In the mid-70s, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Allen Ginsberg all hung out here and the place made a cameo in Dylan's film "Renaldo & Clara."
“The best off-the-beaten-track restaurant. It is an old speakeasy in the deep thickets of Becket. Hard to get to, but worth the trip. The food is deliciously prepared by chef Amy Loveless and you just have to go and see for yourself why it’s our best-kept secret.” - Chef Daire Rooney of Mezze Restaurant Group
“It is a quirky, cool little place with beautiful gardens and there are always fires burning outside. They have mismatched antiques and funky stuff. They make great cocktails and serve wonderful food. It’s like being at someone’s house for a huge dinner party, except it’s a restaurant.” - Coffee Roaster Gregg Charbonneau of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company
“It’s a great place for cocktails. Chef Amy Loveless' food is really good comfort food. They have dishes like brook trout with lovely lentils and wilted arugula and the burgers here are delicious. In the summer, it ranges from camp counselors and people singing around the bonfire to visiting dancers from Jacob’s Pillow down the road. They'll show up and suddenly there’s 20 flamenco dancers. You never know what’s going to happen here.” - Chef Scott Cole of Monterey General Store
1342 Country Road, Becket, MA 01223 | T: 413.623.8725 | www.thedreamawaylodge.com
DINNER
Nudel | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
New American | Nudel
Local farmers drop by all day at this small cafe delivering regional meats and seasonal produce to chef Bjorn Somlo for his ever-changing inventive menu.
“Bjorn is a craftsman and a very creative chef. His food is really lovely simple food, but he does it with perfect execution.” - Chef Jeremy Stanton of The Meat Market
“Bjorn is one of those people that really pays attention to the details and cares about every aspect of what he serves.” - Coffee Roaster Gregg Charbonneau of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company
“Bjorn has a die-hard commitment to sourcing out local products and has great technique. His food is consistently fresh from the farm, interestingly prepared and delicious. The atmosphere is alive, yet totally relaxed. I love to sit at the counter of the open kitchen.” - Chef Dan Smith of John Andrews
37 Church Street, Lenox, MA 01240
T: 413.551.7183 | nudelrestaurant.com
New American | Allium Restaurant + Bar
The menu is a great representation of the bounty of the Berkshires featuring independent farmers and local artisan producers. Make sure to try one of their signature cocktails.
“For unique dishes highlighting local ingredients in a metropolitan atmosphere. Order the steamed buns to start – they never fail to satisfy.” - Chef Brian Alberg of The Red Lion Inn
“They are cooking with great local ingredients. The menu changes seasonally, so it's always great! The pork buns and kale salad are my favorite. They are always doing fun stuff with pork.” - Chef Josephine Proul of Local 111
“The burger is made with a mix of juicy ground short rib + brisket with Berleberg cheese, house-pickled red onions, cucumbers, lettuce and house-made bacon jam. I could eat the jam straight up. Get the pickled fried onion rings as a side and you won’t be sorry.” - Chef Dan Smith of John Andrews
41 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 413.528.2118 | www.alliumberkshires.com
AFTER DINNER DRINKS
Bartender Walter at Allium | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Cocktails | Allium Restaurant + Bar
Modern American cooking which the local restaurant staff love stopping by for post-shift for cocktails, making it the number one industry hangout.
“Walter is an amazing bartender. We always sit on the bar side to get hamburgers and cocktails.” - Restaurateur Lisa Landry of Six Depot Roastery
“Walter makes a mean Manhattan.” - Chef Brian Alberg at The Red Lion Inn
41 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230 | T: 413.528.2118 | www.alliumberkshires.com
Beer | Moe’s Tavern
A beer lover’s dream. They dedicate their entire list to craft American beers and American whiskeys. The name is a nod to the Simpsons.
“They have a great vibe and a great selection of beers on tap and by the bottle.” - Chef Dan Smith on John Andrews
“Owner Josh Cohen opened the first craft beer bar in the Berkshires.” - Coffee Roaster Gregg Charbonneau of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company
“This is an absolutely great place for expertly-picked craft beer and rare finds. Owner Josh Cohen was the first person to be serious about bringing Berkshire County up to date with craft beer. If there is a limited amount of something, even from the West Coast, he’ll have one of their kegs.” - Brewmaster Chris Post of Wandering Star Craft Brewery
10 Railroad Street, Lee, MA 01238 | T: 413.243.6637 | www.nocoorslight.com
Beer | Thistle & Mirth
The menu is written on a chalkboard behind the bar with a great selection of IPAs, ciders and a nitro tap. Snack on a locally-made soft pretzel.
“They have a really well chosen selection of beer and it’s $5 a pint. I wouldn’t call it picturesque, but it’s low key and a nice place to hang out. It’s run by a guy who had quite a nice wine bar, but then discovered after running the wine bar for awhile that he liked beer better. He opened the beer bar next door and the wine bar went to rack and ruin.” - Brewmaster Chris Post of Wandering Star Craft Brewery
44 West Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 | T: 413.441.3480
FED24 To Go
FED24 To Go
Prep for your trip. Take the guide with you by downloading our FED24 To Go version.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Six Depot Roastery & Cafe
Located in a historic train station, Flavio Lichtenthal and Lisa Landry sell coffee that they roast on the premises. They also sell high quality whole leaf teas as well as natural and unprocessed sea salts.
Barrington Coffee Roasters
Run by Berkshires native Gregg Charbonneau and his business partner Barth Anderson, these guys are hands-on at their roastery in Lee. You can buy their coffee right at the plant.
www.barringtoncoffee.com | Where to Buy
Berkshire Mountain Distillers
Small batch artisanal spirits handcrafted in Sheffield. They’ve won numerous awards for their spirits, which include gin, rum, vodka, bourbon and corn whiskey.
Map
Map
Planning Links
FED Pros
FED Pros
Brian Alberg
Executive chef of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA.
Daire Rooney
Executive chef with Mezze Restaurant Group in Great Barrington and Williamstown, MA.
Bjorn Somlo
Chef and owner of Nudel in Lenox, MA.
Alfred Portale
Executive chef of Gotham Bar & Grill in New York, NY.
Scott Cole
Chef and owner of the Monterey General Store in Monterey, MA.
Jeremy Stanton
Chef, butcher and owner of the Meat Market in Great Barrington, MA.
Dan Smith
Chef and owner of John Andrews in South Egremont, MA.
Stephen Browning
Executive chef at the Prairie Whale in Great Barrington, MA.
David Wurth
Chef and owner of CrossRoads Food Shop in the Hudson Valley.
Josephine Proul
Executive chef of Local 111 in Philmont, NY.
Gregg Charbonneau
Coffee roaster landowner of Barrington Coffee Roasting Company in Lee and Boston, MA.
Chris Post
Brewmaster and owner of Wandering Star Craft Brewery in Pittsfield, MA.
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