Restaurants

 

There are lots of restaurants in the Berkshires and so many of them are great! Here is a list of Kimberly and Tony’s favorites:

 

In Great Barrington:

Bizen – Kimberly and Tony’s favorite restaurant in the Berkshires. Sushi, Robata bar, noodle dishes, seafood, and more. This is where Kimberly and Tony celebrated their engagement and where they sat next to Kevin Bacon!

17 Railroad Street, Phone: 413-528-4343 reservations recommended

 

Xicohtencatl – upscale southern Mexican cuisine and sinful margaritas. Try something with their delicious mole sauce or the chile relleños de espinaca. They have flan – but it’s not as good as Mami Prats makes.

50 Stockbridge Road, Phone: 413-528-2002

 

Baba Louie’s – wood fired pizza and yummy pasta dishes – great wine list

286 Main Street, Phone: 413-528-8100

 

Barrington Brewery – great local beer and pub/comfort food. Try the Barrington Brown Ale and the sausage sampler.

420 Stockbridge Road, Phone: 413-528-8282

 

Cheesecake Charlie’s – light fare, great salads, organic juice bar, and over 50 flavors of Cheesecake.

271 Main Street, Phone: 413-528-7790

 

SoCo Creamery – go here for dessert – delicious homemade ice cream.

5 Railroad Street, Phone: 413-528-9420

 

If you are in Great Barrington in the afternoon stop in the mini-mall near the cinema for an overstuffed burrito you design yourself (at La Choza Burritos) or an authentic Cuban sandwich (at The Window).

 

In Lee:

 

Athena’s – casual restaurant serving Greek dishes, pizza, and subs. Tony likes the sausage sub, also the pita bread appetizer with tzatziki sauce. Yummy steak fries.

20 Housatonic Street, Phone: 413-243-1223

 

Cactus Café – Mexican cuisine – casual atmosphere – homemade salsa, Mexican beer, need we say more?

54 Main Street, Phone: 413-243-4300

 

The Bombay Bar and Grill – the Indian Restaurant at the Black Swann Inn – lunch buffet!!!

435 Laurel Street, Phone: 413-243-6731

 

Friendly’s – great family restaurant for kids or for your inner child!

109 Housatonic Street, Phone: 413-243-3535

 

 

In Downtown Lenox:

 

Napa - California cuisine – Tony and Kimberly’s favorite place for lunch (but they are also open for dinner). Try the lime chicken quesadillas.

30 Church Street, Phone: 413-637-3204

 

Fin – great sushi – not as good as Bizen, but will easily satisfy a sushi craving. Whimsical decorations of toys and action figures.

27 Housatonic Street, Phone: 413-637-9171

 

SoCo Ice Cream – go here for dessert – delicious homemade ice cream

36 Housatonic Street, Phone: 413-637-9192

 

Berkshire Bagels – it’s not a Long Island Bagel… but they’re hot and fresh and make a great breakfast on the go.

18 Franklin Street, 413-637-1500

 

Lenox Coffee – nice place to sit and relax with a cup of coffee or tea.

52 Main Street, 413-637-1606

 

 

Route 7 in Lenox/Pittsfield:

 

Source Café – organic foods restaurant – they also have a great tea list.

333 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, (in the Lenox Shoppes) 413-637-4633 reservations recommended

 

Chocolate Springs Café – Simply the best chocolate ever! They also have scrumptious homemade desserts, hot chocolate to die for, and coffee/teas.

333 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, (in the Lenox Shoppes) 413-637-9820

 

Panda House – yummy Chinese food – if not on a diet try the scallion pancakes! - they also have options for healthy eating like brown rice and steamed veggies

506 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, 413-499-0660

 

Dakota Steakhouse – great steaks and seafood – get the salad bar! They also have a spectacular Sunday Brunch.

38 South Street, Pittsfield, 413-499-7900 Call ahead seating available

 

Friendly’s – great family restaurant for kids or for your inner child!

505 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, 413-442-4151

 

 

 

In Downtown Pittsfield:

 

Dewey’s - In the Crowne Plaza – shockingly good hotel restaurant. Try the clam chowder and the beef satay with peanut sauce.

1 West Street, 413-499-2000

 

Jimmy’s – inexpensive but yummy Italian restaurant – where the locals go. Friendly service.

114 W Housatonic Street, 413-499-1288

 

Misty Moonlight Diner – a great breakfast option – 50s diner theme. If there for lunch Tony says have the Monte Cristo sandwich. Kimberly likes the Marilyn Monroe.

505 East Street, 413-499-2483

 

Ben and Jerry’s – the ice cream you know and love

179 South Street, 413-448- 2250

 

(Where Routes 9 and 8 intersect in Pittsfield (near the Berkshire Mall) there are a lot of chain restaurants such as Applebees, 99 Restaurant, Friendly’s, Pizza Hut, Old Country Buffet, Quizno’s, Starbucks, etc.)

 

 

In North Adams: (a trek from Pittsfield but near Mass MoCa)

 

Jae’s Inn – this restaurant is worth the drive – the Berkshires location of a Boston favorite. Japanese/Korean/Chinese fusion. Create your own noodle dish or try the Hot Stone Bibim Bab. Also great sushi.

1111 State Road, North Adams, 413-664-0100 Reservations recommended

 

 

 

 

Berkshires Attractions

 

There is plenty to do in the Berkshires should you find yourself with extra time wedding weekend. Your hotel, motel, or B&B can help you with directions and ideas. Here are some of Kimberly and Tony’s ideas:

 

Parks/Outdoor Fun:

 

Green River Farms -  See where Kimberly and Tony got engaged! Meet and pet the animals and have a tasty fresh-carved deli sandwich.

2480 Green River Road

Williamstown, MA 01267

Phone: 413-458-2470

 

Yokun Ridge Loop Trail - Great for a little hiking, or mountain biking, or nature photography. If you like to take photographs, the Berkshires offers all sorts of beautiful scenery.  Tony has spent many hours walking or hiking around the area taking pictures.

Yokun Ridge is near Lenox

 

Berkshire Botanical Gardens – Take a nice stroll through the gardens at this 72-year old institution.

Intersection Routes 102 & 183

Stockbridge, MA 01262

413-298-3926

 

Beartown State Forest -  30 miles of trails criss-cross over 10,000 acres of natural forest.  This park features plenty of fishing, boating, hiking, and lovely campgrounds.  The Appalachian trail goes through it along Benedict Pond.

69 Blue Hill Rd.

Monterey, MA 01245

413-528-0904

 

Museums:

 

Normal Rockwell Museum – This is one of the Berkshires’ most famous attractions. It houses the world's largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art. Highlights include enduring favorites from Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post covers, the powerful Four Freedoms, and the nostalgic Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas.

Route 183

Stockbridge, MA 01262

413-298-4100

 

Berkshire Museum – this museum has great exhibits that change seasonally. It also has some permanent collections including a small aquarium. If you’re used to big city museums you might not be impressed – but you don’t need to spend all day there either. This is also a great place to bring kids – staff is very helpful and knowledgeable.

39 South Street (Route 7)

Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-7171

 

Mass MoCa – a small but great modern art museum. If you go here stop at Jae’s Inn for lunch or dinner.

87 Marshall Street

North Adams, MA 01247

413-662-2111

 

Historical Sites:

 

Edith Wharton House – Visit The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home and gardens in Lenox, that she designed based on her belief that a house should honor proportion, harmony, simplicity and suitability.

2 Plunkett Street

Lenox, Massachusetts  01240-0974

413-637-1899

 

Shaker Village – Set your watch back a century or two and see the Village come to life through vibrant programs, tours, exhibitions, hands-on activities, and baby animals!

Route 20

Pittsfield, MA 01201

413-443-0188

 

Wellness:

 

Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health – Get a Day Pass to enjoy the activities of the day including yoga classes, movement classes, and workshops – you’ll also have access to the hot tub/sauna and gym – lunch is buffet style with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. You can also schedule a massage, bodywork, ayurvedic treatment, etc. for additional cost

57 Interlaken Road

Stockbridge, MA 01262

866-200-5203  – reserve this ahead of time.

 

Shopping:

 

Chocolate Springs – the best chocolate ever. Also a great place to relax – comfy couches for enjoying your chocolate, a dessert, or a beverage. The hot chocolate is sinfully good!

55 Pittsfield/Lenox Road

Lenox, MA 01240

413-637-9820

 

Great Barrington Pottery – Beautiful pottery created in the authentic Japanese tradition, in the first authentic Japanese woodburning kiln built in this country.  Don’t miss the tea ceremony every day between 1 and 4.

Route 41

Housatonic, MA

413-274-6259

 

Berkshire Mall – It’s a mall. It has a nice big Regal Movie Theater along with all the shopping opportunities. There are also a lot of chain restaurants on the way to the mall.

Old State Road & Route 8

Lanesborough, MA 01237

Phone: 413-445-4400

 

Prime Outlets in Lee – Outlet Shopping from American Eagle Outfitters to Zales.

Route 20 East

Lee , Massachusetts   01238

413-243-8186

 

For great shopping at locally owned shops and boutiques head to either downtown Great Barrington, or downtown Lenox.

 

Movies:

 

Triplex movie theater - Nice little locally owned theater in Great Barrington with some big Hollywood movies and some of the more obscure titles (depending on the week and time of year). Real butter on the popcorn!

70 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

413-528-8885

 

Berkshire Mall – Regal Cinemas

Old State Road & Route 8

Lanesborough, MA 01237

Phone: 413-445-4400