Berkshires

Stissing House Restaurant, Pine Plains, NY, 6/2/24

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
front entrance – 7801 S Main St, Pine Plains, NY 12567

Stissing House dates back to 1782 when the building was a tavern that also had beds for travelers and America’s first domed  ballroom.  It fell into disrepair after WW1 when the railroad tracks that brought people to town had been torn up to make ammunition.  In the 1990s Christian Eisenbeiss saved it from demolition and along with Dale Mitchell it underwent a 2 year renovation.  They repaired the old-growth floors and restored the domed ballroom and in 1995 opened Stissing House as a French restaurant.  In 2022 Clare de Boer took over as chef/proprietor.  (She rose to notoriety through her work at King, her French/Italian restaurant in SoHo, NY.)  The 6,000 sq. foot building divides diners into multiple smaller rooms including the second floor.   They no longer have sleeping rooms but the dome is available for rental.  As you walk on the wide plank old wood floors on the way to the table you pass by a kitchen with wood fired ovens which are a part of their cooking process.  Candles light the tables as well as the numerous windows to the outside and a few electric fixtures on the walls.  The small tables are covered with white cloths but then topped with paper and little art is on the walls.  Music was in the background and for some time was just country music which then turned into old rock and roll.  It was a good meal but had a few issues. Continue reading →

Inn at Kenmore Hall, Richmond, MA., June 2024

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front – 1385 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254

The Inn at Kenmore Hall is a luxurious inn dating from 1792 in the wonderful landscape of the Berkshire Hills.  Lovingly restored by owners Frank Muytjens and Scott Edward Cole it is a fabulous place to stay in this area filled with pieces of history.  Normally this is a blog for restaurants but I include this inn as with your stay you get to enjoy a fantastic breakfast each morning you’re there.  There is a handsome dining room but what we really loved was the screened porch which looks out onto the lush grounds and garden with the birds chirping while we were pampered with fabulous freshly made food.  There was a daily menu with several choices and we got to try a number of things along with fresh juice and coffee.  The only way you get to try these options is to stay there.  I know it’s a little stretch from the usual restaurant posts but sometimes I am privileged to find a little hidden gem and I wanted to share that with my readers.  I’m including some photos of the rooms in this stunningly restored historic home and a few images from our breakfasts.  Check out their website, <https://www.theinnatkenmorehall.com&gt; and you might want to include it in your vacation plans.

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The Old Inn On The Green, New Marlborough, MA., 6/1/24

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building – 134 Hartsville-New Marlboro Road, New Marlborough, MA 01230

The Old Inn On The Green was built in 1760 as a stagecoach/mail stop and now offers a fine dining restaurant by candle light and authentically restored guest rooms.   There is also al fresco dining on the canopied garden terrace off the taproom.  Chef/Owner Peter Platt is partnered with Meredith Kennard to bring the diner the combination of contemporary cuisine in an historic setting.  The large building has multiple rooms for dining, many with fireplaces.  We went early on a summer evening so there was still light coming in the windows but otherwise all the light is provided by candles on the tables and walls.  No music was in the background and the good sized tables were draped with white cloths.  Interesting decorations were on the walls and the restaurant did a very good business.  Parking was on the circle drive out front and I’m not sure where it goes when that gets full.  It was a fixed price menu  of $85 for 3 courses for which the menu offered a number of choices with a couple options for a $5 supplement.  Service was excellent – helpful and friendly with good pacing for the meal.  There was a very good wine list and a sommelier to assist you with a choice.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal and I’d highly recommend it to you if you find yourself traveling through the Berkshire area. Continue reading →

Jack’s Hot Dog Stand, North Adams, MA, 6/1/24

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exterior – 12 Eagle St, North Adams, MA 01247

Jack’s Hot Dog Stand was opened in 1917 by Jaffros “Jack” Levanos and is still family run and owned.  Jack’s son John and his wife Lucille took over and were followed by their son Jeff and his wife Mary Lou.  They have a son, so who knows how long this can go on.  It’s a small place with only stools facing the counter.  Along the wall behind them, stand those waiting for a seat or their to-go order.   This place has history and people have been coming for generations.  The prices are low and the staff seemed to know many of the patrons.  The service is ultra fast and we got ours to-go and ate on the bench outside.  Hot dog buns were kept in the steamer and so are very soft and the hot dogs are sizzling on the side griddle.   Fries are fresh, peeled and fried in house daily.  They could have benefitted from a 2 step frying process and been crisper but the thought is there.  The small hot dog was covered with an average chili and a thin slice of cheese that disappeared.  It was quite soft overall but you go here for history and tradition, so you should try it if you find yourself nearby. Continue reading →

Cafe Mutton, Hudson, NY, 5/31/24

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front of building – 757 Columbia St, Hudson, NY 12534

Cafe Mutton was created by chef/owner Shaina Loew-Banayan and was mostly a brunch spot with hours of 10 to 3 Wed to Sun.  But on Friday they change and open for dinner from 5 to 9 and they now take reservations.  Opening around May 2021 it was named as one of the 10 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit and by New York Times in the “50 places in America we’re most excited about now.”  It was in a corner building with lots of windows to the street on two sides.  Small bare wood tables filled the room that had the kitchen on one end and music in the background.  The wine list was small but fairly well done with a special offered on one bottle.  The staff is friendly and the vibe was low key and casual.  The menu for dinner changes weekly, often with the menu posted on their Facebook page.  Chef tries to focus on local products, especially the cuts of meat not traditionally coveted.  The combinations were interesting but success was mixed.  I loved the choices but a depth of flavor was not evident in some of the dishes we tried, however many did have nice temperature variations.  I would however, go for brunch if I had the chance. Continue reading →