40th Anniversary weekend in the Amherst area

[cath]

I'm planning a small 40th Anniversary celebration for my in-laws in October, and am in search of some restaurant recommendations. I'm located in NYC, so am planning long distance and am not familiar with the local dining scene. The main event will be a brunch on Sunday for 15-18 people. I'm looking for somewhere with good food, a slightly upscale atmosphere (not a diner/greasy spoon place, will take reservations). I've searched the board and my initial list of possibilities includes Green Street Cafe, Sylvester's, Esselon Cafe, and Tabella's. Any thoughts on those, or other suggestions?

We'll also probably have a smaller group for dinner the night before -- maybe 6-8 people. I'm thinking of Sierra Grill, Chez Albert, and Carmelina's. My father in-law lived in Italy for many years and is picky about Italian food, so Carmelina's gives me pause there. I'm also open to other, more casual suggestions.

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Chez Albert
27 S Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002

Green Street Cafe
62 Green St, Northampton, MA 01060

Tabella Restaurant
28 Amity St Ste 1G, Amherst, MA 01002

[jefpen2]

Gypsy Apple is very nice. In Shelborne Falls. Very small, chef owned, and very personal.

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Gypsy Apple
65 Bridge St, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

[Samherst]

If you don't mind a short drive (15 minutes from Amherst), Blue Heron in Sunderland is a great spot for dinner. They have a locally sourced menu that's never disappointing, though they (sadly) take their burgers off the menu on weekends. I've always gone back and forth between them and Chez Albert for the top in the area, though I've never had brunch at BH.

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Blue Heron Restaurant
112 N Main St, Sunderland, MA 01375

Chez Albert
27 S Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002

[andytee]

I'm going to second the dis-recommendation of Judie's. Don't go there.

Sylvester's is just ok and not worth the very long wait for brunch. Esselon is good but maybe too casual - don't know if they take reservations.

Of the dinner spots, I'd say Chez Albert is a strong winner. Carmelina's is not bad, but not for anyone picky about Italian, and Sierra Grill is hit-or-miss, better for drinks (great beer selection) and snacks. Tabella or Green Street would also be good for dinner.

I don't know about your willingness to travel, but a few you didn't mention worth checking out - The Night Kitchen in Montague at the Bookmill is lovely and also excellent food. Gypsy Apple in Shelburne Falls is really special, but a small room, could probably accomodate your dinner group though. Hope + Olive in Greenfield is one of my favorite spots in the Valley and does good dinners and an excellent brunch, and plenty of room for guests.

Happy anniversary to your in-laws - hope you have a great weekend!

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Night Kitchen
440 Greenfield Rd, Montague, MA 01351

Gypsy Apple
65 Bridge St, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

Chez Albert
27 S Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002

Green Street Cafe
62 Green St, Northampton, MA 01060

Tabella Restaurant
28 Amity St Ste 1G, Amherst, MA 01002

[edub23]

Hope and Olive is wonderful, and I guess I'd include it in the "Amherst area." It's probably a 20-25 minute drive north. I think they take reservations for larger parties, but I've only been there with a party of two (me and her), so I'm not sure. Local products and interesting preparations.

As for Judies, it's certainly popular. My kids love it, and have requested it for an upcoming birthday dinner. I've never been blown away, but outside of it being somewhat overpriced, it's ok. Do you crave popovers? Then Judie's might be your place.

I like Sierra Grille. I don't love it, but it's solid food, with good tapas-style options and enough variety to please everybody. For entrees, you select a meat and a sauce, but they have many daily specials.

Esselon is really casual - order at the counter, sit down, wait for your food. I'm fine with that, but it's not for everybody.

Tabella didn't impress me at all. Boring food is still boring no matter if it's local or not.

Side Street might be about the same distance time-wise as Hope and Olive, and it's a pretty good option for dinner.

Two other options, in the town of Williamsburg (you'd go over the Coolidge Bridge toward Northampton, take a right on Damon Road, and continue straight onto Bridge Road, then go west on Route 9) are the Brewmaster's Tavern and Chef Wayne's Big Mamou (Cajun). I've never eaten at Wayne's Williamsburg location, but I love the Springfield joint. Brewmaster's Tavern has typical Tavern food, nothing extravagant, but they can certainly accomodate large parties - it's a huge space.

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Side Street Cafe
42 Maple St, Florence, MA 01062

Big Mamou
15 Main St, Williamsburg, MA 01096

Big Mamou
63 Liberty St, Springfield, MA 01103

Tabella Restaurant
28 Amity St Ste 1G, Amherst, MA 01002

[beaglelaw]

Try Judies in Amherst. Huge menu and a nice atmosphere. You could do this for brunch or the dinner before. I think the menu is online.

[magiesmom]

IM Judie's is one step up from applebee's; yuck! Sylvester's is ok but not remotely upscale. Green Street rarely disappoints. For dinner also consider Side Street in Florence, though it has gone downhill a bit. Carmelina's is not great Italian , though good. VERY noisy. We had a good graduation dinner for my niece at Sierra grill. I find Tabella stuffy but many people really like it.
You don't mention any Asian but if that would work Osaka is nice for a group.

[beaglelaw]

Sorry magiesmom but I've never had a bad meal at Judies, and the ceasar salad, although unconventional, is the best I've ever had. A quick look at her menu online makes it clear that this place is nothing like Applebees. Cath, if you go to Judies everyone in your party will find something they enjoy.

[magiesmom]

The food all tastes plastic to me; the menu looks good but it isn't IMO. I second the recs for Blue Heron and Night Kitchen. Blue Heron used to do a nice brunch, if they still do its a winner.

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Night Kitchen
440 Greenfield Rd, Montague, MA 01351

Blue Heron Restaurant
112 N Main St, Sunderland, MA 01375

[andytee]

"The food all tastes plastic to me; the menu looks good but it isn't IMO."

plastic, exactly. i suppose it's not really accurate to say judie's is no better than applebee's, but to my mind, it's what applebee's would be if it were an independent restaurant in a small town. it does the same thing that applebee's does, though it probably does a bit of a better job at it. i still don't like it and wouldn't recommend it.