Anniversary dinner in the Pioneer Valley

[kbw]

Had to cancel plans to head to Boston for our anniversary. I'm charged with deciding on a romantic spot. We like Gypsy Apple very much and that's at the top of the list. We enjoy Blue Heron and the NIght Kitchen too. Didn't love the menu at Eclipse the one time we tried it. We're not big meat eaters - fish and veggies are more our style. Thoughts? We'd go a little out of the way. Is the Federal worth trying?

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Gypsy Apple
65 Bridge St, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

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

[kbw]

Thanks, everyone - this has been so entertaining. I'm with Big Fat Moe as far as Tabella's goes - went once and thought that the food was good, but it really bugged me that they seem to use the idea of tapas as an excuse to serve small portions at very high prices.

We decided to try Alina's since we haven't been there. We had a really nice meal. We had a hard time choosing from the items on the menu, so that'll draw us back for sure. We started by sharing a seafood salad, and they split it in the kitchen for us - a really nice touch we appreciate. The salad was light and tasty. Then we shared a special - pistachio crusted salmon with roasted peaches in a peach beurre blanc sort of sauce. Very well prepared. It'd be better when local peaches are in season, but we enjoyed it, along with a side of spinach.

My husband liked the desserts better than I. We shared a lemon cheesecake and a tiramisu. The cheesecake was very tasty, but a little lumpy. He really felt that the texture of the tiramisu was perfect, and I agree that it was nice and light.

As for the service, if you really like attentive service, you'd have loved it. We get a little annoyed when servers frequently interrupt our conversation to see how everything is.

We think Chef Martin's doing a great job with the food, and we'll be back.

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

[andytee]

I think Gypsy Apple at the top of the list is exactly the right place.

I'd choose the Night Kitchen over Blue Heron anyday, especially sitting on the deck listening to the river.

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Night Kitchen
440 Greenfield Rd, Montague, MA 01351

Gypsy Apple
65 Bridge St, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370

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

[caughtstars]

I would consider Chez Albert and Tabellas as well.

http://tabellasrestaurant.com/

http://www.chezalbert.net/

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Chez Albert
27 S Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002

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

[Big Fat Moe]

Tabellas for an anniversary dinner? Forget it. The woman will probably adore it and the man will detest it. It's that kinda place.

[Isolda]

Never met a guy who didn't like pork loin cutlet and ribeye steak, plus they've got a pate as an app, all on their current menu. What do men hate about it, the atmosphere?

[Big Fat Moe]

The penuriously runty portions. "Small plates" (true tapas restaurants aside) drive men nuts when combined with not small prices.

[magiesmom]

alina's is nice. me, I'd choose outside at Night Kitchen. or for a real treat I'd go to nudel in lenox.

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Night Kitchen
440 Greenfield Rd, Montague, MA 01351