ruggele

I"ve been eating a Nudel in Lenox, MA for the past 2 years. And each and every time it is excellent and provocative. Tonite I said to Bjorn Samlo the chef, I'd like a small dish tasting menu. Here are the courses:Mighty Food Farm Roasted Beets, grapefruit, black pepper and Rawson Brook chevre...carrot risotto, radish, cheddar and more carrot....lamb pastrami, pikckles, cabbage and mustard and to finish a charred octopus taco, almond romesco, tortilla and hominy stuffing, roasted onions..

I live in western MA and unfortunately don't get to my hometown often...please help me plan a 24 hour eating fest there. And some dim sum in Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst....Thanks

Thank you for your responses.......we are going the beginning of October.....and we will have a car for the whole trip........Carol

How would you spend your 17 days in southern Italy........you will be helping 3 people plan a memorable journey........thanks for your thoughts.........Carol

had reservations at Hugo's but we were early and stopped by Duck Fat, to take the edge off our appetites.......we just should have stayed there.........Hugo's was disappointing ......I'm tired of just a tiny taste of exquisite food.....I'd like at least a soup spoon full.......I'm not impressed with Fore St.....go north to Primo........it's tops........bon apetito

I've only been to Sally's twice......but it's hard work.......getting there as we live in the Berkshires.....and getting in and getting your order taken and then getting served.......bring a deck of card, folding chair and an umbrella.....best to get there 45 min before they open.....the pizza was very fine....plain......clam......and there was a third.....3 pizzas cover the table.......but they make great eating.......I'm not sure for me it's worth it........but the pizza are dam good......if I lived in New Haven I'd be there once a week.......bon chance

well ketchup to caviar (in Lee) is now chez nous, and very nice indeed.......had a good fish soup with rouille.......and a ballotine of foie grass......and a lovely banofee tart with a mini choc malted milk, very yummy........further north by 40 minutes in williamstown is Mezze, the cooking is on a level with Verdura, sit in the bar......the service is very good........it's one of my favorite places......but none of the berkshire food emporiums show themselves very well in the summer......

Sunday, September 12th Tomato Tasting is happening at Eastover Resort in Lenox.......I think it's the 7th year for this, it benefits the Northeast Native Seed Conservancy......and there are chefs coming from Boston, Thomas John and from NYC and Rockland ME, that would be Melissa Kelly....it's held outdoors...it's from 2-5 and it's $50 at the door.....

I've eaten at Verdura a number of times......stick with the "Primi".....the lobster risotto is generally v.g., and so are pizzas......they do have off days....go early or late.....the acoustics aren't very good Another restaurant in Lenox that wasn't mentioned is Firefly, I like it.........good bar scene and I do the desserts which are very nice. Another place in Great Barrington is Rubiner's cheesemonger and grocer and his cafe in back called Rubi's open from 7am to 4pm....the best coffee in Berkshires and some intriguing baking.

Try Rubiner's Cheesemonger and Grocer and Rubi's Cafe both on Main Street in Great Barrington........the finest cheese and meats, Neiman ranch, Boulud smoked salmon, in Western Mass........cheese eg Cowgirl Creamery from CA, and his ruggelach are the best in the whole wide world.......Carol