New England Fall :
Berkshires, MA
The Old Inn On The Green
|
Share |
My dining companion enjoys the Berkshire locally grown green, yellow, and red heirloom tomatoes, each with their own taste and personality. They are served with baby arugula from nearby Equinox Farms.
My entrée of Scottish salmon is attractively served on a toasted Italian couscous salad. The skin is crispy and the meat is flaky. My companion wisely chooses the grilled Angus petite tenderloin. It is served with red wine sauce, cooked rare, rich in taste yet tender. It is complimented with local vegetables.
No detail is spared. Entrées are served on elegant Michael Wainwright dinnerware from studios in the Berkshires. The dining rooms are lit entirely by glowing candles. The service is attentive but not intrusive. The Old Inn has been able to attract a knowledgeable and professional staff eager to excel.
On tonight’s menu, the walnut-hazelnut tart for dessert is petite but satisfying.
The restaurant also offers a tasting menu for $90 (wine is an additional $70) every evening. I take a quick look at the menu and see lobster, Hudson Valley foie gras, Maine scallops and roasted lamb chops.
There is also an à la carte menu with nine choices of appetizers from $9.50 to $15. Popular picks are the distinctive-tasting curried red beet soup. There is roasted Hudson Valley squab served with Savoy cabbage and roasted cauliflower. I decide to treat myself and order the crispy veal sweetbreads. They are served with foie gras & garlic flan, micro greens and porcini sauce. The crispy skin gives way to the meaty sweetbreads.
There are eight entrées ranging from $32 to $38. I’ve enjoyed the Maine halibut and roasted breast of Hudson Valley chicken on previous visits. However, the star of this menu is the pan roasted breast of Normandy duck. It’s a great dish for the foliage season, served with Minnesota wild rice, braised red cabbage, and a strong black currant sauce that compliments the tender duck perfectly.
ACTIVITIES
There are plenty of activities to do during my stay in Berkshire County. Every fall weekend seems to host an auction, country fair, or a concert in nearby Great Barrington. I take pleasure in hiking one of the many trails in the area like the 1 ½ mile trek through scenic ridges and peaks, just down the road from the Inn.
It’s not so bad when my long weekend comes to a close. In fact, I’m looking forward to that long, colorful ride back down Route 7.
The website for the Old In On The Green is http://www.oldinn.com.
....