New England Fall :
Berkshires, MA
The Old Inn On The Green
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By October in New England, Mother Nature has switched on the outdoor air conditioning and is introducing her fall season fashion show of trees decked out in red, orange, and autumn gold.
It’s about that time of year that I get the itch to take the drive up from New York City, through Litchfield County in Connecticut and into the hills of the Berkshires in Massachusetts for a romantic getaway at my favorite country inn.
GETTING THERE
Getting there is half the fun. Two hours north of the city I find the perfect introduction to fall in New England. My car enters the covered one-lane Bull’s Bridge. It traverses the bubbling Housatonic River and leads me onto Route 7 in Kent, Connecticut.
Kent attracts its share of tourists. Victorian homes have been converted into craft shops and consignment stores. There are souvenir shops, art galleries, and bookstores. The place I like most is the Belgique Pâtisserie & Chocolatier. The best pastry has a befuddling name – “Miserable”. It’s buttercream in between flaky layers of almond pastry, topped with a coating of chocolate and white sugar.
I drive on while the river follows me up for another 20 miles or so along one of the most picturesque stretches of fall foliage in the Northeast. On my right, the covered Cornwall Bridge stretches over a calmer but rockier part of the river. It’s pretty enough to stop the car for a few snapshots.
The road opens up a bit while the multi-chromatic leaves on the road jump up and give way as I ease the car in and out of the curves of Route 7. The winding river is by my side and the trout fishermen are casting their flies into the glistening Housatonic. I’ve left the crowds behind and the fall colors intensify with each northward mile.
Soon I leave the river and Connecticut behind and cross the border into Sheffield, Massachusetts. On my way I count no less than a dozen antique shops. The brake lights of cars stopping for bargains seem redder than the leaves on the trees.
THE OLD INN ON THE GRENN
There are plenty of B&B’s and inns on Route 7. But I’d rather get away from the crowds. I peel off from the road and head for the hidden hills of the Berkshires. The detour takes me 10 miles through pastures, over creeks, and past country stores. The road ends at the village green in the town of New Marlborough. Just set back off the green is the rustic Old Inn On The Green.
The “Old Inn” lives up to its name. The former stagecoach relay house was constructed in the late 1700’s. It has been renovated with 5 guest rooms and a restaurant. Just across the green is the Thayer House with 6 more rooms.
The Inn’s guest rooms are graciously adorned and decorated in warm earth tones. You might prefer a room with a four poster bed or even a small fireplace. I like staying in a room where I can sip my coffee in the morning on the porch overlooking the green.
From November through April rooms run at the regular rate of $225 to $355. During high season, holiday weekends and fall foliage the rates go from $260 to $385.
The Thayer House guest rooms are just as lovely but somewhat more luxurious. There are two public living rooms and a small library decorated with antiques and authentic furniture. All rooms are air conditioned. Some have Jacuzzi tubs and king beds.
Regular rates are $355 to $395 and $385 to $410 at other times.
Both the Thayer House and Inn offer an exceptional dinner and lodging special on Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday with prices from $198 to $298.
DINING
While the romantic ambience of the Old Inn is exceptional, Chef Peter Platt has also put together a fine dining experience that I think is the best in the Berkshires.
Tonight, I am going to take advantage of the bargain $30 “Welcome Menu”. It’s offered Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, year round. To start off, the elegant parsnip velouté with curry oil and garden chives is creamy and subtle. ....