Mad Jacks BBQ has expanded from Fenn Street into a much larger and more visible space at 295 North St. in Pittsfield, formerly the location of Spice Dragon. Owner Jabari Powell describes his Berkshires ultimate barbecue experience as, “using the fine art of low and slow smoking.”
Brava, a wine bar in Lenox, opened under the radar on June 18. Whitney Asher, the owner/chief cook and wine bartender, wanted to come back to family in the Berkshires after time spent in Venice, California, honing his skills with wine. His charming low-key bar, formerly a coffee shop, is focused on an ambitious array of diverse wines and beers. In an effort to aid sobriety, his kitchen offers wonderful charcuterie, tapas and handmade pizzas.
Berkshire Mountain Distillers in Great Barrington won first place for their Greylock Gin in a tasting by the New York Times of 20 new, small US distilleries. Critics called the gin “light, subtle and complex, dominated by classic flavors of juniper, citrus and coriander.” newyorktimes.com/dining/gin-leads
Watch for the opening of Bell and Anchor, a new farm-to-table restaurant at 178 Main St. in Great Barrington. We hear it will be family friendly and will offer a larder for home cooks featuring products used by the chefs. Expected to open at the end of September, call 413- 528-5050 to confirm.
Our condolences to the family of Frances Bartlett, founder in 1947 of Bartlett’s Orchard in Richmond. Mr. Bartlett was a local civic leader, philanthropist, as well as a noted environmentalist in apple growing.
Monterey General Store, at 448 Main St. in Monterey, is undergoing a major renovation, not as yet open at press time. Call to confirm hours of operation, 413-528-5900
Billie Best has been named executive director of Project Native in Housatonic. Project Native is a nonprofit plant farm and wildlife sanctuary. All good wishes!
The Public Market in West Stockbridge has reopened in newly renovated space, and under new owner Tim Walsh. Please stop by and support this local venture. They offer fresh vegetable as well as staples and sandwiches.
Congratulations to Save the Bounty on their 10th anniversary. They celebrated with a reception at Stonover Farm in Lenox. A lecture by Frank Lowenthal, Climate Adaptation Strategy Leader for the Nature Conservancy, pointed out the importance of changing our practices in order to stave off the crisis our world is facing.
Cricket Creek Farm of Williamstown a diversified grass-based dairy, received a first place award in the Farmstead Cheeses category for hard cow’s milk cheeses at the American Cheese Society’s 28th annual competition on August 6. The honor was given for the cheese Maggie’s Reserve—an extra-aged version of the popular Maggie’s Round—a raw milk cheese with a natural rustic rind, inspired by the toma cheeses of the Italian Alps. This is one of the highest honors a farmstead creamery can receive. This announcement brings national recognition to Massachusetts, and the Berkshires, a region with many exceptional artisanal food producers.
