PASSIONATE RATIONS

I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since I and my Twitter pal, Jessica, began our monthly foray into the food wilds of the Pioneer Valley with our Western Massachusetts EatUp! group. It’s been successful beyond our initial expectations, but I’ve been remiss in failing to properly review the places we’ve been. So, to rectify the situation, here’s a quick rundown of my overall impressions of each.

Go. Eat.

Side Street Cafe, Florence, MA (June 2009): Can get noisy, and it’s always full, which can slow service, but this restaurant always makes me feel a part of a vibrant community, especially with its creative focus on local ingredients (see the warm roasted beet salad with fennel). Don’t miss the baked goat cheese and honey app!

Ristorante DiPaolo, Turner’s Falls, MA (July 2009): If you’re looking for the place to impress your date or your guests this is it—a real surprise in a tiny river town. Perfect ambience. Perfect risotto. Perfect evening.

Bamboo House, Springfield, MA (August 2009): Scrumptious Vietnamese fare in modest surroundings. Their Chinese menu is less exciting and more expensive.

Green Street Café, Northampton, MA (September 2009): Grapefruit with mint. No more need be said. Delicate and delicious bites. Menus change regularly and are quaintly handwritten. Owner John and partner, James, are Northampton institutions and full of interesting tales to tell.

Elmer’s, Ashfield, MA (October 2009): Off-beat and off the beaten path, but worth the trip. I hear their breakfasts are the best around, but I still remember my dinner’s tasty cabbage accompaniment to the pork chop entrée (though the chop itself was slightly dry).

Hope & Olive, Greenfield, MA (November 2009): Also a bit noisy, but good casual fun. Roast pumpkin korma was unusual and I liked the way each ingredient kept its character (which often is not the case in saucy Indian fare). A couple of our group were not impressed with the crab cakes, but that would not deter me from returning.

Venus/Cellar Bar, Easthampton, MA (December 2009): Easthampton’s most chic establishment. One of the best dinners I’ve had recently. Crazy good gnocchi app. Of course, Chef Casey is a perennial favorite of mine (tip o’ the hat to Apollo Grill). There’s a house for sale only a block away from Venus and I want to buy it because it’s so close to this place and other great Easthampton offerings.

Ollie’s Down Under, Shelburne Falls, MA (January 2010): Cozy and casual. An amazing and unusual drink list. Owner Margaret is a great hostess and a real hoot to boot. Curried oysters = outstanding.

The Federal, Agawam, MA (February 2010): Risotto balls and/or fig poppers (prosciutto-wrapped figs). They’re both worth at least a trip a week. Excellent facility for a banquet; their service (along with Bistro Les Gras) was about the best we’ve had.

Bistro Les Gras, Northampton, MA (March 2010): European portions with local ingredients. The vibrantly hued yellowtail and beet tartare, soft and delicate, simply melted in my mouth. Some felt the portions too small for the price.

Blue Heron, Sunderland, MA (coming up, April 8, 2010): A Valley favorite we’re all anticipating.