As much as I love my new home of Central New York, I do enjoy getting out of town from time to time. This past week I had the good fortune (and good friends) to be invited for a few days in the Berkshires--one of my most beloved places in the world. I went to college in Western Massachusetts and this area has held onto a piece of my heart (and my stomach) for over twenty years.
This week, in between naps, reading, and excursions to Tanglewood for the James Taylor concert (which was awesome!) my friends and I managed to squeeze in a wonderful day of art and culture at the Mass MOCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art). The art was incredible--as usual--including this brand new installation of two cranes knitting an American flag (with utility poles!) But while we were there, we had an awesome lunch at the museum cafe which has recently changed--as of a few days ago--into an American/ latin fusion place called Cafe Latino.
Cafe Latino recently hired a Peruvian chef from New York City who created a fantastic menu of food and wine. I mean, they have plantains and tres leches cakes on the menu--how fabulous is that? And because they groove with the Berkshire eat local vibe, much of the food was locally sourced. I think this place would be worth a visit even if you aren't planning to visit Mass MOCA. North Adams is just a few minutes from Williamstown, so if you find yourself in that neck of the woods, keep going east on Route 2 for some great eats.
So what would I recommend? I don't think you can go wrong at this place. They started us off with a complimentary basket of house-made tortilla chips and salsa. Then I had a simple green salad with a garlic and citrus viniagrette that was peppery and fresh--a great warm up. My friends shared a cup of lentil and chorizo soup with cilantro. Unfortunately, it was so good, they devoured it before I knew what has happening--but take their word for it--it was delicious.
We did pass our plates when it came to the main course. I had the lamb empanadas with escabeche and black mint sauce while my friends had the pulled pork sandwich with toasted pop corn nuts and fish tacos.
We were all members of the clean plate club. My lamb empanadas were packed with spice that was nicely complimented by the bit of eschebeche--a sauce made of pickled jalapenos. The pulled pork sandwich tasted like it had been cooking for hours--like good 'cue should. The purple potato salad that was served on the side was strewn with bits of smoked bacon. My friend really loved those zany toasted pop corn nuts--all crunchy and corn tasting (but not like the burnt corn nuts that are the bottom of the Orville Reddenbacher bag--these were good.) But the stand out, I think, were the fish tacos. Crispy haddock were wrapped in soft flour tortillas with a creamy guacamole and romesco sauce--these were yummy!
It really was the perfect day--good art, good eats, and great friends in the mountains of Western Massachusetts--vacation is a beautiful thing!
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