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North Adams Lakeside Cafe Offers Food With A View |
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By Tammy Daniels On: 01:00PM / Tuesday July 03, 2012 |
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Amy Whisenant is ready to take orders at the new cafe in the concession stand at Windsor Lake. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Amy Whisenant is working to turn the traditional concession stand at Windsor Lake into a destination cafe.
You'll still find the usual fare at Amy's Cafe on the Lake — chips, candy, soda, frozen treats and hot dogs and hamburgers. But Whisenant is spicing up the menu with pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, wraps, mocha drinks and egg sandwiches, and is planning more offerings down the road.
On a very hot Friday afternoon, a pot of New England clam chowder was simmering on the stove.
"They say if you eat something hot it's supposed to make you cooler," said Whisenant, with an infectious laugh that punctuates her conversation. "I want to add a New England dinner on Fridays — clam chowder, rolls, and fish and chips."
Whisenant has more than 30 years of catering experience and most recently worked at boys' high school in Connecticut. When she found out that last year's concession operator had decided not to return, she applied for the lease and arrived with her camper in a downpour on June 3.
She's rolled up her sleeves and, with some help from her father, Frank Whisenant, immediately began scrubbing, ripping up floors, painting, and fixing up the aged concession area. The dark walls are now bright white, screens have been repaired, there's new vinyl on the floor and plans in place to add a six-burner gas stove and a fryer.
"People are always asking me for fried foods ... Not yet!" laughed Whisenant.
Her efforts have made the Windsor Lake Recreation Commission reconsider the building's future. There have been discussions about demolishing the building, which also has bathrooms and changing rooms. Chairman George Forgea said it may be possible to repurpose it.
"She has done an incredible amount of work," he said last week. "The city has committed to putting in more kitchen equipment because it had nothing, basically."
The Alford resident (her sister is Susan Chilson, one of the lake managers) said her goal is not only to serve campers and beachgoers at Fish Pond and Historic Valley Campground but to create a place for downtown workers to get away for lunch or for people to call in for takeout.
"Look at this view," she said, nodding her head toward the lake, the mountains and the blue sky. "Can you imagine coming here for lunch?"
Whisenant takes an order in the refurbished concession. She's hoping to do more takeouts and add picnic baskets as well. |
There's room for some picnic tables and a few more cafe tables for "Lunch at the Lake with Amy." "You'd have a seat with a view and be able to get away from it all," said Whisenant.
She's planning specials for the upcoming Concerts on the Lake and pre-ordered picnic baskets, and working the takeout aspect of the cafe, with a few lunchtime regulars already.
Prices range from about $1.50 for grilled cheese to under $4 for a vegetarian wrap. Whisenant said it was important to her to ensure the prices weren't too high. "I want to make it reasonable for people.
The cafe hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 to 8; Saturday from 10 to 8; and Sunday from noon to 7. The concession is closed Tuesday. For takeout, call 413-663-7928. The cafe will be open this Thursday during the lake's open house.
"This is my dream come true," said Whisenant, then laughed, "It was a fated thing."
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A Little 'Hot' Chocolate |
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On: 08:14PM / Friday June 29, 2012 |
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Looking for heat? Luma's on Main Street in North Adams offers a chewy chocolate brownie that hides a spicy aftertaste.
One bite, nice; two bites, hmm; three bites, yow.
She uses a similar recipe for her Mexican whoopie pies. Who says sweet can't hold heat? |
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What We Ate On ... Friday |
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By Tammy Daniels On: 07:50PM / Friday June 29, 2012 |
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Clockwise from top: a salmon slider with lettuce and tomato; pesto sandwich with sweet potato nuggets; the fast disappearing bruschetta. The other guy had a burger, like he always does. Said it was good. |
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Well, last Friday to be truthful.
Before we went to see just how Buffy our 16th president could be, we stopped for dinner at The Hub on Main Street in North Adams.
It was hot, and we were about to spend two hours in a seated position, so I opted for something light and fast.
My new favorite at the Hub is the salmon sliders on the specials menu — not too little, not too big, not too pricey. And they're always cooked just right.
Two sliders for $4.50 plus bruschetta with mozzarella, tomato and garlic. Seriously, you can live on their appetizers and soups. The only thing missing was a pomtini, sigh.
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Holiday Brook Farm Offers CSA Shares, Farm Store |
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On: 02:30PM / Tuesday June 26, 2012 |
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DALTON, Mass. — Holiday Brook Farm offers weekly large or small CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) vegetable shares from June through October.
Members select their choice of organically grown, harvested vegetables including U-pick crops. Pickup days are on Tuesdays or Saturdays at the farm in Dalton. Box shares are available at Berkshire Mall's Farmers Market on Saturdays.
Monthly meat shares are also available in 10, 15 or 20 pound sizes. Farm store hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Vegetables, meats, maple syrup and yarn are some of the products at the store. More information: www.holidaybrookfarm.com or 413-358-1194.
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Berkshire Food Festival Planned Sunday |
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On: 11:15AM / Friday June 22, 2012 |
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams plays host to the 11th annual Berkshire Food Festival on Sunday, June 24, from noon to 4 on Main Street. The event features the cuisine of the area's top restaurants along with beer and wine tasting.
Attendees can also enjoy an eclectic mix of live music from local bands Tom Corrigan and the Reformers and Jungle Work.
The north side of Main Street will be closed to motor vehicle traffic and large festival tents will be erected to shade vendors and patrons. The fare will range from traditional to the adventurous. Thirteen local restaurants and food vendors will line the streets with everything from sushi and Indian cuisine to pizza and ice cream.
Returnees include favorites Wild Oats Market and Spice Root of Williamstown, and Lickety-Split at Mass MoCA and some newbies - Public Eat and Drink and SoCo Creamery.
The offerings have to be purchased by ticket, which can be bought that day at booths on the street. The tickets are valued at $1 each and can be redeemed for food, beer or wine items priced in the $1-$5 range.
This year's festival includes a focus on microbrew beer and locally made wine. Eight breweries, wineries and distributors will set up with staff on hand to educate the public about their specific brands. Beer will be provided compliments of Berkshire Brewing Co. of South Deerfield, Madison Brewery of Bennington, Vt., Wandering Star Brewery of Pittsfield and Paper City Brewing Co. of Holyoke. Mead, also known as honey wine, will be provided by Green River Ambrosia of Greenfield and Maine Mead Works of Portland; Headwater Cider Co. of Hawley will bring samples of organic, hard cider made from locally harvested apples. Additionally, Kelly's Package Store of Dalton will be serving an assortment of imported and domestic fine wines and craft ales.
Berkshire Food Festival is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union and Northern Berkshire Health Systems. Additional sponsors include Berkshire Menus, Aladco Linen Services and Allied Waste.
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Stephanie Farrington of 
