Taylor's Fine Dining Already Finding Success

By Jen Thomas04:22PM / Thursday, July 26, 2007Print Story | Email Story

Taylor's Fine Dining offers fine foods in a warm setting.

North Adams - Officially opened since July 5, Taylor's Fine Dining in the city's downtown has already seen huge success. "The reception we've had has been tremendous," said Sean Taylor, co-owner of the restaurant at 34 Holden St. "The desire for a restaurant like this at an affordable price is huge." Along with his sister Colleen Reinhard, Taylor runs a fine-dining enterprise that aims to offer a variety of delicious foods and wines in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, seven days a week. With newly repainted, Italian-themed walls and framed paintings of Berkshire landscapes, the warm space sets the perfect tone for a night on the town. And, with expert chef James Bennett on board, Taylor's menu has something for everyone. "It's not a big menu, but it really hits the spot," said Taylor. After William "Bill" Gideon closed Gideon's restaurant abruptly at the Holden Street location in January, the space remained empty until Reinhard and Taylor began renovations on June 1. After only a month, Taylor's Fine Dining opened and immediately filled the 100-occupany dining room and bar. "The community as a whole was hurt when Gideon's left," said Taylor. "There was a void and we fill a niche here." Along with customary fine dining options, the restaurant plans to expand their business to include special offerings, including catering services and themed events. On August 22, Taylor's will host the first of what they hope will be a monthly wine dinner. A five-course meal will be accompanied by different fine wines, all surrounded by one regional theme. August will begin with the California region and the meal will reflect the culture and food of the locale. Taylor said he originally intended to have 36 customers for the event, but he has already received 33 reservations with a month left until the dinner. He projects about 60 people will show up for the Wine Specialty event. "Our philosophy here is simple. If you give people something to do, they'll come out to do it," Taylor said. "We're trying to create an atmosphere of welcoming. You may not know who you're sitting with, but you're at the same table, sharing wine and conversation." Each month will focus on a different region and reservations are $60 per person. As co-owners of the Freight Yard Pub, a Berkshire favorite, in Heritage State Park for 15 years, Taylor and Reinhard have experience running a restaurant and they know the possibility of survival is dependent on adaptation. "It's all about what people want and we're always open for suggestions," Taylor said. Taylor is quick to note that he does not want to imitate the successful model at the Freight Yard Pub. "We don't want to copy the Freight Yard Pub; we want to give people another option," he said. "We hope the two restaurants will work off of each other." Even with the steady success of Taylor's Fine Dining, there are some more changes to be made. With only a six-person bar, Taylor said he hopes he can expand that section of the restaurant over the winter. "It's not fair for the lone business traveler to sit at a table by himself. He should sit at the bar and meet the locals, chat with the bartender," he said. With what Taylor called a "steady" flow of customers, the restaurant hopes to continue the success they've seen over the last three weeks. "We're happy with the numbers we've been seeing, but, naturally, we'd always like to be busier," said Taylor. Taylor's Fine Dining is open seven days a week for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to10 p.m. Starting in August, Taylor's hopes to offer a light Sunday brunch and in September, a lunch menu. For reservations, call (413) 664-4500. Jen Thomas may be reached via email at jthomas@iberkshires.com or at (413) 663-3384, ext. 23.

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"The community as a whole was hurt when Gideon's left," said Taylor. "There was a void and we fill a niche here." Yes, indeed. Especially those that were stiffed on their GC's.
from: tim	on: 07-26-2007 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Good article! But to address the other comment, I don't think the article was to bass Bill Gideon- I understand everyone was upset about the gift certificates but I think it's time to get over it. It is unfortunate what happened and noone was in Bill's shoes. You can't judge a man until you have walked in his shoes.
from:	on: 07-27-2007 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Your comments about getting "stiffed" on your Gideons gift certificates is right on. I was one of Bills partners over at the nightery and later EGL. Two weeks before the restaurants closed, I purchased many certificates for family and friends as christmas gifts without being informed by my former partner of the impending closings. After being approached by many of you about your gift certificates I was promised by Bill that everyone would be reimbursed in full. So much for that promise, Gideon got himself a new job in Arizona and left behind alot of customers and contractors like myself high and dry. Sean and Colleen are good local people who have proven they have what it takes to run a successful restaurant in Northern Berkshire County and I wish them nothing but the best in their new venture.
from: Scott Koczela	on: 07-27-2007 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

The food tastes much cheaper then it looks. I'm amazed that even with the vast array of quality ingredients in the area, this restaurant can not seem to put a plate on the table that tastes like quality.
from:	on: 05-14-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

i think whoever said that food was cheap is a nut, just as nutty as the comment about being in Bills shoes. I was friends with Bill. ( I was, he didn;t really care about anyone but himself) He's a thief and a liar and a disgrace. He cared more about his coke habit and young women to give a crap about gift certs. He shouldn't be in AZ he should be in JAIL.. your restaurant is far better than Bills, your food is good and classy and you care about your customers.
from: Taylor's is the shiznizel	on: 08-24-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Find Bill at the genesee grand in syr. ny
from: Stiffed on certs	on: 10-26-2008 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Bill is at the River City Casino in St. Louis, MO now as executive Chef
from: Blahblah	on: 06-12-2010 12:00AM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)

Sanford, Maine, Edges SteepleCats in Season Opener

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
09:26PM / Sunday, June 07, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The SteepleCats Sunday started their 2026 season the way they ended their 2025 campaign: with a narrow loss to the Sanford Mainers.

Sanford, which won a best-of-three playoff series against North Adams last August, scored four runs on 14 hits to earn a 4-2 win at Joe Wolfe Field.

The Mainers broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run rally in the third inning, and four Sanford pitchers combined to collect 11 strikeouts as the visitors improved to 2-1 this summer.

North Adams, which saw its planned road opener rained out on Saturday, got to open the season in front of its home fans.

And those fans saw a strong performance from the North Adams pitching staff, which, despite allowing 14 hits, including five doubles, gave up just three earned runs.

“I like the grit,” SteepleCats coach Mike Gladu said of his team’s Game 1 performance. “I thought the pitchers performed pretty well. We had a couple of situations where we definitely should have gotten some runs in and didn’t get that hit.

“And there were a couple of plays with a little rust. Certainly, the ball that was hit over [Evan] Meier’s in left field, he just mistracked that one. And the extra run they scored in the eighth, the kid wasn’t going to go [from third on a fly ball], we made a throw and nobody could stop it.

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