Editor's note: IBerkshires introduces its newest reviewer - the Dashing Diner, who will remain anonymous to ensure our restaurant critic receives the same quality of service as the general dining public.
The Dashing Diner says: I will take into account five criteria when reviewing local eateries: atmosphere, service, presentation, taste and value. I will judge the restaurant on what it is and where it fits into its genre. We all eat at diners, pubs and fine dining restaurants with different expectations at each place. I will discuss how each restaurant fits the bill.
Gala Restaurant & Bar at the Orchards 222 Adams Road, Williamstown, MA 413-458-9611 www.orchardshotel.com
When walking into the dining room, one gets an elegant but comfortable feeling. The walls were a goldish color with dark trim, and the crown molding around the ceiling really pulled the room together. The chairs were cushioned and had arms to rest on.
The hostess was pleasant and gave us a choice of seating while presenting us with the menu and wine list. The wine list was varied and reasonably priced including many selections of reds and whites by the glass.
We sipped a nice glass of 2004 Avelon cabernet while making the difficult choices of appetizer and entrees. The salads and appetizers ran the gamut from gazpacho ($5) to crab cake ($12). I chose the Smoked Duck ($9)� thinly sliced smoked Hudson Valley duck with aged goat cheese and petite salad of baby field green. The duck was served in a deep fried basket made from long very thin strands of potato intertwined. The duck and its presentation were exquisite. My partner chose the Soup du Jour ($6) � butternut squash with pumpkin oil drizzled on top. The soup was hot and quite flavorful. The soup changes frequently and is often made of local seasonal ingredients.
The entree selections included items such as Wild Mushroom Risotto ($16) and Seared Filet Mignon ($25). My partner thoroughly enjoyed the Apple and Cheddar Stuffed Pork Chop ($19), stuffed with braised gala apples, fresh herbs and Vermont cheddar and served with a fava bean, sweet corn succotash and apple brandy reduction. The bone was placed upright and had a crispy thin slice of apple topping it.
My Grilled Swordfish ($18) was topped with kumkwat salsa and served over a sweet potato puree and steamed baby bok choy. The sweet potato puree was a tasty touch and the swordfish was good, but not memorable.
What is dinner without dessert? Please leave room for dessert when going to Gala. I ordered the restaurant's signature Gala Apple Gateau. This was an assortment of cake, ice cream and mousse all made with gala apples. The presentation and taste left me wanting to return. Our other choice was a trio of fruit sorbet served in the skin of the fruit. The look and flavor of this dish gave one the feeling of eating a piece of frozen fruit. These were some of the best desserts I have savored and were the perfect end to the evening.
Another dining choice at Gala is the lounge. This room is even more comfortable than the ding room with a fireplace and overstuffed chairs and couches. The tavern menu includes fish and chips for $11, duck spring rolls, beefs skewers and a cheese plate, to name a few. The bar features leather barstools and candles on the bar. There are two televisions but they don't overpower the room. Of note are the enlarged photos of gala apples that adorn the room and hallway.
The Gala Restaurant and Bar live up to their Web site description. I thoroughly enjoyed the few visits I have made. Overall, the atmosphere, service and food were what one would expect in a fine dining restaurant. The presentation of the dishes was superior to that of other places I have visited. Gala Restaurant at the Orchards in Williamstown is worth a reservation.
Editor's note: Because of an editor's error, the original review was missing some information. Above is the corrected article.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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