Mezze Restaurant Group Hosts Carhartts + Cocktails

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – In hopeful anticipation of the not-so-far-away Spring season, Mezze Restaurant Group will host a celebration of farmers and community members who embrace and enjoy local seasonal food. Carhartts + Cocktails – a farm-to-table social event featuring the farmers who source many of the group’s menu items – will introduce farmers to regional ‘foodies’ alike on Sunday, March 1 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at two locations – Mezze Bistro + Bar in Williamstown and allium in Great Barrington.

Both Mezze Bistro + Bar and allium will provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar will be available. Several farmers will offer their CSA member shares for purchase and some have agreed to extend a ten percent discount on membership if shares are paid in full. Both events are open to the public. RSVPs are recommended but are not required.

“It is our hope to put faces to the names of the small family farms and farmers featured on our menus and to raise awareness of eating locally,” said Nancy Thomas, co-founder of Mezze Restaurant Group. “Our three sister restaurants, Mezze Bistro + Bar, Café Latino and allium as well as Mezze Catering, are very committed to the ‘buy local’ mission and we are inviting community members to share support of our neighboring farms and help sustain our regional economy and the environment,” she added.

Participating farms at Mezze Bistro + Bar include Mighty Food Farm, Two Spoons Farm and Hidden Pasture Farm in Pownal, Vt., Cricket Creek Farm and Peace Valley Farm of Williamstown, Mass., and Avonlea Farm Brick Oven Bakery of Pownal, Vt. Massachusetts-based CSAs Farm Girl Farm in Egremont and Indian Line Farm, plus Blue Hill Farm and North Plain Farm of Great Barrington, Mahaiwe Harvest in Housatonic and Sheffield-based Berkshire Mountain Distillers will be present at the allium event.

Mezze Bistro + Bar

Mezze Bistro + Bar serves New American cuisine focusing on the bounty of the region – local, farm-fresh produce, meats, cheeses and breads. The food is handcrafted by Chef Joji Sumi, who takes great care to provide local and seasonal ingredients paired alongside seasonal and small-production wines. Emphasis is on the highest quality ingredients combined with creative alchemy in the kitchen.

Located in downtown Williamstown at 16 Water Street, Mezze Bistro + Bar serves dinner nightly beginning at 5 p.m. All major credit cards are accepted. For more information or reservations, call 413-458-0123.

allium restaurant + bar

Opened in May 2007, allium restaurant + bar serves New American cuisine with Chef Joe Nastro’s varying seasonal menu focusing on local, farm-fresh ingredients, and features an exceptional, well-chosen wine list to accompany dinner offerings. Selected as Editors’ Choice in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England in 2008, allium has also been awarded Boston Magazine’s Best New Restaurant of 2007. The restaurant is located in downtown Great Barrington at 42 Railroad Street, and serves dinner nightly beginning at 5 p.m. All major credit cards are accepted. For more information or reservations, call 413-528-2118.

Mezze Restaurant Group

Co-owned by Nancy Thomas and Bo Peabody, the Mezze Restaurant Group is comprised of Mezze Bistro + Bar, Cafe Latino, allium restaurant + bar and Mezze Catering, which provides full-service event design and planning. Mezze Restaurant Group is a member of Berkshire Grown, Slow Food and Berkshire Visitors Bureau.

To receive Mezze Restaurant Group’s weekly newsletter, including value-added specials and events, email info@mezzeinc.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
 
But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.
 
"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."
 
"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.
 
Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.
 
The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.
 
Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.
 
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