A "sunny side" panini sandwich served at Steeples restaurant.
North Adams - Situated within the walls of the downtown Holiday Inn, Steeples restaurant is one of the few area eateries open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Owned by the hotel's General Manager Ed Bassi, who also is the restaurant's chef, the spot is clearly a convenient option for inn guests.
Steeples boasts a significant local patronage and a Saturday afternoon lunch at the restaurant's outdoor cafe offered a clue as to why so many Northern Berkshire folks gather there.
"Northern-Fried" Wings And Other Appetizers
The lunch menu is expansive and offers appetizers such as a trio of jumbo shrimp cocktail [$4.25], "northern fried" chicken wings [$5.95] and my selection, the stuffed mushrooms [$3.95].
The mushrooms were firm and tasty and the crumb-and-herb stuffing was moist. The mushrooms were generously-sized; this appetizer could easily be shared or could serve as a lunch entree for those with light appetites.
The lunch appetizer menu includes fried mozzarella sticks, mushroom polenta, potato latkes, chicken satay and steamed dumplings.
Burgers, Paninis, And Clubs, Oh, My!
A sandwich menu lists several traditional sandwiches as well as a choice of paninis. A Steeples "garden burger" is served grilled with a choice of toppings and a "signature garnish." A hamburger billed as a "Steeples burger" is made using six ounces of ground beef and may be topped with mushrooms, bacon, or American, cheddar, or Gruyere cheese in addition to the "signature garnish." Both burgers are priced at $5.95.
A three-decker club sandwich [$5.95] and a steak sandwich named "On the Mark" [$6.25] are also part of the menu.
My choice was a panini dubbed "sunny side," [$5.75] which featured grilled yellow and green summer squash with melted mozzarella cheese and an abundance of black olives. The flavors of the squash, cheese, and olives mingled to create one tasty sandwich. The sandwich was served with a creamy-style coleslaw and seasoned French fries. The fries were worthy of special note; the thin, crispy strips were golden and crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside and the seasoning -Steeples own- was very, very good tasting.
Other panini choices include a "Tuscany," made of mozzarella cheese, tomato, and basil [$5.25], an "oval office," made from prosciuitto, tomato and Asiago cheese [$5.95], and a "State Street," with Genoa salami, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella [$5.50].
Blue Plate "Specials" And Soups And Salads
The menu includes a daily "Berkshire Blue Plate Special." The special is dubbed as "pot luck" for Saturday and Sunday - on Aug. 11, the special was pork and gravy- and specific meals are offered Monday through Friday.
The "blue plate" list is reminiscent of past era diners; the Monday offering is chicken pot pie, the Thursday selection is meat loaf, and fish-and-chips are the Friday special. The blue plate meals are priced between $4.50 and $5.95.
The lunch menu includes a soup and salad selection with French onion soup, pasta e fagioli and New England clam chowder and a "Northern Caesar" salad [Northern Spy apple slices, toasted maple walnuts and shaved Vermont-style cheddar cheese are in the salad], a spit-roasted chicken salad, and a Sicilian salad.
Soup and salad prices range from $2.95 to $4.95. Chicken or shrimp may be added to any salad for an additional cost.
Steeples offers a selection of "seasonal favorites' that include a "luncheon sirloin" steak, balsamic chicken, and a three-egg omelet.
Mile-High Sweet Dreams
The dessert menu, titled "Sweet Dreams," offers confections including a sundae titled "Mass Mocha" that features mocha sauce served over coffee ice cream and topped with chopped walnuts [$4.25], and a "Snowball from Hell" made with vanilla ice cream rolled in toasted coconut, smothered in hot fudge sauce and served atop chocolate cake in a chocolate cup [$4].
I opted for a slice of "mile-high chocolate mousse cake" [$4.25] and while it wasn't exactly a mile high, it was most definitely a mini-mountain of sweet cake, layers of mousse filling, and thick chocolate frosting, all garnished with dollops of whipped cream.
Strawberry shortcake [$3.25] and traditional cheesecake [$4.50] rounded out the dessert menu.
My outdoor lunch at Steeples was pleasant. The sights and sounds of Main Street provided a glimpse of downtown weekend life, and my server, "Shaunna," was friendly and able to answer menu questions.
The bill for appetizer, sandwich, dessert, and a soft drink, totaled $15.70 before a state meals tax was added.
Steeples restaurant is open seven days a week. Breakfast is served from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.. Additional information about Steeples restaurant is available by calling 413-664-6581.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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