THE JOURNAL
The Portico restaurant at the Wheatleigh hotel. Photograph courtesy of Wheatleigh
Although we like to cover the major cities for both our Insider and Style Council travel guide series, it’s always nice to take a look at some lesser-known places for when you want to spend some time off the beaten track. Very much in that spirit, this week, Style Council member Mr Keith Baptista – co-founder of the New York-based creative production firm Prodject – shows us around Great Barrington in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Often referred to as one of the most charming towns in the US, it’s just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from New York and is drawing more and more visitors from the city in search of culture, nature and art. It has more than 7,200 acres of state forest and a strong reputation for theatre and music. Read below for Mr Baptista’s tips on where to eat, stay and drink for a weekend visit.
Where to eat
Prairie Whale
Left: sardines appetiser. Photograph courtesy of Prairie Whale. Right: Photograph courtesy of Prairie Whale
“Prairie Whale is a great place for brunch or dinner. Mark Firth, who originally ran Diner and Marlow & Sons in Brooklyn, moved his family to a farm just outside Great Barrington and opened the establishment. The food is quintessentially American and sourced from local farms and the staff are wonderful and fun. I also like Old Mill, which is a classic New England restaurant in a mill that dates back to the 1700s.”
Where to drink
Botanica
“Botanica is fairly new – it opened in November last year on Railroad Street. The owners Carla Blades and Adam Medina run a wonderful cafe/bakery during the day and an open kitchen dining room and bar at night.”
Where to stay
Wheatleigh
Left: The Dining Room at the Wheatleigh hotel. Photograph courtesy of Wheatleigh. Right: white fish and asparagus. Photograph courtesy of Wheatleigh
“In nearby Lenox, the Wheatleigh is an elegant and quiet retreat. The views of the surrounding Berkshire mountains are spectacular. Alternatively, there is a historic hotel called the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, which is a quick drive from Great Barrington. It’s charming and just the thing if you’re after an authentic Berkshire experience.”
What to do
“The obvious thing to mention is the many hiking trails around the area. But, once you’re done with walking, there are many arts organisations that have live music, dance and theatre. Shakespeare & Co is a Shakespearean theatre in Lenox. Or you could try Tanglewood, which is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. If that isn’t your thing, check out Jacob’s Pillow. It’s a modern dance theatre on beautiful National Historic Landmark grounds in Becket.”