The Mikado is a sparkling and lavish comedic operetta written by Gilbert & Sullivan at the height of their creative genius. A Japanese prince will do just about anything to win the hand of the national executioner’s daughter, for she is his one true love. Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo and other charming and absurd characters will amuse and entertain.

It’s at  the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield,  Saturday.  Performances are at 3:00 and 8:00. At Brook Farm Inn, your Lenox B&B, we can recommend some good Pittsfield restaurants to round out your evening.

“The Mikado” by Gilbert & Sullivan

We have a great restaurant recommendation for guests of Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, MA.  We took a party of six this past weekend to Firefly and everyone enjoyed the good food, friendly ambiance, and excellent service. We took advantage of Firefly’s Friday and Saturday evening special: a 3–course dinner for two, including a bottle of wine — yes, bottle! –for $50. We’re glad to make reservations on behalf of our bed and breakfast guests, or if you make your own reservations, tell them Brook Farm Inn sent you.

At Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, MA, we enjoy sharing restaurant recommendations with our guests.  Flavours Restaurant was always one of our favorites, but its location used to be less than stellar.  It’s now moved to  a lovely space in Pittsfield and is better than ever.  There is ample parking across the street.  The menu features Malaysian food, as well as American fare.  Everything is fresh, cooked to order, and delectable.  The owners and staff are friendly and the service is great.  The location is near Barrington Stage Co., the new Beacon Cinema, and it’s on the way to the Clark in Williamstown or any destination north of Lenox.  Here’s a quote from the Flavours website:  

Malaysian food is not one particular distinction of food but a culinary diversity originating from it’s multi-ethnic population of Malay, Indian, Eurasian, Chinese, Nyonya and the Indigenous peoples of Borneo.  At Flavours, we offer the most authentic cosmic array of food that has now come to be known all over the world as ‘Malaysian Food’.  

• Reservations in one of Brook Farm Inn’s beautifully appointed guest rooms
• Full gourmet breakfast  and afternoon tea and scones by the library fireplace
• A romantic three-course dinner for two at lovely Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar (beverage, tax, and gratuity not included)
• Two tickets for admission to the Norman Rockwell Museum

Choose from three levels of accommodation.

(This offer is available January 2, 2010 to March 31, 2010)

Traditional Includes private bath and king or queen bed

one night $275.00, two nights $400.00

Deluxe Includes Fireplace, TV/DVD private bath king or queen bed

one night $300.00, two nights $450.00

Luxury Includes Fireplace, TV/DVD, heated two-person whirlpool, king bed

one night $350.00, two nights $550.00

(All rates are based on double occupancy.  Tax and gratuity are not included.)

Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar is Zagat Rated. 

ALTA MENU 

The newest restaurant  in Lenox is called The Berkshire Harvest, because the menu is built around fresh foods that are grown, produced, or sourced in the local community.  We ate dinner there and enjoyed a well prepared meal, in a pleasant atmosphere, with cheerful and attentive service.  The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and prices are modest.  There’s something on the imaginative menu for everyone — meat, chicken , pasta, vegetarian and entrees — plus great drinks and desserts.  We’ll be recommending it to Brook Farm Inn guests!

We’re delighted that Brook Farm Inn is mentioned by Francine Segan on this terrific website magazine in an article entitled “Summer Breakfasts — Perfect for a Sunday Brunch.”  http://www.bettyconfidential.com/cbc/food-home.html  Francine is a food historian and cookbook author who’s written about us in the past.  She is also a noted presenter, who was at Shakespeare & Co. last night, and our guests who attended raved about her.  We’ve enjoyed Francine’s presentations about food and movies, and also food in Shakespeare’s time. We highly recommend her cookbooks!

At Brook Farm Inn, we know that  Church Street Cafe, in Lenox Massachusetts,  is among our guests’ favorite restaurants.  Tonight it will open for the season.  So check out the menu at www.churchstreetcafe.biz.   And when you stay with us, we’ll be glad to arrange dinner reservations for you at the restaurant.

Wheatleigh is one of the premier hotels in the Berkshires.  Located in Lenox, Massachusetts, it’s a sophisticated country house  hotel, with a 5-star gourmet restaurant.  We were pleased to receive a luncheon invitation today.   The gracious reception by friendly staff members was followed by a delicious and beautifully prepared lunch.  It was served in the Library, looking out at a spectacular Berkshires view. Guests who stayed with us at Brook Farm Inn, and had dinner there last week were equally impressed.  We highly recommend Wheatleigh for a special lunch, dinner — and they offer special event planning for weddings and other celebrations. 

There’s always something to do in the Berkshires.  Guests of Brook Farm Inn, in Lenox Massachusetts, frequently enjoy a drink, or a meal, or just dessert, at one of the local night spots.  We recommend the Castle Street Cafe for live music. This weekend they’re featuring Dooley Austin on Friday, March 20, and Peg & Bill Delaney on Saturday, March 21st. 

There’s also the Lion’s Den, in the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, where top local performers can be see and heard nightly.

One of our favorite restaurants is Chez Nous, in Lee, only a 10 minute drive from Brook Farm Inn.  They’re offering a special event this weekend. It’s an opportunity to celebrate what we always love about winter: the wonderful, warming foods and wines that can make you really look forward to a snowy night, seated around the table with friends, savoring the flavors of winter and lingering over it all. They’re hosting Wayne Glazer of Arborway Wines for a special dinner:

“Une Nuit en Hiver”
{A Night in Winter}

Friday, February 27 – 6:30pm
$75 per person

Included is a tasting menu of some favorite winter dishes, expertly paired with wines from Wayne’s portfolio. For a preview of the evening’s menu, click here.

Please call ahead to reserve your table as space is limited.