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Dashing Diner: Fine Dining at GalaBy Dashing Diner - November 11, 2007
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.
Gala apples |
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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