As the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts have become a food destination, you'd expect there to be quite an array of options for stocking up the pantry. Here's a selection of the foods the local pros love.
FOR THE PANTRY
CHEESE
Rawson Brook Farm Monterey Chèvre
Roam around the farm, meet the goats and grab cheese from the cooler to buy. Don't worry if no one is around because you leave your money in the cash box. It's all on the honor system.
“They have fantastic goat cheese. They offer 3 varieties of flavor of chevre and it’s stunningly good.” - Chef Scott Cole of Monterery General Store
“I put it at the top for chevres. It just amazing, creamy and seasoned. They have batch numbers on everything. It is so incredibly rich and doesn't have any of the chalky dryness that a lot of soft chevres seem to have.” - Chef Bjorn Somlo of Nudel
"They make my favorite goat cheese."
FED Pro > Bartender Jane Burns Allium Restaurant + Bar
"For the lavender Monterey Chèvre."
FED Pro > Wine Pro Caitlin Harrison of Mise Wines
Park in first little parking area | Self-serve store open during daylight hours
185 New Marlboro Road, Monterey, MA 01245
T: 413.528.2138 | www.montereychevre.com
Cricket Creek Farm
A grass-based dairy on the slopes of the Taconic Hills with their own honor-system farm store. You can buy locally-made artisan foods. Just leave your money in the lockbox.
"They make some seriously delicious cow cheeses."
FED Pro > Bartender Jane Burns Allium Restaurant + Bar
"I like to go directly to the their farm and get cheese and bread. And then I get to squeeze in a visit with the pigs, calves, chickens, and farmer Topher."
FED Pro > Wine Pro Caitlin Harrison of Mise Wines
"Their Tobasi cheese is delicious."
FED Pro > Restaurateur Nancy Thomas of Mezze Bistro + Bar, Allium Restaurant + Bar
1255 Oblong Road, Williamstown, MA 01267
T: 413.458.5888 | cricketcreekfarm.com
Rubiner’s
Located in an old converted bank they sell gourmet foods. Owner and cheesemonger Matt Rubiner trained at Formaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Behind the shop, Matt has a cafe called Rubi’s where you can order sandwiches made with the ingredients from the shop.
"They offer an amazing choice of cheese, charcuterie and specialty goods, including chocolate and pasta."
FED Pro > Chef Brian Alberg of The Red Lion Inn
"I stop in here for all my cheese and charcuterie supplies."
FED Pro > Chef Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar & Grill
"Matt Rubiner offers a supreme product that is incredible, the randomness, the training and education behind everything."
FED Pro > Chef Bjorn Somlo of Nudel
"Matt is a master and curates a great cheese selection."
FED Pro > Chef Jeremy Stanton of The Meat Market
264 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 10230
T: 413.528.0488 | www.rubiners.com
COFFEE
Six Depot
Located in a historic train station, this is a small batch coffee roastery, tea house, artisanal food shop and art gallery.
"I love their coffee blends, the Seck-Sie in particular. I stop in for their Shakerato -- an espresso with a little simple syrup and shaken in a cocktail shaker so it gets an amazing creme."
FED Pro > Chef Scott Cole of Monterey General Store
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