2008 Fall Dining Guide by Hersam Acorn

fall DINING

2008 • complimentary

Local Restaurants Great Menus TriState Pennysaver News : (802) 447-3381 • Vermont News Guide : (802) 362-3535 Yankee Shopper : (413) 684-1373 • Berkshire Penny Saver : (413) 243-2341

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A Hersam Acorn Newspapers Publication Jen Hathaway, cover design Jen Hathaway, page design Berkshire PennySaver 154 West Park Street, Lee, MA 01238 413-243-2341 Yankee Shopper 20 Cleveland Road, Dalton, MA 01226 413-684-1373 TriState Pennysaver News 109 South Street, Bennington, VT 05201 802-447-3381 Vermont News Guide 99 Bonnet Street, Manchester, VT 05254 802-362-3535

Renee Tassone, General Manager

Mount Anthony Country Club . . . 2 Laua Hale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Lil Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Barrington Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Desperados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Vermont Country Store . . . . . . . . . 8 Hunter’s: An American Grill . . . . . 9 Dining Out Directory . . . . . . . 10-11 Cambridge Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Johnny Seesaw’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Crissey Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Gourmet Deli. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Pink’s Alley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Red Fox Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Depot Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Carmody’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Flavours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

These Foods Can Help Lower Cholesterol (MS) -- According to American Heart Association estimates, 106.7 million adults in the United States live with a total blood cholesterol value of 200 mg/dL and higher. Of those, about 37.2 million have levels of 240 or above. By now, it is well known that high cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. However, many people are still in the dark about how they can conquer cholesterol. Diet and heredity play key roles in cholesterol levels. While it’s relatively impossible to change what you’ve inherited from a long line of relatives before you, you do have control over what foods you eat -- especially those that can help lower cholesterol in a natural, drug-free way. * Enjoy oatmeal and other fiber-rich foods. Oat bran and rice bran have been shown to moderately reduce cholesterol levels. But results require a healthy helping each and every day (approximately

3 packets of instant oatmeal) to see marked results. Still, fiber is good for the body in other ways, and every little bit helps in the fight against cholesterol. * Consume five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which in general are good for fending off diseases in the body. Filling up on healthy foods may also fend off cravings for less healthy foods that may be high in saturated fat -- a contributor to cholesterol. * Choose legumes several times a week. Replace the animal protein in your diet (meat and poultry) with plant protein. Beans are a good source of protein and fiber and can make for filling meals. Soy products are also effective for keeping cholesterol in check. Try replacing a few foods here and there with soybased products. * Go for garlic. Research indicates

that compounds in garlic help to staunch production of cholesterol in the liver. It works in much the same way as some of the prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs. Raw and cooked garlic have similar effects. So choose garlic to flavor foods for an added health benefit. * Get the benefits of blueberries. Studies show that a compound in blueberries (pterostilbene) may help lower cholesterol as effectively as commercial drugs, with fewer side effects. * Factor in good fats. Not all fats out there are bad. Omega-3 essential fatty acids can help raise levels of “good” cholesterol, or HDL. Good fat foods include olive oil, avocados, olives, and some nuts. continued on page 12

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Fall Dining Guide

November 2008

Wine is Still a Winning Holiday Gift

(ARA) - Looking for that holiday gift that is both personal and universal, sophisticated and fun? Smart holiday shoppers are turning to wine clubs and wine-related accessories to round out their seasonal shopping this year. Wine is moving beyond just a bottle brought to a holiday soiree as a thoughtful gift for the host or hostess. It’s now possible to find wine related gifts for friends, family members, fellow workers, clients virtually every adult on your holiday gift list. And there are so many great ideas to choose from. Take for instance a top-ofthe line Rabbit corkscrew that will make opening wine bottles a simple and speedy experience for those hard-to-open bottles. Or how about a Riedel wine glass set? Do you know someone who can never put her hands on a matched set of wine glasses when she needs it? Consider giving a set of four, or even eight, glasses to make entertaining a style statement. And, mix it up with a set of glasses shaped for each type of wine. If the wine lover on your list is really after those collectable, award-winning bottles give him a wine club membership. That way he’ll have something to look forward to not just this holiday season, but throughout the year. Wine makes a great gift because it’s not something that will be put away and forgotten after the season is over. It will be savored and enjoyed by both the wine novice and wine aficionado from the time the bottle is opened until the last drop is gone. And membership comes with rewards. Take for example the benefits offered by Gold Medal Wine Club (www. GoldMedalWine.com), which specializes in delivering hard-to-find wines from small, family-owned California wineries to people all across the country. Buy a one-month Gold Series Membership for $34 (one to 12 month gifts are available), and your giftee will get two highly-rated bottles of wine November 2008

information on the wines, winery and country. Each shipment is around $100 and annual gifts (four deliveries per year) receive a 10 percent discount. All of the wines offered by Gold Medal Wine Club are hard-to-find, small production wines from boutique family wineries. The wines have won multiple medals and awards from major wine competitions and have high ratings from the major wine publications. Some wines are even pre-releases and exclusives that are only offered at the winery itself and through the Club. Take care of your gift orders early by logging on to www.goldmedalwine.com/gifts or calling (800) 266-8888 and your gift will surely arrive in time for the holiday.

(one red, one white) neatly gift-wrapped in tissue and perfectly tied bows around each bottleneck. They’ll also receive a fun and informative color publication called “The Wine Press” that features information about the wines, the fascinating backgrounds of the winery owners, a behind-the-scenes tour of the vineyards and great food pairing Courtesy of ARAcontent ideas from the winemakers themselves. If the wine enthusiast on your list has always dreamed of expanding his horizons with a trip overseas but just couldn’t find the time or resources to do it, a great surprise would be a Gold Medal Wine Club International Lil’ Britain Series membership. Fish & Ch ip SHOP Imagine his delight when a box arrives Fresh Seafood, Meat Pies, Sausage Rolls, containing three British Chocolate, Soda and More… bottles of rare and wonderful interna116 North Street tional wines packBennington, VT 05201 aged with a unique collection of deliTake-Out or Eat-In cious gourmet food Serving Lunch and Dinner items direct from 11: 3 0 am t o 8 :00 p m the featured country. turday (Closed Sunday & Monday) a S u r h t y a d e s T u The full color “Taste 8 0 2. 4 4 2.2 4 47 the Adventure” publication includes Fall Dining Guide

More Meat-eaters Trying Vegan Foods for Taste, Health and Safety

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(ARA) - Ah, the love of the burger - it’s a unifying American experience. But if the fat content in fast food burgers makes your heart burn with shame, and meat recalls have you worrying about what’s in that burger you made at home, you’re not alone. Is it any wonder that interest in vegan alternatives to traditional meat meals is on the rise - even among people who still consider themselves meat-eaters? “People are understandably concerned about what they’re serving their families,” says Gary Torres of Food for Life, a vegan food company that is seeing increased interest in meat-free foods. “But it’s not just confirmed vegans who are seeking these alternatives.

We’re seeing increased interest in vegetarian and vegan foods by people who don’t consider themselves to be followers of either lifestyle.” The health advantages and expanded availability of more vegan choices seem to be key factors inspiring more people to incorporate meat-free meals into their lifestyles, Torres says. Not sure if you can incorporate vegetarian or vegan foods into your family’s diet? Consider the following: * A simple Google search turns up hundreds of Web sites designed to help you “go vegan.” In fact, you can even find sites that will help you locate restaurants in your area that serve vegan or vegetarian dishes. * It’s easier than ever to find cookbooks filled with delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes you can prepare at home. * Numerous studies point to the health benefits of vegetarian continued on page 12

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Bryant House

Bryant House ��

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Country Store Cabot Cheddar off the big wheel, grilled to golden brown, with bacon and tomatoes. Served with Crispy French Fries.

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Tender juicy slices of honey maple turkey breast in a generous sandwich, topped with lettuce and cranberry sauce

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Tender chunks of chicken breast tossed with walnuts, orange, chives and celery. We suggest trying this open faced on our homemade johnnycake.

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pot roast, topped with its own savory brown gravy, accompanied by crispy French fries and cole slaw.

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charcoal, our burgers are made �� and served on a bun with tomato, lettuce, red onion, chips and a crip pickle.

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Three golden griddlecakes made �� Mix and served with your choice of crispy bacon or country sausage patties and pure Vermont maple syrup.

Maple ham served open-faced with �� tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, honey �� mustard and melted Vermont Country Homemade Soup of the Day or Store Cabot Cheddar cheese. our own Clam Chowder, served �� with our Common Crackers®. Honey maple ham and turkey with

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�� Hot Yankee

Vermont Country Store Cheddar Cheese dipped in French toast batter and grilled golden brown. Served with pure Vermont maple syrup for dipping.

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�� A Vermont tradition: chicken, peas, onions, celery, and carrots in gravy topped with homemade biscuits; served with cranberry sauce and cole slaw.

Cup of soup or Vermont Country Store Clam Chowder served with homemade johnnycake and a house tossed salad. and seasonal vegetables, Vermont Cheddar, and hard-boiled eggs. Choose sliced turkey and maple smoked ham or tender slices of charbroiled chicken breast.

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More Meat-eaters Trying Vegan Foods for Taste, Health and Safety continued from page 6

and vegan diets - from help in losing weight to alleviating symptoms of some types of arthritis and diabetes. * Vegan and vegetarian food products are going mainstream in grocery stores. Many products deliver the benefits of vegan foods without sacrificing the flavor and texture consumers demand. For example, Food for Life’s new baked (not fried) Moophrey burgers mimic the flavor and texture of quality ground beef. And in taste tests conducted by the company, more kids chose baked Cluckphrey Patties over traditional chicken nuggets. Both products are made with all-natural, non-genetically modified vegetable ingredients. Visit www.FoodforLife.com to learn more. And if you’re still not convinced that vegan foods fit into your family’s lifestyle, consider this - you may already have vegan foods in your pantry. Items you already use, but never knew were vegan range from Kool-Aid and Fritos to Sunbeam bread, Krispy Kreme fruit pies and Ore-Ida Tater Tots, according to Peta.org.

These Foods Can Help Lower Cholesterol continued from page 4

* This tart treat is full of antioxidants and has been touted for years as a sound choice for improving health. A National Academy of Sciences study showed that pomegranate juice reduces cholesterol plaque buildup by increasing nitric oxide production. * Grab some yogurt with live active cultures. There is research that indicates that yogurt with active cultures (probiotics) can do more than just settle your stomach ailments. Yogurt may help to prevent reabsorption of cholesterol back into the blood stream. * Look for supplemented foods. Stanol esters and plant sterols are plant-produced compounds that block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Some foods and margarines are adding plant sterols to help fight high cholesterol.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Casual elegance with small town atmosphere

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Relax in the Tavern Share a meal with friends Spend the evening in the comfort of our unique guest rooms.

Executive Chef – Jonathan Fine ��

�� 4 WEST MAIN STREET CAMBRIDGE, NY 12816

518-677-5626 w w w . cambridgehotel.com

Did You Know? (MS) -- The number of vegetarians throughout the country appears to be on the rise. In 2006, the Vegetarian Resource Group, via a poll conducted by Harris Interactive(R), asked Americans 18 and older which foods, if any, they never eat. The list included meat, poultry, fish or seafood, dairy products, eggs, and honey. By definition, 2.3 percent of respondents were found to be vegetarian, replying that they never ate meat, fish or poultry. Nearly triple that amount, 6.7 percent, replied that they never ate meat. When broken down by gender, more women are vegetarian than men, though not by as great a margin as one might think. Of the women polled, 3 percent were vegetarian, while 2 percent of male respondents were vegetarian. Where the greater disparity among the genders exists is between men and women who don’t eat meat. Nine percent of female respondents said they never eat meat, while 5 percent of men admitted to never eating meat. Perhaps most interesting was that male vegans outnumber female vegans, albeit very slightly. Vegans are defined as people who do not eat meat, fish, poultry, dairy, or eggs. The poll found that 1.4 percent of males were vegan, while 1.3 percent of women followed a vegan diet.

Fall Dining Guide

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Fall Dining Guide

Fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas to Please Foodies BERKSHIRE BANQUET HOUSE

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(MS) - Key trends, such as today’s soaring demand for premium quality foods and beverages, and the increasing popularity of television cooking shows, have inspired a plethora of new products specially designed to please gourmet and cooking enthusiasts. To help navigate crowded store aisles, here is a short list of new and innovative gifts to consider:

Gifts for Connoisseurs of Chocolate, Coffee and Tea: ‘Tis the season for chocolate! There’s nothing like a piping hot cup of hot chocolate to chase away the winter chill, and BonJour’s new Hot Chocolate Maker in pink also generously benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure ($40 retail). Complete with two matching pink cocoa mugs, the pink Hot Chocolate Maker presents a delicious opportunity to give to a worthy cause. (With each sale, $3.00 will be donated to Komen for the Cure with a minimum guaranteed donation of $30,000.) Chocolate aficionados who like to entertain will be thrilled with the new and elegantly styled Chocolate Dipping Set from BonJour. Crafted of classic white ceramic to blend with any holiday table decor, a 20-ounce, microwave safe pot sits neatly on a stand over a tea light to keep chocolate warm and smooth for dipping. The set includes bowls to hold dip-ready foods and six stainless steel dipping forks ($30 retail). The set is a fun and interactive way to enjoy dessert tableside - from chocolate covered strawberries, to chocolate covered slices of banana, pound cake, marshmallows, and more. Coffee connoisseurs prefer brewing their beverage in a French Press coffee maker, which allows for maximum coffee bean extraction and full-bodied, rich tasting coffee. Impress the coffee lover on your list with BonJour’s high-quality 8cup Maximus French Press ($40 retail), which now comes in chic translucent metallic finishes, including a vibrant Candy Apple Red. For latte, cappuccino and mocha gourmet coffee fans, BonJour offers its new automatic Caffe Latte Frother ($20 retail). The powerful, battery-powered, hand-held frother whips milk in seconds to transform a regular cup of Joe into a café-style treat. Tea lovers have no reason to feel left out in the cold. Today’s interest in health and relaxation has focused a spotlight on the benefits of tea. Delight an avid tea drinker with one of BonJour’s new hand-blown glass teapots featuring a removable infusion basket to brew loose tealeaves. The new Celeste Teapot Set ($60 retail) makes the complete gift as it includes a 32-ounce round teapot, creamer and sugar bowl with extralong handled sugar spoon. continued on page 16

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Fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas to Please Foodies

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Culinary Gifts that Keep on Giving Practical and thoughtful, cookware is a perennial favorite gift among culinary enthusiasts. Double the value of giving this season with the purchase of KitchenAid Cookware’s new Cook for the Cure Twin Pack Set, which includes a new 10inch Round Griddle and 11-inch Round Grill Pan crafted in the cause’s iconic pink hue ($50 retail). With each purchase, $5.00 will be donated to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Following in the Foot Steps of Celebrity Cooks Popular television cooking shows are drawing millions of Americans back into the kitchen, and one of the most influential stars leading this trend is Rachael Ray of Food Network fame. Inspire a novice cook, or please a diehard Rachael fan with a gift from the celebrity cook’s eponymous line of cookware and kitchen tools. New this fall is the Rachael Ray Enamel Cast-Iron 7-Quart Dutch Oven ($100 retail) - a generously sized round pot crafted in Rachael Ray’s three favorite colors - orange, blue and new for fall, green. If you’re looking for a fun stocking stuffer with a culinary theme, new Rachael Ray Tools come in affordable sets, such as the 2-Piece Pastry Brush Set, and 3-Piece Spoonula Set (cross between spoon and spatula, $15.00 each retail). Made of durable, heat-resistant nylon and

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easy to clean silicone, the tools come in all three colors, as well.

Essential Tools for the Budding Home Chef Just as an artist needs the right equipment to be inspired to create, an aspiring cook requires a solid foundation of highquality cookware and cutlery to master the art of cooking. Tap the inner chef of someone special on the gift list with a complete set of gourmet quality hard-anodized nonstick cookware. Anolon offers a well-designed 10-piece Anolon Advanced Cookware Set ($300 retail) with all the basic pots and pans needed to get cooking. Constructed to ensure fast and even heat distribution for best cooking results, the cookware features comfortable SureGrip handles on both the cookware and lids. Crafted from a combination of stainless steel and silicone rubber, the handles provide a soft, cool and confident grip. An innovative gift for the budding home chef is the Infinite Circulon 6-Quart Covered Chef Pan ($70 retail). Recently introduced, Infinite Circulon is the first-ever hard-anodized nonstick cookware that is both dishwasher-safe and can be used on all types of ranges, including induction and glass cooktops. The generously sized, versatile Chef Pan is ideal for preparing stir-fries, and endless dishes that call for browning and sautéing vegetables, meats, poultry, and fish. Good kitchen knives are another “must have” for home chefs. New this season is a collection of super-sharp knives with gleaming stainless steel handles from Anolon. The Anolon Stainless Steel Cutlery 3-Piece Chef Set ($50 retail) features a trio of indispensable knives no cook should be without: 8inch Chef ’s, 6-inch Utility and 3.5-inch Parer. Well balanced and comfortable to hold, the blades are made from a perfected composition of German high carbon stainless steel that is highly durable, retains its edge longer, and resists staining and rusting. Sweet Gifts for the Baker and Holiday Hostess For the person who loves to bake, there’s always room in the cupboard for another well-designed cookie sheet, cake pan, muffin tin, or loaf pan. Make it an extra-special gift by presenting the bakeware with a treat baked inside. For instance, arrive at a holiday party with the perfect hostess gift - a delicious cranberry walnut loaf cake beautifully baked in a new Circulon Bakeware 9- x 5-inch Loaf Pan ($13 retail). The Circulon Bakeware features the brand’s signature long-lasting Total nonstick food release system and is made of heavy gauge carbon steel to prevent bending and warping. Holiday gifts for the food-minded are plentiful and tempting this season. Learn more about the items mentioned online: www. bonjourproducts.com, www.anolon.com, www.kitchenaidcookware.com, www.circulon.com, and www.rachaelray.com.

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You Can’t Beat Our Sunday Night Meal Deal Only $20 ��

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