I like trains. I like historical stuff. And, well, I like food, too. So, this placed seemed like a…read moreno-brainer. Me and some friends recently took a trip from Boston out to Palmer just to check-out the infamous Steaming Tender restaurant. The place was so beyond what I could have expected. A really, really, really amazing experience. We mostly went for the "train" stuff, but the food was incredible, too. We had a server named Jennifer who was so awesome, and she helped make the whole evening even better. HIGHLY recommend this place.

Sat outside on the patio since we had our dogs with us. Patio sits under large overhangs (protected…read morefrom rain) plus many tables around the perimeter have Sun umbrellas. It seemed as if most people on the patio were there for the trains. We were able to watch an engineer switch tracks so he could pick up a load of cars stored nearby. We also were able to watch a long freight train go by. Lots of people were photographing, videoing, many with professional cameras and tripods. They gave a dog friendly menu. And bring water bowls for the dogs. We ordered burgers. Choice was "pink or no pink". I think they were understaffed. It took 90 minutes from arrival to departure.

A spacious restaurant with beautiful river views and top notch food. I was there with family but…read morethe waitress Jen was friendly, able to answer all our questions, and the delivery of the order was fast. I had a cup of clam chowder and the short rib shepard's pie. I'm rarely satisfied with clam chowder, needing to add a pat of butter, some salt, or the ratios are off. No such worries here, and I had a pleasant cup of creamy chowder with a hearty mix of clams and bite size potatoes. The main course was so savory. Mashed potato topped with a flavorful beef gravy, covering a juicy layer of tender short rib. Underneath, peas, corn, and carrots that had been cooked by the skillet the whole thing is served in. I'd gladly come back and try more of this place's offerings.

Have stepped foot here a few times as a western mass native. Each time i go I'm always delighted to…read moresee a new specials menu. A classic Caesar salad never fails, and the fish tacos were quite good as well. Next time, I'm for sure getting the skillet Mac because the bite that was offered to me was just delectable. I love the location and views here and the service is very fast and efficient. If you're looking for a place to get a nice drink with some nice people with a nice view this is your spot.

I have been to a couple of lovely events here in the past few years. Recently, Music in Bloom was…read moreso cool and nice. 36 dollars bought 2hrs and 45 minutes of music plus strolling or otherwise enjoying across 5 locations in the garden. Hearing the music floating in the air as you moved from space to space was so nice. Gorgeous, but still pretty early on the season for flowers. The music and wonderful art made it a really lovely evening. The cafeteria and bar were also serving and had a good selection.

Always a great walk in the garden. The new glass sculptures are interesting enough, not as good as…read morethe fairy houses before, though. Then again, cannot compare orange with apple. Always appreciated the efforts on various displays in the garden. Nice sunny day , enough shades to stroll leisurely without getting burned, yet get enough vitamin D in the process. Love this garden and never regret to be a member . Highly recommended to come to take a walk, have a nice lunch, visit the beautiful gift shop. Best of all, relax in the beautiful flowers to enjoy life's small pleasures.

Party of 5 of of us were there Friday 6 12 26 everything was delicious ,we will definitely go back…read more wait staff was great .

This is a small, family run restaurant with great Italian meals. We have gone here twice: for…read moreValentine's day/anniversary and my birthday. Wait staff are super friendly and accommodating. My husband substituted bolognese sauce for fra diavolo without a problem. The chef is great. Excited to see their son is opening a take out restaurant next door called Nonna's. Will definitely return!!

Beautiful beautiful venue for a wedding and everyone was so nice and accommodating!! We come from…read moreout of town and I was impressed how gorgeous everything was.

Review for the hotel accommodations…read more When you visit Sturbridge, you know antiquity will be part of the theme. Olde buildings, historical relics, period clothing- all the stuff of retro-tourism. And when you stay at a place called the Public House, you know the theme will be continued ling after the time at the Sturbridge Villiage is spent. It's an after-hours continuation of your historical proclivities, and for many, a welcome extension. The main house smells like fireplace, has wonderful construction materials, lead windows, exposed beams- you are staying in an important place that echoes with hundreds of years of conversations and ales. However, book through hotels.com, and your 1750 time warp lands you oddly in 1980. No main inn to be found; rather, you pioneer your wagon to the remotest of the motel complex where nary 2 other weary travelers have been sequestered, and in this desolation you unlock your door to Nancy Reagan, the Bee Gees, and ET. 1980 greets you with mismatched antique-ish furnature, tiled bathtubs, and plug-in electronic clock radios. Curtains look like wallpaper from Williamsburg- replete with pioneer hunting scenes- and carpeting is an odd green color. See, subjecting yourself to a historical setting has backfired, and though antiquey, it isn't anything other than a mishmash of castaway artifacts, seeking a home in the farthest of corners of the Public House complex. And this is your dilemma...you wanted this, and this you have received. Women in their 49's in 1980 would have swooned into the arms of their lovers, to be surrounded by such immersion early Americana! To be concise, the furthest block of rooms is a woefully outdated historical remnant that refuses to modernize. To the credit or historical preservationalists, it is clean, perfectly functional, and has good water pressure and comfortable mattresses and pillows. The AC may be a little noisey- possibly in an attempt to drown out semi-trucks on the nearby highway, rolling over the rumble strips along the white line- but it blows cold, and the room doesn't have odors. It is like the frilled tuxedo with bellbottom paints in your grandfathers closet; still functional and clean, but slightly outdated. And this is the conundrum when staying in a historical hotel: you asked for it. We did have a good night at the Public House, and the delicious breakfast of baked goods in the Bakery the next morning was appreciated. Coffee cake and coffee were a good combination before taking ye olde family back on the road!

It was a quaint and cute hotel and had a lot going for it. Unfortunately, for being expensive, it's…read morea bit tired. The staff are not very friendly or helpful. We sat in the parlor room and the chairs were all torn up- terrible! We wanted coffee and went to the front desk where the clerk was playing solitaire. When we asked if there was coffee or hot cocoa we were told to go to the bar and order it and it would be delivered to us- we were surprised that she didn't stand up and offer to take care of it for us. Customer service training should be a focus. There are a lot of places to stay and we should feel that we made the right choice in staying here and spending money here but we don't. Hopefully employee training as well as some repairs will be done so that customers can benefit.

I so wanted to love this, quaint, historic place. If my daughter chooses Amherst, then I would…read moremost likely stay here again. But next time, I'm going to have some requests. There's no place as close to the college as the Inn on Bolton. It's literally on campus and probably part of his problem, is run by the college. It's really expensive. Yet, the rooms are small and awkward. Plus it's a bit of a labyrinth and I feel too little twin girls are gonna pop out at any moment and scream redrum at me. When we checked in at 2 AM, exhausted from our cross-country trip, and a one hour drive, the receptionist sent us to the wrong wing, and when I went downstairs, he sent me back up, saying I just didn't see it. I had to go down and have him come upstairs to help us find our room only to discover it wasn't where he sent us at all. Next, there was no bottled water in the entire building, not to buy or what is customarily complementary in a hotel of this price range The very polite guy went onto explain that it was because they hadn't received their shipment of water. I'm confused because I sure did pass Walmart, Target a grocery store and a Trader Joe's just minutes from here. But alas no one thought to go get water. Their parking lot is a four minute walk from the hotel. You may hit the jackpot and get one of the 45 spots right in front of the hotel. We didn't. Boo!! Also, they are saving money by not cleaning the rooms daily. I think that's BS but it would've at least been nice for them to tell us a check in. I found a gray hair on the comforter which was not ours. Gross!!! They do have a fancy, highfaluting Molecule air filter that I did not steal. I don't love this place and I wouldn't recommend it for any other reason then if you were spending multiple days on campus. If I come again, I will request daily service and also request to be in the west wing.

Everything was very good-Goat cheese, wedge, statler chicken and swordfish. Music needed to be…read morelouder. Prices were on point. Service was quick and food came out fast and piping hot. Small menu so check it before you go. The grounds are beautiful here. Would love to come back on a snowy January day-such a gorgeous setting and lovely dining room.

This restaurant has both ambience and fabulous food selections. I would recommend recommended…read morehighly.

Father's Day at Wiggins Tavern was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had…read more The restaurant advertised a price of $34.99, which was a major factor in our decision to dine there. However, when our party of four received the bill, the actual charges were dramatically different. We were charged $69.99 per person for dinner, plus a $54 service charge, a 20% gratuity, and tax, resulting in a bill of more than $350. My biggest issue is not necessarily the higher holiday pricing itself--restaurants are free to set their prices. The problem is that the Father's Day pricing was not clearly disclosed or prominently communicated before we ordered. Had we known the true cost, we would have made a different decision. Transparency matters. Customers should know exactly what they will be paying before they sit down and order, especially when holiday pricing nearly doubles the advertised rate and additional service charges and gratuities are automatically added. The food was acceptable, but it was completely overshadowed by the surprise bill and the feeling that important pricing information was not clearly communicated. Unfortunately, this experience left us feeling misled rather than appreciated on Father's Day. I have also filed complaints with the appropriate consumer protection agencies because I believe consumers deserve clear and accurate pricing information before making dining decisions.

Thanksgiving buffet at Hotel Northampton, a quintessential, New England Thanksgiving. Done right…read moreas someone who has worked away through more Thanksgiving prix fixe menus and buffets I care to admit I can say with confidence that hotel Northampton delivered one of the most well executed holiday spreads I've experienced in Western Massachusetts. From the moment I stepped inside that historic lobby beautifully decorated for the season, warm, inviting and buzzing with celebratory energy, I knew I was in good hands. The staff had that polished anticipatory service style that instantly sets the tone for a seamless dining experience. The Thanksgiving buffet was thoughtfully, curated, and impeccably maintained throughout the seating. The carve of turkey was exceptionally moist, no small fete on a buffet line and the stuffing and mashed potatoes struck that perfect balance between upscale and comfort, familiar seasonal size or vibrant, fresh and clearly prepared with intention rather than filler. Special shout out to the carving station team who prepared a wonderful prime rib roast - they were not only efficient, but genuinely personable, the kind of hospitality that elevates a meal from good commemorable desserts, the pumpkin pie with a silky custard with just the right spice and the pecan pie was rich without being cloy. I may or may not have sampled more than one plate in the name of research. Service was consistently attentive without hovering. Plates were cleared promptly and check-in is perfectly timed. You can tell this team knows how to handle high volume holiday service while keeping the guest experience front and center. Hotel Northampton nails a classic New England Holiday vibe with elevated execution, relaxed, delicious beautifully organized Thanksgiving. I'd absolutely return next year and recommend it to anyone looking to celebrate without compromise.

We had our wedding at the Farm Table in May and could not be happier with the venue, staff and…read morefood. All of our guests had an amazing time and the day went smoothly. Vanessa was a great addition to the team towards the end of our planning and helped execute the perfect day! I would highly recommend Farm Table for a local wedding and could not imagine our day anywhere else.

My husband and I recently visited Farm Table for Sunday brunch. The restaurant itself is beautiful,…read moreand the grounds are lovely, creating a wonderful atmosphere. Our server was friendly and pleasant throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the dining experience fell short in a few areas. We waited about 45 minutes for our food, even though our order was fairly simple--a salad with salmon and an omelet. When our silverware arrived, it was greasy and had to be sent back. The biggest disappointment was the salmon, which was significantly overcooked and very chewy. The salmon was okay once doused in dressing. The omelet was underwhelming. After tip brunch was around $70. Given the beautiful setting and friendly service, I had high expectations. I'm hoping this was just an off day, as the restaurant certainly has a lot of potential.

I definitely didn't go to a wedding over the weekend with the intention of writing a Yelp review,…read morebut after seeing how great the venue was and even more so how hilarious the staff was, this place definitely earned the five star review. I showed up here on Friday at around 5pm and was immediately impressed with the beautiful building surrounded by tons of trees and just how New England this place seemed. After a nice ceremony in the woods (they are able to drive you around on golf carts which is sick) we spent the remainder of the night in the massive building where everything else took place. The main room itself looks amazing and the wood work is certainly something to gawk at. The washrooms were large and clean, all of the food I ate (which I'm pretty sure was handled by the venue) was much better then what I've had at previous weddings, and the staff....oh the staff. From being genuinely charming and funny during very single step of the night to hitting the dance floor for a song and blending in way better then I ever could, it's always nice to see every single person there at least pretending to have fun. Overall, I may not live in Connecticut, but if someone ever got some random reason needed an eastern Connecticut venue recommendation, well, this is the place I'm telling them to pick. Thanks for giving a whole lot of people such an unforgettable night.

From former tree farm to event venue, Wright's is the epitome of bucolic beauty. Winding roads,…read morewaterfalls, stone walls - the best of eastern CT. I came here for a friend's wedding last weekend and it couldn't have been a more perfect setting (OR weather). I didn't see nearly enough of the grounds but what I did see was lovely. They hosted the ceremony in a spectacularly lush wooded area, followed by the reception in a rustic, yet well appointed pavilion. Actual bathrooms instead of portable which was sooo much better! Appreciated the ample parking and quick walk between the parking lot, ceremony site, and reception area. Not sure if all of the weddings are required to use the venue's catering, but the food was solid too!