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    Notch 8 Grille

    4.1 (74 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Notch 8 Grille Photos

    NOTCH 8 GRILLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Notch 8 Grille

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    tuna tartare
    Dana T.

    I really enjoyed the service and ambiance here! My favorite dishes was the scallop risotto and the tomato salad! The scallops were cooked perfectly and the flavors of the dish were amazing. The New York strip with brussels sprouts were also delicious. I wish the steak was a little juicier because I felt that I had to keep drowning it in the steak sauce. I enjoyed the lobster mac and cheese too; however, I was not a huge fan of the tuna tartare. It was not very fresh and the flavor was alright.

    Notch 8 Grill, on the New Haven and Northampton Rail Trail
    Chris M.

    Giving this a very solid and respectable 4 stars as a GRILL... aka a clubby, casual, steakhouse-feeling, modern, touch of throwback style, steakhouse kind of joint... At the top of the stairs under the old riveted iron train overpass you'll find what looks like it's some sort of old timber framed rail maintenance shed or train station which gently curves along a former rail bed which has been converted into the New Haven and Northampton Rail Trail. Carved into the left side of this structure is Notch 8 Grill, a beautifully appointed, comfortable, loungey restaurant with excellent service and great food. Our party was in good spirits as we arrived for a later 9:00 reservation after a performance at the Smith College Fine Arts Center -and Notch 8 Grill just kept us rolling! Our waiter, Joe was perfectly attentive, super friendly and the sort of professional you rarely find any more. After sharing a discussion about our Black Manhattan recipes, Joe made me a great Black Manhattan (Notch 8 uses half rye, a quarter Averna, and a quarter Vermouth... we use about half and half rye and Averna... I still like ours better, but theirs was pretty good... Joe said he's be glad to make one with my recipe). The wine list was awesome -they have a couple of choices of nice bottles which are served at the correct temperature and are affordable-so that you can sit down and enjoy your meal with a glass of wine without feeling either remotely remorseful for having spent your $ carelessly, or feeling guilty because you can't spend like a bougey millennial tech pirate. On that note: go to Europe! You'll find more often than not that folks over there drink just about exclusively excellent wine, and have no interest in spending more than $20 - $30 bucks a bottle. My point? because a restaurant doesn't come at you sideways, with a smarmy 30 year old sommelier and drop a heavy wine list on your table with a forklift doesn't make that a great restaurant. IMO, it's exactly the opposite. For appetizers, we ordered the mussels in white wine which was as good as you will find anywhere: the fish was perfect... tender and brightly flavored, and the sauce? I joked with Joe, asking him to please just pour the leftover sauce over my head because I wanted to wear it as my new cologne. Joe replied that he'd be glad to, but that I'd need to sign a waiver. LOL Now you might not joke around like me, but I'm sharing this bit to give you a feel for how much I liked that appetizer as well as for how easygoing and capable the staff was... Joe was able to read our group and have fun along with us. I'm from an Italian American family/community with roots on the Adriatic -and we know good seafood. So, when I like seafood at a restaurant, I'm always just a little bit surprised and relieved. We also order the crab cake... also perfectly cooked: moist and well flavored (I could have used a bit more of that dipping sauce...) I had the scallop entree with risotto -was a little apprehensive that the smoked bacon jam would overtake the dish, but I was having a good time so I went with the flow (Joe also said that was his favorite dish on the menu). Scallops were cooked well and the smoked bacon jam was a nice layer -but not overpowering. My wife had the chicken francaise over fresh fettuccine -which she liked and thought the fettuccine was particularly good. Others at our table ordered the frenched chicken and the stuffed pork chop. No complaints. I'm not going to tell you that Notch 8 Grill is getting a Michelin Star any time soon. But the prices are perfectly reasonable, menu is filled with good contemporary and traditional options, the food is above average, drinks are perfect, ambience is great, service is excellent... All of the above for around $225 for our party of four? That's a great value. I gave Joe a 25% tip -and I'm kind of old school and my tipping range normally starts at 15% (although I'm happy to go 10% or less if you earn it), but I usually tip 20% if everything is right. I wish I'd taken some food picks. Sorry. But if you go to Notch 8 Grill, I'd be surprised if you didn't have a great time.

    Seared scallops
    Donna F.

    Party of 6 on a quiet Monday. Service was excellent! Drinks were excellent. The food was good. The stuffed pork chop was good but a little dry and too big, which may be a good thing haha. Scallops were delicious! The warm bread was a nice touch.

    Oysters Rockefeller
    Melissa J.

    Food, amazing, service amazing- thank you Amy. Ambiance bar none... we will be back . Count on it

    Welcome rose
    Lorraine G.

    This was our Valentine's Dinner. Notch 8 is conveniently located in the Union Street Station in Northampton. Decor is warm and woody. Low ceilings that are dark to match the decor. Staff was wonderful from the host station to the servers. We chose the lobster bisque as a starter. Delicious with lobster claw meat but genuinely too salty. I would not have that again. Veal saltimbocca with prosciutto and asparagus and fingerling potatoes was delicious. It wasn't actually Italian style but it was good. Would I go again? Yes but I would stick with a selection from the steak menu. Can't go wrong with that. Notch 8 is relatively new but a welcome addition to a not so thriving Northampton scene. Give it a try for that special occasion. You won't be disappointed. Their wine and spirits menu is extensive. Many great choices.

    Tuyen N.

    Prices are high; product (some) were dry; the oysters seemed more hacked open than shucked, as we like, and at $3/ was three times what we just paid a little more south, by-the-buy, salad seemed past its prime; service was good but did I mention prices were high, nevertheless, they try! ; Ambiance was great! Like an old train station and dinning-car when times had rail for the great city escape by far; Loved the Amtrak train slowly leaving the station, we were so close to the tracks and yet really quiet as it clacked on by.

    Tanya B.

    Upstairs from the tunnel bar you will find this gem. Upon walking in we wanted a table however they informed us if we sit at the bar it's happy hour and it's half off appetizers. I thought that was a very open honest gesture. We just got back from a hike so I did not want anything heavy. I ordered, lobster mac & cheese, prosciutto, wrapped, asparagus, scallops and they were so delicious !! Staff was amazing, so friendly and kind.

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you so much Kristen! Cheers!

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    1 year ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you for the feedback M K!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you so much Linda!! We hope to see you again very soon!!!

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Terri!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Luke, jokes of any caliber are always most welcome!!

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    3 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Yaileen!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you so much Michael! Cheers!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Krista!! Cheers

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Elianna!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Paula! Cheers

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    2 years ago

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    N. S.

    Thank you Gottalovdogs R.! Cheers!!

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    3 years ago

    Joe was root, toot, and bootin! He was great for us! Amazing person with a warm, welcoming charm!

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    N. S.

    Thank you so much Kyndel!!! Joe is the rootin'est & tootin'est! Cheers

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    3 years ago

    The food was great, the side dishes were very large and very good. We had a great knowledgeable server, afrike.

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    N. S.

    Thank you Kayle!!

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    3 years ago

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    Thank you Lisa!!! Come back soon :)

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    3 years ago

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    Thank you Gabe!!

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    3 years ago

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    Thank you Erin!

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    2 years ago

    great food, great drinks, great service! love the drink menu so creative! Highly recommend!

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    Homestead

    Homestead

    4.1
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    From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels warm and inviting -- rustic yet refined, with a…read morecozy New England charm that makes it perfect for both date nights and relaxed dinners with friends. The staff were genuinely welcoming, attentive without being overbearing, and clearly passionate about the food they serve. The menu highlights locally sourced ingredients and seasonal flavors, and you can taste the freshness in every bite. The dishes are thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. Whether you're ordering seafood, steak, or one of their creative vegetarian options, the flavors are balanced and satisfying. The cocktail list is equally impressive, with well-crafted drinks that complement the menu nicely. What really sets Homestead apart is its consistency and attention to detail -- from the quality of the ingredients to the comfortable ambiance and polished service. It's the kind of place that feels special without feeling pretentious. If you're in Northampton and looking for a restaurant that blends farm-to-table quality with a welcoming atmosphere, Homestead is absolutely worth a visit.

    We had such a wonderful experience here from start to finish. The hostess greeted us with a warm…read moresmile and made us feel immediately welcome. While our table was being set up outside, we enjoyed a drink at the bar--the 15-minute wait was absolutely worth it. The outdoor setting was beautiful, with greenery creating a relaxed summer vibe and live music playing under a small tent, adding to the atmosphere. Our server was equally delightful--friendly, attentive, and spot-on with recommendations. Now, the food: outstanding. We started with the beets and peas salad, which was bursting with flavor--our plates were practically licked clean. The house arugula salad was crisp, fresh, and perfectly balanced with a light, lemony vinaigrette. For mains, we shared the roasted half chicken and the bucatini. Both were phenomenal. I rarely order chicken at restaurants since it often feels too plain, but this one was perfection--crispy skin, juicy meat, and seasoning that carried through every bite. The bucatini, made with homemade pasta and loaded with crispy pancetta, was absolutely irresistible. We couldn't resist finishing with the "Little Mason Jar" dessert, which was indulgent and delicious. Everything--from the service to the food to the ambiance--was exceptional. We'll definitely be back on our next visit to the area

    Photos
    House Salad
    House Salad
    Classic old fashioned with the one big ice cube, delightful
    Classic old fashioned with the one big ice cube, delightful
    This speaks for itself..

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    This speaks for itself..

    Notch 8 Grille - steak - Updated July 2026

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