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When Eating Out Is Worth It

Published on January 6, 2011 By Emily. Updated on July 7, 2013

We are not big on eating out.  It’s not that I don’t like restaurants, but I like cooking and saving money too much to go to out on a regular basis.  If we eat out more than once a month, its a rarity. But once in awhile, we make an exception.

Prior to last Sunday, Brian and I had only been to Mezze Bistro and Bar once–last fall when my aunt and uncle were in town.  I’ve been looking for an excuse to go back ever since; I love their mission and menu:

Mezze serves contemporary American cuisine highlighting the best of the season in support of independent farmers and artisan producers.

The food is handcrafted by our chefs who take great care to source local and seasonal ingredients including farm-fresh produce, meats, cheeses and breads. Menu items are paired alongside small-batch microbrews, locally distilled spirits and seasonal, small-production wines.

Of course, Mezze’s pricing generally matches their quality and since we eat out so rarely, we like to try out new places when we do.  But Mezze is currently running a special menu on Sundays, a menu they’re calling “Comfort Sundays – cozy winter dining”, a different 3 course, $25 prixe fixe menu each week.  We managed to resist the Mexican-style menu, the breakfast fare, and Italian food before this popped into my inbox last week:

First Course
Shelburne Farms Cheddar Mac + Cheese

Second Course
Gammelgarden Buttermilk-soaked Fried Amish Chicken
with Biscuits, Mashed Potatoes + Gravy

Dessert
Lemon Meringue Pie

I can’t tell you the last time I had fried chicken.  Everything about this meal sounded delicious.  How could I say no?  I knew it was going to be good (I love knowing where my food comes from!), but the meal exceeded expectations.  The macaroni and cheese was the richest I’d ever had and the flavor was amazing.  I would’ve been happy with just that for my meal.  When the second course arrived, we were greeted with the smoothest mashed potatoes I’d ever had and 3 pieces of fried chicken.  I was so impressed; I didn’t expect to receive so much food for such a reasonable amount of money.

(please excuse the poorly lit restaurant photos)

The menu was changed from lemon merigue pie to lemon semifreddo in licorice sauce with licorice soaked Kalamata olives.  Strange, I know, but it worked somehow.

Between the two of us, Brian and I took home 3 pieces of chicken.  We ate pancakes and fried chicken for dinner the next night.

Brian says we’re done eating out for a while, but I’m still looking forward to seeing what’s on the menu for this Sunday.

Mezze Bistro + Bar on Urbanspoon

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Filed Under: places Tagged With: Berkshires, local, Massachusetts, restaurants

« Highlights: Year End Lists
Highlights: Eating Out and Eating In »

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  1. Relishments » Highlights: Eating Out and Eating In says:
    January 9, 2011 at 7:49 pm

    […] for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginAs I mentioned the other day, we don’t eat out much.  But I do like eating out; sometimes it’s nice to have someone else doing the cooking and […]

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Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
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#NorthAdams #NAmazing
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#AdamsMA #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
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#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
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#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #ShopLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #PlantConnector
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Link in profile.
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One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
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