North Hadley Sugar Shack (Northampton, MA)

The North Hadley Sugar Shack sits right on the side of a winding road in center of Massachusetts maple country. It has the main shack where they produce maple sugar candied treats all year round. The main house where they have a restaurant and gift shop where they sell their manufactured products, a side shack of the main house where a running maple syrup distiller operates during the height of the season for tourist, and an animal village where youngsters can feeder and pet farm animals. A local hot spot it attracts locals and tourist looking for fresh maple syrup with a home made meal.

Not much compares for me besides a hot cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice. Lucky for me the Sugar shack has both. I split their maple glazed donuts which were a bit plain without the maple glaze honestly, Waffles and sausages that were okay and I had the Eggs/ bacon and toast which was the restaurants saving grace. Fresh brown eggs scrambled with large strips of apple smoked bacon with rye toast.

Overall, it felt like a local spot with curios for tourists and fresh grade A-meat to buy in bulk for locals. The side built barnyard is great for kids and the maple sugar shack suggests a treat for the adults. Not pretentious  and full of local charm, it is a quite retreat in the deep of the Pioneer Valley.

(3.5 out of 5 stars ***1/2) Breakfast/ Brunch- great for kids and large groups.

North Hadley Sugar Shack
175 River Drive  Hadley, MA 01035

(413) 585-8820

Slice California Cafe (Holyoke, MA)

Slice in Holoyke, MA is a little piece of heaven for me as a food lover. The setting is in an old paper mill factory that is floor to ceiling original hardwood flooring with exposed brick framing the wide windows allowing in natural light. It is only in its second year, but don't let this deter you. The chef is from Southern California and has over 20 years experience working as a chef for rock & roll tour groups. The food is fresh, beautiful, and soooo tasty with the majority of produce coming from local produce vendors in the area. I can't say enough good things and would eat here every Saturday morning if my boyfriend would let me.  If you haven't tried it, then you are totally missing out on a hidden gem right in the middle of Holyoke, MA.

While there I had the California omelet with an English muffin and their house potatoes. The California omelet consists of fresh jack cheese, boars head meat, caramelized mushrooms, and eggs that are light and fluffy. The English muffin is so/so traditional English muffin, but the house organic potatoes!!!! Seasoned and cooked to perfection with slivers of red peppers and onions help spice up the meal for a perfect balanced dish. 

Their house breakfast sandwich has those same wonderful potatoes. The white sharp cheddar cheese is melted over farm fresh fried eggs with an ample portion of boars head meat. (I chose the ham of the day which was, as expected with boars head meat, utterly delicious.) Add a glass of the restaurants hot cup of coffee and I have never left unsatisfied.

The service is always friendly and with hints of California relaxation, Free WI-FI, and exposed original brick and wood flooring, what more could a customer ask for? It is the perfect setting for a hip new cafe set in the burgeoning artist community growing in Holyoke. I can't wait to play hooky from a day of work to try out their summer salads and their artisan wraps. YUM!

(*****5 stars) Breakfast/ Lunch- Artisan Sandwiches/ Salads/ Breakfast

1 Open Square Way, Holyoke, MA 01040‎

(413) 536-5964 slicecafe.net