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

Cushman Market & Cafe (North Amherst, MA)

Out of a John Denver song, next to the rail road running through North Amherst, waits the rustic Cushman Market and Café. This historic market is much more than a corner store where you can pick up your milk and eggs. The land was originally purchase in 1892, by George Cogswell and built a grocery store on the site where the current market continues to run.  

I adore the re-inventive design that is a constant theme of integrating the old growers packaging labels as the palate for the cozy, comforting charm of the relaxed local café. It’s outdoor patio is picturesque next to the clang-clang of the railroad tracks. Plenty of Parking on the side, back and across the street along the petite park with picnic table and rock wall. A great way place to break up your Saturday morning or afternoon.

The establishment currently is split in two between a small, but well stocked, market featuring an excellent wine and beer selection. As well as, a café serving the fresh, fine food made from local ingredients from nearby farms. Their coffee beans are locally roasted. Drinks are made with local Mapleline milk which is delicious.

Coffee Regular- French Roast was just what I wanted it to be- robust, rich, and with a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon was the perfect pairing to my chocolate croissant. The croissant was flaky, with a smooth dark chocolate granache filling. It was such a tasty treat on such a dreary day.

On my second venture to the cafe a few weeks later, I tried out their Lemon cupcake and Chocolate cupcakes. The lemon was simply garnished with a sugared lemon rind and was a bit dry and needed either more lemons or moist to zest up the actually cake. The Chocolate cupcake on the other hand was reminiscent of a hoho….decadent and moist its white butter cream frosting made this moist little morsel a decadent treat. (I dream of going back for another....)

(5 stars *****) Organic/ fresh breakfast and lunch artisan (FREE WIFI- good signal)

More information can be found on the markets website: http://cushmanmarket.com/

Cushman’s Market & Café’ (North Amherst, MA)

491 Pine St, Amherst, MA 01002

(413) 549-0100

Big Mamou (Springfield, MA)

Big Mamou (Springfield, MA):

A hidden treat inside a hidden gem of a city. The city  of Springfield itself has a rustic, gone by the way atmosphere. Where once a populous shopping metropolis once stood, now stands a survivor of natural disasters inching its way back into becoming a thriving community.

Springfield- New Orleans Creole restaurant- (The sauces are really filling.) Basic ingredients that can be found anywhere but when thrown together and mixed with the chef’s sauces. It takes you back to the bayou and a home cooked meal.  The chef bottles and sells his homemade hot sauce for a few bucks…worth it to add to your collection.

Gumbo (Creole)- YUM!!! With a toasted, thinly sliced baguette with a cheesy corn and garlic topping. This is a great addition to a spicy, slight salty concoction of vegetables and strongly flavored stock that is known as gumbo. This particular gumbo was lighter in coloring and poured over a small portion of steamed seasoned rice.

Red Jambalaya(Creole) -Very Really filling. Shrimp, yellow grained rice, sausage, celery, red bell peppers, with yellow onions.  “Be full and not skinny!” this should be the profile of this particular dish.

(3 stars ***)- Cajun/ Creole Southern food made to order.

Street parking- Simple seating- good for families, large parties, and date night. Décor- casual with a New Orleans- Mardi Gras vibe. Hand painted mural in the bathroom gives an additional strength of ethnic charm.

Big Mamou

63 Liberty St
Springfield, MA 01103

(413) 732-1011

La Casita Azteca (Easthampton, MA)

After a mid-morning bike ride strolling along the Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton, MA I was quite hungry for something fresh, local, and yummy! As a girl from Northern California, I have a soft spot for fresh, cheesy Mexican food. Little did I know that I would find just what I was looking for in Easthampton, MA.

I had the Chicken Mole- Full and Rich with lightly shredded chicken that tasted like it fell right off the bone.It was served with freshly diced cabbage and onions with a side of Spanish style rice and simmered black beans with a light dusting of local feta cheese. Jon on the other hand dived right into the 3 Beef Tacos-Rolled in flour tortillas with grated mozzarella cheese. (He worked up an appetite on the bike ride over! :) )Everything was fresh, fresh, fresh and right off the stove warm. Perfect atmosphere to be able to sit outside under the umbrella'd colorful picnic tables with a slight breeze blowing in between the buildings.  

We both also ordered the Iced Tea. It was light and refreshing. Perfect for a hot day. They have 2 different types made in the either black or green tea. Overall- Great service, great food, great experience. I can't wait to go back on a night when they have live music!

Next Time: 

I didn't  get a chance to try their Sangria, but I can't wait till the weather turns and I can take a break from the rail trail to try a glass.
(4 stars- ****) Dine in/ Take out, good for kids, large parties and first dates!!!

La Casita Azteca: Traditional Mexican Cuisine
58 Cottage Street  Easthampton, MA 01027

413-203-5050 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            413-203-5050      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Monarch's Restaurant (Deerfield, MA)

Warm, inviting, kid friendly, and relaxed while still providing above average dinning. This is a perfect place to break up your day before going on a tour of the Butterfly Conservatory or relaxing after a day of hustle and bustle at the Yankee Candle Factory. The wait staff is experienced and inviting with wonderful advice on the menu options which change with the season.Their expert knowledge of the surrounding attractions and ability to articulately point you in the right direction prove to be helpful and informational.

The food- Home cooking with a wide variety with your basic American New England offerings- breakfast, lunch, or dinner it is a great stop.

My meal- New England clam chowder and a BLT sandwich with homemade maple iced tea.

The New England clam chowder was rich, flavorful, tons of clams [without the fishy taste] served with crackers and optional toasted bread crumbs. Delicious! It was not overly salted and had such a kick of flavor, one would have thought it came right out of the sea. My BLT sandwich was just as rich with homemade EVERYTHING!!! The bread was cooked that morning, the lettuce and tomatoes were grown in the backyard garden, and the bacon was cured from a pig at a nearby farm. Being served with locally grown products always delivers such a richer experience and lends further credence. Complimented with seasoned potato fries and homemade coleslaw, it was ample portioning. My maple iced tea, I was a bit leary of, but I decided to be adventurous....the tea was refreshing, not too rich with a gentle hint of maple and lemon. It reminded me of a summer drink best served in the cool of an evening on a hot day.

****(4 Stars) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

While you are in the area you may want to check out the Yankee Candle Factory or Historic Deerfield.

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory (Deerfield, MA)

281 Greenfield Road
South Deerfield, MA
(413) 665-2805

Apollo Grill (Easthampton, MA)

Stepping into the refurbished old paper mill building with the original flooring and windows takes you back to a time when craftsmanship was appreciated. This restaurants unique way of recycling the old into something new while still maintaining the essence of the past is a custom which should be praised and replicated. It is quirky and slightly beatnik with its bohemian artist staff, spilled over from the local colleges, and it's rich diverse menu makes a customer ask for nothing less. The full bar has been redesigned and is stacked to the brim with cute mixed drink names that compliment the theme of the restaurant.

I fortunately tried the crab cakes and their cesar salad. Both had strong, crisp, fresh textures that complimented each other, as well as the surroundings. It was a light, refreshing mixture and did not over compensate each other. Each had its own signature flavors with the salad, nicely displayed in a elegant dressing with freshly grated Parmesan. The crab cake on the other hand was a mexican theme with black beans, warm yellow corn, avocado and a small side of salsa with tortilla crisps.

My partner had the chicken sandwich with mozzarella cheese, pesto mayonnaise and the seasoned french fries were delicious. As you can see by the photograph, it was a good presentation with an abundance of food that did not leave us wanting.

(4 stars- ****) Fresh food, American/ mixed design, full bar- good variety of wine.

Apollo Grill
116 Pleasant St
Ste 121
Easthampton, MA 01027

(413) 517-0031

Black Sheep (Amherst, MA)

In the heart of the city of Amherst, MA, off the main street, sits a quaint bakery/cafe that houses a plethora of tasty freshly made treats daily. Ranging from delicate desserts to fresh made sandwiches, this hipster/college hang out is the kind of San Francisco wannabe deli that make me ache for the west coast's famous Tartine off 18th street.

I tried the Californian Sandwich, as more of a novelty, then for any other reason. I was pleasantly surprised by the roasted warm sun dried tomato paste with red onions, spinach and coupled with thinly sliced chicken. I was looking forward to tasting a pesto flavoring within the paste as described and was disappointed not to experience anything close.The house regular iced coffee was rich and robust which helped speed me along for the rest of my afternoon. However, the variety in coffee was weak and I did not notice a selection in Tea's which would help diversify their clientele.

The Apple Pecan Muffin, I tried on a second visit as more of an early morning dash to work. The muffin was not only a refreshing treat, it was a sweet comfort that was not overpowering nor was it bland. It was warm, fresh, and exactly what I wanted. I look forward to trying more of their baked goods soon.

Four Stars ****

Black Sheep
79 Main St
Amherst, MA 01002

(413) 256-1706

http://blacksheepdeli.com/