Mezze Bistro + Bar | Nancy Thomas & Chef Joji Sumi

Mezze Restaurant, Williamstown, MA, Mass, Massachusetts, Nancy Thomas, owner, Joji Sumi, chef, Mezze Bistro + Bar, Allium, Great Barrington, MA, Contemporary American, 01267, 01230, where to eat in Massachusetts, where to eat in the Berkshires, Berkshires dining guide, recommendations, restaurateur, chef recommendations, local sustainable, farmers, farm, local produce, meat, vegetables, cheese recommendations, where to buy cheese

Nancy Thomas is the owner and Joji Sumi is the executive chef of Mezze Bistro + Bar in Williamstown, MA. They are committed to supporting independent local, independent farmers and artisan producers using sustainable practices.

We asked them about the farmers they love in the Berkshires and where to eat, drink and shop in the area.

Q. What do you love most about having a restaurant in the Berkshires?

A. NT: Hands down, the access to local products and our relationships with the people who raise the animals, grow the vegetables and craft local cheeses, ciders and other delightful food products.

When you drive throughout Berkshire county, you see our food culture. Rolling hills with apple orchards, dairy farms, pasture-raised animals… they all begin to tell the story of Berkshires.

Q. What local ingredients are you excited about incorporating into your menu and how will you use them?

A. JS: The offal of local animals. Currently, we are making jerky with beef and pig hearts; learning to fabricate the different muscles into their tastiest moments. Learning to use all the parts of the animal like old-world butchers is really interesting work for young chefs today.

Q. What are some of the challenges of being a local food restaurateur?

A. NT: One of the challenges that is true for most restaurants selling a local product is the perceived value of food. Small farmers’ expenses are much higher than industrialized farming. Supporting local agriculture costs more, but purchasing local food has a great value to local economies and to our overall health. This isn’t the easiest conversation to have with our guests, but as we continue to tell the story, each consumer is empowered to vote with their fork!

Q. What’s your favorite pre-dinner cocktail / aperitif / drink to really get your taste buds awake?

A. NT: In early summer: local strawberries, tequila, lime and simple syrup with a salt-and-pepper rim.

In fall: a classic rye whiskey sour with fresh lemon, simple syrup and local egg white - shake a lot.

In winter: a bone-dry sparkling wine with shellfish.

JS: A Negroni with bourbon - The Boulevardier. [See recipe]

Joji’s Tips & Advice

Find | Asian Ingredients

Yuzu Juice

It’s similar to lemon juice with apricot.

Fish Sauce

It adds a salty, pungent taste.

Togarashi

A blend of Asian peppers, citrus, sesame seeds.

Find | Unusual Gadgets

Bic Razors

My favorite is a pack of Bic razors that we use to shave the pig’s face when it comes in from the farm for butchering.

Nancy’s Drink Tips & Advice

Find | Local Spirits

Berkshire Mountain Distillers Ethereal Gin

For its pine-y quality. It’s delicious.

berkshiremountaindistillers.com

Berkshire Brewing Company | The People’s Pint | West County Cider

Terrific hand-crafted beverages. Supporting regionally crafted products is a part of our mission to keep our dollars and our relationships in our community.

www.berkshirebrewingcompany.com

www.thepeoplespint.com

www.westcountycider.com

The Berkshires

Find | Food Artisans

Cricket Creek Farm

NT: Go to the farm store at Cricket Creek Farm in Williamstown for cheese, baked goods, raw milk and local meats. The Tobasi cheese is delicious.

1255 Oblong Road, Williamstown, MA 01267

T: 1.413.458.5888 | cricketcreekfarm.com

Rubiner’s Cheesemongers in Great Barrington

NT: Definitely worth a visit – he carries an amazing array of local and international cheeses and artisan foods.

264 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

T: 1.413.528.0488 | www.rubiners.com

Lakeview Orchards in Lanesboro

NT: Terrific for pick-your-own fall apples and pears and they also have a bakery with turnovers, cider donuts and cookies, coming out of the oven every hour.

94 Old Cheshire Road, Lanesborough, MA 01237

T: 1.413.448.6009 | www.lakevieworchard.com

Farm Girl Farm in Egremont

NT: A CSA from which we buy a lot of our menu items – the farmers there produce a really beautiful product.

Farmstand at Rubiner’s Cheesemongers on Saturdays in the summer.

farmgirlfarm.com

The Berry Patch in Stephentown

NT: We also love The Berry Patch in Stephentown – one of the best farm stands in the area. Their produce selection is, by far, fantastic.

15589 New York 22, Stephentown, NY 12168

T: 1.518.733.1234 | www.theberrypatch.net

Kim Wells Eastern Mountain Farm

JS: We love all our farmers, but recently, we have been involved in the entire cycle of the pigs. We compost to help feed the pigs, learn about the way they are raised on pasture and respect their slaughter by doing good things with the entire animal.

Hidden Pasture Farm & Might Food Farm

We are also huge fans of these two farms in Pownal, VT. The farmers at both farms are amazing to work with.

hiddenpasturefarm.com | mightyfoodfarm.com

Eat | Restaurants

Nudel in Lenox

NT: For Bjorn’s ever-changing small-plates menu.

37 Church Street, Lenox, MA 01240

T: 1.413.551.7183 | nudelrestaurant.com

The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge

NT: They have really changed their menu to feature local foods. Chef Brian raises his own pigs and features local everything, including house-made corn dogs. I love them.

30 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262

T: 1.413.298.5545 | www.redlioninn.com

Rubi’s Coffee & Sandwiches in Great Barrington

NT: For the perfect sandwich and barrista skills.

264 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

T: 1.413.528.0488 | www.rubiners.com

Route 7 Grill in Great Barrington

NT: For local BBQ meats accompanied with seasonal vegetables.

999 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

T: 1.413.528.3235 | www.route7grill.com

Stagecoach Tavern in Sheffield

NT: Chef Sarah is committed to local food with a rustic, simple touch – delicious fried chicken.

864 S Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA 01257

T: 1.413.229.8585 | www.stagecoachtavern.net

John Andrews in South Egremont

NT: Chef Dan creates inspired Italian house-made pasta dishes.

224 Hillsdale Road, South Egremont, MA 01258

T: 1.413.528.3469 | jarestaurant.com

Allium Restaurant + Bar in Great Barrington

JS: For the buffalo sweetbreads. They’re done in the style of buffalo wings… delicious.

44 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230

T: 1.413.528.2118 | alliumberkshires.com

Drink | Beers

The Old Forge in Lanesboro

JS: For their beer selection.

125 N Main Street, Lanesborough, MA 01237

T: 1.413.442.6797

Moe’s Tavern In Lee

NT: For pints of craft beers.

10 Railroad Street, Lee, MA 01238

T: 1.413.243.6637 | www.nocoorslight.com

More Berkshires Recs

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Food Recipes