Food

In upscale Italian restaurants when possible I always order Osso Bucco. Having read and absorbed some classic recipes on line, to the horror of my gourmet friends, I winged it and improvised. The resultant sauce was just awesome. But even at the suggested two hours the meat could have been more tender with longer cooking.

The top London destination for cheap hearty food with great atmosphere is found in Trafalgar Square. The Cafe in the Crypt below St. Martin-in-the-Fields is no secret. It is always noisy and crowded. Despite the inconvenience it's the best deal around in a very expensive city.

With a mid January launch the Firehouse Cafe is off to a hot start in sizzling downtown Adams, Mass. Word of mouth is spreading like wildfire for the new restaurant that combines great service, fine dining, and tasty food at an affordable price. It's the spark that's igniting long dormant Park Street.

They say that a seven course gourmet Irish meal consists of a six pack and baked potato. Imagine then our surprise to discover traditional Irish food in cozy Dublin pubs. Washed down, of course, with a fresh pint of Guinness.

For an atmospheric lunch or dinner consider Sullivan Station in Lee the gateway to the Berkshires. Enjoy the intact interior of the 1893 building with lots of vibtage memorabelia.

For a special occasion we dined in the 200-year-old former grist mill in New Ashford on Route 7 between Pittsfield and Williamstown.. For the past 40 years the Champagne family has offered fine dining in the gracious and atmospheric Mill on the Floss. If you stick with the $30 prix fixe menu it's a Best of the Berkshires.

With its vintage Rock 'n' Roll decor The Moonlight Diner in Williamstown offers a winning combination of comfort food at affordable. It was packed with families for Sunday brunch.

There are too few places in the Berkshires to chill, hang out, and groove to a live band. Adams Ale House with a reported $200,000 in ongoing renovations opened in June. It has steadily become a local hangout in the former Polish community center a stone's throw from St. Stans. While nothing special it offers affordable pub food, flat screen TV's, a large dining room and soon banquet, dance and function rooms.

Located within walking distance of the hospital in Pittsfield, Paul's Restaurant features family style Greek cuisine. In a no frills setting the food is tasty and affordable although portions and ingredients reflect the price. We ordered the Greek standards Moussaka and the Gyro Dinner.