The Red Lion Inn

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The Red Lion Inn, in the heart of the Berkshires in Massachusettes is one of the oldest American Inns still in operation. Built as a stage coach stop in 1773, it still provides comfortable lodging to guests who come to the area to hike, visit Tanglewood or attend any of the other numerous cultural events found here. It still operates as a B&B, and apart from the main dinning room, you can get service in the "Widow Bingham's Tavern", "Jack's Grill", or in the summer enjoy dinning in the "Courtyard". Live entertainment is available in the "Lion's Den" most evenings. If you're there during business hours, there's a cute gift shop and they are home to one branch of "Country Curtains".

The Inn itself is rustic, filled with beautiful antiques and on this night there was still a welcoming fire in the grate. As we entered the main hall, guests were sitting around enjoying each other's company, reading a book or playing cards.

Tables in the main dinningroom are nicely spaced but it's beginning to look a little tired and the chairs need tightening! The atmosphere, however, is cozy, the staff efficient and courteous and we really like the place. This year on Sunday and Monday evenings, the resturant offers a prix fixed dinner menu based on locally grown and produced fare. We decided to give it a try since many of the area resturants support local farmers especially in season and often boast a "Proudly Serve Berkshire Grownand Produced Food Products" on their menus. We mixed and matched from the regular menu and the Prix Fixed and gave the meal an overall mixed review. We both started with soup, Paul their classic Cheddar, Ale & Sausage (which he loved) and I the locally grown veggie (which was rather watery and tasteless). For the main course I selected the wild mushroom Gnocchi with sauteed spinch and although it looked unappetizing, tasted delicious. Paul opted for the Roast Prime Rib of Beef and while the beef which was served medium rare just the way he liked it. Both meals were served on the cool side which did nothing for the vegetables and turned the mashed potatoes into a hard lumpy mass.