Williamstown— Last Fall, I was invited to attend The Barn Dinner Series by Chef Ron Reda at The Barn Kitchen & Barn at The Williams Inn. I liked it so much that I attended twice more as a patron. I was thrilled to be invited back to attend their new Summer on the Lawn Series happening on Sunday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and I have to say that Chef Ron Reda has done it again!
The Williams Inn and its signature restaurant, The Barn Kitchen & Bar’s “Summer on the Lawn Series” combines live music, yard games, and delicious food for a quintessential Berkshire outdoor summer dining experience. Tables and chairs are set up on a flat grassy area outside the restaurant facing the gorgeous red barn and surrounded by lush greenery.
This is a very casual dining experience — on the patio, there is a bar and a food-ordering station, which I found to be a welcome in a performance environment eliminating the need for wait staff to have conversations with diners during the musical performance. From the bar, we ordered a couple of their special summer cocktails, I had the Paloma Margarita and my husband ordered the Ginger Run Delight, both were beautiful and quite tasty.
Against the stunning red barn as a backdrop, the music of jazz pianist Benny Kohn and R&B vocalist Susan Davis filled the air. On his break, Benny Kohn sat down with me for a few minutes to catch up before sitting down with a few of his other fans in the audience. I went to high school with Benny Kohn. We were both students of the music department, and I have always been well aware of his remarkable talent. Today, he is absolutely one of the best and most special musicians in the Berkshires (and beyond.) Lucky for us, he performs in our local venues often. If you have a chance to see him, take it. You will not regret it.
This was my first time seeing Susan Davis perform, and I was very impressed. She is a very good musician, has a lovely stage presence, and partners nicely with Benny. She invited guests to dance, and dance they did, capturing our unique Berkshire-summer vibe.
During Chef’s Reda’s Barn Dinner Series, I asked him what his personal favorite meal was and he said, “a clambake,” so I was thrilled to see a “Clambake for Two” (clams, mussels, shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes, tomatoes, white wine, butter, and herbs) on this well-curated summer menu, and it did not disappoint. It was the best clambake I’ve ever had. Blistered red and yellow grape tomatoes infused the buttery broth. Served with a few slices of French bread, this “clam bake” was elevated with hints of Moules Marinieres with Pommes Frites, especially since we also ordered the Bowl of Truffle Fries served with garlic aioli, parmesan, and salt. The truffle fries were perfectly cooked and perfectly balanced with the slightest hint of truffle, the way it is meant to be. This combo earns a buttery “chef’s kiss” from me!
We finished our satisfying and delicious meal with the Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich on the dessert menu, simply described on the menu as a chocolate chip cookie stuffed with vanilla ice cream. As simple as it was, it still had a slightly elevated feel, and it hit the spot, meaning it was cold and had lots of chocolate in it.
There is something for everyone on this inspired summer menu including burgers, Caprese, fried calamari, a smoked salmon baguette, a fun kid’s menu, and even a vegan sausage sub. Sitting at a table outside listening to good music, eating good food… this is the good stuff of life. Doing this in the beautiful Berkshires is just icing on the cake.
You have four more Sunday evenings to catch this event featuring a line-up of Folk/Americana musicians. If you go, make a reservation. Last Sunday, it was sold-out with a line out the door. The Williams Inn, and its signature restaurant, The Barn Kitchen & Bar, is located on Spring Street in Williamstown. Reservations and more information can be found online.
