Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! I’m sitting here with a cup of coffee (not a beer with green food coloring in it- I promise!) and am getting a slow and easy start to a somewhat extended weekend of adventure, live music and time with friends in and around New England. I had mentioned a couple of days ago that Troy is in town for a week, having arrived late Wednesday night/Thursday morning- and I took a couple of days off of work so that we could hang out, get some food, visit with friends/family, etc.
Yesterday was our first full day together, and without realizing it we had a bit of a competition going on to see who could introduce the other to more places they’d never been before around the Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires. I got things started by introducing Troy to Wells Provisions (and their banana foster lattes!) in Charlemont- along with omelets for breakfast and picking out the perfect gift for his Aunt in Lee, which was our next stop of the day as we continued West. The further we drove, we saw just how much snow got dumped onto Berkshire County during the most recent Nor’easter. It was absolutely wild!
After some time with Troy’s family, we made our way back to the Pioneer Valley and, specifically, Northampton- where Troy brought me to Familiars for the first time for some tea and a sit-down in their revamped box car dining area. I was obsessed– and I cannot wait to do a more thorough deep dive here on the blog since I fully intend to go back sooner than later!
For dinner, Troy and I agreed on a place that both of us had been before- many times! – and headed to Easthampton for deviled eggs, braised short ribs and mimosa cake at Galaxy before I took the lead in the competition and brought him over for Tiki drinks and a tropical ambiance at Gigantic. He’d never been before then- and I think it’s safe to say he loved it!
It was such a fun day with great food and hint-of-Springtime weather- and I’m excited to see what the weekend ahead has in store for us. Tonight we’ll be heading to Connecticut for some gambling and a performance by The Killers- and I’m excited to share my pictures from it at some point next week!
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 