Northampton, the Jewel of Western, MA

Northampton is a truly wonderful town, not too big, not too small. A great place to spend the afternoon or to live.

There are always people of all ages out and about. Lively street music and people watching at its best!

There are so many great restaurants, bars and clubs in this small area, enough to entertain everyone.

If you want to stray off the main street you will find many more small shops with unique and beautiful items as well as parks that are great places to get lost in a bit of nature.

It is pretty artsy, so there is no shortage of pottery or artwork for sale. The shops are fun and the people are genuine.

It is always clean and well kept up. Parking is generally simple.

The hotel Northampton is a great hotel in a fantastic location, perfect for an overnight or weekend stay.

Quick Tips:

Definitely go out to eat while in Noho, there are so many yummy places to eat and you can hit up the tunnel bar for a unique drinking experience.

There are many small movie theaters and small venues for entertainment.

Just walk around and enjoy the town!

Best Way To Get Around:

Take your car and park it! Use your feet, this is definitely a town for walking. I have never used public transportation here so I can not say if it is good or not. Once you are here though, you should be fine.

Osaka is a wonderful restaurant. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is nice and the prices are quite reasonable.

Each time I have been I have had the Hibachi meals, which are fantastic. Soup, salad, rice, veggies, meats. They have it all and it is all just as good as the next dish.

They offer 21 different Hibachi combinations, Hibachi Vegetables ($10.95), Hibachi Chicken ($13.95) Hibachi Squid ($15.95) and Hibachi Shrimp ($17.95) are just a few of them.

The Vegetable Tempura is top notch as an appetizer. Their dipping sauces are perfect!

If you want to sit around the Hibachi you should reserve a spot, there are only two tables with the grill and can fill up quickly especially on the weekends.

They are open:
Monday to Thursday 11:30am-11:00pm
Friday & Saturday 11:30am-12:00mid
Sunday & Holidays 12:30-11:00pm

They are located right off main street at 7 Old South Street in the center of Northampton.

I have never had the sushi, but have heard it is very good.

You can call them to make a reservation at 413.587.9548, they also have a website with information: www.osakanorthampton.com

YUM! This restaurant has continuously made me smile. The Chicken Aguacate is one of the best Mexican dishes I have ever had, just thinking about it is making my mouth water!

The Guacamole is great and the Sangria is the perfect drink at a very reasonable price! They adorn each dish with a tortilla shaped like a cactus, a nice touch and very inviting!

Make sure to leave room for dessert - you must try the Chile and walnut brownie with vanilla ice cream. It is moist, chocolaty and a touch of chile spice. Awakening to the senses. You will find your self attempting to make them yourself within the following weeks. They are mildly addictive!

Their menus has a good amount of choices for everyone from the vegetarian to the meat-eaters. All the ingredients always seem fresh and well prepared with a nice combination of spicy and refreshing.

A meal for two with a sangria and dessert usually comes to $40-45, it is a little much for a quick, Mexican meal, but for special occasions it can be just perfect!

We are not too into the Tequila, so I am afraid I cannot give you any helpful info, I do know that the tequila bar is nicely stocked, with lots of varieties for you to choose from.

Great Thai Restaurant!

Clean, cozy and welcoming atmosphere, especially if you can sit in one of the front tables or back booth. The waitstaff is very friendly and very helpful.

The food is always good, a nice mix of spice and sweet. The Roti is an excellent choice for an appetizer and the Chicken Satay is always a good choice.

They have a wonderful massaman curry but if you are looking for something with a little spice give the Prik King a go, a great flavor and heat burst. The Luck Samee Long Song is also yummy, especially if you like the peanut sauces. It is very peanutty! The Pad Thai is good and the Siamese Twins is excellent!

Ask for Sticky Rice, it is such a nice companion with many of the foods. We prefer it over the jasmine rice usually served.

The staff is quick and efficient, the place is not usually too crowded but can get very busy on the weekends. The restaurant is not too large, so make sure to take that into account.

It is a good Thai restaurant, which I have learned the hard way are few and far between.

The ingredients all seem fresh and very well balanced with a nice presentation. Portions are a good size, not too big but not too small.

Our average meal (without drinks) comes to about $30-35 for two. Not a bad deal for a great meal out.

Check out their website for directions and menu.
www.thaigardengroup.com/index.html

Fitzwilly's is a good restaurant, fine American fare. Nothing spectacular but a good place to sit and get a sandwich or meal.

The spinach dip is pretty salty and I would not recommend it.

I am usually satisfied when I leave here, but never really impressed.

They do have very good french fries and the portions are a good size. The menus is large and well varied. There is definitely something for everyone

My family says the Coconut Shrimp is out of this world, I have never had it, but they all rave about it.

The restaurant is clean and the staff is always friendly. It can get very noisy and is not the best place for a romantic dinner, but great for a group or family outing.

Entrees range from $12-18, Sandwiches and salads range from $6-8.

Fitzwilly's has a superb location right on main street in Northampton. Parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant (not the side) plus it is a close walk to the public parking and street parking.

It can get busy, but it is a good size restaurant so the wait time is normally short to none.

If you are looking for a restaurant for everyone, this is a good spot to go.

Check out their site for more information: www.fitzwillys.com

Fantastic! The pasta is fresh (hence the name) and everything taste perfect. I have eaten here a couple of times and have enjoyed every meal. They specialize in Southern European food.

The Grilled Chicken in a Creamy Garlic-Tomato Sauce is outstanding.

they have a great menu with a lot of different options. The times we went it was BYOW (bring your own wine) and it was great, they would serve it to you and everything, very helpful and cheap! I think they now serve beer and wine, so I am not sure if you can bring your own, I would ask first.

The restaurant is small so you may want to call ahead and check the wait times. I am not sure if you can make reservations, but it is worth a shot, especially if you are going on the weekends. It can get quite busy.

It is a cozy place, does not get too, too loud. The staff is very friendly and very knowledgeable.

If you are looking for a good pasta place, this is one of the best!

Portions are large and most likely you will leave with left-overs. They also offer many soups, salads and sandwiches (mon-sat)

Prices range from $9-16 for entrees with or without pasta. They have lunch specials starting at $5.95.

They are open:
Sunday 4-9 pm
Monday - Thursday 11-9 PM
Friday & Saturday 11-10 PM

There is parking behind the building in a public lot and parking up and down the street.

You can also take home fresh pasta to cook on your own. They also have low-carb options available. I have never had any of the low carb foods - seems a bit silly with pasta, but none-the-less it is offered and I suppose that is helpful.

A great restaurant, you will not be disappointed and you will not leae hungry!