If we had a time machine, we’d go back and grab some of our hilltowns’ founders, then twist the dial forward to 2014. Those old boys drew all the maps, but they’d probably be surprised by what’s popping up on them these days.
We’d show them what keeps Pioneer Valley visitors—and residents—happy year after year. We’d wow them with international cuisine cooked up in neighborhood restaurant kitchens. We’d bend their fashion sense toward quirky, colorful local retailers. They’d ride the bike trails, boast a sweet tattoo or two, and get a few centuries ahead on the indie music scene.
The winners of this year’s Readers’ Poll put the Valley on the map for travelers near and far. So we thought we’d draw up a map of our own, spotlighting a handful of winners across the region.
Also included here, of course, is our full listing of the first, second, and third-place winners in 174 categories covering food, nightlife, entertainment, health, professional services, and more.
Take a trip from town to town, and possibilities abound…
Looking for some new food from the Old World? Swing by the Student Prince Cafe & The Fort Dining Room (Best German Restaurant, reopening in November) for traditional dishes alongside a huge beer selection (and an admirable collection of beer steins) before catching one of this season’s shows at the Majestic Theatre (Best Place to See Live Theater). Late-night wanderers can keep the party going at Theodores Blues, Booze & BBQ (Best Place for Live Blues), now in its fourth decade of business.
Scratch that retail itch by stopping into Ode (Best Local Store for Women’s Fashions) and Jackson & Connor (Best Local Store for Men’s Fashions). Or, if shopping gets your pulse up, maybe it’s best to stop into Brooks & Butterfield (Best Day Spa) for some relaxing bodywork. You’ll need the energy later in the evening, when you’re staring down the 105 taps (and over 90 beers on seasonal rotation) at McLadden’s Irish Publick House (Best New Bar).
Some special events are low-key and practically free—like a sunny afternoon visit to the quiet, 150-acre Look Park (Best Family Friendly Park). But if it’s a bigger fete you fancy throwing, consider featuring some local, seasonal foods from Seth Mias Catering (Best Caterer). Just be sure to keep a little extra tucked away with the good folks at Florence Bank (Best Local Bank).
Whether you’re cooking up something new with tried-and-true ingredients, like at Hope & Olive (Best Creative American Fare Restaurant), or stirring up a pot of something as simple and well-loved as chowder, like at Smithsonian Chowder House (Best Place for Soup), be sure to follow a hearty meal with a restful night at, for example, the picturesque old estate of The Brandt House (Best Bed & Breakfast).
Hit the trail on a new (or rented) ride from Valley Bike & Ski Werks (Best Bicycle Shop), and who knows which local tribes you’ll run into? Perhaps you’ll clink mugs with some early birds at Esselon Cafe (Best Independent Coffee House/Cafe, Best Lunch). Perhaps you’ll get in with the craft beer junkies and smoked meat enthusiasts at Wildwood Restaurant (Best New Restaurant). Or maybe you’ll coast to a stop among the night owls and turtledoves cozied up at Alina’s Restaurant (Best Italian Restaurant, Best Wine List, Best Service/Wait Staff, Best Restaurant for Desserts).
For dinner-goers looking to push their palates, The Blue Heron (Best Restaurant) offers a chance to sample globally-inspired cuisine. For those roadhouse regulars just looking to “pig out in style,” Bub’s BBQ (Best Ribs/Barbeque) has you covered. Or, if home cooking’s more your rhythm, swing through Atlas Farm (Best Local Farm Stand) and load up on locally-produced meat, dairy, snacks, desserts, and more.
If you’re looking to take your tastebuds globetrotting, Amherst’s not a bad town to prowl. If a praiseworthy braise piques your interest, Chez Albert (Best French Restaurant) might be one of your stops. For some fresh Szechuan zest, the name of the game is Ginger Garden (Best Chinese Restaurant). Or if it’s Latin fare you seek, match up a few tacos at Mission Cantina (Best Mexican Restaurant) with your favorite tequilas and mezcals.
What you do at night is your business—unless you want to share it over a few rounds of drinks at Amy’s Place (Best Neighborhood Bar). Or, hum a few bars, and your friends might just play along with you at Luthier’s Co-op (Best Place for Open Mic). But while you’re waiting for that sun to set, think ahead to the meals that you—and your community—will be eating tomorrow, and consider joining or supporting Mountain View Farm (Best Local CSA), which grows 200 varieties of vegetables chemical-free for 850 member families.•
Get Out!
Local band
1. Bella’s Bartok
2. Winterpills
2. Rusty Belle
3. The Primate Fiasco
Place to see local bands
1. Iron Horse Music Hall
2. The Parlor Room at Signature
Sounds
3. Luthier’s Co-op
New bar
1. McLadden’s Irish Publick House
2. Seymour, The Pub
3. The Quarters
Club for dancing
1. Diva’s
2. World War II Club
3. The Basement
Place for karaoke
1. World War II Club
2. Mingles
3. Bishop’s Lounge
Place for live blues
1. Theodores’ Booze, Blues & BBQ
2. Iron Horse Music Hall
3. Luthier’s Co-op
Place for live jazz
1. The Loft Restaurant and
Lounge
2. Alina’s Ristorante
3. Iron Horse Music Hall
Place for open mic
1. Luthier’s Co-op
2. Bishop’s Lounge
3. Hinge
Neighborhood bar
1. Amy’s Place
2. Packards
3. Whiskerz Pub
Brew pub
1. Northampton Brewery
2. The People’s Pint
3. Amherst Brewing Company
Winery
1. Black Birch Vineyard
2. Mineral Hills Winery at
Godard’s Red Hen Farm
3. Amherst Farm Winery
Bar for beer selection on tap
1. The Dirty Truth
2. McLadden’s Irish Publick House
3. The Moan & Dove
Place for margaritas
1. Mama Iguana’s
2. Mission Cantina
3. On the Border Mexican Grill
Place for martinis
1. The Tunnel Bar
2. Alina’s Ristorante
3. Eastside Grill
Art museum
1. Smith College Museum of Art
2. Springfield Museums
3. Eric Carle Museum of Picture
Book Art
Art gallery
1. R. Michelson Galleries
2. Bang Bang Body Arts
3. Artist Square Group Gallery
Concert venue
1. The Calvin Theater
2. Iron Horse Music Hall
3. Mountain Park
Place to see live theater
1. The Majestic Theater
2. The Academy of Music
3. The Shea Theatre
Charity event
1. Hot Chocolate Run for Safe
Passage
2. Relay For Life
3. Chefs For Jimmy
Local festival
1. Green River Festival
2. Garlic & Arts Festival
3. The Big E: Eastern States Exposition
Restaurants
Restaurant
1. The Blue Heron Restaurant &
Catering
2. Alina’s Ristorante
3. Eastside Grill
New restaurant
1. Wildwood Barbeque
2. Galaxy
3. Filo’s Greek Taverna
Creative American fare restaurant
1. Hope & Olive
2. The Sierra Grille
3. Local
Chinese restaurant
1. Ginger Garden
2. Great Wall
3. Amherst Chinese Food
French restaurant
1. Chez Albert
2. Bistro Les Gras
3. Gypsy Apple Bistro
German restaurant
1. The Student Prince Café/ The Fort
2. Munich Haus
3. Hofbrauhaus
Greek restaurant
1. Filo’s Greek Taverna
2. El Greco
3. Parthenon Restaurant
Indian restaurant
1. India House
2. Pintu’s India Palace
3. India Palace
Italian restaurant
1. Alina’s Ristorante
2. Spoleto
3. Mulino’s Restaurant
Japanese restaurant
1. Osaka
2. Zen
3. Goten of Japan
3. Moshi Moshi
Mediterranean restaurant
1. Amanouz Café
2. Mosaic Café
3. Nadim’s Downtown
Mediterranean Grill
Mexican restaurant
1. Mission Cantina
2. La Veracruzana Mexican Restaurant
3. Bueno Y Sano
Middle Eastern restaurant
1. Amanouz Café
2. Mosaic Café
3. Nadim’s Downtown
Mediterranean Grill
Portuguese restaurant
1. Primavera Café Restaurante
2. Tony & Penny’s Restaurant
3. Europa Restaurant
Thai restaurant
1. Thai Garden
2. Siam Square
3. Thai Blue Ginger
Vietnamese restaurant
1. Miss Saigon
2. Pho Saigon
3. Banh Mi Saigon
Buffet restaurant
1. Sakura
2. Golden Corral
3. Nippon Grill & Seafood Buffet
Steak house
1. Caminito Argentinean
Steakhouse
2. Longhorn Steakhouse
3. Opa-Opa Steakhouse & Brewery
Diner
1. Route 9 Diner
2. Bluebonnet Diner
3. The Miss Florence Diner
Restaurant for desserts
1. Alina’s Ristorante
2. The Roost
3. Judie’s
Restaurant for seafood
1. Zoe’s Fish House
2. Paul & Elizabeth’s
3. Eastside Grill
Breakfast
1. Sylvester’s
2. Jake’s
3. The Green Bean
Lunch
1. Esselon Café
2. Paul & Elizabeth’s
3. Jake’s
Sunday brunch
1. Sylvester’s
2. Esselon Café
3. Jake’s
Late-night dining
1. Local
2. Route 9 Diner
3. The Sierra Grille
Service/wait staff
1. Alina’s Ristorante
2. Jake’s
3. The Blue Heron Restaurant &
Catering
Wine list
1. Alina’s Ristorante
2. Chandler’s Restaurant at
Yankee Candle Flagship
3. The Blue Heron Restaurant &
Catering
3. The Sierra Grille
Place for romantic dining
1. The Blue Heron Restaurant &
Catering
2. Alina’s Ristorante
3. Chandler’s Restaurant at
Yankee Candle Flagship
Outdoor dining
1. Northampton Brewery
2. Esselon Café
3. Tavern on the Hill
Food & Drink
Ribs/barbecue
1. Bub’s BBQ
2. Wildwood Barbeque
3. Theodores’ Booze, Blues & BBQ
Southern/cajun food
1. Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou
2. Eastside Grill
3. Bub’s BBQ
Place for appetizers/tapas
1. Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar
2. The Sierra Grille
2. Alina’s Ristorante
3. Galaxy
Grinders/sandwiches
1. State Street Fruit Store,
Deli, Wines & Spirits
1. The Loose Goose Café
2. Riff’s Joint
3. Serio’s Market
Hamburgers
1. Local
2. White Hut
3. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Hot Dogs
1. Nick’s Nest
2. Tom’s Hot Dogs
3. White Hut
Pizza
1. Antonio’s Pizza
2. Joe’s Café
3. Hillside Pizza
Salads
1. Paul & Elizabeth’s
2. Alina’s Ristorante
3. Esselon Café
Place for soup
1. Smithsonian Chowder House
2. Paul & Elizabeth’s
3. Alina’s Ristorante
Sushi
1. Osaka
2. Zen
3. Moshi Moshi
Vegetarian
1. Paul & Elizabeth’s
2. Bela Restaurant
3. Haymarket Café
Wings
1. The Hangar/Wings Over
Amherst
2. The Toasted Owl
3. Wings Over Springfield
Deli
1. State Street Fruit Store,
Deli, Wines & Spirits
2. Serio’s Market
3. The Black Sheep Deli
Bakery
1. Hungry Ghost Bread
2. Tart Baking Co.
3. La Fiorentina Pastry Shop
Sweet shop/confectioner
1. Sweeties
2. Richardson’s Candy Kitchen
3. Heavenly Chocolate
Ice cream
1. Herrell’s Ice Cream
2. Mt. Tom Ice Cream
3. Flayvors of Cook Farm
Gourmet food store
1. Provisions
2. Whole Foods Market
3. River Valley Market
Independent market/grocer
1. River Valley Market
2. Serio’s Market
3. Big E’s Supermarket
Local farm stand
1. Atlas Farm
2. Golonka Farm
2. Red Fire Farm
3. Butynski’s Farm Stand
Local CSA
1. Mountain View Farm
2. Red Fire Farm
3. Next Barn Over
Independent coffee
house/cafe
1. Esselon Café
2. Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
3. Haymarket Café
Local coffee roaster
1. Shelburne Falls Coffee
Roasters
2. Esselon Café
3. Rao’s Coffe Roasting
Company, Inc.
Farmers market
1. Amherst Farmers’ Market
2. Northampton’s Saturday
Farmers’ Market
3. Greenfield Farmers’ Market
Liquor store
1. Liquors 44
2. Ryan & Casey Liquors
3. Table & Vine
Store for wine selection
1. Table & Vine
2. Provisions
3. State Street Fruit Store, Deli,
Wines & Spirits
Store for beer selection
1. TruBeer
2. Ryan & Casey Liquors
3. Table & Vine
Locally crafted beer
1. Berkshire Brewing
Company
2. The People’s Pint
3. Lefty’s Brewing Company
Domestic beer
1. Sam Adams
2. Budweiser
3. Coors Light
Imported beer
1. Guinness
2. Corona
2. Stella Artois
3. Spaten
Wheels
New car dealer
1. Lia
2. Steve Lewis Subaru
3. Balise
Used car dealer
1. Nicky D’s
2. Stew Lewis Subaru
3. Balise
Motorcycle dealer
1. Valley Motorsports
2. Harley-Davidson of
Southampton
3. Roland’s Motor Works
Auto glass replacement
1. JN Phillips Auto Glass
2. A&R Auto Glass
3. Affordable Auto Glass
Auto service shop
1. Nicky D’s
2. Abba Motors
3. Pelham Auto
Place for body work/
auto painting
1. Nicky D’s
2. Full Tilt Auto Body
3. ACME Automotive
Place to buy tires
1. Town Fair Tire
2. Duffy Tire Service
3. Pete’s Tire Barns, Inc.
Auto detailing
1. Full Tilt Auto Body
2. Pleasant Auto Detailing
3. Josh’s Detailing
Family Friendly
Family friendly park
1. Look Park
2. Stanley Park
3. Forest Park
Tourist spot in the Valley
1. Yankee Candle Flagship
2. Eric Carle Museum of Picture
Book Art
3. Mt. Sugarloaf
Tourist spot in the Berkshires
1. Tanglewood
2. MASS MoCA
3. Norman Rockwell Museum
Tourist spot in the southern Vermont
1. Downtown Brattleboro
2. Mount Snow Resort
3. The Vermont Country Store
Sugarhouse
1. North Hadley Sugar Shack
2. Gould’s Maple Sugarhouse
3. Steve’s Sugar House
Local children’s toy store
1. A2Z Science & Learning Store
2. The Toy Box
3. Kiddly Winks
Local children’s
clothing store
1. Monkey Business
2. Hens & Chicks
3. Wilson’s Department Store
Day camp
1. Arcadia Nature Day Camp
2. Camp Norwich C/O
Hampshire Regional YMCA
3. InspireWorks Enrichment
Material World
Antique shop
1. The Trading Post
2. Vintage Treasures
3. Antique Center of Northampton
Independent bookstore
1. Odyssey Bookshop
2. Broadside Bookshop
3. Raven Used Books
Camera shop
1. Hunt’s Photo & Video
2. Iris Photo & Digital
3. Piepul’s Camera Shop
Carpet & flooring store
1. Summerlin Floors
2. National Floors
3. Baystate Rug & Flooring
Oriental rug store
1. Kaoud Oriental Rugs
2. Harry King Rug & Home
3. Zephyr Rugs
Local board game store
1. A2Z Science & Learning Store
2. Greenfield Games
3. Modern Myths
Local computer store
1. Yes Computers
2. Left Click Computers
3. Apple Store
Local furniture store
1. Fly By Night
2. Bob’s Discount Furniture
3. Pieroway’s Furniture
Local mattress store
1. Yankee Mattress Factory
2. Fly By Night
3. Sleepy’s
Florist
1. Nuttelman’s Florist
2. Forget me not Florist
3. Florence Village Flower & Gift
Shoppe
Garden center/nursery
1. Hadley Garden Center
2. Andrew’s Greenhouse
3. Sixteen Acres Garden Center
Home décor store
1. Home Goods
2. KW Home
3. Fly By Night
Place for gift baskets
1. Atkins Farms
2. State Street Fruit Store, Deli,
Wines & Spirits
3. Frigo’s Gourmet Foods
3. Tailgate Picnic
Place for fair trade products
1. Ten Thousand Villages
2. River Valley Market
3. Whole Foods Market
Consignment shop
1. New 2 You
2. Urban Exchange
3. Mimi’s Consignment
Boutique
Musical instrument shop
1. Downtown Sounds
2. Replay
3. Gerry’s Music Shop
Pet supply store
1. Dave’s Soda & Pet City
2. Petco
3. A.W. Brown’s
Picture framing
1. Big Red Frame
2. Hope & Feathers Custom Framing
3. Hadley Picture Framing
Place for used CDs/records/DVDs
1. Turn it Up!
2. Platerpus Too
3. Newbury Comics
Adult novelty store
1. Oh My!
2. Bookends
3. Adam & Eve
Well Worn
Local jewelry store
1. Silverscape Designs, Inc.
2. Hannoush Jewelers
3. Don Muller Gallery
Local store for women’s fashions
1. Ode
2. Cathy Cross
3. Zanna
LOcal store for men’s fashions
1. Jackson & Connor
2. J. Rich Clothing For Men
3. Williamson’s Clothier
Used clothing store
1. Salvation Army
2. Goodwill Industries
International
3. Cancer Connection Thrift Shop
Place to buy lingerie
1. Gazebo
2. Victoria’s Secret
3. Amazing.net
Bridal boutique
1. David’s Bridal
2. Bridal Heirlooms
3. Pearl Bridal Boutique
Tuxedo shop
1. Men’s Wearhouse
2. Bridal Heirlooms
3. Aliber’s Bridal
Hair salon
1. To Dye For
2. Salon 241
3. The Lift
Nail salon
1. Western Nails
2. Brooks & Butterfield
3. Peter’s Nails
Tanning salon
1. Tropical Tan
2. Tan Quick
3. To Dye For
Tattoo shop
1. Off the Map
2. Lucky’s Tattoo & Piercing
3. Haven Body Arts
Tattoo artist
1. Josh Vight/Bang Bang Body Arts
2. Scott Coleman/Ink’d by Coleman
3. Patrick MacDonald/Lucky’s
Tattoo & Piercing
Body piercing shop
1. Lucky’s Tattoo & Piercing
2. Haven Body Arts
3. Bang Bang Body Arts
Get Physical
Bicycle shop
1. Valley Bike & Ski Werks
2. Northampton Bicycle
3. Laughing Dog Bicycles
Health & fitness center
1. Snap Fitness
2. Planet Fitness
3. Northampton Athletic Club
Golf course
1. Southampton Country Club
2. Crestview Country Club
3. Northampton Country Club
Ice skating rink
1. The Mullins Center
2. Amelia Park Ice Rink
3. Collins/Moylan Arena
Ski/Snowboard shop
1. Competitive Edge
2. Valley Bike & Ski Werks
3. Fat Trax
Local ski area
1. Bershire East
2. Blanford Ski Area
3. Butternut
Outdoor gear/camping store
1. Don Gleason’s Camping
Supply, Inc.
2. Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters
3. Eastern Mountain Sports
Place for Pilates
1. The Pilates Studio
2. Debja Steinberger’s
Movement Innovations
3. Renew Pilates Studio
Place for yoga
1. Bikram Yoga Northampton
2. Vega Yoga
3. Mama Nirvana
Road race
1. Hot Chocolate Run for Safe
Passage
2. Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Road
Race
3. WMass Mother’s Day Half
Marathon
To Your Health
Hospital
1. Cooley Dickinson Hospital
2. Baystate Medical Center
3. Mercy Medical Center
Birthing center
1. Cooley Dickinson Hospital
2. Baystate Medical Center
3. Baystate Franklin Medical Center
Place for therapeutic massage
1. The Healing Zone
2. Elements Hot Tub and Spa
3. Brooks & Butterfield
Place for cosmetic surgery
1. Dr. Roger Allcroft
2. Dr. Glen S. Brooks
3. Dr. William Truswell
Dentist
1. Dr. David I. Peck
2. Dr. Patricia Bonner
3. Dr. Martin Wohl
Orthodontist
1. Rigali & Walder Orthodontics
2. Dr. R. Scott Smith
3. Yanni Orthodontics
Eye doctor
1. Dr. Nancy Balin/Balin Eye &
Laser Center
2. Dr. Bruce Blieman/Eye
Physcian of Northampton
3. Dr. Christopher Dostal/Eye
Physcian of Northampton
Health food store
1. River Valley Market
2. Cornucopia
3. Whole Foods Market
Day spa
1. Brooks & Butterfield
2. Elements Hot Tub and Spa
3. Tranquility Day Spa
At Your Service
Veterinarian
1. Northampton Veterinary Clinic
2. Valley Veterinary Hospital
3. Dr. Hayden/Easthampton
Animal Clinic
Pet Groomer
1. Furs’-A-Flyin’ Pet Grooming
2. Amherst Dog Wash
3. The Good Dog Spot
Pet day care/boarding
1. Valley Inn For Pets
2. Leading the Way
3. The Good Dog Spot
Place for dog training
1. Dakin Pioneer Valley
Humane Society
2. It’s PAWSible
3. Leading the Way
Hotel/inn
1. Hotel Northampton
2. The Lord Jeffery Inn
3. D. Hotel
Bed & Breakfast
1. The Brandt House
2. The House on the Hill
3. The Black Walnut Inn
Two-year college
1. Holyoke Community College
2. Greenfield Community College
3. Springfield Technical
Community College
Local bank
1. Florence Bank
2. Easthampton Savings Bank
3. PeoplesBank
Credit union
1. UMassFive College Federal
Credit Union
2. Freedom Credit Union
3. Polish National Credit Union
Financial planning service
1. Wealth New England
2. FSB Financial Services
3. Finck & Perras Insurance Agency
Local insurance agency
1. Finck & Perras Insurance
Agency
2. Webber & Grinnell Insurance
3. Liberty Mutual Insurance
Local tax service
1. Liberty Tax
2. Rick Kristek
3. Western Mass Tax Associates
Interior Designer
1. Amy Woolf Color Consulting
2. Keith Woodruff/KW Home
3. Mary Moore/Home and Homme
Law firm
1. Bacon Wilon
2. Lesser, Newman & Nasser
3. Carey & Carey
Real estate agency
1. Taylor Real Estate
2. Canon Real Estate
3. Goggins Real Estate
Caterer
1. Seth Mias Catering
2. The Blue Heron Restaurant &
Catering
3. Hamel’s Catering
Wedding/event photographer
1. Dani Fine Photography
2. Leah Martin Photography
3. Stephanie Craig Photography
Banquet facility/reception hall
1. The Log Cabin
2. Garden House at Look Park
3. Crestview Country Club
DJ (Disc Jockey)
1. Cloud 9 Productions
2. Bobby C.
3. And the Beat Goes On
Landscaper
1. Treefrog Landscapes, Inc.
2. Snow & Sons Landscaping
3. North Country Landscapes
Solar Installation
1. Northeast Solar
2. PV Squared: Pioneer Valley
PhotoVoltaics Cooperative
3. The Solar Store
Local green business
1. River Valley Market
2. PeoplesBank
3. Valley Green Feast
Local non-profit
1. Dakin Pioneer Valley
Humane Society
2. Whole Children
3. Cancer Connection
Local activist organization
1. American Friends Service
Committee
2. Safe Passage
3. Arise for Social Justice
Information age
Local blog
1. Hilltown Families
2. Standing in the Shadows
3. The Weather Nut
Local radio personality
1. Monte Belmonte
2. Bax and O’Brien
3. Steve Nagle
Local TV personality
1. Dave Madsen
2. Barry Kriger
3. Ashley Kohl
Local meteorologist
1. Ashley Baylor
2. Brian Lapas
3. Nick Bannon
