On January 31, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Max Burger in Longmeadow will be presenting an informal evening of craft cocktail tastings featuring the brands of Diageo, the U.K.-based spirits giant that distills and markets the likes of Smirnoff, J & B Scotch, and Jose Cuervo tequila. The restaurant's staff mixologists will be preparing some of the new...
On January 31, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Max Burger in Longmeadow will be presenting an informal evening of craft cocktail tastings featuring the brands of Diageo, the U.K.-based spirits giant that distills and markets the likes of Smirnoff, J & B Scotch, and Jose Cuervo tequila.
The restaurant's staff mixologists will be preparing some of the new drinks being featured by the Max Restaurant Group in its Connecticut and Western Massachusetts locations. Representatives of Diageo will be on hand at Max Burger to discuss the spirits being sampled. For more information, call (413) 798-0101
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, Ginger Garden in Amherst will welcome "the year of the snake" with a traditional Lion Dance performance.
The lion dance, a colorful ritual believed to bring luck and good fortune, will be performed at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 9 and Sunday February 10. The restaurant's dinner menu will be available during the dance presentation; reservations can be made by calling Ginger Garden at (413) 256-6666.
February is National Canned Food Month, and, to commemorate the occasion, Steaming Tender Restaurant in Palmer is offering a special incentive to its customers. Those who bring in a non-perishable canned good during the month will receive one free dessert with the purchase of an entree. The canned goods thus collected will be donated to the Palmer Food Pantry.
Steaming Tender is also offering a unique Valentine's Day dinner experience -- a special four-course meal served aboard the restaurant's 1909 Parlor Car. Seatings are available at 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. Steaming Tender's telephone number is (413) 283?2744.
Nothing warms and satisfies as much on a cold winter's morning as a stack of hotcakes, and next week the IHOP restaurant chain will be offering patrons a chance to indulge while doing a good deed.
On February 5 area diners can enjoy free pancakes and benefit various charities by doing so. In honor of National Pancake Day, participating IHOP restaurants will be serving complimentary stacks of their signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests will be encouraged to make voluntary contributions, all of which will go to local charities and the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
IHOP locations in the Springfield area are at 1324 Boston Road and 640 Riverdale Street in West Springfield.
Chandler's Restaurant at the Yankee Candle flagship in South Deerfield is offering weekend fun for kids and adults alike this February.
On February 1, Chandler's presents its monthly Wine, Food, and Jazz Spectacular, this month focusing on chocolate and the wines of Robert Mondavi Winery. The evening begins at 6 p.m.
For young ladies of all ages, the restaurant will be hosting a Fancy Nancy Luncheon on February 2 at 11 a.m. The dress code is "fancy"; lunch can be ordered off the regular menu.
Afternoon tea is on tap for February 9. Served at 4 p.m., the menu includes tea sandwiches, miniature sweets, and beverages. Tickets are $20 plus tax and gratuity.
A Kids Cooking Class is also planned for February 9. Held from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon, the class is $25 per child. Reservations for, or more information about, any of these events can be had by calling (413) 665-1277.
The Blake House Cafe at the Quadrangle, a new restaurant serving light fare, is now open at the Springfield Museums. The Cafe, which is located in the historic Elijah Blake House, is operated by the owners of the popular Benson's Bagels eatery on Sumner Avenue in Springfield.
With free Wi-Fi and secure free parking, the Cafe makes the Quadrangle an interesting alternative for a downtown luncheon. Museum admission is not required to visit the Cafe, and patrons can also browse the Museum Store located in the nearby Welcome Center.
The Blake House Cafe menu offers a variety of panini, soups, sandwiches, and kid favorites like peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese. There are also specialty coffee drinks as well as juices and desserts. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch, the Blake House Cafe answers at (413) 779-2199.
Coming soon to a mall food court by you is a new idea in snack foods -- gourmet French fries. French Fry Heaven, a Jacksonville, FL-based franchisor, has based the concept on the French fry stands that are street fixtures across Europe.
French Fry Heaven offers two basic products, a Belgian-style white potato fry and a sweet potato fry that is gluten-free. Customers can enhance the cone of fries they order with fifty-plus topping and garnishes. Flavors range from salty and savory to sweet.
More information about French Fry Heaven is available at FrenchFryHeaven.com or by calling (855) 841-6379.
Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College's hospitality and culinary arts program and has over 35 years of restaurant and educational experience. Please send items of interest to Off the Menu at the Republican, P.O. Box 2350, Springfield, MA 01102; Robert can also be reached at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.