Restaurants in Pittsfield

At Horizons Restaurant & Bar, owner and classically trained chef Mark Melikian uses farm-fresh ingredients to craft his seasonal menu of upscale American and European-inspired cuisine. He loads Maine lobster onto a plate of baked mac and cheese and pairs oven-roasted Atlantic cod with scampi-style shrimp and roasted baby red potatoes, which should be eaten quickly before they start teething. Other dishes include fried Camembert cheese with honey Dijon mustard for dipping and a nine-ounce, pan-blackened filet mignon with melted gorgonzola and a marsala-accented demi glaze. Each of Chef Melikian's artistic plates complements the elegant ambiance of his dining room, where stained glass chandeliers and fresh flowers create a gentle, romantic environment.

From their kitchen stations on the second story of the Bay State Hotel, the chefs at Mulino's Restaurant plate up hearty portions of sophisticated Italian cuisine. Piled-high plates showcase tender linguine, spaghetti, and fettuccine clinging to gorgonzola cream sauce, italian sausages, veggies, and julienned strips of chicken. The aromas of wine-coated salmon and grilled beef tenderloin also fight for the attention of diners who are taking their time with their wine, served by the glass, bottle, or through a penne noodle. Desserts such as crème brulée and tiramisu sweetly seal the meal.

When The Melting Pot originally opened in 1975 just outside Orlando, the location was cozy and quaint, but diners had only three options: swiss-cheese fondue, beef fondue, or chocolate fondue. However, as the restaurant grew in popularity, so did its menu selection and atmosphere. The restaurant first expanded four years later under the leadership of a Melting Pot waiter and enterprising college student named Mark Johnston, who teamed up with his brothers Mike and Bob to open a new outpost in Tallahassee. This location grew in reputation to pave the way for future franchise expansion. Today, the company—now owned by the trio of siblings—reigns as the premier fondue, wine, and drink restaurant, stretching across North America with more than 140 restaurants linked by underground tunnels. The restaurant's menu has also ballooned, and patrons can now expect six varieties of hot dipping cheese paired with salads, meats, and molten chocolate.

On a given night, groups of foodies gather around tables to nosh on signature four-course meals, from cheese-fondue appetizers and various salads to steaks and seafood cooked in a choice of healthy broth or oil. Birthday revelers and couples can share decadent evenings at private tables, capping off meals with chocolate desserts that have defined The Melting Pot for decades.

Housed in a historic building originally erected in 1829, La Serre has been described as "frozen in [a] good moment in time" by Times Union. During dinner, the formal, wood-paneled dining room bustles with conversation as plates of truffle mousse pate, lobster ravioli, and beef au poivre travel out to tables draped in white. In the more casual bistro-style bar, forest-green leather seats cushion patrons as they sip old-fashioned libations or fold napkins into swans capable of real flight.

At Min Ghung Asian Bistro, bartenders shuffle back and forth in front of the sake wall, a towering display of premium sakes illumed by neon-lit shelves. The impressive selection of spirits accompanies a menu populated by Japanese and Korean entrees with meats or tofu drizzled in a variety of marinades. A separate sushi menu boasts hand-rolled creations that encase everything from apple and mango to egg custard and sea urchin.

Inside the dining room, a rotating selection of art hangs upon crimson walls. Each piece purchased sponsors Min Ghung's Art in Red Room program, which aims to increase awareness of work by local artists. Outside, strings of colorful paper lanterns decorate a patio freckled with sun sifting through nearby tree branches or flocks of cheesecloth flying overhead.

Culling its name from a miniature statue that was at the center of a bygone prank played by one of the owners, The Iron Frog Tavern is home to a menu of upscale pub fare—90% of which is prepared in-house daily. Decadent stacks of short ribs accent classic grilled cheese sandwiches, while signature "Nooks and Crannies" burgers beautifully boogle palates with a mix of beef, cheddar cheese, and crowning fried egg. Toe-tapping tuneage often echoes across The Iron Frog’s idyllic outdoor patio, treating ears to aural feasts as friendly servers package leftovers in eco-friendly containers and soybean takeout cups. Guests take in weekly entertainment, including trivia on Wednesdays, open mic night on Thursdays, and table-side magic shows on Saturdays. Those eager to assault early-rising appetites may partake in brunch served every Sunday.