Restaurants in Westford

When Nashoba Valley Ski opened in 1964, its lack of modern equipment meant that most of the time guests just had to hope for a good snowfall. In the decades since, however, the resort has gained mastery over the winter landscape. Snow-blowers spray their glittery clouds onto 17 trails ranging from beginner to expert, where skiers and snowboarders carve around sharp turns, navigate shaded glades, and look for fresh tracks left by wild Thoreaus. Four high-speed lifts run from the lodge and restaurant to the top of these slopes, and provide easy access to the mountain's two terrain parks. Suited to riders of varying experience levels, both parks encourage air-catching with features such as large boxes and rails. Recognizing that not all visitors enjoy strapping boards to their feet, Nashoba Valley Ski offers another kind of winter-time fun: a tubing park spread across 18 grooved lanes and serviced by four tow lifts.

After a round of golf or a dip in the pool at The Groton Country Club, guests can stop inside The Tavern on the grounds, where chilled beers populate the tables in a pub setting. Groups can share plates of onion rings and coconut beer-battered shrimp before navigating their way through lobster rolls and sandwiches stuffed with pulled pork and chipotle aioli. Chefs dress 10-inch artisan thin crust pizzas and build creative burgers, including the Tom Tom, an eight-ounce handmade patty held between two grilled cheese sandwiches. On select nights, a corner of the eatery transforms into a live performance space for musicians and tumblers.

Bamboo Fine Asian Cuisine isn't a Chinese restaurant or a Japanese restaurant?it's both, and it's got the menu(s) to prove it. Chinese dishes range from Hunan spicy beef and crispy pad thai to a daily lunch buffet, complete with baskets of dim sum treats. The Japanese dishes, meanwhile, hail from designated sushi chefs, who hand-craft nigiri and specialty maki such as the shrimp-tempura-stuffed dragon roll. For special occasions, or during flood warnings, diners can order their sushi served in a wooden boat?a fun alternative to a typical platter.

Founded in 2005, Ixtapa Mexican Grill and Cantina rode a wave of authentic mole sauce and frosty margarita mix and expanded from one location to five. They treasure the same family recipes in each kitchen, be it the mild green tomatillo sauce sauteed with traditional pork Chile Verde or the signature fish tacos with mango. The d?cor and specials, on the other hand, varies from joint to joint, with the newest location in Acton boasting an expansive dining room and a full bar where patrons can watch their favorite sports game.

While all restaurants can help patrons conquer an appetite, a comparative few can help patrons work one up. Chip Shots Bar & Grill is one such establishment. Inside the restaurant's PGA-licensed golf simulators, bar-goers can queue up one of the 29 available courses on one of two 10'x12' projection screens. As the first fairway flickers to life in high definition, players hit golf balls into the screen to begin a virtual tour of courses including Pebble Beach Golf Links, Bay Harbor Golf Club, and an international assemblage of 18 famous holes.

During games, foursomes can order from a menu of bar-food favorites such as nachos, pizza, barbecue, and sandwiches. Meanwhile, beer and liquor from the bar helps players toast a miraculous par save or mourn the loss of a virtual golf ball.

Located inside a sprawling white farmhouse, Tre Amici has a warm, inviting atmosphere that works equally well for a romantic dinner or a large banquet. Italian meals culminate with decadent desserts such as chocolate truffles, lemoncello cake, or individual cake pops plucked from a nearby orchard. Alternatively, a lighter bar menu provides snack options along with an extensive wine and martini list.