Dining al fresco?: Some of the best places to enjoy a meal outside in Franklin County

Jamie Crocker and Art Ackerman enjoy the outdoor deck at Zeke’s Bar & Grill at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston.

Jamie Crocker and Art Ackerman enjoy the outdoor deck at Zeke’s Bar & Grill at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Madelyn Lustenberger delivers food on the outdoor deck at Zeke’s Bar & Grill at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston.

Madelyn Lustenberger delivers food on the outdoor deck at Zeke’s Bar & Grill at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Cielito Lindo in Gill.

Cielito Lindo in Gill. STAFF PHOTO/PAUL FRANZ

Asma’s Kitchen in Shelburne Falls. While you wait for your food (I recommend the falafel — it has an excellent crisp exterior and soft, well-spiced interior), enjoy the sounds of the Deerfield River going past.

Asma’s Kitchen in Shelburne Falls. While you wait for your food (I recommend the falafel — it has an excellent crisp exterior and soft, well-spiced interior), enjoy the sounds of the Deerfield River going past. PHOTO BY ADA DENENFELD KELLY

A quaint food truck off of the French King Highway in Gill, Cielito Lindo offers delightful and authentic Mexican food to enjoy outdoors.

A quaint food truck off of the French King Highway in Gill, Cielito Lindo offers delightful and authentic Mexican food to enjoy outdoors. PHOTO BY ADA DENENFELD KELLY

Secluded and far from the road, the outdoor space at Harvey’s in Turners Falls is ideal for diners who like to eat outside, but dislike outdoor dining set-ups that position patrons in repurposed parking spaces close to moving traffic. I ordered the roasted harissa carrots, tempura green beans, and Korean vegetable pancake, all of which were delicious.

Secluded and far from the road, the outdoor space at Harvey’s in Turners Falls is ideal for diners who like to eat outside, but dislike outdoor dining set-ups that position patrons in repurposed parking spaces close to moving traffic. I ordered the roasted harissa carrots, tempura green beans, and Korean vegetable pancake, all of which were delicious. PHOTO BY ADA DENENFELD KELLY

Located just to the edge of the heart of downtown Greenfield, Main Street Bar and Grill offers a variety of delicious options to enjoy outdoors.

Located just to the edge of the heart of downtown Greenfield, Main Street Bar and Grill offers a variety of delicious options to enjoy outdoors. PHOTO BY ADA DENENFELD KELLY

By ADA DENENFELD KELLY

For the Recorder

Published: 07-12-2024 1:11 PM

A good meal enjoyed outside is a wonderful addition to any summer day.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, Franklin County has delicious, fresh food to enjoy outdoors with the backdrop of the gorgeous local scenery. Here are five recommendations for places to enjoy outdoor dining in Franklin County this summer.

Main Street Bar and Grill in Greenfield

Located just to the edge of the heart of downtown Greenfield, Main Street Bar and Grill offers a variety of delicious options to enjoy outdoors.

I went on a recent warm evening and enjoyed a refreshing and understated lavender seltzer and an order of the honey sriracha cauliflower wings with Ranch. As a lifelong vegetarian, I have tried many meat alternatives, and I can honestly say that these cauliflower wings are among the best I’ve tried with their excellent texture — a soft, tender middle with a crisp and flavorful breaded exterior. My date ordered the mixed berry hard seltzer from Hitchcock Brewing Co. and described it as light, crisp and refreshing.

Zeke’s Bar & Grill at Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston

Walk through the interior of Zeke’s Bar & Grill and find a seat on the spacious, multi-platform porch behind the restaurant and you’ll find an abundance of flower beds and a view of the golf course and woods beyond.

The wait staff is warm and welcoming and the food is tasty. I ordered a Caesar salad, which was flavorful and refreshing on a hot day.

Cielito Lindo in Gill

A quaint food truck off of the French King Highway in Gill, Cielito Lindo offers delightful and authentic Mexican food to enjoy outdoors.

I visited Cielito Lindo’s on a hot day for lunch and appreciated the shade provided by the market tent over the six picnic table outdoor dining set-up. I ordered the veggie burrito, which was a beautiful array of bright, colorful vegetables in a satisfying wrap.

Harvey’s in Turners Falls

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A beautiful brick façade painted with delicate gold and black lettering marks the entrance to Harvey’s. However, go around the side and you’ll see a lovely patio garden space for outdoor dining. Quiet with comfortable seating, it’s easy to stay into the late evening talking and munching in the beautiful exterior seating area. In fact, the couple seated next to me took advantage of the comfortable set-up and good food and played a trivia card game while they ate.

Secluded and far from the road, the set-up is ideal for diners who like to eat outside, but dislike outdoor dining set-ups that position patrons in repurposed parking spaces close to moving traffic. I ordered the roasted harissa carrots, tempura green beans, and Korean vegetable pancake, all of which were delicious.

Asma’s Kitchen in Shelburne Falls

One is first struck by the rich aromas wafting out of Asma’s Kitchen, a downtown Shelburne food truck, parked in a shaded area with several accompanying picnic tables. While you wait for your food (I recommend the falafel — it has an excellent crisp exterior and soft, well-spiced interior), enjoy the sounds of the Deerfield River going past.