Herrell's Ice Cream Can't Be Beat

Why is Herrell's Ice Cream the best around?

Let's start at the beginning. In 1973, Steve Herrell (pictured left) had a dream to make the best ice cream around, and from the looks (and taste) of it, he's succeeded. What started out as Steve's Ice Cream in Somerville, MA has grown into his current chain of Herrell's Ice Cream, which began in 1980.

As the first person to crush our favorite candy bars and add them to ice cream, it's no wonder he did well. According to the Herrell's website, Steve "introduced 'smoosh-ins®' to the world and thereby gave birth to our passion for flavors such as Heath Bar Crunch and Cookies 'n' Cream, now classics everywhere and staples in today's ice cream industry." Heard of Cold Stone Creamery? They use this same concept in their ice cream.



The Northampton location is the headquarters of Herrell's and is almost always filled to capacity whenever I've been. But don't let that deter you from going - with so much business, you should be curious as to why it's so popular! Maybe it's the 200+ flavors available, the colorful decor, or the smell of delicious waffle cones and homemade hot fudge. Either way you scoop it, Herrell's is just one of those places to which you can easily become addicted.

Haven't tried it? Then hop on the PVTA to Northampton (or one of the other locations). Hours are Sunday-Thursday from noon until 11pm and Friday and Saturday from noon until 11:30pm.



photo credit:
top: http://www.masslive.com/living/index.ssf/2010/07/herrells_ice_cream_of_northampton_serves_joy_by_the_scoop.html
middle: http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/09/ice_cream_store_expanding.html
bottom: http://www.herrells.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=86 

Parched? Quench Your Thirst at Thirsty Mind!

With a name like Thirsty Mind, it's hard to ignore this coffee shop across the street from Mount Holyoke College. A cozy atmosphere with dark walls, books, couches, a fireplace and the smell of coffee in the air makes this cafè more than welcoming.

Mount Holyoke sophomore Sharanya Shankar explains her transition to liking Thirsty Mind.

"I am a Starbucks addict; I actually don't drink coffee but I love the atmosphere and ambiance of it. Now, I've converted to Thirsty Mind because not only is it close to Mount Holyoke, it's also local and I feel like I'm supporting a local business."

Sharanya also explained what makes this coffee shop so great. "One of my favorite things about Thirsty Mind is the cozy atmosphere and how they change decorations as per holidays, like right now I LOVE the Christmas decorations!"

I couldn't agree more. The decorations definitely make this place feel less like an establishment and more like a home. And now that the holiday season is really underway, who wouldn't want a little festivity to brighten up their day? Forget Starbucks, this coffee shop takes the lead by far.

Now onto the refreshments. One of my personal favorites is the peppermint patty milkshake. It's an invigorating alternative to your typical chocolate or vanilla shake. There are actual food options like sweet breads, muffins, or cookies, along with a multitude of coffee and tea, and even Italian soda. This coffee shop also serves up wine and beer for adults to enjoy.

There is free wi-fi and lots of books for a dollar or so available for purchase. Every time I've ventured inside, there has been music playing softly in the background and usually a steady flow of people coming in and out or scattered about the cafè working away on their laptops.

Whether you want to come in for some study time or just catch up with a friend, Thirsty Mind is the perfect college coffee shop atmosphere. It is located at 23 College Street, South Hadley, MA in the Village Commons right above Johnny's Bar and Grille.

photo credit: http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/photo_list/1050477?photo_id=94505

The Amherst Creperie Is All It's Cracked Up To Be

By now, most of you have probably heard of the new and mouth-watering addition to downtown Amherst - the Amherst Creperie. If you haven't heard of it, then by the time I'm done raving about it you'll definitely want to check it out!

Located at 19 North Pleasant Street, the Creperie is a delicious place to get brunch or dinner. It's open 7 days a week from 11am to 9pm.

The menu includes choices ranging from a "savory" crepe - more of a meat and potatoes kind of crepe - to "sweet" - your hazelnut, whipped cream, fruit crepe. The options are endless. There are even vegetarian crepes! Smoothies, paninis, and omelets are some of the other options available.

The prices are perfect for college students - most things on the menu are only 5 to 7 dollars! I know I can definitely shell out a few bucks if it means getting to eat a warm crepe filled with nutella.

Inside, the Creperie is cozy and welcoming. There is also a T.V. and music playing that add to the eclectic decorations.

So when you're not enjoying the harsh cold of a New England winter, go warm up at the Amherst Creperie!

photo credit: http://www.amherstcreperie.com/

Route 9 Diner

While it may seem like diners are gone for good, the Route 9 Diner brings back that old time charm. Complete with

jukeboxes lining the booths, this diner has all the essentials to create the atmosphere of an old-fashioned diner.

The menu is overwhelming. The appetizer list alone is huge. You can get anything from calamari, to zucchini, to stuffed mushrooms, or stick with your typical onion rings, potato skins, etc.

After the appetizers, you could get a soup, salad, sandwhich, wrap, burger, seafood, or another option on the eight-page menu. Prices are affordable and the service is fast.

The main reason to come here besides the good food is for the unique experience. Most restaurants tend to follow a similar style, but not this one. While the waiters unfortunately don't serve you food on roller skates anymore, it is still a place you should check out. And with the bright blue and red lights lining the outside, it's hard to miss while driving down Route 9.

At about five minutes from UMass, this diner is a great place to go. Not to mention it's open 24 hours a day, everyday of the year!

photo credit: http://www.route9diner.com/

Here's Johnny!

When I really don't feel like eating campus food, I walk about 10 minutes through campus and across the street to a hidden gem called Johnny's Bar and Grille. When walking inside, it may seem like just another Applebee's, but in my opinion it's delicious.

The menu here doesn't disappoint. The most expensive options are only $18 for either a 16 ounce New York Sirloin or Yellow Fin Tuna. The rest are extremely affordable for people like myself who want to escape campus food for a night without having my wallet regret it.

For my friends and I, the highlight of Johnny's is their baked brie - which according to their website is "a delicate and flaky puff pastry filled with the finest brie and baked to perfection. Served with garlic crostinis and apples." Basically, if you like cheese even a little bit, you are almost guaranteed to like this.

The desserts at Johnny's can often be...unique to say the least, although usually I'm too full from dinner to actually have any. Recently a friend of mine ordered deep fried Oreos, which came with ice cream. I tried one, and to me it tasted like a mushy Oreo inside of fried chicken, but to each his own I guess? Other more normal desserts include a seasonal fall pumpkin cheesecake, or a brownie sundae. They vary each day, however.

There is also live music at Johnny's on Friday and Saturday nights, so it's definitely worth checking out!

Photo credit:

top: http://www.johnnysbarandgrille.com/

middle: http://www.rd.com/home-garden/baked-brie-recipe/article33725.html

bottom: http://dunkincookingthesemi-homemadeway.blogspot.com/2009/04/deep-fried-oreos.html

The Teapot Hits the Spot

I hope you visit Northampton at some point after reading all of these posts, because I recently tried another great restaurant in town. The Teapot Restaurant, located at 116 Main Street, is a great place to enjoy some Japanese and Chinese cuisine, in addition to some excellent sushi.

The restaurant is cozy with a great vibe. According to a review on Urbanspoon, "[The] Teapot is by far the best Asian place in the area... From the ginger to the fish, all was high quality and extremely fresh... Service was good, and has perhaps the best quality/value ratio of any restaurant in the area. Food is delivered quickly, with generous portions and is consistently tasty."

They have an extensive menu that makes it difficult to choose just

one. I started off with some crab rangoons and then tried the Sushi Regular, which consisted of eight pieces of sushi with a choice of tuna or California rolls - I chose the California rolls. If you're feeling creative, here's how you can make your own California roll.

Pricing depends on what you get. A dish with 20 pieces of sushi will cost you around $30, but a dish like sliced pork and

vegetables is a mere $8.95.

This restaurant is great if you're up for trying something new. And if raw fish isn't your cup of tea, the Teapot has a lot more to offer.

Photo credit: top left: http://www.ambitiousdeliciousness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/california-rolls5.jpg

bottom right: http://www.sodahead.com/fun/who-here-likes-seafood/question-772559/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://www.chinainbombay.com/imgupload/CrabRangoon.jpg&q=crab%2Brangoons

The Sierra Grille Gets Things Cooking

If you feel like getting a little dressed up and going out to dinner, then the Sierra Grille in Northampton is the perfect place to eat. I went there on Saturday night for a nice dinner with my family and the atmosphere was perfect. The

waitstaff was very friendly and attentive, and the food was delicious.

We started off with some appetizers: wings, bread and crackers with some tasty hummus, and some french fries. Each a little different, but perfect for the various cravings my family had that night.

Moving on to the main course. You have the option to choose a protein - which could be duck, steak, filet mignon, salmon, pork, shrimp, tuna, chicken or the vegetable option, tempeh - and add a sauce, either hot or cold, with a list of the options such as a cold citrus salsa topping, or a thai hot basil coconut sauce. After you choose the basics, you can choose two side dishes which can range from "smashed" potatoes, as they refer to them, grilled asparagus, or Belgian fries.

For my main course, I chose chicken with a Mediterranean sauce,

which has tomatoes, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, roasted garlic, and basil. A side of Asian style green beans, which were deliciously stir-fried in peanut oil with sesame and ginger, and some Belgian french fries, completed my meal.

The prices for some of the entrées may be a little above the typical budget of a college student, but for a nice night out they aren't unreasonable.

Next time you're in the area and looking for a classier night, check out the Sierra Grille!

Photo Credit: top: http://thesierragrille.com/gallery.htm

middle: http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/08/stir-fried-green-beans-recipe.html

bottom: http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2010/07/tgi-fry-day-belgian-fries-at-pommes-frites-east-village-manhattan.html

Froyo - Go Berry style

Frozen yogurt is not your typical dessert, at least when you consider the popularity of ice cream. But while it's not the traditional sundae with hot fudge, it does offer up a healthy and still delicious alternative to ice cream.

Not sure what it is exactly? Here's a brief history. According to that website, frozen yogurt is described as "Somewhere between a sherbet and ice cream, the dessert is tangy in flavor and smooth in texture."

If you have your doubts about frozen yogurt, at least give Go Berry a try.

Also residing in Northampton, Go Berry is a local business that only serves frozen yogurt. They have three different flavors, original, mango, and strawberry, with a surprising number of toppings to choose from. Toppings vary from

chocolate chips, granola, kiwis, blueberries, graham crackers, crushed almonds and cookie dough, just to name a few.

The prices are affordable, and the location is, ironically, next to a candy store. But don't get distracted by the sugary concoctions to the left of Go Berry, and go experience a frozen yogurt the way it should be - fresh, healthy, and local.

Photo credit: top right: http://buyyogurt.com/2009/08/washingtonpost-com-frozen-yogurt-roundup/

middle left: http://astrideats.tumblr.com/

middle right: http://www.all-about-dessert-sauces.com/IceCreamSundaeParty.html

bottom left: http://www.pataygutom.com/category/desserts/frozen-yogurt/

"The Hangar"

If you are a wings fan, and I'm talking spicy, delicious wings, then it's mandatory that you go check out the Hangar Pub and Grill in Amherst, Mass. The pub style and fun wait staff make this place even more enjoyable. You can order anything from a buffalo chicken wrap to a pound of waffle fries (for $3!) to your ordinary plate of wings.

The prices are affordable and are perfect for the college student on a budget. Not to mention, you can get endless - that's right, ENDLESS - wings on Monday

and Tuesday nights from 4pm-6pm, according to the UMassWiki page.

The delivery service for the Hangar is wittily called "Wings Over Amherst," and can reach your dorm room in under 20 minutes, according to Giselle E. on a review website.

In this same review about, Melanie H. from Cambridge, Mass. said "I have been to the Hangar multiple times and have never been disappointed. If you are in Western MA, the Hangar is definitely worth a try for a beer and some chicken wings."

This is definitely a place to check out since, as the pub's website claims, "After all we are 'The home of the Wing Professionals' and plan to keep it that way for a long time."

photo credit:

top: http://www.imkeepingup.com

bottom: http://frenchfrydiary.blogspot.com/2010/01/french-fry-diary-75-k-tel-micro-chip.html

Mimmo's Pizza

The moment you see the small bridge as you are about to arrive in Northampton, Mass., you will be seconds away from a small but busy pizza shop called Mimmo's pizza. When you walk in, you'll see an Italian map on the wall, a pizza clock, and some paintings of cartoon people eating pizza. The aroma of pizza is in the air. Behind the front counter is a giant chalkboard with a handwritten menu highlighting the many delicious toppings and sides you can order.

Simply walk up to the counter and order your slice of pizza for $2.75 with 50 cents for each topping you choose from the wide selection available. When your slice is ready, your eyes will be amazed. It takes not one, but two paper plates to carry this slice of pizza. The best part is trying to figure out the best method for eating it. Some try lifting both plates to eat it, others fold it in half and eat it like a calzone or taco, and then others use a fork and knife. There's definitely no right or wrong way.

If you're in Northampton every once and awhile, I recommend checking out this place at least once. If anything, you'll have a good time trying to eat this impossibly large piece of pizza.

Photo credit: top left: http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/profile_photos/303001?photo_id=179543

Uncommon Grounds on Common Grounds

If you walk to the center of the Mount Holyoke College Campus, across the expansive green, up the stairs, and into the Blanchard Campus Center, you will discover a small but wonderful bakery called Uncommon Grounds. At first glance, this bakery seems to be inadequately small for there to be anything decent to eat. However, if you order one of the famous "Chef Jeff" cookies you will be pleasantly surprised. This intriguing cookie is named after, you guessed it, Chef Jeff, who worked at Mount Holyoke several years ago. He created this gigantic, delicious cookie that I have been a fan of almost since the day I arrived at college. It is officially called a "Gourmet Chocolate Chunk Cookie," and is filled with decadent chocolate chips that melt in your mouth.

When asked about Uncommon Grounds, Johannah Huynh, a sophomore at Mount Holyoke, said, “I never indulged in Uncommon Ground's sweets and sensations in my first year, but since all my friends bragged about how good Chef Jeff cookies are, I have now come to be a Chef Jeff cookie connoisseur. And I also love their éclairs.”

In addition, other delectable treats such as peanut butter pie, grand slam pie - made with snickers bars - smoothies, free-trade coffee, tea, fruits and pastries line the shelves and walls of Uncommon Grounds. While most students at the other colleges are unaware of this tiny bakery, I highly recommend stopping by the next time they are on our campus.

photo credit: http://www.kjochimsen.de/10yrmhc.html