Massachusetts - Editor’s Favorites

Apples Rule at This Central Massachusetts Pick-Your-Own Farm
 

Sholan Farms , a community-supported enterprise on Pleasant Street in Leominster, celebrates the season with pick-your-own apples and pumpkins every day in September and October. Special events include the annual Harvest Festival on September 1, with live entertainment, apple picking, hayrides, hiking, story telling, interactive children’s events, and other old-fashioned fun. Then, Cream of the Crop Weekend, on September 27 and 28, is when Sholan Farm unveils the finest eating apple in the region. The Cream of the Crop celebration begins Wednesday with open house and continues throughout the weekend. Apart from apple celebrations, the farm has several miles of trails alive with beavers, wood ducks, and herons. One trail connects to the Monoosnoc Ridge and another leads to the Devils Pulpit, high on a ridge above May Street. Phone: 978-840-3276.

Aromatic Spices Bring This Mediterranean Cuisine to Life
 

Under the direction of owner/chef Chef Ana Sortun, Oleana Restaurant on Hampshire Street in Cambridge serves Arabic-influenced foods of the Mediterranean, leaning strongly lean towards Turkish. The dishes are layered with flavor and unusual spice combinations. Details such as spice blends, pressed coffees, and homemade ice creams set Oleana apart. Rich in wood, stone, and iron; the interior is a contrast of earth tones with soft lighting, shades of blue and tabletops of golden onyx mosaic. In cold weather, the wood stove roars. In warm weather, Oleana's garden blooms and buzzes with outdoor dining. The wine list spotlights Mediterranean style wines. Siena Farms, named after the baby daughter of Sortun and and her husband Chris Kurth, grows all the vegetables served at Oleana during the growing season. Phone: 617-661-0505 Website:

Brewer / Distiller / Vintner Welcomes Reigns in Rural Nantucket
 

A day trip through the lovely country side of Nantucket can get a spirited boost with a stop at the family -operated Cisco Brewers, Nantucket Vineyard, and Triple Eight Distillery . Founded by Dean and Melissa Long in 1997, the distillery was named after its ultra pure water source, well #888. In addition to its flagship product, Triple Eight Vodka, the distillery produces Triple Eight Orange Vodka, Hurricane Rum, Gale Force Gin and Notch (“not scotch”) single malt whiskey. ) Located on the pastoral route to Cisco Beach, Nantucket Vineyard was established in 1981. Combining old world techniques with state of the art technology, the vineyard’s wine selections include delicious vintages that you won't find anywhere else. The owners encourage visitors to their operation, at 5 and 7 Bartlett Farm Road. Open daily, with tours by appointment. Phone: 508-325-5929.

Burgers Served Comfortably Offsides
 

A slew of restaurants are opening in Patriot Place , the new shopping, dining and entertainment complex at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Davio's steakhouse and Red Robin, the burger specialist, have already set up shop, while CBS Scene is set to debut the day before the team's home opener on September 7. The CBS-themed eatery, the network's first foray into the restaurant biz, is a three-story, 1,500-square-foot complex serving upscale grill fare alongside 130 high-def TVs. Also noteworthy: Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro, which oenophile Foxborough residents Bill and Terri Martin plan to open later this fall.

Cheers for Johnny Appleseed
 

Start with the basics: Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman in 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts, was a pioneer nurseryman who introduced apples to large parts of the Midwest. He became a legend during his life because of his generosity and his leadership in conservation. Today’s Johnny Appleseed Trail in north-central Massachusetts runs along Route 2 between the Freedom Trail and the Mohawk Trail, or from about Turner’s Falls at the western end to Lancaster at the eastern end. Fall is the perfect time to explore this region of farms, orchards, and beautiful small towns. Start if you can at the Johnny Appleseed Visitor Center on Route 2 West in Lancaster. It’s chock-full of helpful brochures and locally made crafts, books, jams and jellies, gifts and souvenirs. The Appleseed Trail is the place to explore the state’s farms, orchards, wineries, and great restaurants for adults and families. Detailed information is plentiful at the visitor center or its website.

Colonnade at Faneuil Hall Offers Global Cuisines

Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston is actually four places in one location — Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, North Market and South Market — all set around a cobblestone promenade where jugglers, magicians, and musicians entertain passers-by, diners, and shoppers. Our interest here in particular is Quincy Market, which has 17 restaurants and pubs with indoor seating under sparkling glass canopies or outdoor plaza seating under lavish umbrellas. Another wonderful gastronomic exploration is Quincy Colonnade, a giant indoor space with walk-up food stalls selling every kind of food you’ve ever imagined, including many ethnic cuisines. A family with a multitude of different tastes could surf the Colonnade’s 40 eateries and re-group for a picnic in the outdoor plaza with food from all over the world. Good food and wonderful exploration.

Coonamessett Demonstrates the Science and Rewards of Agriculture

Coonamessett Farm in East Falmouth describes itself as “a 20-acre farming and research enterprise.” If that sounds a bit science-y, don’t be fooled. The farm is a great visit for both adults and kids, to see the world of agriculture taking place. But it is also an excellent place to find a great, fresh meal. The farm sells organic vegetables and offers 10 acres of pick-your-own fruits and vegetables. The farm café serves a vegetarian buffet every Friday and a Jamaican buffet and grill on Wednesdays. There is a general store with foods, alpaca items, and gift items. The farm sells homemade ice cream and slushies. This is a delightful fine place to take the family for a look at modern farming and a taste of its rewards. Phone: 508-563-2560.

Dinner Train Serves Up Old-Fashioned Elegance

Cape Cod Central Railroad’s Elegant Dinner Train invites guests to recapture the romance of a bygone era while enjoying a five-course gourmet meal served on crisp white linen aboard vintage dining cars. The three-hour trip departs from the Hyannis station, crosses the historic Cape Cod Canal railroad bridge, and enters the Cape Cod village of Buzzards Bay. The dinner train was featured among the top three dinner trains nationwide by TV Food Network's “Dining on the Train.” The Dinner Train operates Saturdays in May; Thursdays and Saturdays in June, and Thursdays through Saturdays from July to October. This fine dining experience is for adults only. For a similar but less formal excursion, the railroad offers Cape Codder Gourmet Luncheon Train, Sunday Brunch Train, and a Family Supper Train. Phone: 888-797-RAIL.

Farmers Markets Thrive in the Berkshires

Green River Farms, located next to the historic Five Corners in Williamstown, is a member of Berkshire Grown, a system of local, environmentally conscious agricultural businesses. In addition to fresh produce, the farm store offers imported and domestic cheeses, hand-packed olives, and pies and breads baked daily, cold salads, quiches, homemade soups and sandwiches. The farm store also features the finest gourmet meats from Mazzeo’s Meat Center and dairy products from Highlawn Farms and Crescent Creamery. Asian- or Italian- themed gift baskets are a great way to take a bit of the Berkshires home with you. The property also has a petting farm with lots of interesting farm critters and an apple cider process facility. Guests can pick their own strawberries, pumpkins, and apples during the harvest season. Phone: 413-458-2470.

German Royalty Would Feel Well-Fed at the Student Prince

Atmosphere is warm and relaxed; food is authentic German The Student Prince Café -- also known as The Fort – in Springfield is an authentic German restaurant open since 1935 (and named after the lighthearted operetta of Heidelberg student life). Most of the woodwork in the bar area is original; about 20 steins adorned the bar when it opened and the collection has grown. The month of May is May Fest, when the dining rooms are decorated with spring flowers and grapes and an old-fashioned May Pole. Guests enjoy Mai Bock Beer, May wine, homemade bratwurst, and other specialties. Also in May and June, the restaurant combs local farms to serve fresh new asparagus, fiddlehead ferns, and shad. A staple on the menu is homemade Indian pudding. The atmosphere is always relaxed, warm, and welcoming. Phone: 413-788-6628.

Talented Chefs Show and Serve the Best Seafood Choices

Seafood dinners at an aquarium? Do they hang curtains in front of the tanks to ease anxiety by the gill-breathing residents? Seriously, though, the New England Aquarium in Boston offers this year a Celebrate Seafood Dinner Series, offering seafood choices that are good for both the palate and the ocean. This evening combines the talents of some of Boston’s best chefs with the aquarium’s experts on sustainable seafood for a unique dining experience and an introduction to making smart seafood choices. New celebrity chefs will be featured at each of the dinners. The dates are April 1, June 3, October 7 and November 18. Each dinner includes introductions, cooking demonstration, discussion, wine pairing, question-and-answer. These unique dining experiences are a great gift for the foodie, aspiring chef, or seafood lover in your life. The series is part of the aquarium’s effort to ensure that future generations will have plenty of fish. Space is limited and reservations are required. Cost is $75. Phone: 617-973-5200.

To Market, To Market at Vela Restaurant

The spirit of supporting and celebrating local food is alive at Vela, a Wellesley restaurant. Chef Frank Santonastaso combs local fish markets and farmer’s markets to bring local products to the table at Vela. In his monthly program, To Market, To Market, Santonastaso invites his suppliers into the restaurant and he prepares a multi-course meal that incorporates his guests' products. During dinner, suppliers describe their products and their work. Upcoming dates and featured foods: April 1 topic is seafood, featuring Captain Mardin's; May 6 topic is cheese, featuring Wasik's; June 3 topic is ice cream, spices and specialty foods, featuring Christina's; July 2 topic is produce, featuring Lowell Bros. Dinners are 6 to 8 p.m. and the cost is $50. Information and reservations: 781-235-4449.

Walking Tour of Little Italy Starts With Antipasto

The Little Italy neighborhood of Boston is a delightful place to stroll and dine, but people who love Italian food and want to get under the surface of the story need to sign up for Michele Topor’s North End Market Tour . During this three-hour walking and tasting tour, guests can discover one of the most vibrant ethnic neighborhoods in this country. Tour includes tips on purchasing, cooking, and storing foods; tastings of many Italian food ingredients; handouts describing the best stores and restaurants; and historical insights into the North End community. Topor’s classes, market tours and culinary trips to Italy have been featured on television, radio, and in many publications. Tours are held Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings and afternoons. Phone: 617-523-6032.