I’ve never had the chance to visit Italy, but if its ambiance, food and drinks are anything like what I experienced at Fiori restaurant recently, I will quickly add it to my list of travel plans.

I, along with a few colleagues, had the chance to dine at the new eatery that opened recently at 47 Railroad Street in Great Barrington, Mass., in the heart of the Berkshires. Fiori specializes in Northern Italian cuisine (including house-made pastas, cheeses and desserts), and touts an extensive wine list and growing, unique cocktail and beer menu.

As soon as we walked through the door, we felt comfortable in the relaxed atmosphere. We felt welcomed by every staff member, from owners Alex and Matthew Feldman to the establishment’s manager/host Charlie to our server. She was sweet, friendly and despite the newness of Fiori, she was extremely knowledgeable about every item on the menu. We enjoyed timely, attentive service, and felt elite despite the fully occupied dining room and bar area.

We started with the house white wine, recommended by Matthew, an experienced sommelier (or wine steward). He was attentive to guests, spending time at every table in the restaurant and offering his suggestions while also encouraging feedback. Executive Chef Alex also made an appearance later in the evening, talking with guests and modestly accepting well-deserved praise.

Along with fresh, warm, house-made bread, accompanied by a house-made ricotta, we tried various foods from the evolving menu.

We started with appetizers…

Two of us opted to share the Antipasto Misto For Two. Let me tell you, every piece of food on that platter was amazing. As I am a dedicated cheese lover, I especially enjoyed the variety of cheeses. My friend with whom I shared the appetizer was fond of the array of olive choices. The salumi and other house specialties were certainly nothing to scoff at either. Another of us tried (and raved about) the Mixed Greens salad, which included local organic greens topped with red wine vinaigrette and crispy shallots, while the fourth person in our party enjoyed the Orzo in Brodo – a soup of pearl barley and vegetables.

My fellow Antipasto sharer and I each decided to try the Tajarin – a large dish of hand-cut pasta, baby zucchini, rosemary, tomato and parmigiano.
My dish was sans tomato, a request our aforementioned server graciously abided, after ensuring us we would not be disappointed with our choice. With or without tomato, though, this entrée was fantastic. It featured just the right amount of flavor and spices without overwhelming the palate. One of the others who dined with us chose to try the Lasagne Verdi alla Bolognese. This consisted of sheets of nettle pasta, grass-fed beef and local pork ragout, crema and parmigiano, and according to her, it was great.

Our fourth diner ordered and thoroughly enjoyed the Bistecca.
This was wood-grilled hangar steak with pancetta-caramelized onion mash and Chianti-veal sugo. Offered as an alternative to that, a bed of arugula with lemon and salsa verde could also accompany the steak.

Continuing to enjoy our house white wine, we rounded out our Fiori experience with dessert. Myself and another in our party delightfully enjoyed the Chocolate Torta cake, while the others offered a glowing review of the house-made Caramel Gelato.

Overall, our time at Fiori restaurant was unlike many others I’ve experienced. Whether you’re looking for a comfortable place to kick back and enjoy a unique wine or cocktail, or one of numerous beer choices, or if you’d like to enjoy a lovely, distinctive meal, Fiori in Great Barrington, Mass. is your destination.

Justine Murphy is a Public Relations Specialist with Winstanley Partners. She can recite the Wizard of Oz script in its entirety.