It wasn’t necessary for the town to close Main Street to traffic, as with the Taste of Lee on Founders Weekend, to remind me to attend Lee Restaurant Week. But a call from a friend was. My husband Tim and I walk on Main Street often and noticed this event on sandwich boards a few times, then promptly forgot. We like to support new local eateries by showing up soon after they open. We often return to favorite restaurants to celebrate special times with friends. We also enjoy reading Stockbridge Updates. So, when a friend asked, I had no choice but to fulfill my civic duty to dine and write with relish – in that order.

The Lee Chamber of Commerce boasts more than 60 establishments serving food and drink, and featured 18 participating restaurants for Lee Restaurant Week, all which I plan to visit this year. Punch cards available at the participating restaurants challenged us to get four stamps in order to enter a prize drawing. A variety of incentives invited locals and vacationers alike to try something new and rediscover old favorites in Lee—Gateway to the Berkshires, daily if possible. Participating restaurants offered unique dishes, prix fixe menus or special pricing with a wide variety of cuisines and unique atmospheres throughout the week. 

Thank you to the Lee Chamber of Commerce for giving us this opportunity to enjoy being tourists in our own backyard. Thank you to the many amazing restaurants and eateries, dedicated owners, chefs, staff, farmers, and appreciative foodies. I savor exploring the delights right here under my nose as a ‘tourist’ in the town where I live and hope more of us will too. Cheers!

Editor’s note: Patricia “Niti” Martin is owner of Doing Well Yoga