User Reviews for Northampton Restaurants

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Circa Restaurant
Oct 14, 2008 by Bill from Northampton

Overall Rating: 1
Food:[1] • Service:[1] • Atmosphere:[2]

• Window seat.
• Food, service and price.

“I had been to this restaurant several times and thought it looked nice. But recently I thought it was terrible. The service was awful. We sat and waited a long time before anybody came and asked if we wanted a drink, and they never brought bread or anything else to the table before or after taking our orders. I would never go back!”

Websters Fish Hook
Jan 18, 2008 by Wendy from Hadley

Overall Rating: 8
Food:[8] • Service:[7] • Atmosphere:[3]

• Excellent fried oysters.
• Styrofoam plates, plastic silverware, plastic cups, cold atmosphere.

“The Fish Hook is a small, counter style, local favorite specializing in fried seafood. When you come in, you order at the counter, they give you a number, and you sit down. When your number is called you collect your tray of food that comes on Styrofoam plates. You then move to a side table to collect plastic forks and napkins and pump out cocktail and tartar sauce in little plastic cups. The drinks are also served at the counter in plastic cups. The staff was very friendly and patient and offered to explain anything we might not understand. I had the fried oysters which were near perfect. They were very fresh, not too much breading, and not greasy. They actually tasted like oysters! They came with a choice of two sides: French fries, Cole slaw, salad bar, rice, roasted potatoes, and the veggie of the day. The fries were fine, nothing special. The Cole slaw was not homemade, finely chopped, typical mayonnaise, but edible. My wife had the Cajun grilled combo with scallops and shrimp on rice, plus fries and the salad bar. She chose the heavy Cajun spice which was too hot and over powering. The seafood was cooked well, very tasty but she would order the mild the next time around. The salad bar is simple but fresh and well stocked. Its the typical iceberg lettuce, tomato wedges, cucumber salad, with a macaroni pasta salad, beets, croutons, and salad dressing. The negative for this restaurant is the atmosphere which borders on picnic tables although they are booths and small tables. The lighting is cold and dim, and everything is dated. My suggestion would be to remove the wall paper and paint the upper part of the wall white, paint the vertical wood planks on the bottom half a nautical blue, repaint the booths to match the walls and replace the lighting with something brighter. I would also get rid of the Styrofoam and plastic and have real plates, silverware, and glasses! It would definitely help the environment and food always tastes better on real plates with real silverware. All in all its a great place to go when you have a craving for fried seafood. They are open every day at 11am and close most days by 8pm.”

Websters Fish Hook
Dec 9, 2007 by Sazzy Catt from Greenfield, MA

Overall Rating: 3
Food:[3] • Service:[1] • Atmosphere:[1]

• Pricey.
• Salad bar stale. Frozen and caned items.

“The salad bar items were very stale and bitter. The first bite of macaroni salad I had to spit out because it was sour tasting. Pricey dinners but large enough portion for two. Not true of sandwiches or lunch menu. French fries crispy. Vegetables canned or frozen, which is a shame considering Websters is in the middle of an agricultural area of the state. Counter service was not as friendly and polite to us as other customers coming in. We are two gay women who I felt got a bit of a cold shoulder. The establishment is certainly loosing whatever appeal it might have had in the past.”

Circa Restaurant
Nov 13, 2007 by Tom from Brooklyn

Overall Rating: 9
Food:[7] • Atmosphere:[7]

• Wonderfully prepared and tasty food.
• Slow kitchen.

“What a great surprise in Northampton area for business and happened upon this excellent little "bistro" like place. Although the atmosphere is diner like, the food exceeded its surroundings. Started with some gnocchi in a pumpkin puree rich, velvety, and rustic with a satisfying autumnal flavor. This paired nicely with a California chardonnay. Then on to the duck special another satisfying seasonal like selection prepared with requisite crisped skin in an apple butter emulsion; plated with Swiss chard and spaghetti squash; delicious and wonderfully paired with an Oregon pinot nior. Unfortunately no room for dessert. Kitchen was a bit slow, but this is probably related to it being mid week and unexpectedly busy. I would definitely return and recommend this place for a satisfying, flavorful, yet unpretentious meal.”

Circa Restaurant
May 31, 2007 by Mike from Portland Maine

Overall Rating: 10
Food:[10] • Service:[10] • Atmosphere:[10]

• The wine and beer selection and food amounts for price.
• I disliked the fact that I had to leave town.

“Circa was recommended to me by some locals while on business and I was very pleased. Tucked away off the main street Cica offers some of the best food and atmosphere in Northampton, MA. Circa which is run by new chef/owner Mr. Whitcomb, who I may add made his way out of the kitchen on a number of occasions to welcome customers, is one of the best restaurants I have eaten in within the last year, maybe more. I travel for my job and frequent many different places. The staff was exceptional and the food and price ratios were AWESOME! I must add that I'm somewhat of a wine buff and Circa offers some great wines at prices that will not break your bank.(unlike many other high end restaurants). The beer selection consists of micro brews from coast to coast. The chef told me his focus is quality of ingredients and it certainly pays off in his dishes. I was in town for two nights and I ate there both nights. Between the staff,chefs, atmosphere, selection, and price Circa gets an A++ from me. ”

5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

India House Restaurant
Mar 25, 2006 by Lisa from Cambridge

Overall Rating: 10
Food:[10] • Service:[10] • Atmosphere:[10]

• Great food, service, and atmosphere! Great menu selection.
• Nothing bad to say.

“Very delicious food and authentic. Menu has a lot to choose from. I have tried many items on the vegetarian menu and they have all been awesome. The service is very friendly. It is a family owned restaurant. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the decor is very interesting. The breads are delicious. ”

Spoletos
Mar 25, 2006 by Lisa from Cambridge

Overall Rating: 9
Food:[10] • Service:[9] • Atmosphere:[8]

• Great food and service.
• Gets very crowded. Tables are packed in close to each other.

“Great food! Good vegetarian selection. Portions are large. In the heart of downtown Northampton. The service is very friendly and attentive. I recommend getting there early (by 6 pm) to avoid the crowds and have a quieter dining experience.”

6 of 6 people found this review helpful.