Never having been to The Baker's Pin before, but being a total sucker for kitchen stores, I was…read morereally happy with my visit last night. We drove by and had to stop in just to browse. There were two employees who always seemed to be within earshot and had hilarious responses to my comments about various items -- one of them told me I should rent a UHaul to drive from MA back home to SC so I could buy everything I wanted. They really embodied what every small business needs - people who are personable, funny, and helpful without hovering or disappearing. I didn't end up purchasing anything at this visit but found some ideas and had some real laughs in the meantime. I have long wanted to take a cooking class and will keep an eye on these classes when I am up in CT for my next visits.

Shopping here since it was "A Different Drummer's Kitchen." It's a nice experience walking around…read morethe shop and looking at the wonderful things they have on display, but a recent experience had me evaluate if I would return. Extremely unpleasant woman sitting at the register reading a book made it very clear that I was interrupting her day by asking about tools they might have for making dumplings. In a very condescending tone, she informed me that dumpling presses were out of stock for the next 4 months "everywhere". When I said I wasn't sure if I needed a press, but was there anything else they might have that could help me make dumplings, as my significant other and I would like to try making dumplings together, she looked as though I had asked an impossible question, and then let me know that the only way to make dumplings was to do it in a "family setting". She said, "That's what the Asian families do. They make them together as a family." Not having a 'family', I said My significant other and I were just looking to enjoy some time together and make some dumplings in a casual way, she said no, that isn't how it's done, and again started talking about how dumpling presses were out of stock until I just said never mind and left. I hated that experience. I don't see why she had to put such emphasis on the fact that I wasn't Asian and we aren't a big family or something. That made me feel horrible about myself.

Amazing cheese selection! Fair priced, great people. I have been going here for a year now. They…read moreare actually at the basement of thorns marketplace down underneath now about a block away from their old location. Theres a parking garage next to it. Highly recommend! Great wine selection as well!

This place is so well curated and the staff is always incredible. Shout out to Becca for assisting…read moreus with a life changing cheese experience!

Wine was nothing great and musician inside was waaaaay too loud. Drank our flights and left.read more

Delightful vineyard experience with wines by the glass or bottle, as well as mocktails and other…read morenonalcoholic beverages. A small fridge of cheeses, charcuterie, hummus, and veg allow you to make your own nosh board. BBV provides plates, napkins and utensils if you buy their snacks. Or you may opt to order 10" pizzas from the piemakers-in-residence. (Pro tip: order your pizza Before you get your wine and snacks. Pizzas are made to order and take at least 25-40 mins if there is a good crowd there). Bring your own blanket, totes chairs, and even cooler full of food if you wish, but order your wine at the register inside. Laid-back vibe, plenty of grassy picnic areas, several patio tables and metal chairs and a few picnic tables, clean unisex restrooms, and a few souvenirs in the gift shop. Industrial chic interior warehouse atmo. Take it easy on the dusty gravel access road to the venue. And mind the sheep! All in all, a charming sip, sit, and snack on a lovely day. Cheers!

The proprietors are amazing! They're currently closed for classes, but I asked some questions about…read moremead and learned a lot. I'm still too scared to home brew without taking a class, so I'm holding out for when it's safe to take indoor classes again. Peeps, please mask up and vax so I can learn how to make maple mead! lol

Mike and Jordana are a fantastic duo to introduce you to the world of brewing. They are thoughtful,…read morediscerning, and very enthusiastic. When we visited they shared a number of varieties and specialties that we'd never encountered before, and we had a great time learning (and sampling). They're also super plugged in to the local scene, and can tell you all about what's going on in the area. Highly recommend to anyone in the area who loves beer or wants to love beer.

This has quickly become my favorite wine shop. The owners and staff are really knowledgeable about…read moretheir wines and always have great recommendations. While I tend to splurge there (their Sancerre selection is great!), they also have a good selection of lower price point wines. I always walk out of here with something new -- and bonus points for the Boston terriers who are usually working as greeters!

Nice neighborhood (in NE terms) Packy that has recently been modernized to add to the discerning…read moreSpirit shoppers experience. Fancy words, but The Wise Old Dog has earned their Pedestal. The new shop boosts an impressive array of Ale & Lager coolers with a chilled behind-the-scenes browsing space. Ample shelf and floor displays for the bottled spirits and wines. Knowledgeable staff eager to assist & recommend. But most astonishing is their Fine Wine Closet (aka Environment Controlled Chiller). Yes, the prices do reflect the use of the Chiller, but again, if you're a discerning shopper or collector you've got to add This Wise Old Dog to your list!

We had such a good time at our cooking demonstration! My husband and I brought my mother and father…read morefor her 70th birthday present. We were able to bring our own bottle of wine to sip on during the cooking portion of the evening... and a second for the dinner portion! Don't expect to have your own station and make your own meal... this is family style and different people are called up to assist with different portions of the meal. I found Nancy and her husband to be so warm, welcoming, friendly and extremely knowledgeable. The food was delicious and the tips provided were great. I highly recommend this experience!

While the Ginger & Pickles Restaurant no longer resides on Hebron Avenue, the G&P spirit is still…read morevery much present at Ginger & Pickles Catering. I've had food prepared by Nancy (the owner) before and always had my taste buds yearning for more, but last night I was able to step into the kitchen with her and take one of her informative, fun and very delicious cooking classes. I went with my team from work, and it was a great environment where once we all strapped on our Ginger & Pickles aprons, we were all able to "let our hair down" so to speak... We were greeted with a fabulous wine and cheese board, along with a phenomenal Brie baking away for us. We were given a menu of what we would all be cooking and enjoying that evening, pre chosen by our team leader. The menu was well planned, well written and not at all stuffy or overly complicated. Our "Valentines Day Date Night" menu included a wonderful beef tenderloin with a cream sauce, haricots verts with shallots and soufflés we made. So so so good! People work in teams on recipes and it really helps the evening flow. While 2 people are working with Nancy (and sometimes her assistant Brooke), the rest are taking in wine, Brie and observing some new techniques in the kitchen. Once one team is complete, The next team moves on to the next section of the menu. Before you know it, dinner is being played and served. Everything came out so well, it was as if we were dining out at your favorite restaurant. Nancy is able to answer all your questions and explain why things are done one way versus another, or give you ideas and tips on how to increase your own culinary skills at home. I will definitely be bringing friends here for some classes in the future.

Last night I went to the All About Chicken class. I was a little nervous because I went alone, and…read morebecause I'm not that comfortable in the kitchen. Honestly, I don't really like to cook. But I had a gift card so off I went. Patty welcomed me into her beautiful home ... a fire going and nice music, and I met the three others in our class, one of whom also came alone. A sip of wine later and I was facing my own naked bird at my own station in her huge kitchen -- on my own board with my own knives -- waiting to be cut up. Patty was so patient with me ... helping me hold the knife, find the joints ... and before I knew it I had six beautiful pieces ready to be prepared in 3 different recipes. We cooked every last part of those birds along with a delicious rice dish and sat down a few hours later to a leisurely meal admiring our work. We could have stayed there until the wee hours at her table, the four of us and Patty; we felt completely at home. (Except that she cleaned up!) She also does children's classes. My kids went this summer. She was excellent with keeping them all on task and managing her kitchen with six messy little ones having a ball. Oh --- and she does a Thai class ... that's the one I want to do next. I ate as much as I could. I left with the rest of my food in to go containers ready to serve my family today, and with the confidence to cook again tomorrow. I feel so confident now ... I want to try chopping onions and swirling butter and making my own stock at home.

I had the chance to try some of her appetizers and desserts at an event. Everything was amazing…read more.. the arancini balls, the Spanish tortilla, curried chicken sandwiches, the dips, confetti cookies, and hummingbird cupcakes, just to name a few. I asked the event host who made all the delicious treats and was introduced to Patty. She was very kind, personable, and encouraged me to keep eating! I hope to take one of her classes or use her talents for one of my own events.

Vino di Vino in the Berkshires!…read more What's not to love when you find a hidden winery that has a gorgeous atmosphere and friendly faces. Valentines weekend called for a trip down memory lane and to one of our favorite places, The Berkshires. Upon arrival our room was not ready so we looked for a wine bar/winery on Yelp. We were so thrilled to find Balderdash. They were pretty crowded since it was Valentine's Day, but we were able to grab a table in front of the live music. I ordered a wine flight (mostly from California vineyards) they don't grow any grapes here and my husband had a beer. What I also love about this place is that you can bring in your own food. I did see a bunch of couples sharing crackers and cheese. They had a cannoli cart pop up which was delicious! The live music was also great! I honestly didn't want to leave since we were having so much fun. I wish we lived closer we would be here all the time. If you get a chance, check out this winery and enjoy a glass and some music on me! Cheers

I've been to this winery a few times now and it never disappoints. This is one of my favorite…read morewineries I've ever been to! I love the view here. Last time, we came on a Saturday afternoon and it was crowded inside, but there's plenty of seating outside. There was also live music and it was a great vibe. You can bring your own food, but they also have a food truck outside usually. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The person helping us this time let us try the wine before we bought it which was nice. I have gotten the flight once before, but the amount they give you to try for each wine is very small and for the price, I recommend just getting a glass of wine. My favorite is the truth serum rose blend.

I considered this liquor store to be out of my way - compared to some others I frequent - except…read morefor when I occasionally go to the nearby Trader Joe's. Since I was shopping there today, I figured it was time to visit... I won't be using that "out of my way" line any longer. For me, this store compares favorably to one I frequented when I lived in Dutchess County, Viscount. The whiskey selection is extensive, and they let you know that with the running total on the wall. I saw some harder-to-find bottles, but at the same time, two of my regular go-to bottles were absent. There's certainly enough other options. I really like the organization of the liquors as well. Everything was easy to find. Similar to the whiskey, the wine selection is also impressive, including the New York wines in their own area. Though once again they didn't always have specific ones I like but enough other options to satisfy me. The card was easy to get. They scanned my driver's license, I completed and signed a sheet (note that there is an option to select or not whether to receive e-mail notifications), and a minute later, I had my card, plus some unexpected discounts on the bottles I purchased today. This is definitely another liquor store to consider if you are looking for a variety of bottles at one time.

Service was great and the ambiance is solid. This store is massive with every kind of spirit or…read morewine you could want. I came here for the bourbon and barrel picks they are rumored to have. Well, I am here to tell you, the rumors are true! They have a ton of barrel picks. I grabbed the Green River barrel pick and the 1792 full proof barrel pick. I tried the Green River. Woah, it's delicious. It comes in at 132 proof but it drinks much lower and has all the complexities you look for in a great sipper bourbon. Worth the trip! Will return for more barrel picks and that Green River pick!!

I am still thinking about the strawberry rhubarb mule cocktail I had at HighBrow during my visit in…read moreMay. My husband and I stopped in during a dreary, chilly May Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere was vibrant and friendly. A bit loud, but encouraging to see how bustling the restaurant was. I enjoyed my grilled caesar salad. I added chicken so it was a bit pricey for a lunch salad, but it was tasty and I always appreciate when caesar salads include anchovies, as they're meant to! My husband liked his rigatoni bolognese. Service was excellent. Our server was very apologetic about how long things were taking, but with a full house it honestly just felt like a good pace without any excessive waiting. It was a great experience overall.

Food is a 4. Service drags it down some. Took some time to look for a good beer and had the…read morefirst two not available because "someone has an update updated the list yet". If you can't update the list then don't publish it. As far as the food goes. The rice short rest were delicious.