Blue Heron Restaurant - Sunderland, Massachusetts

kathybitterlimurphy

We had the pleasure of eating here for our anniversary and everything about this special place was outstanding! We started with salads and tomato pie, excellent... our server was warm and professional with a great eye for detail. Our entrees were excellent, I had scallops with lentils and they were perfectly seasoned and delicious. We were delightfully full, but had to try the chocolate lava cake... again, the best we have tasted. The drive was 45 mins from our home and worth every minute. This place should have many Michelin Stars. We will return 🙂

Heather L.

We received a gift card from a friend for this place, otherwise wouldn’t have ever known about this hidden gem! We decided to go for my birthday. We could only get a reservation online for 7:30pm, but decided we would head early and grab a drink at the bar while we waited for our table, but there was no need to wait. They got us in earlier than expected so we were able to sit right down.

If you’re looking for “farm to table” dining, add this to the list! We are forever looking for new places just like this because we loath Corporate America dining! We want a “home cooked meal” when we go out. With real ingredients, made to order and from the heart. Not pulled from a freezer and microwaved or deep fried quickly. The menu has a list of all the farms they get the foods from, many are from Vermont where some of the greatest cheeses in the area come from.

This restaurant did not disappoint. The hardest part was deciding what to get because they had so many great options.

To our surprise they do burgers on Thursday nights. Of course we had to try one because they make their own brioche buns and the beef comes from a butcher in Northfield. Oh! And, they make their own ketchup (presumably the 3 other sauces they have for the fries) and hand cut their own fries. It was an no brainer. Also, we got the mussels, the pumpkin bisque, compost salad, mashed potatoes and ricotta & honey on ciabatta. Quite the smorgasbord and was more than enough to share. The only dish we did not care for was the mashed potatoes. They were flavorless and it’s the type of restaurant that doesn’t put S&P on the table (because they’re flavoring everything enough for you so you shouldn’t need it) but the potatoes could have used some…..thing. They were homemade, smooth and buttery; all the things they should be but something was missing?

It was a little tricky figuring out where to enter the restaurant or park because they had parking in the front and the back. If you park in the back there’s a door on the right, near outdoor seating that looks like you “shouldn’t” go into it because it’s dark inside. Luckily there was a sign on it that said they closed at 8pm, so we took a chance and opened it and saw it’s a foyer for entering the restaurant. There are a few very well lit stairs to walk up to get to the dining area and bar, maybe 5-6.

Our server was awesome. Very knowledgeable on the menu and ingredients as well as able to tell us the specials without reading or looking at anything which lead us to believe he knew what he was doing. He was attentive without hovering and he replaced silverware and dishes before we even had to ask. Good service is so hard to come by these days so we really appreciate that and made sure we expressed our gratitude!

I’m starving writing this review I can’t wait to go back and try the other menu items!

David B.

The Blue Heron Restaurant is a gem of culinary delight and flawless service set in the intriguing atmosphere of a building which was once a New England town hall. Our server, Kristin, was there to help whenever needed with friendly guidance, never interrupting, only responding. The evening hours of relaxation, savory enjoyment and spirited conversation passed in the enchanted company of excellent drinks and wine, Pan Seared Sea Scallops of perfection, and superb Oven Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast. We loved the Lentils du Puy which accompanied the Scallops and the Wilted Bitter Greens, Crispy Polenta Cake, Maple Bourbon Fig Reduction that accentuated the Duck. Finally, we closed with an unforgettable Honey Lemon Crème Brulée, served with French Roast Coffee. Will we return? Yes, for sure, if the gastronomical gods allow us a second visit to paradise.

N. G.

Very nice! Had the bacon wrapped dates, chickpea tangine, fish and chips, and ricotta donuts. All truly excellent. Will keep this in mind for future celebratory dinners. Cool dining space, maybe the old town hall?

Rosario N.

It was Valentine’s Day. A special menu. The first appetizer was excellent. A soggy salad came next. A very bland stuffed red pepper next. A very dry chocolate torte for dessert last. Our entree took a long time to come out and when we asked our waitress she cited they were very busy. Having worked in the food and beverage industry for many years, I would never use that as an excuse. My reasoning is, if they couldn’t handle such a busy crowd, perhaps they should have taken less reservations? All in all, it was a disappointing meal. We were shocked that a 20% tip was added onto the meal. So, the meal did not cost us $85 a person, but was instead $106 per person since the tip was part of the charge. I think we would’ve been OK with that if the meal had been good for us. We won’t be returning.

David E.

Fabulous experience! We had fresh Opah and the fish was prepared exquisitely to perfection. Our appetizer and dessert were also top quality. Service was superb. We went to celebrate my wife's birthday and we will be back again and again.

elijah H.

Blue Heron is the best restaurant in the valley hands down! Nick, BJ and the rest of the team are awesome, I come here weekly and am always impressed with the food and the service. For appetizers the bacon wrapped blue cheese dates and the ricotta toast are my favorite, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. I also love the steak frites, and burger night on Thursday is always on point. If you are looking for drinks the Just in the Nick of Thyme always hits the spot. Definitely check out The Blue Heron!

Petie D.

Really good food, everything we had was great and the service was very good as well. We arrived a half hour before our reservation but they were able to get us a table. It’s pricey but worth it