How Daniel Boulud Does Social Distancing at a Dreamy Restaurant and Hotel in the Berkshires
Summer in the Berkshires traditionally sees the arrival of stars from stage and screen performing in the region’s renowned theatre offerings. This year, the Williamstown Theatre Festival won't be happening in person, but the region will still be home to a visiting celebrity, albeit one from the epicurean stratosphere.
Michelin-starred chef and ELLE DECOR's consulting editor Daniel Boulud has brought Café Boulud, his beloved Upper East Side institution, to Blantyre in Lenox, Massachusetts for a summer residency. As one of the original 12 Gilded Age mansions in the Berkshires, this Relais and Châteaux property makes the perfect backdrop for the menu of summery French-inspired classics with a seasonal focus on ingredients from local farms, vegetable-driven creations, and Asian and Middle Eastern flavors.
Guests can expect to see some light and refreshing dishes like a chilled cucumber-avocado vichyssoise with lobster, dill cream and pickled Fresno; a Vietnamese summer roll with poached shrimp, marinated vegetables, mint, cilantro; a tuna crudo with compressed melon, yuzu, shiso and sea beans; a surprisingly delicate but decadent sweet corn risotto with chanterelles; and a summer berry vacherin with basil meringue that captures the essence of the season.
While some restaurants are creatively using mannequins to create a festive mood amidst social distancing, Café Boulud at Blantyre has the benefit of several large period dining rooms and a generous patio overlooking the rolling lawns and lush gardens of its 110 acre property. Whether seated indoors or out, every table is perfectly situated for fine dining at a distance.
The arrival of Café Boulud could not have come at a better time and is already generating tremendous buzz among the culinary cognoscenti in the Berkshires. "It is an honor to be collaborating with a culinary innovator like Daniel Boulud, whose presence will elevate Blantyre to a world-class dining destination," says Linda S. Law, the property's owner and steward.
"Our partnership is a much-needed bright spot in what has been a challenging few months for everyone, and now more than ever people want to enjoy special moments with an added measure of safety and security. We are thrilled to be able to create this for our guests on our expansive 110-acre setting," she adds.
Boulud says, "On occasion we have done similar collaborations, but Café Boulud at Blantyre came at a time when we were waiting to reopen our businesses in New York City. Blantyre approached us with the idea of creating a summer pop-up of Café Boulud in the Berkshires. We loved the idea as it helped to bring some of our team back together, initiating a first step toward post-Covid life. Both Blantyre and Café Boulud are members of Relais & Châteaux. We've known each other a long time, and trust that our brands are aligned to work together. Many of our loyal customers live in the region and are very happy to have us there."
While the summer stock season has been cancelled, one can still attend an all-star performance that will not soon be forgotten. Indoor and alfresco dinner service Wednesday through Sunday and weekend brunch at the Café Boulud pop-up will be at Blantyre through mid-October.
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