PUB CRAWL: Rouge

While the low-ceilinged, low-lit bar of Rouge may be intimate and friendly, it still pulsates with energy and excitement. One of our crew quotes the Irish song, “The Red Rose Café,” where “everybody is so happy to be there,” and Rouge fits the bill. The cozy West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, bistro is located at the intersection of several of the region’s main byways, attracting travelers from New York via the Mass Pike as well as those from the north and south via Route 41—not to mention the bevy of locals who trade banter with the owners and rub elbows with visitors nightly.

Rouge’s European sophistication shines through in expertly prepared tapas appetizers whose artistic presentation is in sync with the vibrant flavors of local ingredients. Fresh produce is incorporated into many dishes, such as the vivid green and yellow tomatoes, sliced delicately and layered between smoked salmon; a variety of meat dishes, including aromatic lamb kabobs, saffron-infused mussels, and rich duck confit, balance out the menu. Vegetarians will find an abundance of creative choices, such as shiitake spring rolls, crispy polenta cakes, and briny Spanish olives.

Wines steal the spotlight on Rouge’s drink menu, a hefty assortment drawn from a wide range of regions, including twelve special reserve selections. Beers on tap are few but include the perfectly pleasing Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, and the bottled-beer collection boasts several microbrews, including those from Lagunitas and Brewery Ommegang. Mixed cocktails here are as artistic as the tapas plates, in radiant colors and with fresh fruit garnishes. Special cocktails often highlight the season or the bistro’s French roots, as with the Rouge Parisienne, made with Absolut vodka, Champagne, and crème de cassis.

Rouge is expertly in-tune with the cravings of its many guests, thanks to the talent and attentiveness of co-owners Maggie and William Merelle, who greet patrons exuberantly, striking up friendly conversation all around. Even after expanding the space this spring to include additional dining areas, Rouge remains intimate and inviting in the warmest way. [OCTOBER 2009]

THE GOODS

Rouge Restaurant & Bistro
3 Center St.
West Stockbridge, Mass.
413.232.4111