Today is the Pumpkin Festival in Turners Falls. All sorts of vendors
are set up displaying an assortment of goods from crafts to local restaurants,
selling their most popular dishes. Fall, my utmost favorite season of the year,
the cool crisp air with the beautiful kaleidoscope of colors from falling leaves.
It just makes this event even better as I set out in a sweater and my fall leather
boots looking for the best way to satisfy my appetite. The heavenly smell of various
ethnic foods wafts through the air as I wander around with the leaves crunching
beneath my feet.
I choose to eat at DiPaolo's, an upscale Italian restaurant in
town. DiPaolo’s opened their doors in
the spring of 2006 after a seven year process of finding and purchasing the
right building. Denise, the owner of
DiPaolos, said “The building kind of chose her.” After several attempts at
trying to get another building, Denise found out that many buildings in Turners
Falls were available due to non-payment in back taxes. She was able to purchase the condemned
building for one dollar, in part because the town liked the idea of her opening
a restaurant.
My husband and I are seated on the patio; it is lit up with string
lights, filled with comfortable patio furniture. A band is playing in the corner named Fire
Pond. Fire Pond is a two person band that plays a mixture of music of many
genres. I feel very cozy here as we sit happily awaiting the arrival of our
friends. I decided to try the Pumpkin Pie Martini the drink of the day. It is wonderful, creamy with just a slight
pumpkin flavor topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg. Being a special event (the Pumpkin Festival,)
DiPaolo’s is serving only appetizers.
I ordered the Caribbean Dueto ~ grilled scallops and shrimp seasoned
with a Caribbean spice rub garnished with a mild spicy red pepper sauce and a
pineapple salsa. ~ The presentation was awe-inspiring, almost too pretty to
eat, but not quite, I am hungry. The chef has cooked the scallops to
perfection, charred on the outside yet medium rare on the inside leaving the
scallops moist. I really enjoyed the pineapple salsa and red pepper sauce.
Next we try the Melanzane Parmigiano - grilled eggplant brushed with
olive oil and oregano, layered in tomato sauce with a blend of Mozzarella,
Romano, and Asiago cheese ~ this appetizer came out in an oval ramekin with
melted cheese and herbs on top. Once through the gooey-melted cheese your taste
buds are hit with the red sauce made with what seemed to taste like a blend of
red wine, tomatoes, herbs and a good quality olive oil. I really take pleasure
in the eggplant; it just had a total comfort food feel to it.
My friend ordered the Avocado Salad - A whole Haas avocado sliced and
served on a bed of greens with tomatoes. Topped with red onion and fresh
cilantro, drizzled with olive oil and lime juice ~ The presentation of the
salad is appealing. As we taste the
salad we discuss how we feel that often restaurant salads are under thought and
rushed. This salad is well prepared, with just the right blend of olive oil,
cilantro and lime. I think the red onions are a good compliment however a bit
over powering. I would have preferred a few less onions. However this would not stop me from ordering
this again. I loved the creaminess of avocado with a touch of pepper to it.
The majority of the clientele comes within a fifty mile radius, range mostly
in forty years of age and up, however young romantics are also attracted to
dine here. It is more a “special
occasion” spot, where through the years DiPaolo’s have even had some marriage proposals.
The service was great, our waitress was very attentive to our needs,
everything was clean and all the customers seemed happy with their food and were
having a good time.
I give DiPaolo’s 3 forks!
My fork rating system 5 forks~ perfection
4
forks~ excellent
3 forks~ very
good
2 forks~ nothing
special
1 fork~ won’t
go back
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