The Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, MA, Represents the Best of Traditional, Colonial-style New England Dining

Article and photo by Eric H.

Traditional New England dining approaches near-perfection at the Salem Cross Inn in beautiful West Brookfield, MA.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Salem Cross Inn is a remarkable example of Colonial restoration with its original building constructed in the early 1700s. The handsome hardwood floors, post and beam ceilings, roaring fireplaces, antique furnishings, serene candlelight glow, and, gracious, old-fashioned "New England" waitresses dressed in Colonial apparel offer a complete feeling of warmth and comfort on three floors of charming, old rooms. Some stellar examples of old New England charm abound in the Chestnut Room with its huge fieldstone fireplace and 42-long chestnut ceiling beams, the old haybarn affording splendid views of the woods and meadows, and smaller rooms filled with antiquarian books, maps, documents and other curios.Even before entering this storied structure, you know you've reached New England in its most authentic form. The Salem Cross Inn's 600 acres of rolling hills and woodlands, including grazing herds and a sleigh, typify the appeal of West Brookfield, an old-fashioned, friendly central Massachusetts town from yesteryear with an expansive, stunning village green surrounded by big, old historic homes.

The Salem Cross Inn faithfully sticks to traditional New England cooking with the use of an open hearth fireplace to slow roast its delicious prime rib and a restored 1699 Bannister Tavern beehive oven to turn out some delicious baked goods and dishes. Wonderful New England dishes include the aforementioned prime rib, Yankee pot roast, chicken pot pie, Atlantic salmon, apple raspberry roasted duck, Indian pudding, butternut squash, pumpkins muffins, homemade breads, clam chowder and the amazing pecan pie and apple pie. It's hard to pick a favorite, as each one of these selections represent the best of traditional New England food, with no parallel in our extensive New England dining experiences.

The Salem Cross Inn also features special dining events, including multi-course fireside feasts, apple pie contests, herb sampling, fireplace pit roasts, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, and hayrides and sleigh rides at various times of the splendid New England four seasons.

Perfect for a special night out, a family gathering, wedding or vacation dining spot, the Salem Cross Inn is the true epitome of traditional New England dining.

Salem Cross Inn
Route 9, West Brookfield, MA. Tel. (508) 867-2345