The Williams Inn
A Fabulous Holiday Buffet
By: Charles Giuliano - Mar 23, 2008
The Williams Inn On the Green
http://www.williamsinn.com
413 458 9371
The Williams Inn in Williamstown, Mass. is booked to capacity for its renowned holiday buffets.
We called at the last minute for Thanskgiving and managed to get a cozy table in the Tavern next to the fire place. They did their best to fit us in although being virtually sold out. Our friends booked a month ahead of time. We plan to join them next time.
It was readily evident why this is such a popular feast for local residents. There is a superb array of dishes starting with wonderful sea food appetizers including smoked salmon, nice sized shrimp cocktail, mussels as well as several kinds of smoked fish. This time I focused on the seafood.
There was a chef making omelettes, as well as pancakes and breakfast items. There was a pass through the salad bar, a small cup of chowder and then back for an array of various entrees as well as carving stations for lamb, traditional hams, and beef.
Of course leave room for the desserts which are just fabulous. We sampled a bit of several all of which were just oh so sinful.
Considering the range and quality of the buffet, certainly the Best in the Berkshires, it is a bargain at just $29 per person. This included coffee or tea as well as attentive service and dishes quickly cleared between courses.
While his wife was busy bussing tables, and his son manned the register, the sprightly inn keeper, Carl J. Faulkner, who has run the successful establishment since the late 1970s, took time to show off his Easter tie and pause for a friendly bit of banter. He introduced himself as the "chief dish washer" before admitting that he is in fact the owner.
He promised that the regular Sunday brunch, at $21, is always superb and features a simlar array of delicacies. We cheked it out and he was absolutely right.