The name Bub Gourmand is a riff on The Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand rating.  Michelin stars get all the attention, but their lesser-known Bib rating is for “exceptionally good food at moderate prices.” Western Mass isn’t New York or Yountville, but there are some damn fine places to eat here.

We have James Beard nominated badasses like Coco and the Cellar Bar, and we have a lot of unsung heroes too. We’re here to let people know that the craft food, beer, and cocktail scene in this little corner of the world is amazing.

We don’t write negative reviews, and we don’t write fluff. If we eat somewhere and don’t like it, chances are we’ll try it one more time to make sure it doesn’t make the cut. If there’s a restaurant, bar, or brewery mentioned here, we think it’s worth our time, and yours too.

Cheers reader! Enjoy yourself some Western Mass.