Owners Derek Means and Craig Baker built their suburban farm-to-table brasserie around the idea that fine dining and family dining could sit at the same brown-papered table. Daily market specials showcase whatever local ingredients the partners procure from area farmers, as interpreted by snout-to-tail enthusiast Means. Beef-tongue cheesesteak, crispy fried frog legs, and rabbit potpie have made appearances alongside the burgers and craft beers. The mash-up makes perfect sense in a restaurant offering both a thoughtful children’s menu and a bar that fills up on lazy Sunday afternoons with regulars watching sports on the flat screens and eating wings until they need to loosen their belts—or their BabyBjorns, as the case may be.
TIP: Among the cocktails, several shaken and sweet elixirs are perfect for when Mommy needs a martini.
DON’T MISS: The Backyard Burger, with pickled mustard seeds, spicy aioli, and wilted onions.
PREVIOUS MENTIONS: Best Restaurants 2014, 2013, 2011
14655 Gray Rd., Westfield, 218-3786, localeateryandpub.com
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