UPDATED March, 2025 The new direction Matt and his team are taking Shire has been worth multiple visits for us lately -- to sample excellent and inventive dishes, experience a renewed commitment to thoughtful and attentive service, and catch a whole new vibe taking shape.

There is still a great atmosphere (rustic brick factory, lots of varnished wood, historical photos on the walls, etc.), a decent variety of quality spirits at the bar, and plentiful parking out back. But there is a new energy at Shire the we've felt at every visit -- and it keeps us coming back.

A few thoughts about the food....Many of our favorite dishes from the old menu are still available, but an innovative new menu is taking shape that has been fun to explore. The fresh selection of gourmet pizzas, for example, offer interesting and tasty toppings and sauces (the Fra Diavlo is one I really like). There is also a seafood and sausage grits dish with beautifully balanced flavors -- I've ordered this as a starter at each of my recent visits. Even ordinary sounding dishes like fish and chips or chicken and waffles are above average in their updated flavors, preparation, and presentation. My wife, who is always in search of decent fish and chips, thinks Shire's new offering is the best she's had in the Berkshires.

One cool thing for me is that Terry (a skilled new addition to the kitchen and former owner of Biggins Diggins in Lanesborough) is committed to delivering gluten-free options for nearly all of these delicious dishes -- and with exceptional quality.

Those who have seen Matt at work know he has always had vision, but now it feels as though Shire finally has the quality staff in both the front of the house and the back to help collaborate around that vision with creativity, enthusiasm, and consistency.

We hope Shire Tavern will succeed, and so far we think it is definitely charting a refreshing new course.