The Barn Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Williamstown

I Came Back to The Barn Kitchen and Bar Like a Food Critic with Amnesia!

What’s that saying about doing the same thing and expecting different results? Well, call me the Einstein of bad dining decisions, because I returned to The Barn Kitchen and Bar for takeout after a dismal dine-in experience a month ago! This time, I ordered the Tuscan thighs, hoping for a culinary glow-up, but instead, I got a meal that made me wonder if I accidentally stumbled into a barn rather than a kitchen.

The presentation was an absolute travesty, screaming a complete lack of care from the get-go. The Tuscan thighs arrived in a foil container that looked like it had been rummaged through by a hungry raccoon. The chicken was haphazardly piled, with pieces unevenly cooked and sagging in a puddle of unappetizing grease. A wilted lemon slice sat limply in the corner, drowning in some murky sauce, while the supposed garnishes—shredded cheese and a scattering of what might have been herbs—were tossed on with all the precision of a blindfolded chef. Parts of the dish were bare, as if the kitchen staff gave up halfway through plating, leaving it looking more like a forgotten leftovers tray than a meal.

The cooking was just as abysmal. The chicken was a disaster—some pieces were dry and overcooked to a tough, leathery texture, while others retained a pinkish hue near the bone, raising serious questions about food safety. The “Tuscan” seasoning, which I expected to deliver a burst of herbs, garlic, and citrus, was virtually nonexistent, replaced by an overwhelming saltiness and a faint hint of generic Italian seasoning from a packet. The cheese on top had congealed into a rubbery, clumpy mess by the time I opened the container, adding an unpleasant texture that felt like an afterthought. The lemon slice, intended to brighten the dish, was so dried out it might as well have been a decoration from a previous meal.

At $16, this meal was a blatant overcharge for the sheer lack of effort and quality. I’ve had better chicken thighs from a gas station rotisserie at half the price. My previous dine-in experience was already soured by rude staff who complained about tips in the restroom and suggested we shouldn’t eat out if we couldn’t tip more, and this takeout order only cemented the impression of a place that doesn’t care. The apathy I felt in person seems to have infected the kitchen, where this dish was clearly thrown together with zero regard for the customer.

I had hoped takeout might redeem The Barn Kitchen and Bar, but the Tuscan Thighs were a catastrophe. From the sloppy, careless presentation to the poorly cooked chicken and questionable flavors, this meal was a waste of money. I hope management takes action to improve food quality and staff training, because right now, The Barn Kitchen and Bar is a dining experience I’d rather avoid—whether...

I had barn brunch the last two days and I regret spending every penny. Yesterday I ordered their three omelet dish- ended up getting a scramble with sausage and sourdough. The plate was filled with butter- literally butter seeping through every press of the fork. When I was done with my meal (half the plate) my hands, the ends of the fork, and my napkin were soaked in butter. I mentioned the extreme level butter, showing the flood of butter on the side of the plate to the waitress but I wasn’t given a discount. I felt scammed for paying $18 for such a heavy and undesirable meal. I already made a reservation so my sister (visiting from out of town) could get a taste of one of the nicer restaurants in williamstown but she was also disappointed with her experience. She got the eggs Benedict with potatoes overly seasoned and fried. The potatoes were practically burnt. Our friend ordered the avocado toast with the bread the size of a nugget and half of her plate filled with the lettuce served at the Williams dining hall with no dressing. Just plain lettuce. I ordered the salmon bagel (they only had plain), only to receive half of the plate also filled with resky lettuce. Williams students spend their money on outside dining to get away from the dining hall food, but I guess we can never escape. To pay $15 for a plain bagel with half the plate just filled with the toppings to put on your bagel (false representation), I think there’s more bang for your buck elsewhere. Ambiance is always good at the barn but for the actual food and quality of the ingredients you might as well try cheffing up your own meal for a quarter of the price. The barn...

So, my boyfriend and I first ate here for dinner than i returned in the morning for breakfast. This restaurant is part of The Williams Inn and excellent pairing as well. The barn meets American rustic design was perfect in this countryside area of Massachusetts. Our server, Diane was knowledgeable about the menu and all cocktails! We appreciated her suggestions and took went with a cauliflower appetizer (amazing) and a pasta dish. She was very attentive to us. For breakfast, Kimmy was welcoming, jovial and mentioned me trying the French toast before even walking into the entrance. She knew I was starving:). I got to sit in the back this time and look out the long windows into the yard. Beautiful. Both Kimmey and Virginia were attending me and cheerful. It is a pleasure to be around this attitude. I did have the French toast and have to say that the coffee here is delicious. The outdoor seating is just as abundant as indoor seating and wraps around entire restaurant. There is an attractive fire stone put with plenty of rocking chairs around. So we enjoyed this area after dinner the night before. This is a great...