I'm sure I speak for all women (mothers, wives, girlfriends etc...) when I say that we all love a little quality private time with our significant others....not that private....I'm talking about Date Nights!! Last night my wonderful husband surprised me with a very special date night. He took me to Chandler's Restaurant in S. Deerfield, MA.
Of course, you can't just go to Chandler's Restaurant when Yankee Candle is sitting right next door, all lonesome, wanting you to go inside and look around...So that's exactly what we did!! I love love LOVE browsing around Yankee Candle, I mean seriously, who doesn't?? There's so many different rooms to explore, it takes at least a couple hours to walk through. When you walk in the doors, someone is there to give you a map for the building!! Lets see...When you first enter there is the area with a bunch of treats such as baking mixes, dinner mixes, festive plates/mugs/accessories, snacks, candles (duh!), candie, etc....the list really goes on and on.
There are a couple rooms that are full from floor to ceiling with candles. That's the point of going right?! My husband and I have aquired quite the collection ourselves...perhaps too many? Nahh!! They also have a "Home" room, Santa's Workshop for the children, a room with a waterfall, German room, and even a Cafe full of treats that Mrs. Claus baked herself!! My husband and I bought ourselves a giant bearclaw for our dessert, covered in chocolate and white chocolate with mini chocolate chips. Absolutely sinful!! :)
It is highly recommended that you make reservations at Chandler's Restaurant. Our reservations were for 7:30 however, we arrived about an hour early and the staff were more than friendly about it and welcoming. Now, I'm sure the food is always excellent whether lunch or dinner. If you want the real "wow" factor though, I advise going for dinner. The atmosphere is completely different. The restaurant is very dimly lit and you actually have a candlelit dinner with a real candle burning on the table. The candlelight is the only light you really have. I found it to be very romantic and cozy especially on a cold fall evening!
They have many wines and cocktails to choose from to start you off. Then theres several small plates and sides...My husband and I ordered the Local Artisan Cheese Plate. You are served a plate with 3 cheeses : Blue Cheese, Mountain Goat Cheese, and one other cheese I can't remember what it was. Along with the cheese you are served : Pear slices, Grapes, Fig, some kind of nutty spread, and very crispy bread, almost like a cracker. I enjoyed all 3 cheeses, the goat cheese was very rich but very nice and the one I couldn't remember had the mildest taste of the 3, my husband and I both enjoyed that one. I believe my husbands favorite was the blue cheese. I enjoyed all of the cheeses along with the grapes and the spread was very nice too. Very scrumptious, decadent appetizer!! Absolutely loved it!!
For our main course, My husband and myself each ordered the same meal - Beef Tenderloin with roasted onions, blue cheese, mashed potatoes and veal demi-glace. This was hands down, no lie, for real....the BEST dinner I have ever had in my life!! Our meat was cooked medium rare and I swear when I first cut into the meat, it fell right apart. Like butter...it was amazing!! The blue cheese was ontop of the beef and it sort of became a little melty and combining that with the beef was *drooling* sooo rich and delicious!! The potatoes and vegetables were fantastic and the sauce all the food was sitting ontop of, was simply devine!! Words cannot describe it. I ate my dinner as slowly as possible to make it last as long as possible. I think I nearly drove my husband crazy because I talked about how amazing dinner was like half the way home...maybe more....I could talk about it for the next week. The candlelight, the fantastic food, being there for our first real intimate dinner with my husband. A really great experience that I want to repeat like every night! : ) Just kidding.....sort of....
Chandler's Restaurant has been the best date with anyone let alone my husband. I highly suggest it to other couples or families (they have a kids menu too!) wanting to do something different or looking for a place for a special occasion. The prices are a little pricey as any fine dining restaurant would be so be warned. Attire should be somewhat dressy, not quite formal, but definitly not casual. I wore nice heels, dark jeans and a nice sweater.
On a last note, They seem to have events here and there too, you can check the website for a list of upcoming events and occasions. Iron Chef Michael Symon will be visiting the restaurant on Novemer 5th from 2-330pm for a book signing!! How exciting is that?? I thought that was awesome!!
*Sigh* The next day and I think I'm still on, what I like to call, a "Date Night High"!!