Barbara and I recently enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Elegant Chef and Bistro, the in-school restaurant at Nashoba Valley Technical High School, 100 Littleton Rd, Westford MA.
The students -- who host, wait and bus tables, and cook, assisted by chef instructors -- really put their best foot forward. The hostess cheerfully greeted us upon arrival, showing us to our seats where we were promptly tended to with professional, table side wait service. The table was beautifully set, with a formal place setting including silverware for multiple courses. (We had to double-check with each other to remember what each utensil is used for!)
We started with the fried macaroni (of course!) & cheese balls and house salad. Fresh and delicious. For entrees, I went with the Cajun shrimp and chicken dish that included Andouille sausage, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic sautéed then simmered in a spicy Cajun-style broth with cream and topped with steamed white rice.
Barbara chose the Napa grilled chicken, topped with artichoke hearts, grilled mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and a white wine herb sauce. We managed to save room for dessert and split the chocolate mousse cake and strawberry danish. The most amazing part of this Macaroni Kid-approved dining experience? This tasty meal with generous portions, appetizer, two salads, two entrees, and coffee, cost us less than $25 dollars -- total!
Chef-instructors Francis Zentgraf and Carley Engle take great pride in their students, program, and the quality service and food they provide. When they learned we were there from Macaroni Kid to review the restaurant, they took a few minutes from their busy lunch service to stop by and sit with us to chat about how hard the students work and all the great offerings the restaurant has.
The Elegant Chef is a win-win all around -- the restaurant gives Nashoba Tech students an opportunity to showcase and hone their culinary, restaurant management and hospitality skills plus it's a relaxing, quick and very affordable option for lunch for people who work nearby and local residents. Plus, they provide budget-friendly catering for weekday events (and will prepare pre-cooked items for weekend events if you can pick them up on Friday) as well as bakery items including birthday cakes and cupcakes, all kinds of pastries, and bread and baguettes.
The Elegant Chef Bistro serves lunch 11:30 AM to 1 PM, Tuesday through Friday, from September to June. Breads and an assortment of yummy pastries are available at the bakery counter as well, plus they will have pies, cookie platters and other items for the upcoming holidays. The menu changes weekly (available online) and they offer a hot/cold buffet on Fridays. Reservations are not required, but you can call ahead at (978) 692-9958. Please note that they only accept cash but there is an ATM on campus, in case you forget.
The school's campus is large, and the restaurant is a bit tricky to find the first time. Enter the school's front driveway from Route 110 (Littleton Rd) and take the first right turn up a small drive before the main building entrance. You will pass athletic courts and fields and come to a side parking lot. Park there, and walk around the right side of the building at the back of the parking lot -- you will see greenhouse windows and the entrance to the restaurant.
The school's campus is large, and the restaurant is a bit tricky to find the first time. Enter the school's front driveway from Route 110 (Littleton Rd) and take the first right turn up a small drive before the main building entrance. You will pass athletic courts and fields and come to a side parking lot. Park there, and walk around the right side of the building at the back of the parking lot -- you will see greenhouse windows and the entrance to the restaurant.
The Elegant Chef and Bistro
Nashoba Valley Technical High School
100 Littleton Rd
Westford MA 01886
(978) 692-9958
All opinions expressed are my own. No compensation was received for this review.
Nashoba Valley Technical High School
100 Littleton Rd
Westford MA 01886
(978) 692-9958
All opinions expressed are my own. No compensation was received for this review.
