Dining best bets for under-30s

Babalouie's, 286 Main St., 528-8100

THE greatest pizza, good location, easy meeting spot. -- S.P.

Castle Street Cafe, 10 Castle St., 528-5244.

They have one of the best hamburgers in town. Live music every weekend in the bar area; every night except Tuesday during July and August. -- L.T.

Due Enoteca, 44 Railroad St., 528-8969

No music but with-it food and comfy couches for drinks by the big, open, streetside window and a friendly bar. -- D.M.

They sell small tastes of wine at lesser prices and have a tapas-like menu.-- L.T.

Helsinki Tea Co, 284 Main St. 528-3394

The club, of course, and vintage funky chic, downtown GB location. -- S.P.

Restaurant and folk/rock club in one. -- D.M.

Union Bar &

Stark metal decor and big popular bar. Affordable sandwich menu (Cubans and such) as well as dinners. Popular live DJ Friday nights. -- D.M. and staff

Uncommon Grounds, 403 Stockbridge Road, 528-0858

Funky seating, irreproachably antiestablishment atmosphere, great coffee and veggie food (no dinners; no live music). -- S.P.

Xicohtencatl, 50 Stockbridge Road, 528-2002

Great Mexican food. Flamenco guitar every Saturday night; other live music every other Thursday. -- Staff

Twenty Railroad Street, 20 Railroad St., 528-9345

Pub food, long bar, lively atmosphere, no live music. But serve till 11. -- Staff

Pearl's Restaurant, 47 Railroad St., 528-7767.

Bar menu is a great value. Classical guitar on weekends in the restaurant. -- Staff

Matt Reilly's Restaurant, 750 S. Main St., 447 9780.

Outdoor deck on Pontoosuc Lake. No music, but an early evening staging spot to plan later night activities. -- Staff

Olde Forge Restaurant, 125 North Main St., 442 6797

Great wings, great beer selection (over 300). No live music. -- Staff

Lenox

Betty's Pizza Shack, 26 Housatonic St., 637-8171

Mostly pizza and light stuff, but fun, young appeal. -- S.P.

Bistro Zinc, 56 Church St., 637 -8000

Pricey for dinner, but a stylish bar for drinks and nibbles. -- Staff

Chocolate Springs, 55 Pittsfield Road (Lenox Shops) 637-9820

Energy and attitude and live piano on weekends. -- D.M.

Firefly, 71 Church St., 637-2700

Great, relaxed, bar area and one of the few places that you can go to after 9 p.m. Also offers a tapas menu. No live music. -- L.T.

Freight Yard Restaurant & Pub, Western Gateway Heritage Park, 663-6547.

Good burgers, fish fry and other pub food served in lively TV-ringed sports bar area downstairs -- or quieter dining room upstairs. -- Staff

Jae's Inn, 1111 South State Road, 664-0100

On the pricey side, but a fun way to go Asian -- and be near Mass MoCA. No live music. -- S.P.

Gideon's Luncheon & Nightery (formerly Joga Cafe), 23 Eagle St. 664-0404

Downstairs eatery with outdoor patio. Upstairs music club features live jazz, blues, etc., Wednesday through Saturday nights; open mic on Tuesdays. Open till 1 a.m.-- Staff

Patrick's Pub, 26 Bank Row, 499-1994.

Wings and beer are the draws here, along with friendly staff and live music on occasional Saturday nights. Groups of friends stake out tables here and jaw -- and gnaw -- away.

Other Pittsfield choices were:

Applebee's, 555 Hubbard Ave. (Berkshire Crossing mall), 499 5157.

Bobby Hudpuckers, 1350 East St. 442 3278.

The Red Herring, 46 Spring St. 458 2808.

Off the lobby of Images Cinema. Light menu, bar, occasional music on weekends; pool table in lounge upstairs. -- Staff

Spice Root, 23 Spring St. 458-5200.

Good Indian food; lively atmosphere. --Staff

Chatham, N.Y.

Blue Plate, 1 Kinderhook St. (518) 392-7711.

They have great music (usually, Lincoln Mayorga on piano with a jazz bass) on Wednesday nights. Separate area downstairs for bar and music. -- L.T.

NOTE: Eagle food writers are identified by their initials: (D.M.) Deanne Moskowitz, (S.P.) Sally Patterson and (L.T.) Leslie Teicholz. Places suggested by under-30 Eagle news staffers are simply noted as "Staff."