May 18, 2003
By: Mary-Jane Tichenor

Owner revamps former Roseborough Grill

The former Roseborough Grill at 71 Church Street has been completely renovated and has a new name Firefly.

Laura Shack, chef and owner, said it was time to reinvent herself after operating Roseborough for 13 years.

"I love what I do and I wanted and needed a change," she said. "I wanted to fill a niche that I felt was missing in Lenox something that is affordable for everybody."

The change included a completely new menu, signature specialty drinks and artwork.

She said she invested "upwards of $200,000" to create a contemporary restaurant with rich colors. The restaurant that seats about 100 people, has dark wood tables, burgundy and pumpkin-colored banquettes, a mahogany and copper bar and hand-blown glass lamps.

Thomas Douglas of Northampton was the architect, and D&S Builders of Pittsfield did the construction. The restaurant is leased from Lena and Serge Paccaud, owners of Spigalina Restaurant on Main Street.

Shack's response to new trends in food, drink and the changing restaurant scene in Lenox translates to a lighter, more casual dining experience. She will be in the kitchen cooking a selection of tapas, appetizers and entrees, with prices ranging from $5 to $27.

"Actually, we will have a world menu Spanish and a lot of Asian, as well as American a tapas menu, an upscale bar menu,as well as fine dining," she said.

Preston Morris has signed on to manage her bar operation. She said Morris has developed a following over the past 10 years and is sometimes called the "Sam Malone of the Berkshires."

Firefly is open for dinner Sunday to Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. The bar is open until 1 a.m. and the tapas menu is served until midnight.

"We will always offer something to eat," Shack said.

Starting at the end of June, lunch will be served from Thursday to MOnday.

Shack employed a staff of about 40 to 50 at Roseborough Grill in season and says it will be about the same at Firefly. She has been closed during the winter for the past few years, but now plans to stay open year-round.

Shack moved to the Berkshires in 1990 after owning and operating Place Settings, a catering business in New York City, for 10 years. She trained privately with the late master chef James Beard in his New York home for three years and credits that experience with her culinary success.

Shack and her husband, Ian Willnauer, live in Richmond with their daughter, Francesca, 2.