Great Escape: Dinner Under the Stars at Smolak

The weather is finally changing for the better, and soon it will be summer. Having lunch or dinner at an outside cafe is relaxing, and it can feel like a virtual vacation to a European country.

Now, you don't even have to leave North Andover because, 315 South Bradford St., will be featuring some of the best chefs in Boston at its new weekly Summer outdoor restaurant.

Whim Restaurant will host dinners every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. starting June 29 and will continue on through Aug. 24.  

"Our guests are going to walk away with a memory from this experience and feel as if they are receiving a value," said owner Michael Smolak.

Smolak Farms has partnered with Edible Boston, Gilt City Boston, Le Cordon Bleu, Boston, Yelp!, Vermont Fresh Network and New England Cooks to create the "dining under the stars "experience.

Guests of Whim will be served a three-course dinner under an event tent and in a small clearing where weddings are held. Weather will not be a factor according to Smolak who said, "If it rains, we still have enough room to hold our 100 guests under the tent. Seating is communal and in that case it would be slightly "more communal."

Truly an outside experience, the chefs will cook "in the rough" with only a commercial grill and a La Caja China.

The $60 per person dinner (excluding gratuity and beverages) also includes an optional after-dinner hayride through the Smolak Farms Orchard.

A unique feature of the restaurant is that each week proceeds from each chef's dinner will be allocated to a charity of his/her choice. "I think it makes it much more personal for both the chef and customer," said Smolak.

Chef Jason Bond of Bondir Restaurant, Cambridge whose charity is Faith Kitchen will kick off the series on June 29. "This is a chance for diners to experience our cooking and learn about who we are. We cook in accordance with the best ingredients of that day and give you a real picture of place and season, showcasing the vibrant flavors of New England," he explained.

The chef line-up is listed on the Smolak Farms Web site.  You will then be directed or can go directly to purchase tickets on the Gilt City Website.

Although the Gilt City website has a target date listed, people can purchase tickets throughout the summer. "I can tell you that sales have been extremely robust, and a large portion of those seats have already started to move very quickly," said Smolak.

"It is also nice to see that it's pretty evenly distributed as people can purchase tickets to any dinner with any chef in advance. I think it reflects that people are really interested in supporting or experiencing these chefs in their purest form," he explained.

For additional information about Smolak Farms, visit their Web site or contact them at 978-682-6332.