Since 2014, ShortStop Bar & Grill has been a staple to Westfield for a plethora of reasons. Monica Guarnieri, one of the managers at SS, opened the restaurant with her parents Nabil and Julie Hannoush, along with Skip Tenggren to provide a fun spot for lunch and dinner, as well as find a way to incorporate some batting practice into the mix. What they came up with was a combination of seasonal fun, playing and watching a variety of sports, and the perfect atmosphere for families and friends to gather.
When asked how they come up with the ever-changing themes for SS, Monica says “Our team is always thinking of fun keep ideas for events, concerts and entertainment! From Day one, my mom has always been the voice behind the fun ideas and keeping up with fun specials that our guests always look forward to!” With something that seems so simple, SS really hits their themes out of the park. From Hawaiian Luau, to Valentines Day, to Fall and Christmas, the constant changes make SS feel like a new place year round. There are always events to match the themes as well, proving this crew is always swinging for the fences.
Beyond the themes, events, and fantastic team, ShortStop boasts some amazing culinary skills. For me… I love a little spice in my day, so my go-to is the Buffalo Chicken Dip, or the Steak Tips covered in Chef Mike’s personal recipe “Fire in the Hole” sauce (not for the faint of heart). According to Chef Monica, her favorite dishes are the “NY Strip - cut in house and grilled to perfection- finished with our house made garlic butter and vegetables.” Then after dinner, her dessert of choice is Crème Brûlée… it’s a smooth vanilla bean custard that’s then topped with sugar and torched right before you eat it to crest a thin layer of hard caramel. The perfect finish any meal!
Recently there have been even more additions that are noteworthy at the ShortStop. Par4theCourse virtual golf and gaming is an absolute blast, with full access to the restaurant's menu and bar. There are also pinball machines and batting cages that truly make this a good time destination.
If you are looking for a venue for a large family or corporate event, Monica and crew have you covered there too, as their Banquet Hall holds anywhere from 30-100 guests. This hall is an elegant, well-kept and decorated room away from the restaurant and bar, giving you space and privacy in a beautiful setting. Outside of the restaurant, SS also has a patio that can be used all year round! In the cold months, curl up with a cozy blanket under the heaters with your favorite winter cocktail… I suggest the Bailey’s and Coffee.
All in all, ShortStop Bar & Grill at 99 Springfield Rd here in Westfield is the absolute place to be. I would like to give a personal shoutout to Mike and Vanessa, who have been with SS from day 1, as well as Katelyn, Ethan, Chrissy, Alex, Christian and the rest of the folks who always make my experience there a hit and one of my personal favorites around.
We are happy to see how it’s grown, and love to serve all ages in a welcoming and fun family atmosphere!