The time: 1:30 PM
The watch: Bell & Ross BR 03-94 RS17
Recently, during my Indiana/Illinois trip filming for America’s Best Restaurants, I had the opportunity to stop by a restaurant that made quite an impression on me.
At West on Warren Gallery + Grill in downtown Middlebury, art and flavor meet in a way that makes every plate feel like part of a curated gallery. The restaurant, with its clean urban design and walls accented by original artwork, emphasizes freshness and creativity in each dish. It is the perfect backdrop for the Bell & Ross BR 03-94 RS17, a chronograph inspired by the high precision and adrenaline-driven world of motorsports. Together, the two create a story of boldness, precision, and balance.
While filming there, I had the opportunity to try each of the dishes below.
The Jalapeño Popper Sandwich arrives with layers of texture and intensity. Applewood smoked bacon, jalapeño cream cheese, cheddar, and apple bourbon jam bring smoke, spice, creaminess, and sweetness in one bite. It mirrors the BR 03-94 RS17’s striking dial design, where color and function work together seamlessly. Just as the watch balances utility with eye-catching vibrancy, this sandwich offers a playful yet controlled clash of flavors.
Next, the Sriracha Honey Salmon highlights balance in a different way. The Atlantic salmon is glazed with sriracha honey, then paired with garlic potatoes and broccoli. It’s a dish that tempers spice with sweetness, precision with comfort. The same can be said of the Bell & Ross chronograph, where its robust square case and sporty accents are softened by ergonomic design and everyday wearability. Both the dish and the watch show that strength can coexist with finesse.
The Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl takes us into a world of vibrant freshness. Rice, avocado, seaweed salad, cucumber, carrots, cabbage, rice noodles, and teriyaki combine with sesame-seared tuna to create a colorful spectrum of flavor and texture. Each element has its place, yet together they form a precise harmony. This reflects the BR 03-94 RS17’s chronograph movement, where each sub-dial and hand is essential to the overall function. Just as the poke bowl relies on balance between many components, the watch thrives on the seamless coordination of its mechanical parts.
Finally, the Smoked Duck offers depth and refinement. Served with mango chutney, green beans, and garlic baby potatoes, the dish layers smokiness with fruit brightness and vegetal crispness. The juicy duck, delivers the perfect amount of flavor, while the mango chutney brings a vibrant punch of acidity that rounds out this dis perfectly. It resonates with the sophistication of the RS17, a watch that celebrates motorsport engineering while remaining elegant enough for daily wear. The duck, like the chronograph, proves that power and elegance can be captured on the same canvas.
The Pairing
The Bell & Ross BR 03-94 RS17 is more than a racing-inspired timepiece, it is a symbol of precision, technical artistry, and bold design. Its square case, high-contrast dial, and chronograph complication make it instantly recognizable and purpose-driven. Wearing it is like strapping on an instrument of performance, much like savoring a dish at West on Warren is to experience both art and flavor in motion. This is a watch for those who appreciate intensity without sacrificing refinement, a quality that West on Warren delivers with every plate.
Beyond its sporty origins, the RS17 carries the DNA of Bell & Ross: uncompromising legibility, durable construction, and a design philosophy that draws from cockpit instruments. Its chronograph pushers and tachymeter scale pay homage to motorsport timing, while the bold case ensures presence on the wrist. This is not just a tool for measuring seconds; it is a statement of identity, pairing seamlessly with the adventurous yet refined character of West on Warren’s cuisine.
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