HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Foreigner Rocks Rhinebeck at the Dutchess County Fair

 

 
 As a long time Foreigner fan, I was very excited to hear that the group would be performing right here in Rhinebeck at the Dutchess County Fair. I bought tickets online a week before the concert and I was able to get two decent seats for $20 each. It was my first concert at the Grandstand. Having the carnival as a backdrop gives it a very theatrical and retro vibe. Foreigner opened up with "Double Vision" then performed "Head Games" a classic Foreigner song I had somehow forgotten about until that night. 

The crowd went crazy when it got to "Hot Blooded" and "Urgent." During the concert lead singer Kelly Hansen at one point told the audience, "If you would indulge us one more time, we will be singing the first single from our new album, "When it comes to love." (It's a cute song by the way). Back to the hits though, Hansen sang "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and "Feels Like the First Time" and "Dirty White Boy."  The encore as you might have guessed was "Juke Box Hero". 

Sorry that my photos aren't that great. I was on a press list, but somehow the press pass didn't materialize at the gate pre-concert. Next time, I will have a plan B. I do hope more of my favorite bands come to the county fairs next year. It's a great venue! I was surprised to see quite a few families with young children at the concert too.

Historic Village Diner in Red Hook: Yummy Greasy Spoon Breakfast

If you are looking for an old fashioned 1920's diner experience, then get your hungry belly over to the historic Village Diner in Red Hook!  We had a perfect rainy day late lunch here, but we ordered breakfast as you can see from the photo. My husband had the angus burger and eggs, and requested mashed potatos instead of the variety of deep fried homefries they offer. I had the veggie omelet, which was hearty and good. The toast was soaked in butter, just the way I like it. Service was super friendly. The folks next to us ordered club sandwiches, which looked really good. For more info visit the Diner's website
 

Cat'n Around Catskill: Cat statues, quirky shops, good eats, and ice cream!

 
 

I spent a lazy afternoon walking around Catskill on Monday. I hadn't been there since last year, and it looks like there are a couple new restaurants that have opened up since I last visited. Unfortunately, it was Monday so a few shops and restaurants were closed. We stopped for ice cream at Cone-e Island ice cream stand. The vanilla soft serve was excellent! It had a real vanilla flavor that you don't find everywhere. There is also a small play area with coin operated rides for the kids to ride near the tables).  

I also loved looking at all the different Cats from the Cats of Cat'n Around 2010 in Catskill. There are 61 of them! The cats will only be on display until September 19th. Come admire them! My favorite is the Michael Jackson cat ("Black or White: Tribute to the Gloved One" by Serine Baeckmann-Elge). If you want to take a Cat home, come back for The Cat's Meow Auction & Gala on September 26th. Visit Cat'n Around or Welcome to Catskill for more info.  

 

Attention Tomato Lovers: 6th Annual Heirloom Tomato & Music Festival Aug 22nd

For those of you who love the taste of a perfectly ripened heirloom tomato, save the date! I wanted to share with you the information on the 6^th Annual Heirloom Tomato and Music Festival on the W. Rogowski Farm on Glenwood Road in Pine Island on Sunday, August 22^nd. Here is the scoop:

“We’re planning a bumper crop of family fun from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” says Cheryl Rogowski, 2^nd generation farmer at the Rogowski’s Pine Island farm in the Black Dirt region. 

Since the farm grows over 250 varieties of produce each season, crop-tasting will be high on the menu with the heirloom tomato in the spotlight as the special of the day. Tomatoes will be a main ingredient, but not the only one, in the culinary demonstrations taking place throughout the festival.

No matter how you slice it, this celebration will include far more than just pleasures of the palette alone. Cheryl says there will also be arts and handcrafts exhibits, agricultural workshops, raffles for baskets and prizes along with other entertainment like pony rides and face painting.

Musical accompaniments for the festivities will include performances by local musicians, such as Marty Koppel, Mike Sinatra, Project Mercury and Uncle Shoehorn.  The Black Dirt Dance Company is planning a special performance.

Tickets are $3 for adults (two adults for $5). There is no admission charge for children under 15 years. Each ticket entitles the bearer to a free raffle ticket and a tomato tasting.

“We live in a rural community, but many people aren’t familiar with their local farms or with farming practices in general,” says Cheryl. “This is a chance to understand what goes into growing our food and why it makes a difference to buy locally,” she adds.

The W. Rogowski Farm is family-operated and proudly shares old-fashioned family values. The family also is progressive, utilizing ecologically friendly and environmentally sound practices to provide healthy, wholesome, nutritious food to the Hudson Valley and beyond.

For more information, contact Deborah Garry at 845.695.1880, or the W. Rogowski Farm at 845.258.4574.

Touche Restaurant in Woodstock: Creative Cuisine & Cozy Ambiance

 
 Since I started the blog, I try to always try a new Hudson Valley date night restaurant. My husband and I decided to check out Touche restaurant on Glasco Turnpike in Woodstock to finally celebrate our anniversary, which was months ago. (The Blue Mountain Bistro used to be at this spot). It was a Wednesday night, and the parking lot was not crowded so I figured we'd have the place to ourselves. The restaurant is very inviting, and there are beautiful paintings from local artists on the walls. Though the name is French, the menu isn't entirely French. The bread was good, but not French. It tasted like a homemade roll.

We started with an appetizer special, chile with a hint of lime. I had the grilled Caesar which was grilled lettuce with anchovies, and an amazing sauce. I could have eaten 5 of these! For my entree, I was good and ordered the vegataliste plat du jour.  He ordered steak friteswhich he enjoyed though the portion was not "hungry man" size. The desserts and cafe au lait were excellent! I had the chocolate pudding and he had the homemade peach tart. The waitress informed us that the dishes are prepared with organic vegetables and fruits from local farms. I'd recommend this as a quiet date night organic dining place and a perfect place to have appetizers and drinks with friends. Another couple came in and asked about the prix fixe, but it is no longer available, fyi.Touche restaurant,1633 Glasco Turnpike, Woodstock, NY. 12498. (845) 679-2121.

Chelsea Clinton Mania Consumes Rhinebeck: Will the moneymoon last?

 

 

  

 I drove through Rhinebeck today, as many locals and tourists did, to be part of the Chelsea Clinton wedding hoopla. People were coming out as the un-invited extension of the wedding party. I have to admit I don’t usually get to bop around with tv crews, and media types, hacking away on their laptops in the Hudson Valley. When I got there around 4pm, a fellow thrill-seeker told me that Bill Clinton had walked over to Gigi’s Trattoriafor lunch around 2pm. (I blogged about Gigi's Trattoria recently here)

 

When I was stuck in Rhinebeck traffic I traded eye-rolls with another lady, most likely another startled resident. Not all residents are crazy about this Clinton wedding. Yes, $3 million is a bit extravagant. But, I hope that this wedding weekend havoc will bring more tourists and tourist dollars to Rhinebeck, and the Hudson Valley. Monday morning residents can get their sleepy chic Rhinebeck village back and we’ll all remember this crazy week, but hopefully the money-moon won’t be over for local businesses. Here's an Associated Press reported on Bill Clinton's visit today in the Daily Freeman.

Anybody know who these kissing reporters are in the top photo? I didn't get to ask them where they were from. One had a British accent.

Update: Obviously I don't watch The Daily Show regularly. I had no idea these two guys were famous. They are indeed John Oliver and Wyatt Cenac.

Chelsea Clinton & Marc Mezvinsky make Rhinebeck wedding capital of the World!

The press has been reporting about the buzz and "wedding fever" in Rhinebeck, NY anticipating the wedding of Chelsea Clinton & Marc. So when my Rhinebeck gal pal suggested we have lunch al fresco at Terrapin this week to do some celebrity spotting, I couldn't resist. I have never ordered from the bistro menu at Terrapin. Rumors have it that Terrapin will be catering part of the wedding. I liked the barbecued duck quesadilla, and my friend enjoyed the falafel salad with tahini sauce. It was surreal seeing tv crews parked outside Rhinebeck businesses. Entertainment Tonight stopped by Winter Sun & Summer Moon boutique to shoot a story. I also saw YNN news crew in front of Pete's. Unfortunately, I didn't see any celebrities. I think Rhinebeck is the celebrity right now! Maybe Oprah will show up at the last minute. 

Judy Lewis, founder of HudsonValleyWeddings.com is positively giddy, as it is great for vendors in the Hudson Valley. People will have to be thinking, 'Well, if it's good enough for Chelsea, it's good enough for me." What advice does she have for the first daughter bride? "I would tell Chelsea what I tell all my brides. Don't sweat the small stuff. Enjoy every minute because it's over in a matter of hours. Every wedding, regardless of how organized will have a glitch or two."

 

Chamonix Bridal Boutique: Cute Wedding & Party Dresses for Chelsea Clinton Guests or Wannabes

Like many Hudson Valley residents, I was very excited to hear that Chelsea Clinton chose the beautiful town of Rhinebeck as her wedding location. Last month, I visited Chamonix Bridal Boutique in Rhinebeck. It's a small boutique, but they have a great selection of wedding dresses, prom dresses, mother of the bride, destination wedding dresses, or special event dresses for weddings. (Angelique, Joli, Bari Jay are the main designers). Sweet sixteen party girls can also find cute dresses here.

Co-owner Heather Graham says that she is not sure if any of Chelsea Clinton's guests have shopped at her store yet as certain customers are more secretive than others. Graham says that there has definitely been more traffic in her store since the news of Chelsea Clinton's wedding broke, and the "buzz" in Rhinebeck is definitely noticeable. If you have been invited to the big event, and have yet to make your wardrobe selection, it's not too late to visit Chamonix. Check out their website or visit them at Chamonix Bridal, 32 E. Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY. 845-876-6999. 

Woodstock Animal Sanctuary: Peace, Love, Goats, Pigs, and Turkeys!

I went to the June Jamboree held at the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary, and loved it. At the June Jamboree there was a nice vegan food spread and live music,  I came back to the Wodstock Animal Sanctuary last weekend, and discovered it's just as wonderful when there are no special events going on. There was an interesting mix of visitors. There were locals. (I bumped into somebody I knew), and fashionably dressed Brooklyn couples.

The Woodstock Animal Sanctuary is the perfect place to stop by if you taking a day trip in the Woodstock area. If you go on a tour, you will learn how each animal was rescued and came to live the good life there, and all about quirky animal habits, and a little bit about farm life. It's quiet and peaceful--just right if you are in the mood for a low-key relaxing place to take the kids. There is no pushing and shoving here! You can pet the pigs, even while they sleep. (And, they sleep a lot, about 85 percent of the day, according to our tour guide and co-owner Doug Abel). The turkeys are very approachable. At the June Jamboree I saw one brave toddler give one a kiss on the head. (I'm not that brave around farm animals though a sleeping pig is really non-threatening). Admission is $7 for adults, and $4 for kids. There is a cute vegan-themed gift shop, at the visitor's center, and also a very nice restroom. Family memberships are $50, a good deal if you plan on visiting a few times over the summer. For directions and more information visit the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary website

Bastille Day in the Hudson Valley: The Rhinecliff Hotel

The Rhinecliff Hotel is planning a night of French cabaret and cuisine tomorrow night in celebration of Bastille Day. Chanteuse Elaine Rachlin  will be performing.  I couldn't find any other Hudson Valley restaurants celebrating Bastille Day in the Hudson Valley with special menus or music. I have had memorable meals at Violette's in Woodstock, and La Duchess Anne in Mt. Tremper  though it's been years since I've dined at these places. I hope to check out a relatively new French restaurant next date night, so do stay tuned! Anybody else know of any Bastille Day celebrations? What are your favorite French restaurants in the Hudson Valley? For more info on The Rhinecliff visit The Rhinecliff website.