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Woodstock put on an awesome Memorial Day Parade today.There was plenty to keep the kids entertained-lots of fire trucks, firefighters, marching bands, veterans waving from classic cars, and candy give-aways. One of the skidaddle-hoppers even showed up! It was a great day to be in the Hudson Valley and a nice way to honor our heroes.
I was very happy to find out that Lucky Chocolates is now serving ice cream. Though there are only 6 flavors, customers can add their favorite gourmet chocolates (say Salt Caramel or Creme Brulee) or any of the other 40 kinds of chocolates) into their scoops to create a dream scoop.(Gluten-free cones are also available too). You just pay $2 for the extra chocolate pieces. You can even add gummy bears, As Rae, the owner says "The possibilities are endless!" You are also free to express yourself and your unique chocolate cravings by custom making ice cream floats or milkshakes. Lucky Chocolates uses organic and fair trade chocolate, and has a selection of vegan and dairy-free treats too. Lucky Chocolates, 115 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY. (845) 246-7337.
The Dutch Ale House in Saugerties,a cozy pub at 255 Main Street in Saugerties recently changed ownership. The new owners Johnny and Karyn Pavich have tweaked the menu slightly, with the help of chef Tom Muff to offer more gastropub fare like lump crab cakes, goat cheese salad, and grilled hanger steak panini, but they are still serving local additictions like the Garlic Stuffed Burger and The Pilgrim, (roast turkey, stuffing and provolone grilled on rye bread with cranberry sauce and gravy).
Karyn gave me a tour yesterday, which included the back area where they plan on creating a micro-brewery before the end of summer. The Dutch Ale House serves 15 craft beers now on any given week. Many of the beers are regional NY beers. The side room is very bright area with extra dining tables, a pool table, and paintings of local artists on the walls.
I also got to taste yummy appetizers,lump crab cakes, delicous panzanella, and The Pilgrim. (Make sure you are really hungry if you order The Pilgrim!) The Dutch Ale House still has Karoeke Night on Wednesday nights from 8pm-1am, and live music on the weekends. Julie Corbalis will be playing there on Friday. Check out her video below. Check out Dutch Ale House website or call (845) 247-233.for more information on live music.They also have an active Facebook page. Here is a link to Julie Corbalis website. The clip below was filmed last May when she performed at the Dutch Ale House. She's got good stuff!
For once in my long-haired life I was able to donate to Locks of Love today. I didn't really plan it that way, but my hair was so long, and I was really in the mood to go short, and JC Penney's Salon is participating Locks of Love salon. It felt great letting go of my 10 inches of hair. MJ at JC Penney's did the honors, and gave me a great looking inverted bob cut. My hair feels 21 again! For more info on Locks of Love visit their website. I blogged about MJ at JC Penney's Hair Salon in Kingston last February.
Here are a few ideas for things to do this Memorial Day weekend in the Hudson Valley.
Woodstock--Chrissie Hynde and JP Jones will be performing live at the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary on May 29th. This acoustic concert will benefit the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary It sounds like an amazing event.
The movie "Babies" will be playing at Upstate Films in Woodstock over the weekend too. Check for Upstate Films or call (845) 679-6608 for times.
Memorial Day, May 31st come run The Woodstock Races 5k/15K (click here for registration info). It's a beautiful course. I ran it a couple times in my running days. First 200 registrants get cool T-shirts too.
Rhinebeck-David Soman and Jacky Davis will be signing their NY Times best-selling picture book "Ladybug Girl at the Beach" at Oblong Bookstore in Rhinebeck on May 29th.
Saturday night the Absinthe Band, Rhinebeck's Newest Rock band will be performing at The Starr Tiki Bar in Rhinebeck. Show starts at 9pm. I just checked out their MySpace page. "Chill Song" is in my head now. They are good!
On Monday, The Rhinecliff will be having their all day BBQ with live music on the patio. Check the website for more info.
If you're looking for more family fun activities, check out HV Echo's recent blog post 5 Awesome Hudson Valley Family Outings. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend. Hudson Valley Music has a complete listing of music events in the Hudson Valley on their website if you are looking for cool concerts.
The Wing Fling Festival in Saugerties is here again! Check it out this Sunday, May 23rd from 11:30 am - 5pm at Cantine Field. $5 admission. Free for kids under 12, and food tickets are $1. Looking at the list of participating Hudson Valley restaurants, I'd say the competition looks fierce and spicy!
Montano's Shoe Store in Saugerties is where I went to by my daughter's first walking shoes many years ago. I hadn't been shopping there since then. I usually buy new kids shoes when I'm in a rush at Target or Dick's Sporting Goods, but I had an epiphany last week when it became clear to me that my kids needed new shoes. Why not give them the royal shoe treatment for once and take them to Montano's in Saugerties? Montano's is a family business that has been selling shoes since 1906 so the staff there really know feet. The shoes are high quality, so the shoes are more expensive, but you get what you pay for. The staff measure your feet and give you honest opinions about the fit. You can get custom-made orthotics here too. We left with two beautiful new pairs of Stride Rite sneakers and happy feet! Next time I go I will get myself a pair of FitFlops too! Montano's Shoe Store, 77 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY. 845.246.4381. Montano's website.
Bhojan serves delicious vegetarian kosher Indian dishes, including thalis everyday and special Thalis on weekends. The exterior of Bhojan is a bit deceiving. In fact, my friend almost talked me out of entering saying it looked too dark and empty. We couldn't see the funky eclectic dining room from the outside. So I asked a woman who was leaving how the food was. She looked like she might have just come out of a yoga class. "Oh, my God! I wish I could live here! The food is the best and the spirtual Indian music really relaxes you!" she said. Well, after hearing her testimonial, there was no turning back. Soon after we sat down, the small restaurant started filling up.
I had such a craving for Indian food when I was in Manhattan today. I loved eating thalis when I visited India in 1998. A thali is a large tray with generous samples of different dishes. At Bhojan my thali came with basmati rice, daal, paneer, eggplant, raita, chutney, salad, pudding, and chapatis. (All for $8). It tasted like real homemade Indian cooking--the real chapati foodies! The puri bread was also amazing.
Service was very friendly and quick, but they didn't try to rush us out which was nice. I was also very impressed with the mango lasshi. They serve it in an over-sized glass jar. Bhojan Vegetarian,120 Lexington Avenue (between 27th and 28th) New York, NY. (212) 213-9615.
