HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Bruegger's Bagels: Tasty bagels & baby friendly--Latham, NY

I ended up going to Bruegger's Bagel Bakery, a very bright and spacious bagel place in a square strip mall area in Latham, NY because I missed the turn for Panera Bread. I had to run a few errands in Latham today. It was just as well, as I was more in a bagel mood than a salad mood, and I'm always looking for new places to blog about. I had honey grain bagel, and my husband had an Asiago Parmesan softwitch with tuna salad. I forgot to take photos of the actual bagels.They were on the small side so I didn't feel that guilty having one for lunch. They were hot and very soft though. I also noticed a few babies in high-chairs, and a diaper-changing tray in the bathroom. Very baby friendly! Bruegger's has franchises all over the country. This was my first one. Forgot to mention, the French Toast coffee was pretty good too.  Bruegger's Bagels, 594 New Loudon Road, Latham, NY. (518) 785-4961.

Bistro-to-Go: Slow cooked fast food on Route 28--Kingston, NY

 Bistro-To-Go is a French take-out restaurant and gourmet food shop on Route 28 in Kingston. It's very close to 375 the road to Woodstock. Although Bistro-To-Go has been open since 2007, I didn't eat there until today. My excuse for not visiting earlier is that I don't like making turns on Route 28. (I'm not a good driver). Anyway, all the ready made food behind the counter looked fresh and homemade. The Triple Chocolate cake also looked incredibly dense and delicious.

Chef owner Richard (pictured) and Mary Anne Erickson offer Plat du Jour every day. Today was Paella. Yesterday's was Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon. I had the French lentil soup with a side of roasted potatoes only because I'm trying to get in shape for Summer, and ice cream season. Bistro-To-Go also does catering and special events. There are few tables where you can sit and eat in case you don't want your French food to go. For more info, visit Bistro-to-go located at 948 Route 28, Kingston, NY. (845) 340-9800.

Adam's Fairacre Farms: Lots of Hudson Valley Good Stuff!

I love Adam's!  It's where you go grocery shopping when you want to splurge a little. We go there every other week when I am in the mood for seafood, extra fresh fruit and veggies. It is also jam packed the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. 

Besides food, they sell plants, pumpkins, gift baskets, and lots of kitchen accessories.  Today they had their annual Fall Harvest Festival from 10-4, we all had a blast. There was a petting zoo,  bouncy houses and bouncy slides, candy apples, pumpkin painting, face painting, even a ventriloquist show!  It was a bit dizzying, but fun. The best part was the food, which they sold at rock-bottom prices, I'm assuming as a way of giving back to their community and the customers. For $14 we got 2 hot dogs, 2 burgers, 1 seafood wrap, 1 shrimp cocktail, 1 hot roast beef sandwich, 2 sodas, 1 water, 2 donuts, and apple dessert with ice cream. I'm looking forward to their Christmas festival when they host Santa Claus and have a whole bunch of holiday activities. They will have Harvest Festival at their Poughkeepsie location on Sunday, October 11th (tomorrow) and at their Newburgh location on October 17th.  Definitely worth checking out, especially if you have little ones. For more info on Adam's Fairacre Farms and their other locations in the Hudson Valley visit http://www.adamsfarms.com.

Lucky Chocolates--Saugerties, New York

Last winter I had this idea that I would stop at Lucky Chocolates once a week to indulge in a $3 cup of hot chocolate, but I ended up only indulging in this once. It's been a stressful Spring so far, and I just had a sudden craving for chocolate yesterday and I didn't have to twist my husband's arm to stop here. Warning: children of all ages can go into a sort of chocolate trance upon entering. All the organic chocolates are displayed like jewels behind glass cases. I love dark chocolate and there were so many options, and with limited time to choose before my kids went into a "I want chocolate!" meltdown, I settled for dark chocolate hazelnut truffle creation. We also chose 2 chocolate mice, 2 vanilla dogs (the chocolate assistant told us the breed, but I forgot). I made a mental note to buy one of those over-sized red Lucky Chocolate mugs next time a friend's birthday comes up. Here is a video story of Lucky Chocolates filmed by ThePeopleWhoFeedUs a video blogging company based in Woodstock, NY that puts out interesting stories about the VIPs in food in our communities. Lucky Chocolates has a new location in the village of Saugerties at 115 Partition Street.

Dessert Company in Saugerties

Located on the site of the former Lochman's bakery, Dessert Company's new location is sure to win more converts. Great place to buy seasonal gourmet cookies and birthday cakes. Their small fruit pies and funny shaped carrot cakes were also very tempting. I left with a birthday cake and the staff did a perfect decorating job on it. Almost too pretty too eat..but that never stops me! http://www.hudsonvalleydessertcompany.com/