HudsonValleyGoodStuff

The Hudson Valley Good Stuff Wish-list for 2012 Or 12 fun things you can do in the Hudson Valley

 

Here is a short list of things to do in the Hudson Valley that I haven't done yet, but would like to do in 2012.  

Monday night buffet at Garden Cafe in Woodstock. You need to make a reservation for this sought-after weekly vegan event. I'm not a vegetarian, but if I could eat here every day, I could be.

Dine at Peek-a-moose Restaurant on Route 28 in Big Indian. I have passed by it many times over the years, and it has always intrigued me. 

Walkway over the Hudson--I'm embarrased to say that I still haven't done this. I'm putting this on the HVGS to-do list for the Spring.

 Check out Chalet Fondue in Windham before the end of winter. It looks like a very cozy spot for German specialties. I only see one fondue dish on their menu though.

Go to a TMI Project at Rosendale. I love the idea of personal monologues detailing embarrasing situations. If I don't have the courage to be on stage, I can at least support these amazing women by buying a ticket to their show.

One of my resolutions is to lose weight this year. Another one is to eat more cupcakes. I definitely want to try one of JJ's Rockin Cupcakes, a new cupcake bar in Kingston. I'd also like to visit Moxie Cupcakes in New Paltz too.

Eat a cheap breakfast special at the revamped Village Diner in Saugerties.

Visit the Zen Monastery in Mt. Tremper. Well, this requires a bit of planning and focus, but it has been on my wish-list for 2 years now. I hope 2012 is the year!

Be a food judge at a local fair. I'm still badgering a few contacts about this.

Take a yoga class or an African dance class at Lalita Healing Collective in Chichester.

Go to the Good Stuff Cafe in West Shokan on one of their Thursday night BBQ nights during the summer if they are having them.

Visit more bakeries.

Go to The Castle Fun Center in Chester. 

Become a volunteer Weather Spotter through my local Skywarn program. (Check out my essay Snow Day in the digital edition of Green Door magazine Winter 2012 to read more about my weather obsession)

Find more Hudson Valley Good Stuff sponsors.

What is on your wish-list?

 

 

 

Love Bites Cafe in Saugerties: Yummy Breakfast with European Flare!

I always feel like I'm having breakfast somewhere in Europe when I eat at Love Bites in Saugerties, maybe it's the strong coffee?  The menu is short and you can pretty much smell your breakfast as it is being cooked by one of the two chefs in the kitchen. As a side note, the Yelp Reviews are hysterical. I didn't realize how popular their bathroom is! Love Cafe doesn't have a website.

Celebrating Father's Day in the Hudson Valley: Where to take Dad

 Here are a few fun ideas if you are celebrating Father's Day in the Hudson Valley this weekend. 

Skytop Steakhouse & Brewing Company, 237 Forest Hill Drive, Kingston, NY (845) 340-4277 Brunch Buffet- I went here 3 years ago. They always have a great spread with smoked salmon and an omelet station. You can also order off the menu. It's always a good place for beer lovers!

Hickory BBQ Smokehouse--743 Route 28, Kingston, NY (845) 338-2424. If your Dad is more of BBQ ribs kind of guy, take him to Hickory BBQ. Everything is pretty damn good here, even the salads! http://www.hickoryrestaurant.com/index.html

Big Healthy Breakfast--Sweet Sue's Phoenicia, 49 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY (845) 688-7852--It's one of the best breakfast places around.  The only thing you will not like about this place is the line outside to get in on weekends! Over-sized organic pancakes are their specialty.  They have a zillion different pancakes. Try their pancake sundae!

Dad would also like other Restaurants that I Love that I've mentioned in the blog as well.

Starting at 11 am on Sunday, June 19th the Rhinebeck Farmers Market will be offering Dads free strawberry shortcake. Where will you go to celebrate Father's Day?

 

Stewart's Ice Coffee: Delicious, sweet & addictive!

When it comes to ice coffee, I am a Stewarts girl! I don't know what it is that they put in there. Maybe it is a touch of coffee ice cream? It is very milky and sweet, and probably not good for me, but I don't care. It's good stuff! There are over 300 Stewarts locations in Upstate NY and Vermont. I love their convenient stores because customer service is usually very friendly and their dairy products are awesome. To see where one is near you, go to the Stewarts Shops website.

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
 

Omega Institute in Rhinebeck: Rest, relaxation, and vegetarian buffet

Omega Institute in Rhinebeck invited me to spend a day experiencing their beautiful campus yesterday. The day after, I am feeling very relaxed and invigorated. The Omega Institute offers a "R & R" package for visitors who want to visit for a 2-night minimum, without registering for a holistic workshop. I experienced a mini R & R yesterday: ate a huge vegan breakfast at their dining hall, relaxed on the grounds, took an open Dancing/Movement class, browsed through the zillions of of popular and obscure self-help books in their library, and had a delicious vegetarian buffet lunch. I wasn't able to stay for dinner due to my schedule, but I still left feeling very relaxed and re-invigorated from this Hudson Valley escape.

The quiet was very calming. (In fact, some workshop participants walk around with "In Silence" badges hanging around their neck so there is little pressure for making small talk with strangers here, and that I found, was very refreshing, as I'm terrible at small talk anyway). The Dance movement class was a very different experience. The instructor cranked up 5 different kinds of very danceable music and all ten of us, strangers except for one lovey-dovey couple, danced freely around the room. At one point we were grouped into "tribes" and one person had to come up with a dance move for the others to follow. This is not as easy as it sounds! I was a lot happier just dancing, as weird as it felt at first. There is also a Wellness center and spa on the campus, which includes a co-ed sauna, which I didn't venture into. (They do have women's only hours).

Overall, it was a very relaxing and uplifting day for me. I would definitely return. Has anybody stayed at Omega for a workshop? What was that like?

For more information, please visit the Omega Institute website.
   
 

Wheat-grass at Sunfrost & Detox Week at Shakti Yoga

Had a very healthy lunch at Sunfrost on Route 212 near Woodstock last Friday. They were running a special where you get a free shot of wheat-grass if you spend over $10 at the counter. Since my husband had never tried it, we said, "Hit me!" It's very strong! If you are in the mood for detoxing this Spring, Shakti Yoga is having an Ayurvedic Detoxification Week from April 24th - May 1st. According to their newsletter, "classes will emphasize the purifying powers of asana through sequences that support our body's natural tendency to remove toxins through increased circulation." For more info visit Shakti Yoga's website.

Pancake Breakfast at the West Hurley Firehouse: Yummy!

My family is becoming addicted to these firehouse pancake breakfasts! Unfortunately, the West Hurley firehouse won't be having another one until October of this year. I will have to try to scout out other local volunteer fire departments who host these breakfasts. If you ever see a sign for one while you're driving about and you can go to one, don't miss it! It's a great way to support a Hudson Valley volunteer fire department, and the breakfast usually comes with bacon, pancakes, french toast, sausage, coffee, and orange juice. Today the cub scouts did a great job serving the oj!  Also look out for local BBQs during the summer. The one hosted by the Zena firehouse was one of the best ones I ever went to. Will try to see if there is a website that lists all these firehouse fund-raisers. What is your favorite firehouse fund-raiser in the Hudson Valley?

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.

Day Trip: Tarrytown, NY

 

 
I took a day trip to Tarrytown over the weekend. There are many cute bistros and upscale restaurants in town. I like the romantic ambiance at Chiboust Bistro and Bakery and Sweet Grass Grill. Perfect date place for Manhattan couples who want to get away from the city, or Hudson Valley couples who want to get a little closer to the ctiy.  Lolipop very enticing candy store. After strolling around Main Street, we drove to Emporium Bagels to get a quick snack. Emporium Bagels is right next to Capri's Pizza by the Shoprite complex. They have the best bagels I have tasted in the Hudson Valley, with the exception of the bagels at Price Chopper in Saugerties. (Don't tell anybody about the bagels there. It's bad enough they run out of my favorite kind!)

We stayed at the DoubleTree, which was very comfortable as always, but it's getting to be a very popular place for families so we had to share the pool with a dozen tweens at one point. I don't mind sharing, but one older male guest who was looking for peace and quiet was not amused.

I love the DoubleTree's Bistro Z for breakfast. The buffet includes smoked salmon, waffles, eggs, an omelet station, and pancakes made to order. Bistro Z is participating in Hudson Valley Restaurant Week which is coming up next week. Next weekend Tarrytown will host the Sleepy Hollow St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 14th at 1:30 pm. Call (914) 909-6519 for more info.