HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Don't miss 2011 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival September 24th & 25th!

 

If you love garlic or just good food in general, you have to go to the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival! It will take place this weekend, Saturday September 24th and September 25th in Saugerties.

Quite a few restaurants I have blogged about will be represented there including Fez Cafe, a HudsonValleyGoodStuff.com sponsor. Fez Cafe will be serving up special dishes for the garlic festival. They will have falafel & yogurt marinated chicken wings with a garlic tahini sauce! Mention that you read this on HudsonValleyGoodStuff.com, and get a free pomegranate lemonade with your order! (Their vendor number is f40).

Rumor has it that Saugerties native Jimmy Fallon might check out the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival this year. Keep your eye out for him!

Scenes from the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest

I had a great time at the Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival today.  It was my first time at a wine festival so I wasn't sure what to expect. All the tasting seemed a bit fast-paced to me, but I think that was because I didn't want to linger at any vendor's table too long as most of them were quite busy.  I tasted about a dozen wines I'd say. (I didn't keep count though!). My favorites were from the Milbrook Winery, Catharine Valley (very yummy red wine called "The Lost Irishman" and another aptly called "Sweet Revenge", and Whitecliff Vineyard Chardonnay. I also loved the new Happy Bitch Wine. There was a lot of buzz at the Happy Bitch Wines booth where the creators Hudson Valley Wine Goddess Debbie Gioquindo and Keryl Pesce, author of "Happy Bitch" were pouring and schmoozing. 

I was happy to see Cinnamon Restaurant there. I had a yummy tasting of tandoori chicken. I tried the Sante Fe Tivoli's quesadilla and chips. It was probably the spiciest Mexican food I ever had in my life. (I suspect it may have been the sauce I sprinkled on there that came with a warning sign!) A can of soda and a bottle of water did little to cool my scorched mouth.  I'm glad I finally went, and I'll definitely be back next year. 

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival September 10th & 11th: Celebrity chefs & local wines!

 

The Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival will be happening this weekend at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. Come taste delicious local wines and stock up for the long Hudson Valley winter ahead of us!

REO Speedwagon Rocks the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck!

 

 

 





REO Speedwagon rocked the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck tonight to a very enthusiastic crowd. The crowd seemed very calm at the onset, but by 9pm they were all pumped up and let loose in the front row.  They played all their hits ("Take it on the run") and ("Keep on loving you") and ("Time for me to fly"). It wasn't until I joined all the trespassers in the front towards the end of the concert that I noticed the drummer was shirtless. Nothing shocking here, but the drummer looks like he is well into his 50s at least--just well-preserved! 

Working on uploading video footage from the REO Speedwagon. Will try and post later. If you are looking for something fun to do with your date or your family this week, and you're in the area--don't miss the Dutchess Fair.

Wing Fling Recap: Foodies go for Hot, Spicy, Exotic & Weird Wings!

 

This was my first time at the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce's Wing Fling so I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm glad I came with an appetite! We got there around 2pm and the lines were pretty long so I walked around while my husband held our spot in the lines. There were so many delicious wings to choose from. What were my favorites? I am torn between Hickory BBQ and Dutch Ale House garlic wings. In all fairness though, I didn't get to sample all the wing contenders. I was surprised to see that there were no women on the judging panel. Do women not eat chicken wings? Well, I hope to change this next year. Hint. Hint!  What were your favorite wings? 

Wing Fling Competition in Saugerties on Sunday, May 22nd! Worth the heartburn!

Here come the Chicken Wings! Don't miss the Wing Fling festival in Saugerties tomorrow if you are fan of hot chicken wings! A bunch of restaurants I have covered on the blog will be participating, including Dutch Ale House and Hickory BBQ. For more information visit the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce's website. Sunday, May 22nd, 11:30 am - 5 pm. Cantine Field in Saugerties. Happy wing tasting!

Cupcake Recap: Cupcake Lovers Get Satisfaction at Gardiner Cupcake Festival!

I had a delicious time at the 3rd Annual Gardiner Cupcake Festival today!  I got there around 2: 3o pm, but there were still plenty of cupcakes to be eaten.  Many of the cupcakes looked too pretty to be eaten though. The rain and drizzle didn't stop cupcake lovers from driving in to Gardiner. There was quite a bit of traffic near Main Street, but it was definitely worth the wait. Next year, I'll get there earlier. Hope everyone enjoyed their cupcakes! To see more cupcake photos visit Gardiner Cupcake Festival online.

Jewish Food Festival coming to Albany on Sunday April 3rd!

I wanted to share this information about the Jewish Food Festival coming to Albany. Sounds yummy! The Jewish Food Festival will feature unlimited samples of traditional and modern gourmet foods (kosher style) prepared by area restaurants, caterers and synagogue member. There will also be live cooking demonstrations, and live Klezmer music. Joanne Caras, editor of the Holocaust Survivors Cookbook will also be there to discuss her book. When, Sunday, April 3rd. Noon – 4:00 p.m at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue, Schenectady, NY. For vendor information for the Albany Jewish Food Festival click here. 

ADMISSION:   $15 per adult; children under 17 are free.  Admission includes unlimited food at the event including Matzo ball soup, falafel, Israeli salads, kugels, knishes, pastrami, Cous Cous, and more. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MINDY HOLLAND OR SUE KIMBALL AT CONGREGATION GATES OF HEAVEN AT 518-374-8173.

 

Save the date: High Falls Fair Day July 10th--Family fun, pie eating contest & BBQ!

photographs by Kelly Merchant Photography

 
 
 The High Falls Fair Day sounds like a ton of Hudson Valley family fun! Here is the information:

Sat, July 10, 11am-4pm: 6th Annual High Falls Fair Day.  An day of old-fashioned fun to celebrate the best of the Ulster County hamlet of High Falls.  Among the events: a costume parade; local food; many games for kids; arts and crafts; live music; crafts from local artisans; historic walk along the D&H Canal lock system.  Sponsored by the High Falls Civic Association. (845) 399-9300 or www.highfallscivic.org/

Wing Fling Festival in Saugerties on Sunday May 23rd!

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!