HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Scenes from Chocolate & Wine Tasting at Partition Street Wine Shop in Saugerties

I really enjoyed the chocolate and wine tasting event at Partition Street Wine Shop in Saugerties last Saturday night. I loved the three three-lady band (Liv Carrow, Sasha Pearl and Emily Willis) Pocatello who serenaded the crowd. (When I got there though there were only 2 of them though).  

Lucky Chocolates provided the yummy chocolate you see here. My favorite wine was the Blackberry Wine. There was a warm pre-Valentine's Day buzz in all of Saugerties that night, and it was great to see the restaurants almost full.  

Happy Valentines Day to all those who celebrate it, and don't forget to shop local! If you are still looking for a place to have Valentine's Dinner, please check out my post here, or you can just browse through the Restaurants I Love category or the Hudson Valley town you would like to take your Valentine to.

 

7 Date Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day in the Hudson Valley

 

Looking for something fun to do on Valentine's Day in the Hudson Valley? 

1. Music lovers: Check out Blind Pilot with special guests The Barr Brothers at the Bearsville Theater performing on February 14th. 

2. Ice Skating date: Try the Kiwanis Ice Skate Rating rink in Saugerties. Kiwanis Ice Arena is the perfect place for an afternoon or morning date, especially if you are on a budget.

3. Valentines Dinner: For $65 splurge you can enjoy a special 5-course dinner at Depuy Canal in Stone Ridge  on February 14th from 5 pm - 9 pm.

4. Chocolate Lovers: Diamond Mills is having a Chocolate Lovers brunch on February 12th, the Sunday before Valentine's Day. 

5. Free & easy: Grab a thermos of hot cocoa and take a romantic walk along Poets Walk in Rhinebeck.

6. Don't have a date? Surprise someone you love with cupcakes! JJ's Rockin Cupcakes in Kingston sells them by the dozen.

7. Get your heart going with a yoga class at the newly named Woodstock Yoga/Downtown Shakti studio.

If you are looking for restaurant ideas, check out my "Restaurants I Love" category.  

Oliver Kita Chocolates Studio Collection Box: Indulging in gourmet chocolate bon-bons!

Oliver Kita Fine Confections in Rhinebeck gave me a box of chocolates to sample and review.  The box is called Studio from their Chocolate Collections. Confession:  I was so excited by the presentation that I double-checked to make sure that there wasn't a hidden secret layer underneath these 16 chocolate bon bon delicacies!  Each chocolate was unique and had very subtle flavors.  

This box which retails for $36 would be a great gift for any chocolate candy lover you would like to impress!  I tasted all of them, and I would have to say my favorites were the Shiki Matcha Crunch, Cognac Creme brule, Caramel du Sel, and the Scarlet Caramel.  Check the Oliver Kita website for more selections. If you want to see all these chocolate delicacies in person, visit the Oliver Kita store at 18 West Market Street in Rhinebeck. (845) 876.2665.

 

Lucky Chocolates in Saugerties now serving DIY gourmet ice cream!

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. 

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.