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?

 

 

 

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?

 

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.

Mama's Boy Cafe in Phoenicia: Mama's comfort food & Catskill gifts!

Mama's Boy Cafe has been open in Phoenicia for about a year now. I checked it out for the first time last week.  It fits right into Phoenicia's quirky, but righteous Main Street. It has a bit of "pot luck" vibe. All the dishes look like Mama just made them.  I only tried the soup and a cupcake this time around. I will be adventurous next time. Anybody have a favorite dish at Mama's Boy? I also love their Catskill-themed souvenirs and locally made preserves and syrups.  

I also noticed that Sweet Sue's is still closed. (This is due to a plumbing/septic issue).  Hopefully Sweet Sue's will be back in business by this Summer. Check out Mama's Boy Cafe! 845-688-3050.

Cool Places for Kids Birthday Parties in the Hudson Valley

 

   

The Hudson Valley has a lot of great spaces to host kids birthday parties. I find hosting a birthday party outside the house takes away some of my party planning stress. 

Here is a list of places I've partied at:

The Little Gym, Kingston--It's a simple birthday program, but a surefire kid pleaser really no matter how old your child is. The gym room is bright and spacious and very safe.Parties last 90 minutes. The first 1 hour is spent in the gym doing activities and/or structured free play depending on what you want. There is a balance beam, parallel bars, large wheel shaped cushions, a gigantic mat, rings, parachute play, and an inflatable trampoline--(the most anticipated event as seen in the top photo!). Afterwords there is pizza and juice for the kids. (If you want enough pizza to feed the adults too, just order it through them and pay for the extra pies). Approx. $200 covers 12 kids plus membership fees. (Additional guests are $12 each). Birthday girl or boy gets a cute Little Gym t-shirt too. You bring your own cake and goody bags, and anything else you want. They pack the gifts away and tie balloons on the goody bags for you. The staff are all very energetic. The Little Gym also offers camps and Parent Survival Nights.Check out their website for more info here The Little Gym (845) 382-1020.

Skate Time 209 Roller Rink & Skateboard Park, Accord--I have been to this roller rink, but never had a party here. I'm hoping someone I know will host a party here. They have a beautiful rink and skateboard park. Skatetime 209, (845) 626-7971.

Henry Hudson Planetarium, Albany.--This was a bit of a wild-card. It is an-hour away, and I was a bit nervous as I remember having major planetarium-phobia as a kid. All the kids had a great time. Henry Hudson Planetarium. (518) 434-0405. 

Excel Gymnastics--Saugerties. It is a fun place to host a birthday party, especially if you have a budding gymnast. It has more of a rugged professional gymnastics feel with chalk available near a lot of the apparatus. There is a cool foam pit, a huge bouncy trampoline. The only con is that they can have two parties simultaneously so if you prefer a totally private party for your group, it may not be a good fit. You bring your own food. Exel Gymnastics (845) 336-0706.

Local Firehouses---I was once invited to a birthday party at a local firehouse.  The mom who hosted it was a volunteer EMT, but according to her anybody can rent the hall for a party for a fee. (I think it was around $200). Probably not all firehouses can offer this, but worth looking into.

McDonald's--I went to a fun party at the McDonald's in Kingston on Albany Avenue. The kids had a blast on the equipment and a staff member brought a Ronald McDonald cake. If you are on a budget, this is a good deal. $7 per child.

The Childrens School of Yoga, Monroe--I attended one of their classes, but haven't been to one of their birthday parties (yet!). It could be a good choice if your child loves yoga or you want something a bit mellow. Check out Childrens School of Yoga website for more info. 

What are other great birthday venues in the Hudson Valley?

Gardiner Cupcake Festival: Save the date & calories for Hudson Valley cupcakes!

The cupcakes are coming! The 2nd annual Gardiner Cupcake Festival will be held on Saturday, May 8th from 1-6pm on Mother's Day weekend. Rain date is May 9th. Vendors will have tables set out with their cupcake creations, a cupcake contest (not an eating contest), but a judging where cupcakes will be rated by Prettiest, Most Creative, Most Delicous, and People's Choice. For more information on the cupcake festival, visit the Gardiner Cupcake Festival website or join their Facebook Fan Page. 

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.

Birthday Cakes for Kids and Grown-ups: Deising's Bakery-Kingston, NY

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 The Fall is birthday season at my house so birthday cakes have been on mind lately. Yesterday I got to pick my own birthday cake after my husband treated me to a hearty breakfast at Deising's Bakery and Coffee Shop in Kingston. The bakery is an institution in Kingston. As you can see the donuts, fritters, cupcakes are real old-school-no-skimping-on-the-good-stuff desserts!  I could eat this stuff all day if I let myself.  Deising’s has a catalog of specialty birthday cakes for kids too. There are also some really cute ones for baby showers. Of course, they also make wedding cakes though I have yet to taste one of their wedding cakes. My birthday cake was really good. I loved the vanilla custard they use in the layers.  Gluten-free cookies and other baked goods are also available. They sell homemade dog biscuits too. Deising's Bakery. http://www.deisings.com

Deising's Bakery, Kingston, NY--Wicked breakfast wraps and wedding cakes

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You can't miss the huge "Deising's" sign as you enter Kingston via Washington Avenue.  If you eat here on a weekday, you'll see business people enjoying power breakfasts and lunches.  I ate breakfast here recently, and realized I should come here more often. It's just not on my regular errand route. My breakfast wrap was overstuffed the way a wrap should be. (You get to pick 3 stuffings) and it is hard to resist all the delectable home made pastries Deising's offers. Waitresses are very professional and friendly. Deising's also offers off-site and on-site catering.  Two locations in Kingston: Deising's Bakery, 111 North Front Street,  Kingston, NY. 845-338-1327. Or 584 Broadway, the one I go to, (845) 338-1580. Deisings.com

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/