A Cosmo and Culinary Adventure at Cup & Saucer Diner in Pine Bush

Some days are of course tougher than others, but on a recent Thursday, I kept thinking about my dinner date with a fabulous friend and in kept me going.  Our regular restaurant's main dining room was closed for a private party and so we ventured to the Cup & Saucer Diner in Pine Bush.  I love a diner!

When we were seated and given our menus with a special menu, I was happily surprised to see my favorite drink as the evening's special  I know, a diner with drink specials is probably unusual enough, but what are the odds of my personal favorite on a Thursday.  I was sold!  By the way, it was fabulous as well.

For my friend, a glass of merlot...

We have a ton of things to catch up on as we have not seen each other yet for 2013.  She is busy with home, school, writing, reading, traveling with her hubby, family and her own social scene.  I can also feel overwhelmed at times by many of the same activities as well as commuting, and freelance assignments.  These are not complaints, just full and busting at the seam schedules...for me, they are signs of a lucky life.

Soup or salad?  For me, I decide to take the chicken combo soup to go as I know I will not have room for everything I want to eat.  Spicy soup for my friend -

Because we have decided to eat in our "home town" we both smile and greet a variety of people we know and are happy to run into at the diner.

Soon my friend's BLT on wheat arrives.  I promised to help her with the french fries.  Honestly, I don't think I will ever be able to say no to shoestring goodness.  Who am I kidding - fries can be any shape or size and I am in love; steak cut, skin on or off, crinkle, waffle, sweet potato ah french fries.

"I just love these ketchup bottles with messages," my friend smiles and encourages me to take a picture for the blog. 

I love the ease of a squeeze bottle over glass in the diner.  Every one sticks their knife in the glass bottle to get it going and this is a nice alternative.

My main course at a diner can be anything, but for tonight an old classic favorite - the open face turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes.  The special sides were either peas and carrots (likely to be soggy and overcooked even at the best diner) or the spinach and rice.  I didn't realize until after that this shot looks a little like a plate with googly eyes.

I did ask for extra gravy on the side so I could drown the potatoes in it.

We are joined for a few minutes by a friend who attended a protest rally in Albany during the day.  Regardless of where one stands on an issue, I do admire those who make a stand and do something to have their voice heard.  However, my friend and I discuss the benefits and drawbacks of organized groups protesting a local business to make a point against the owner though innocent casualties of war may suffer as a result.  We can be quite deep and heavy in our talks at times.  The best part is we do listen to each other and consider the alternate point of view from marriage to passing the Federal budget.

Time passes quickly and it is time for a little coffee, tea and dessert.  In her past life, my friend spent time working in a diner and advises me on the best choices to select for this final course.  I decide on the chocolate flourless cake and we keep up the chit chat.

I prefer my tea with milk but always love the look of the lemon slice on the saucer.  What a fabulous few hours to keep me feeling Fed Well until we are able to reconnect.  Diners are the next best thing to just curling up in a favorite chair - they are comfortable and homey and you usually go with those closest to you.