Potato Waffles

What to do with holiday leftovers...At our house, a day or two after Thanksgiving means I will make Turkey Stew just like Grandpa Mac used to make - well, with less black pepper.  Basically, he took all of the holiday leftovers minus the cranberry sauce and dumped it into a pot, cooked dumplings on top and fed the family. I still mostly follow the same format, but this year I switched out the sinkers, I mean dumplings with re-purposed mashed potatoes.

I blended left over mashed potatoes with some garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of basil.  I spooned a generous palm size portion into the waffle iron and let it cook until browned.  The perfect new base for Grandpa's Turkey Stew.

You know left-overs are a win when your family wants you to prepare them on purpose.

We were Fed Well before, during and after the holidays this year.  Looking forward to a fabulous Christmas and Happy New Year!

Aurora Soho

Every once in awhile the Mr. and I take a day trip down to Manhattan.  Sometimes we have a particular destination in mind (that's what he prefers) and on occasion we just wander around a general area.  We always drive in and that can be its own adventure, especially when it comes time to park, but on this day we definitely had Lady Luck on our side.

I drove.

I never drive into NYC with the Mr. as my passenger, and yes, we got slightly turned around because I think my GPS doesn't always understand what I tell it, but we found the Stevie Nick's selfie exhibit and wait for the best part, I found on street FREE parking. No parking garage.  No ticket for being illegally parked (ok - that's another story from another time and it's the Mr.'s to tell).  Already this was a win.

I had the Mr. take a photo of me standing in front of one of Stevie's, but I could never share it with you.  Just know and trust that it happened.

Back on the street - we saw this:

The cobble streets, this particular area, the store fronts, the whole atmosphere...

We walk.  A few turns, a few blocks and we stumble on Aurora Soho.  Ok, it was a little more work than that, we read a few menus outside a number of restaurants that just didn't fit us before we cam across the winner.

We were hours early from the busy dinner crowd, but fairly close to our work day dinner schedule.

The look, the decor, the wood, the brick

I hate it when I fall in love with the look first.  What if it turns out to be a vapid blonde - all looks and no soul?

A peek at a little snippet of the menu

Foreshadowing of food to follow.

Bread and dipping oil

The golden candlelight, I am falling head over heels here

My cocktail was strong and for sipping while working my way through the dense bread.

Although you cannot appreciate the contents of the soup from a photo in the bowl, it was by far the best minestrone we have ever had and the surprise? Stretchy and delicious mozzarella.  A gentle and soothing soup with an edible prize at the center.

What's next?  An appetizer from foodie heaven.

Prosciutto e Burrata

The paper thin and aged, salty ham...I close my eyes and honor the memory of this dish.

The Burrata - mozzarella with a creamy center - it is lush and decadent.

We make our own crostinis and for a moment, nothing else exists.  This food, this restaurant and us eating is the whole world.  

Main Courses:

The Mr. went out of this comfort zone and ordered one of the specials which included a slowly cooked and fork tender beef over polenta. Deep flavors, hauntingly familiar notes that have been modernized, the beef tops the pillowy and creamy polenta perfectly.

le Papparedelle al Vitello

Spinach Pappardelle with veal ragu & gremolata

As soon as I see pappardelle on a menu, I am smiling and happy.  Ribbons of pasta.  Homemade? Bonus.  Spinach - indeed, bring it to me immediately.

Guess what?  I ATE IT ALL!  I had to waddle all the way back to the car and the Mr. drove home because I had also had one of the strongest cocktails of my life.  It was an amazing meal and one we will use to benchmark other dinners against I'm sure.

We were Fed Well, content and had a memorable day and dinner out in the Big City.

Bernie's Holiday Restaurant

Billboard advertising is alive, well and effective.  If not for the huge road sign calling out Bernie's Holiday Restaurant on Route 17, I wonder if I would have ever suggested it to my family. Though it took a little while to get to it, we made it to Bernie's or BHR as it is also known.

The night we went, it seemed a flurry of activity was happening in the "other" room beyond the sliding partitioned door and guests continuously arriving caused a bit of a blustery commotion, but the inconvenience was temporary.  I happily sipped a well prepared Cosmopolitan and took in the decor.  I imagine a private party at Bernie's must be amazing.

We are brought out a bread basket and small bowl of dipping oil.

I don't know exactly what the bread pictured below was, other than to say it was delicious and eaten first.

Salads are presented with dressing on the side.  I go back and forth about being a fusspot in not wanting the dressing container (who knows where the bottom of it rested) being placed on my salad. I'm partly phobic I think, but the salad was crisp and chilled.

Next course was soup.  I had the New England Clam Chowder which is a frequent go-to for me.  It was a healthy portion that looks small in the oversized bowl.  It was delicious, hot and creamy.

At one point, I was able to speak with April, the owners wife, who was very friendly and helpful about the restaurant and surrounding shops and The Sullivan Hotel.  Lovely.

Main courses:

NY Strip Steak with smashed potatoes

Steak & Shrimp with rice

I sampled the steaks and they were delicious.

My own meal was ordered from the appetizer section of the menu.  

Lobster Au Gratin

It was a sizable portion for an appetizer and I have a healthy appetite so I can't imagine anyone needing much more to eat after finishing this deep dish serving.

We were Fed Well and happy to try someplace new. I strongly recommend the detour from the highway on your way to Monticello Raceway, Bethel Woods for a concert or any other Sullivan County destination.  BHR, we will return and I can't wait to try more of the menu.  It also looks like a great place to have a private party.  

Limencello at Orange Inn in Goshen - A Private Repast

Memorial services, wakes, funerals and celebrations of life and remembrance.  Some people will avoid them at all costs.  I don't understand the decision to not attend with the excuse, "I just can't handle it."  Well, the grieving family and close friends can't handle it either and may be looking to you for a little support, a kind word or just the idea that you understand.  When my father died at the far too young age of 46, I was shocked at some of the things people said and "I'm sorry, I can't go, I just can't do it," was among them. Um, really? We're not great at "handling it" either, but no one gets a choice about losing a loved one.  I understand it's not fun and I'm also not at the other end of the spectrum and attending services for everyone I've ever met.  Something in the middle.  Yes, sometimes it really is awful, but showing support and paying respects is just as much a part of life as celebrating the highlights.

I recently attended a service for a man I had never met.  Why? My husband, older son, and brother-in-law are very good friends with the deceased's son-in-law and daughter.  My husband visited the 87 year old gentleman once he had fallen ill and from what I've heard, he was a wonderful soul.  The service was personal and followed by a repast at Limencello at Orange Inn in Goshen. (I haven't eaten there in years and yes, I was also a customer of the "old" Orange Inn before it became Limencello's.)

I anticipated a brief luncheon with maybe a few more stories of the departed.  Approximately 20 guests gathered in one of the private dining rooms and we were offered drinks, wine, coffee and water immediately. I was unsure about what to order but decided on a cranberry and vodka.

Many of those gathered were quite well acquainted and I was a little bit on the outside, but certainly present to support my husband and his friend.  I appreciated the stories, again offered my condolences and listened to the stories of both past and present.  A man has died.  A father, a grandfather, a retired member of the NYPD and Navy.  He lived for 87 well filled years.  Kind of amazing.

Our server brought out several anti-pasta plates for us to share.  The meats were deliciously savory and appropriately salty.  The cheese and tomato slices were flavorful and I probably could have cleared the plate by myself and called it a meal.

A short time later, guests were all presented with a hearty helping of penne a la vodka.  The pasta was firm and the sauce was perfectly pink and creamy.  After another lapse, we were brought fresh salads and I was full.  My stomach simply could not hold another bite, but we were left for a bit of a rest to share more stories and you could feel the tension seep out of everyone.  It was going to be ok.

We were given choices of chicken, salmon or veal for a main course and when the plates arrived I knew I could not eat much more food.  I pushed it around a bit and our host encouraged me to take it home.  It felt a little strange at first, but I would have felt worse about wasting such a lovely dish of food.

Wine continued to be poured, drinks were depleted and our sodas were replaced with cups for coffee and tea.

Dessert.  Oh my.  Who has room?  My stomach will burst, my head is spinning and the bread pudding is beautifully prepared and in front of me with a cup of Earl Grey tea.  I decide I have to at least taste it.

The dessert is well balanced - sweet without being overwhelming - sort of like life.

We gathered together to honor a man's life and support the loved ones he left behind.  We were Fed Well, both physically and emotionally.  No, it's not easy, but when you support each other, it is a little easier to get through.

Kiernan's Pub & Tavern in Pine Bush

It's official, I am one of those small town gals that has lived in the area long enough that I describe where the "new" place is by using the name of the "old" place as a reference.  For example, Kiernan's Pub & Tavern is in the old AJ's.  So, now you know exactly where it is, right?  Well, if you don't, it's actually 66 North Street in Pine Bush.  You know, the road to the Town Park, I mean, Castle Park. Ah, you'll find it.

So, my younger son and I thought we'd check it out.  Turns out, he knows one of the bartenders so I tried to order my latest favorite classic cocktail, the Sidecar.  Thankful for the modern age and the ability of a bartender to check cocktail recipes via Google, he and I were able to select 3 basic ingredients that must be shaken with ice then poured out into a martini or short glass.  His choice to garnish with orange was a nice touch.

Since we are new customers, I have a ton of questions for our server.  I feel bad now, but somethings I just like to know before I order anything.  For example, what's the soup? Lamb stew.  What's in the stew beside lamb?  Potatoes, carrots and celery.  Ok, I'll start with that please.

A generous portion of delicately tender lamb with a hearty amount of carrots and potatoes, the stew could be a dinner portion on it's own with some warm bread and butter.  Delicious and satisfying.  We are off to a great beginning.

Next up, main courses.  I decide on the 8 ounce pub burger without cheese prepared to just medium doneness. Keep in mind, Mr. Marty Kiernan is known for also owning Kiernan's Farm and I am anxious to try the much talked about grass fed beef.

The burger size is generous and as you can see, it is served with a healthy number of onion slices, lettuce and tomato. The pickle is crisp and dill.  The potatoes - they look amazing, don't they?  I wanted them to be better, maybe just slightly more cooked for the interior to just be a bit fluffier and softer.  But, the exterior was beautifully salted and overall, I was quite happy.

For my son, the shrimp skewers.

He cleared his plate and helped me finish my burger.  

I highly recommend the lamb stew if it is available and a burger.  The beef was tender, moist and lived up to my expectations.

I'm sure Kiernan's Pub & Tavern will be well received by the local community and my son and I both see a few familiar faces during our meal.  As long as they are Fed Well, most will likely return again and again. Good luck Kiernan's Pub & Tavern and welcome to the neighborhood.

Blu Mango Grill for Lunch - Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Fall 2014

New to Hudson Valley Restaurant Week (HVRW), new to Walden and newly added to our list of "go-to-top-of-mind" places.  My younger son and I decide to sneak in one last meal during HVRW and have lunch together at Blu Mango Grill.  Parking and the main entrance are in the rear of the building although you can enter from the plaza next to Dunkin Donuts.

We are seated in the modern main dining room featuring contemporary decorating touches including whimsical light fixtures and a fresh color scheme.  We are given both regular and HVRW menus and ask for green tea to begin.

I like that we are brought a pot and can refill at our own pace.

Next, we are given a food gift.  Lovely surprise.  Chicken Thai Chili Meatballs.  Amazing.  Tender, sweet and well, gone within seconds.

We both ordered the vegetable dumplings as appetizers.  The tender dough is filled with a medley of veggies and served piping hot with a choice of dipping sauces.

 Japanese Vegetable Gyoza

Our server is friendly and talks with us for a moment about upcoming special menu additions, holiday promotions and the ability for local businesses to receive lunch menus.  Unfortunately, I do not work in the Walden area during the week to benefit from this feature, but would highly recommend it for anyone in nearby towns.

Main course for me is the Ginger Tempura Shrimp as pictured above.  The panko crust was crisp and crunchy.  The shrimp were large and succulent and served with a spicy ginger sauce.  

For my son, the Eruption Roll which was described as, "Fried kani roll topped with shrimp, crabmeat and spicy island sauce."  Spicy, most definitely.  He thoroughly enjoyed and finished it.

We talk about his college education, my job, food and restaurants.  We exchange thoughts about our meals and Blu Mango.  I often ask my sons if they would return to a restaurant without me and when the answer is yes, I give the restaurant an additional favorable vote when thinking of writing a review.  So, 2 forks (or sets of chopsticks) up for Blu Mango Grill.

My son orders the fried banana dessert which I have had in the past.  The fruit is deep fried in a thin crepe like wrapping and filled with custard, topped with ice cream and whipped cream.  Delicious without being cloying.

I opt for the mango cheesecake.

The cake itself is mango flavored as well as being topped with fruit and is also served with both vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. Heavenly ending to a wonderful lunch.

I settle the bill and think how lucky we are to be Fed Well.  We visit area restaurants fairly regularly and it fulfills not only our appetite, but allows us to spend time together, talk it over and just be. 

Lunch at Wildfire Grill - Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Fall 2014

A beautiful fall Saturday is reason enough to go our for lunch, but being my sister's Birthday Eve, we had double cause for celebration.  We haven't had a "sister date" in quite some time and so we headed out to the Wildfire Grill in Montgomery.  We've both been here before and looked forward to our return.

While we peruse the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week menus, I also notice the cocktail specials on the blackboard behind the bar.  My sister and I decide on the Pumpkin Bellinis.  Seasonal and sparkly.

After just a few minutes we have made our decisions and yes, we ordered the same exact starters and main course with our only difference at dessert.

We start with the Lobster Bisque which included a lump crab meat patty...

The broth was delicate and while creamy, it was not overly thick in consistency.  The crab meat was sweet and along with the warm slices of herbed bread, served as a nice texture contrast while eating the soup.

We noticed a bridal shower taking place in one of  the dining rooms and hungrily watched as the guest plates were brought past our table.  Everything looked and smelled delicious.  I also hadn't thought of the Wildfire Grill before for private parties.  Great idea!

Our lunch arrives - the BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas with french fries!

I am a french fry junkie and know that I will not be able to finish my entire lunch (have to save room for dessert), but I will find a way to make sure I eat every last fry!  The pork is soft and sweetly sauced and we are happy ladies.

We talk of the upcoming holidays, holiday menus (we may try our own version of Pumpkin Bellinis), holiday shopping and seeing each other the next day for my sister's birthday celebration at our mother's house.  The restaurant is filled to capacity.

Our desserts arrive...

For my sister the pumpkin cheesecake

A perfectly sized portion placed over a swirl of maple syrup.

For me, the sweet potato waffle with ice cream also plated over maple syrup:

It was a joyous occasion to spend some time with my sister and enjoy a lovely lunch.  So decadent.

We were Fed Well by the delicious food and time alone to enjoy each other's company.