Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Breakfast Bruschetta - All About that Toast
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Right Now - catch a magic moment (Burger Night)
An ordinary Tuesday in October. I suppose dinner could have been tacos for Taco Tuesday but no, it's burgers from the grill. But nothing about sharing a meal together is ever ordinary.
To start, the burgers were 90% lean ground beef. Grilled on the gas grill and yes, the buns were lightly toasted as well. While perfect hatch marks may be an indication of grilled nirvana, we were quite happy with pretty good lines from the sear of the grill. A pool of clear juices on top meant to me they were ready to go! Only two burgers included melted cheese and if you look closely at the burger in the photo, it is beautifully upside down because the Mr. just finished building the bottom with toppings or bottomings if you will. As long as it makes sense to him.
The toppings available included crispy iceberg lettuce, a vine ripened tomato, dill pickle, sweet slices of Vidalia onion, just ready today avocado, creamy Thousand Island dressing, ketchup, mayo, and though no one wanted one, we could have fried an egg as well.
Side options were simple - sweet potato or regular fries which were crisped in the oven - help yourself and take seconds if you like, but this is not a meal accompanied by greens and salads.
The Mr. even opted for a cola - an RC Cola which he explained the merits of and how he became a fan in the '80's. Ah, the 1980's, a time so revered, the era of our youth.
We sat at the kitchen table, set with real plates, silverware we didn't need or use, and glasses. We talked about our days. We shared our sadness about the loss of Eddie Van Halen and remembered the time we saw him just sitting on a bench at Bethel Woods, watching as the fans arrived, and then went out on stage and performed like, well, a rock star!
On stage he was dressed like your Uncle Ed, and maybe more than one of us envisioned him in those spandex pants, or super tight jeans, with his red "striped" guitar slung over one shoulder, and slender biceps flexed as he played the guitar from one end to the other and tapped his way in between.
Before I knew it, the meal was eaten, the dishes were cleared, and our time together ended. Everyone had separate plans for those few hours between dinner and sleep. How simple. The sun had already set and now all is quiet. The song, "Panama," plays over and over in my head, I can see Eddie Van Halen smiling in that soft way he had when looking into the camera for a music video.
How lucky he was to spend his life doing what he loved, a one of a kind creator, genius, legend...
Stopping time, stopping the world, to spend time together at the table - what could be more important? I know tonight I was Fed Well with burgers, fries, and conversation that flowed easily. A perfect Tuesday night.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Launch Spring 2019
Although I have been to both The Space at Factoria and Fin and Brew restaurant before, the views and interior remain spectacular. I overheard many comment on the beauty of both the scenery and the decor.
For those of you who aren't really sure what the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week (HVRW) launch really is - well, it is a combination of things; it is a networking event for food bloggers, chefs, restaurant owners and vendors/purveyors, all from the Hudson Valley as well as the team from Valley Table magazine, with a splash of kick-off party atmosphere, and tasty samples all rolled into one!
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Henry's at the Farm in Milton, NY
I have been a fan of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week and Valley Table magazine for a long time. Restaurant week not only allows, but pushes me, to try new restaurants and maybe even try new dishes, or add to my list of favorites places to go. Sometimes, you also have to choose the right dining partner because let's face it, dining out is not one size fits all and if it were all restaurants, cafes, and eateries would simply be the same. So, for this experience, it was me and my shiny, new, daughter-in-law.
Let's just pause a moment and honor the fact my daughter-in-law not only agreed to have dinner with me, alone, without my son, but dare I say I think we both truly enjoyed the evening. I truly think she is witty, insightful, understanding and a great companion for dinner.
We both have fairly busy schedules, and decided a Monday night might be the best option, which can be a challenge as many restaurants are closed. However, we were quite happy to find Henry's at the Farm was not only available, but high on both of our lists for places we want to get out and try.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week Launch - Fall 2018
Bartender Taylor, mixes a Fig Old Fashioned and adds a cherry garnish by request. The cocktail was smooth and of course, featured Hudson Baby Bourbon, a very popular choice among guests.
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
The Vault in Beacon, NY
Although it was cool, cloudy and grey, we could certainly see ourselves returning when the warmer weather does finally arrive.
We loved the idea of ordering a few plates to try and share! We've already eaten a number of meals together, so I have a feel for her tastes, but it's still fun to navigate the menu, say what each of us would like to try and see how the compromise unfolds. Truly, I am open to most things with only the lamb sliders as a request.
We are seated with others in the front windows and a few of these tables are filled with a large party before we leave.