HudsonValleyGoodStuff

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

2012-02-13T12:53:15-08:00

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.

Scenes from Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Tour of Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern in Saugerties

2012-02-08T07:48:14-08:00

Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern hosted a fine Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for local media and supporters on February 7th. Owner Tom Struzzieri, Mayor of Saugerties Bill Murphy, County Executive, Mike Hein, Kenneth Adams, president and CEO/Comissioner of Empire State Development gave brief speeches about the journey of constructing Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern. Adams suprised them with an eagerly awaited check for $780,000.00, apologizing that it wasn't one of those huge super-sized cardboard checks that make for a good photo opportunity. It was the real thing though, which is what matters most.

After the Q & A, owner Tom Struzzieri and Brigid Walsh, the director of marketing and special events, gave us a tour of the hotel. I have dined at the Tavern before, but I had yet to see a room, let alone the Tower suite, so I was eager to follow along.

"It's cozy and sophisticated," said Kelly Myers, Town Supervisor of Saugerties upon entering a standard room. Bob Yerick, former Saugerties Mayor also joined us, adding his humor at every opportunity. "I could fall asleep here!" he said as we ooh and ahhed over the bed int the Tower Suite. Every room has a stunning view of the falls over the Esopus Creek.

Walsh showed us a conference room that can be rented for workshops or meetings, and gave us a sneak peek through the kitchen. All in all, it was a fun event. The speeches weren't too long, and it was a great chance for me to check out the new hotel and meet other media and tourism professionals who happen to follow Hudson Valley Good Stuff too.

If you would like to see more photos I took of this event, friend me on Facebook using vanessa@hudsonvalleygoodstuff.com to find me as HudsonValley GoodStuff.com.

Family Fun: Mid-Hudson Children's Museum in Poughkeepsie

2012-02-06T07:08:43-08:00

We finally went to the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum in Poughkeepsie today. It has been on my to-see list for so long that I almost forgot about it until Tom suggested it this morning. It was easy to get to. (We went via the Mid-Hudson Bridge). The kids loved it! There is lots to do there, and I certainly got my morning workout chasing after them and going up and down the stairs. It is also very warm inside there, just fyi. The heat was working extremely well!

There is a sectioned off area that is great for toddlers in the main level, as well as a firetruck, make believe bakery with a play oven and toy cupcakes. The upstairs has a Disney radio box with working microphones, and river table with toy frogs and turtles. There is a skate park for skateboarding adjacent to the parking lot. Admission is $7.50 per person. 1 year old and unders are free of charge. The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum is a great place to take the kids on a rainy day in the Hudson Valley, or any day really. We will definitely be back. Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, 75 North Water Street, Poughkeepsie, NY (845) 471-0581. Do check out their website before you go. They have tons of special events for familes.

Where to watch Superbowl 46 while you eat yummy food in the Hudson Valley!

2012-02-03T16:38:36-08:00

Though I love Superbowl snacks, I've never been interested in the game. If I did love Superbowl Sunday, I would spend it at one of these Hudson Valley restaurants:

Main Street Restaurant at 244 Main Street in Saugerties has 4 TV's, 2 HDTV's, free snacks at the bar, and half price appetizers during the game, draft specials and more!

Hurley Mountain Inn in Hurley--Besides eating very yummy bar food, one fan will win $10,000.00 just for showing up at the Hurley Mountain Inn according to their Facebook page and website. Read my blog post about this place here.

Hickory BBQ Smokehouse on Route 28 in Kingston has 4 TVs at the bar and there are a few nice wooden booths near it. Read my blog post here to see my favorite foods here.

Superbowl Party at Aroma Thyme will have championship prices for the championship game. There will also be vegan dishes too. Call early and reserve because there are very limited seats at the bar.

Go Giants! Yes, "Go Giants!" I love this Suggestion Box clip from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a native of Saugerties by the way.

Don't forget to tell them you heard it from Hudson Valley Good Stuff!

Villa Borghese Caterers in Wappingers Falls to host Italian dinner buffet & night of opera!

2012-02-03T07:17:06-08:00

My Facebook friend and Tweep Robin Locker Lacey of MyMelange Travel told me about this upcoming Italian dinner and opera night at Villa Borghese so I'm passing it along. An Italian dinner buffet and listening to two handsome tenors is my idea of a fun date night or girls night out in the Hudson Valley. If you go, report back on how it was.

Newly-Formed Italian-American Duo of Christopher Macchio and Elio Scaccio arrive in the Hudson Valley Saturday February 18, 2012.

A special dinner show with limited seating has been announced, being held at Villa Borghese Caterers in Wappingers Falls. Tickets available only in advance at Cafe Bocca, 14 Mount Carmel Place.

Check, cash or credit card by phone. (845)-483-7300 http://www.cafebocca.net/

$65 per person. Multi-course Italian buffet, including wine, live performance and dj for dancing after the show till 11pm. email erik@cafebocca.net for more information

Sponsored by: Cafe Bocca, Melange Travel, & Villa Borghese

Table for One at the Monday Night Vegan Buffet at Garden Cafe in Woodstock

2012-01-30T21:12:31-08:00

I finally went to the Monday Night Buffet at the Garden Cafe, a vegan restaurant in Woodstock. I have blogged about the Garden Cafe before so I knew the food would be delicious. I made the reservation for one, and was told it would be best for me to arrive at 6pm to beat the mad rush. Hmmm. There are only 5-6 tables there so I figured they just don't want a solo diner taking up too much space before it gets packed. I can understand. I eat quick anyway.

The food was delicious! I started with the creamy coconut soup, which had a hint of banana. The soup was very sweet, and kind of reminded of porridge I once had in India. It was incredible. I had 2 bowls. I wonder if Pam, the owner, would give me the recipe. Every Monday nigh, the Garden Cafe serves a different menu. You can also order a la carte off the menu if you prefer. The buffet included filo quinoa turnovers, tandoori vegetables, sauteed kale, curried chick peas, ginger peanut tofu salad, mesclun salad, and for dessert pear cobbler. All for $17. I think I ate too much, but since the food is so good for you, I don't feel that guilty.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter at the Garden Cafe website to get updates on the Monday Night Buffet menu. Be sure to make a reservation too. Garden Cafe, 6 Old Forge Road, Woodstock, NY. (845) 679-3600. I am going to try to stick to my Meatless Mondays resolutions this year.

Healthy & delicious dinner at Fez Cafe in Saugerties on a quiet Winter night

2012-01-26T13:09:51-08:00

My husband and I had a very delicious and healthy dinner at Fez Cafe in Saugerties last Sunday night. I hadn't eaten there since August. After our yummy Mediterranean/Moroccan meal, we decided that we should try and come here more often. I wish they were still open for lunch. Saugerties was very quiet last Sunday night, but that never stops us from enjoying date night.

Tom started with the Mezze special. I had the cream of cauliflower soup. I'm usually not crazy about cauliflower, but this soup was really good. It was very rich and spicy. I think it was the dash of roasted paprika oil that made it extra good. For my main course I ordered the veggie sampler with an extra side of couscous. Everything on the vegetable platter was really fresh and tasty. He ordered the Fez Salad with a chicken and lamb kabob since he was very hungry. They really cook with love here. I think it is one of the best kept secrets in Saugerties. You can follow Fez Cafe on Facebook or visit their website. Fez Cafe, 71 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY (845) 247-7198.

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

2012-01-24T11:00:00-08:00

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.

Heard the amazing Aimee Mann, soulful Ivan & Alyosha & recording at WDST!

2012-01-22T10:41:25-08:00

I had never heard of Ivan & Alyosha, the band that opened up for Aimee Mann, but I really enjoyed their songs. I had to buy their new CD "Fathers Be Kind" after the show, and met them in person. They are very sweet Seattle guys!

Funny thing happened before the concert. When I got to the Bearsville Theater, I saw most of the concert goers milling about in the lobby. A young woman who works for WDST 100.1 FM asked me if I'd be interested in recording for them. I thought maybe she knew about my iPhone video skills for Hudson Valley Good Stuff, but no, she meant record a short promo at their studio next door. The radio station likes to have fan voices on the radio. I was totally game even though I hate my speaking voice. She found 4 more victims, and off we went to the studio. We met Justin who whisked us through it. It only took about 1 minute to record so I didn't even have time to get nervous. I wonder if I will be able to make out my voice when I listen to WDST now. I hope not.

Aimee Mann is very witty, and there were a lot of audience jokes from the get go. She played "Save Me" and "Freeway" and a song by Joni Mitchell for part of the encore. Mann also played a few songs from the next album she is working on. I liked one called "Labrador"--- I guess I'm stuck in the past. I kept on waiting for her to sing "Voices Carry" the big hit from her former band Til Tuesday, but no luck. Since her Til Tuesday days she has really become an acclaimed singer, and even performed at the White House. I guess she doesn't feel the need to drag it out at every concert, but I sure would have loved to hear it. The song has been in my head all week! Oh well. I will have to keep singing in the shower I guess. For more videos from last night, check out the HudsonValleyGoodStuff YouTube channel here.

Harley Davidson in Woodstock: New and used Harley Motorcycles & Harley merchandise galore!

2012-01-21T08:22:00-08:00

I have always been curious about the Harley Davidson warehouse on Route 28, but since I don't know how to ride a motorcycle, I never made it a point to visit until yesterday. I really wanted to include the store in the blog as I see so many people travel through the Hudson Valley by motorcycle starting in the spring. It is a beautiful store. I didn't buy anything this time, but I was tempted by a cute ladies Harley sweater on the clearance rack.

The store sells used motorcycles, and people can trade in bikes as well. Whether you are new to motorcycle riding or have been biking for ages, you will love looking at all the bikes on display. If you don't ride at all, then you can get a Harley Davidson shirt, gloves, jacket, shot glass, or just about anything Harley. They have a great winter sale going on right now.

If you are interested in getting a bike, check out a motorcycle safety course. Ulster County Community college offers a Basic Motorcycle Riding course. For more information on Woodstock Harley Davidson visit their website or stop in at 949 Rooute 28, Kingston, NY (845) 338-2800.