HudsonValleyGoodStuff

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

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

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

 

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!

 

 

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!

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.

Happy First Real Snow Day of the 2012 Season in the Hudson Valley!

There is something so soothing about waking up to a semi-decent snowfall. It looks like Woodstock got about 4 inches so far. As Alex Marra mentioned on his Hudson Valley Weather page, it is not a blockbuster storm, but we'll take what we can get this winter. Hope everyone stays safe and warm today, and enjoys the snow while it lasts. For those snow haters, just stay indoors with a good movie and comfort food.  

If you are looking for winter reading, check out "Snow Day" an essay I wrote for Green Door magazine's winter issue on the magazine's Facebook Page. 

The Tavern at Diamond Mills: A delicious flatbread, gourmet burger & a Manhattan vibe in Saugerties

My husband surprised me by taking me to Diamond Mills, the new luxury hotel in Saugerties for our wedding anniversary. I have seen Diamond Mills in all phases of construction over the past few years. My first impression when I set foot in the Tavern at the hotel was, "Wow! Where the heck am I? Where did all these people come from?" My husband told a staff member that he felt like he was in the Twilight Zone. "You're not the first person who has said that," she said with a smile.  I think she knew that he meant that in a good way. You feel like you are in a chic Manhattan steak house, without all the pretention that goes along with eating in a fancy Manhattan steakhouse.  

To start I had a small plate seared scallops. They melted in my mouth. I also ordered a small plate of crab cake. The crab cake was small, but very tasty. Tom ordered the Tavern Salad. I ordered the flatbread with potato and asparagus as my entree. It was very filling! Tom had the Burger, which he was very impressed with. He kept oohing and ahhing about the burger sauce. For dessert, we shared the Hudson Valley sampler. It felt like everyone knew it was our anniversary which made the meal extra special.  

Our server Victoria was very friendly and patient with our questions.  A few of the food runners seemed a little stressed out, but first week jitters are to be expected at any new restaurant or hotel, especially an ambitious one like Diamond Mills.

As we were leaving, I spotted a local politician entering the bar there. By summer time, the Tavern plans on offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Right now, they are only serving dinner. For more information visit the Diamond Mills website.  

 

Aimee Mann performing at Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on January 21st!

 

Aimee Mann (formerly of Til Tuesday) will be performing at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Saturday, January 21st. Doors open at 8pm. Show starts at 9pm. I loved her hit "Voices Carry" in 1986. I just went online to find this video and other videos with the lyrics to that song, and I came to an embarrasing revelation. For 25 years now, I thought the chorus was "Hush, hush, even downtown voices carry" when in fact it is "hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry." Aimee Mann will be playing songs from her most recent album "@#%&_! Smilers" and I don't think the crowd will let her out of there without "Voices Carry"--Should be a great show!

Zumba Class at IXL Health and Fitness in Saugerties: High-energy, low-pressure & a small bright studio!

I really enjoyed Julie's 9:30 am Zumba class at IXL Health & Fitness Club in Saugerties last Thursday. I have been to other Zumba classes (at another gym in the area) where the ligths are dim and I can't see the Zumba instructor well, and the class participants are really possesive over their spots in class. This Zumba class was really refreshing and not like that Zumba scene at all. First of all, the studio room is medium size so there were about 30 people. (If you go to the IXL in Rhinebeck, you will be in a larger studio, fyi). 

For more information on IXL Health and Fitness visit their website, or stop by one of their 2 locations 3139 Route 9 W in Saugerties (845) 246-6700  or 3752 on Route 9G in Rhinebeck or call (845) 876.4100.

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?