Category Archives: local business

Another Stop at the Java Shop

Posted on August 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I treated myself to a late but excellent breakfast at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY.  At least, it was late for me.  I had been up since 5:30 (not an unusual time of rising for me), finished my article about the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, and driven out to East Herkimer to take an appropriate picture.  This brought me to almost 9 a.m.  I decided to treat myself, put a little money into the local economy, and give myself something to blog about later.  This is how I multi-task.

I did not take this picture till I left.

I ordered the Drink of the Week, which was Raspberry Cheesecake.  I opted to have it as an iced coffee and, alas, forget what the other options were.  Fine reporter I am!  I had had two cups of regular coffee earlier, as I worked on my article but hoped the ice and extras would fool my stomach into thinking I had not had that much coffee after all.  Dylan, the young man getting my drink, opined that you cannot have too much coffee.  My brain and my soul agree, my stomach not so much.  I also got an Everything Bagel with cream cheese.

As I sat I worked on a letter to a friend, trying to remember if it was The Java Shop or Shoppe.  I always set the scene when I write a letter.  I checked the sign as I left, also taking the picture, which I have neglected to do the last few times I have been at the Java Shop.  My previous picture had some glare on it. I also noticed some outside seating.  Nice!

A place to sit another day.

The Java Shop is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p. m.

 

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Another Good Breakfast

Posted on July 31, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I met my Elks friends for breakfast at Marr Logg Restaurant in Utica, NY.  We had eaten there before and liked it.  I liked that I knew exactly where it was, having driven by it many times back in my National Guard days.  OK, I didn’t know EXACTLY where it was.  I knew which street it was on and drove slowly till I found it once again.

Bonnie held my leftovers while I took the picture when we left.

I was the first to arrive and staked out a large table.  There was an even bigger table with a Reserved sign on in, but I knew that wasn’t for us.  We never reserve.  For one reason, we are never sure how many of us are going to arrive.  I sat down, got coffee and glanced at the menu.

“I’m happy to see you’re open on Sunday,” I told the waitress.  “I often feel like breakfast on a Sunday and can’t find a place that’s open.”

She encouraged me to come, and said if the parking lot looked full to come in anyways.  “Sometimes eight people are meeting, and they all drive their own cars, so it’s not as busy as it looks.”  I promised to remember.

I was happy to see some friends show up soon, and Bonnie was REALLY happy to see the waitress with the coffee.  So was I, quite frankly.  I had been up since before six and hadn’t had a cuppa.  Of course I was quite indecisive as to what to get.  Everything looked so good!  At last I settled on two eggs over medium, hash browns and Italian toast.  I ended up taking most of the hash browns home. When I saw the omelets others had ordered, I made plans to order one of those next time.  At one point I had to take a picture of the chef I had taken a picture of last time.

A very patriotic fellow.

I remember taking a picture of him the other time we had been there.  I wonder if  I can find it in my Media Library, because I believe he was dressed differently.

There he is!

I love when a restaurant or other business dresses something for the season!  I will certainly suggest returning to Marr Logg in the fall to see what attire the chef spots then.

Marr Logg Restaurant is located at 1130 Culver Ave., Utica, NY.  They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and for breakfast only on Sunday.

 

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A Refreshing Pick-Me-Up

Posted on July 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

It was late yesterday morning when I felt the need of a pick-me-up.  Luckily I remembered that Sugar and Milk had set up shop at a nearby location.

Easy on the sugar for me!

Sugar and Milk is a mobile espresso bar, serving all kinds of yummy drinks.  I had been following them on Facebook for some time before I finally got a Latte at the Wellness Fair at the Town of Herkimer Park earlier this month.  So refreshing!  I saw they were set up at Flawless Salon and Beauty Bar on German Street Extension yesterday till 12:30.  That was right on my way if I wanted to go grocery shopping at Hannaford, which I did.

Yay!

The husband and wife that own the business are super nice. They just happen to be neighbors of mine, as I found out.  And they make a great product.  I tried a Carmel Machiatto  which was delicious.

Will I eventually try everything? And blog about it, of course!

Sugar and Milk is currently collecting new backpacks for National Night Out, and offering a discount to anybody who donates one.  I plan to go somewhere and purchase one soon.  Not just for the discount; I like to be part of the club.

You can follow Sugar and Milk on Facebook to see where they are setting up next.  And if you just happen to see them, I highly recommend getting a drink!

 

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Ryan Quin and Garlic Bread

Posted on July 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday after attending the Frankfort Town Board meeting (regular readers may remember my side hustle of covering local meetings for the Daily Sentinel), I stopped by Fratello’s Pizzeria, where I had noticed Ryan Quinn was playing.  In addition to being a thoroughly talented musician, he is a very nice young man.  I thought it would make a good blog post.  Also, the pizzeria was right on may way home.

Maybe not the best picture, but it served its purpose.

As I usually do, I took a picture right away and shared it on Facebook, inviting any of my local friends to come out and enjoy the music.  None of them has ever joined me, but I live in hope.  I did not mind sitting there myself, grooving to the tunes.  The bartender told me appetizers were half price.  I could not resist ordering garlic bread with mozzarella cheese.

YUMMY!

I shared a picture of the bread on Facebook too, just to make the people who were not joining me jealous.  I ended up taking most of it home, but it was just as good cold.  I probably could have re-heated it in the toaster oven, but I was too lazy.

A multi-instrumentalist.

I took another picture of Ryan, then danced my way back to my seat, ignoring my foot, which has been really bothering me lately (you didn’t think I was done whining about my physical woes, did you?).  I sang along to the songs I knew, and clapped and cheered at the end of each one. I have not been going to Fratello’s as frequently as I have previously done, but I am always glad I went there when I do.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.

 

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Tip Top Breakfast at Top of the Morning

Posted on July 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I met my Elks friends for breakfast this morning at Top of the Morning Cafe in North Utica, NY.  We had eaten there before, so I was able to refrain from annoying the car behind me by slowing down at every turn looking for Coventry Avenue.  I may have annoyed other cars with other driving behavior; I make no promises when it comes to annoying people.

I remembered to take a picture on the way in.

There were many good menu choices as well as some tempting specials.  I dithered and debated.  Then I went ahead and ordered two eggs over medium with Italian toast.

“That’s it?” Michele said.  I had been looking at some pretty elaborate meals.

“I’ll eat it, and I’ll like it,” I said.  Actually, the eggs were exactly the way I like them, and the toast had plenty of butter, also the way I like it.

I enjoy a simple breakfast sometimes.

I also liked the coffee mugs: what I call a four-finger mug, because the handle is nice and big.  I put pepper on my eggs but no salt.  Lately I have been eating eggs without salt and find I like them just as well.  Who knew?

Bonnie got one of the more elaborate breakfasts. I think it was a meat lovers scramble.  I took a picture for blogging purposes.

It did look tempting!

I may get one of the bigger breakfasts another time and take some home.  For today, I enjoyed what I got.

Top of the Morning Cafe is located at 414 Trenton Rd., Utica, NY.

 

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I’ll Never Get My Phil!

Posted on July 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yes, I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY last night and enjoyed the musical stylings of Phil Arcuri!  It was great!  I had fun!  Everybody had fun!  I loves me some Phil!

He is the best!

I confess, this is not a picture from last night  I did take a picture as soon as he started and shared it on Facebook, inviting all my Facebook friends to come on over and join me.  Full disclosure:  nobody ever has.  I could feel unloved because of that, but I choose to think they are all busy or perhaps live too far away.  Why give my already low self-esteem another knock?

Phil greeted me right away, when I was gimping out to my car because I had forgotten something.  He immediately expressed concern over my crutches.  I assured him I would dance my way out regardless.  I chair danced pretty much they whole time as soon as he started playing.  Well, barstool danced, if you want to be didactic.  I sang along as well.  Most local musicians like it when you do that.  All the ones I follow are so nice about it.

I had not been to Fratello’s in a while, so I was glad to return.  They are located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY.  You can follow them on Facebook to get the musical lineup.  The food is pretty good, too.

 

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Return to Yetty’s

Posted on June 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday, feeling hungry and remembering how much I love restaurant leftovers, I made my way to Yetty’s in Herkimer.  I ordered a Muffaletta, a marvelous sandwich olives and cold meat on a delightful bun.  I can only eat a quarter of it, leaving three more quarters for my future dining pleasure.

 

Hi, buddy!

Of course I was happy to see the actual Yeti looking down on us diners, of which there were not many, since I was late for lunch and early for dinner.  I had forgotten the pictures I took of him the last time I was there are somewhat blurry.  That will be my excuse for another stop at Yetty’s!

My other excuse is to try another of their delicious desserts.  I had not tried any before but ventured on a piece of carrot cake.  It was yummy!  And huge.  I could not finish it and left the restaurant completely stuffed.

Today I am going to attempt a trip to Hannaford, to purchase some regular food.  Previous to this, my sister Cheryl and my parents have brought me some provisions.  However, I like to take responsibility for my own nutrition.  I was going to use Hannaford To Go but I really want to get a puzzle book with anacrostic puzzles, and you really need to look those over in person. I hope my leg holds out.

Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are currently open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday.

 

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A Welcome Blast from the Past

Posted on June 29, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday I drove to Little Falls, NY, and back in time to Rock Valley Brewing Co. for their Blast from the Past Music Festival.  The music started at noon, but I got there sometime after one and enjoyed the tunes of One Lime Summer.  There were a lot of people there, many of them wearing fraternity and sorority letters I remembered from my days at Potsdam College.

My friends showed up shortly before two.  We were there to see Double Axle, the premiere bar and beer blast band from the ’70s and ’80s in the greater Potsdam area.  They were celebrating 50 years, looking and sounding very good indeed!

They were fine, yes!

The crowd loved them!  I loved them!  The inevitable happened:  crutches and all, I got up and danced.  It was awkward.  It was silly.  I have no regrets.  Soon other people got up to dance.  Feeling I had done my job, I sat back down and continued to chair dance.  Actually, since I was at a picnic table, I guess I was bench dancing.

I did not stay as long as I would have liked to.  The sun was hot, and I have a bit of sun sensitivity (my late, lovely husband used to say I was part Addams).  However, I stayed long enough to feel deeply satisfied with nostalgia and music.  I think everybody else there was having just as good a time.

Rock Valley Brewing is located at 56 West Mill St., Little Falls, NY.  They are a great place to visit even when they are not hosting a music festival.

 

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An Excellent Dinner

Posted on June 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last night I was hungry as well as wanting to get out of the house, so I went to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer, NY.  I was not disappointed!

One of my go-to places!

It was right around four when I got there, so I had my choice of places to sit.  I ordered broiled haddock with a side of pasta, then got an antipasto salad to take with me, thus ensuring a few meals in the coming days.  I also took some of the fish and pasta home, so I am set!

My waitress was one of my fellow actresses from Ilion Little Theatre, so that was nice.  We were able to enjoy a little chat, although more diners arrived after me, so she was a little busy.  I really miss my theatre friends.  I must make my way back to ILT soon.  I think I saw something about auditions in the coming weeks.  I wonder if there are any parts for actors on crutches (preview of coming events).

As I ate, I enjoyed the music: classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s.  Yes, they are “oldies” now, but so am I.  I embrace it.  I only wish my body had waited till after the Boilermaker 15K to give out as it has, but let me not hark back to my foolish problems.

Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 650 1/2 German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  They do a booming take-out business as well as offering a full-service sit-down dining experience.

 

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Almost a Perfect Tasting

Posted on June 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Emboldened by my success with breakfast out yesterday, I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  I do love wine.  I checked:  a little bit of wine is not incompatible with the medications I am on (I risk a HIPAA violation to soothe any fears my well-wishers may harbor).  Wines from two wineries were offered.

She was very knowledgeable.

First I tasted wines from Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, a New York State winery using grapes from Long Island.  I did not even know they grew grapes on Long Island.  Anita, the lady pouring, told many things about the wines, but I was not very quick at taking notes.  I enjoyed the Perfect Rose.  The Perfect Bubbly was sweeter than I like, but I am sure it would be perfect for many.

Revelation wines from Columbia Valley in Washington State were next.  This is a third generation winery, making sustainable vegan wines.  I tasted a lot of grapefruit in the Sauvignon Blanc.  The Riesling was sweeter than I like, but then I like really dry wines.

I decided to purchase a bottle of the Perfect Rose.  Anita nicely carried it to the register for me, and a young man carried it to my car.  Two crutches make things awkward, but one does what one can.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY.  They have tastings almost every weekend.

 

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