Category Archives: local business

A Different Wednesday Thing

Posted on January 27, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steve and I have not been able to do our usual Wednesday Thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for food and music lately, because of rehearsals for Game Show at Ilion Little Theatre. However, we did manage to have an excellent dinner last night at Sorrento Pizzeria and Restaurant in Ilion, NY.

We had to drop off my car at the dealership for an oil change and stuff (not very interesting, to me anyways). Steve was nobly going to drive it there himself on Thursday and wait for it, but I said why not drop it off? Then I suggested we drop it off and go for dinner at Sorrento’s before rehearsal. I have a good idea once in a while.

As we pulled into the parking lot, we noticed the sign reminding us that reservations are preferred. We had forgotten (I only drive by the place every day; how could I forget such a thing?) Luckily, they were able to find us a table anyways. Soon we were perusing menus. So many excellent choices! But I knew wanted salad, and Steven was thinking of a bowl of soup.

I got an antipasto, while Steven got chicken vegetable soup. We decided to split an order of Bosco sticks. I had overheard the counter personnel mention them in a take-out order, and I thought, Yum! The waitress told me the antipasto was huge, were we splitting it.

“No, it is for me, and it is also going to be my lunch for the next two days,” I told her. That is usually my evil plan when I order salad on Wednesday.

In that case, she said she would bring me a separate place and the dressing on the side. Otherwise the lettuce would get soggy before tomorrow’s lunch.

It was a delicious dinner, and not too heavy, so we were fueled up but not weighted down for rehearsal.

Sorrento Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 86 Central Ave., Ilion, NY, phone number (315) 894-9991. They are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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Shout-out for Shoes

Posted on January 21, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

I do not have a good excuse for making my Thursday post on Friday morning, but at least I woke up a little earlier today. Never mind that, on with a Throwback Thursday post.

Steven making with the feet.

I wondered what I was posting a year ago (although that is not throwing back very far, it still counts). A check of my Media Library reminded me that I am usually going to Melfe’s in Ilion, NY, for work shoes. I like to go in January, because they give you a free t-shirt or hat. I was wearing the hat I got from Melfe’s yesterday. Melfe’s also offers sneakers, nurses shoes and other footwear. I was totally going to purchase a supportive pair of thong sandals, but summer got away from me and I never made it back.

A quality selection of safety footwear.

I guess this post has turned into a shout-out to a local business, but that is all right with me. After all, one of the main purposes of the blog is to tout the good things about the area, and Melfe’s is certainly deserving of the tout. The service is great, the selection is quality, and I have two more weeks to get in there and get my shoes and free t-shirt. I hope they still have my size.

Melfe’s is located at 64 Central Ave., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-4049.

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Wednesday Night, What Else Is New?

Posted on January 6, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is yet another short post about our Wednesday Night Thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for great food and music. It was our favorite, Phil Arcuri.

He’s so fun!

This is a picture of a previous appearance, but it was the same wonderful Phil. He is so fun to watch, and he loves his fans. He incorporated my name into “Under the Boardwalk.” When he sang “Margaritaville,” it was all Steve’s fault. And after we “Sha-la-la-la’d” with him, it was his green-eyed girl, instead of the usual brown-eyed.

As always, we enjoyed delicious food. Steve had a shrimp basket while I tried a Cuban wrap. Yum! We also had an enjoyable conversation with another fellow sitting at the bar.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St. In Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484. They are open 11 a.m. to 0 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 to p.m. on Sunday.

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Cheesy Memories

Posted on January 4, 2022 by mohawkvalleygirl

Instead of a Monstrous Monday Post,I thought I would try for Monday Memories. I can still utilize my Media Library, and it will be something a little different. I hope.

I just wore this shirt yesterday!

Here is a memory and a plug for one of my favorite local businesses, Original Herkimer Cheese. I took the picture of the shirt on my first visit to the place and purchased it shortly thereafter. I love it, because, as regular readers know, I love all things cheesy (actually there are probably a few cheesy things I would not care for, but I like the sound of “all things cheesy”).

Just a few of the products available.

I have sadly not been to Original Herkimer Cheese in a while. Now that I think about it, I could really go for some Chudder. Maybe in a couple different flavors…

You can see all their products at originalherkimercheese.com.

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Another Short Post About Wednesday Music

Posted on December 30, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Once again we had a lovely evening at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, enjoying yummy food and great music. And once again, I have not upgraded my WordPress site to allow myself to upload new photos. However, I can include a previously shared photo of Max Scialdone, the musician of the evening.

He’s so cool.

We were joined this evening by our friend Kim. We had food and wine, exchanged Christmas presents, and sang along to songs we knew the words to.

I think I will bill this as a Wuss-out Wednesday Post, because I really feel too tired to say much else. However, I reserve the right to feel pleased with myself, because at least I posted something.

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More Music? Yes, Please!

Posted on December 2, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here is yet another post about food, music, and a good time at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort on a Wednesday night.

Our guy Phil

Once again we grooved to the tunes of Phillip Arcuri. A number of his fans were there. When he sang “Margaritaville” and got to the refrain, “Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame….” a woman sitting near us at the bar said it was Ron’s fault. I immediately blamed Steve.

“But he’s so quiet!” Phil said. For the rest of the song he included Ron and Steve in the refrain, adding Alex and Toni at the end. Toni, regular readers may remember, is our favorite bartender. I think Alex owns the place (how embarrassing that I don’t know).

Always a good show!

When Phil sang “Last Kiss,” of course Steve and I sang along: “Oh where oh where can my baby be?” I said to a guy sitting next to me that Phil always sings that song because we like it so much. I don’t know if that is strictly true, but he does seem to sing it every time we see him.

“You look familiar,” I continued. “Do I know you?”

He reminded me that he had moved one seat down for us at a previous visit to Fratello’s (perhaps you read my blog post about it). His name is Joe. I was delighted to renew the acquaintance.

You can see a little of the Christmas decor.

I do enjoy our Wednesday thing, even if I am too tired to make the blog post till Thursday.

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Lots of Local on Shop Small Saturday

Posted on November 28, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

We have been having an utterly delightful time on Shop Small Saturday, obviously a day tailor-made for Mohawk Valley Girl, a lover of all things local. However, it is the bra off, sweats on, wine drinking portion of the day (full disclosure: I may have been sipping a little wine before it was the official time of day to do so). I will attempt to make some semblance of a Scattered Saturday post.

It’s so pretty!

We drove to Little Falls, NY, parking on Main Street. Our first stop was Joyful Vintage Designs, which boasts many items repurposed in imaginative ways. We also stopped ar Paca Gardens, where we made several purchases, although I foolishly did not take any pictures.

We drove to Canal Place, where we visited Fall Hill Bead and Gems, the Mustard Seed, and Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts. We also grabbed a bite to eat at the Cafe at Stone Mill.

The Mustard seed is part of Chicks Aong the Mohawk.

Next we stopped at Iron Rock Brewing Company, where we drank a glass of wine.

Actually a picture from an earlier visit.

Returning to Herkimer, we visited Mohawk Valley Community Market, again neglecting to take pictures. Then we went across the street to The End Zone.

Us and the bartender

We are now home, watching a Christmas movie at Steve’s request, although I am still longing for Halloween. Then again, as that great philosopher Mick Jagged once observed, you can’t always get what you want. It was a perfectly enjoyable Saturday. I can only hope Sunday is as good.

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More Fun at Fratello’s

Posted on November 19, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

This past Wednesday my husband, Steve, and I experienced a little indecision as to whether or not we would go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort as usual. The reason was we had not seen any Facebook posts about any musical entertainment. Of course, the food alone is reason enough to go to Fratello’s, but we are just so into the local music scene these days. Finally Steve called and found out Max Scialdone would be there. Max Scialdone? Yes, please!

He is fine, yes.

When we walked in, a whole group of women was sitting on my preferred side of the bar. When they noticed me looking at them I explained I seemed to be staring because they were sitting where I like to.

“We like sitting over here, too,” Steve reminded me, leading me to the opposite side. Max Scialdone, who was setting up, told us there were seats on the perpendicular side as well; it was just his stuff in the seats.

“We like this side better,” I said, “so our back’s not to the music.”

We split a grilled chicken sub with French fries. Yum!

Another couple sat near us, and we soon got into a nice conversation with them. Their names were Shirley and Russ. Steve asked if we could get a selfie (I guess it’s an ussie in the plural. I was sceptical of my abilities to get a good one, but while we were situating ourselves, our favorite bartender, Toni, volunteered to take the picture.

From left: Russ, Shirley, Steve, and me

They said it was OK to use the picture in my blog post. They asked about the blog, and Russ even had me type the link into his phone. So I might have a new follower!

Good food, good music, good company… it was quite a delightful evening.

We loved grooving to the tunes!

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I Gotta Have My Music!

Posted on November 11, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

My husband, Steve, and I have been greatly enjoying our usual Wednesday thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY, to enjoy yummy food and great music. Last night we enjoyed one of our favorites, Phillip Arcuri.

He has as much fun as the audience!

Last night when we walked in, there were a number of people sitting at the bar, our favorite place to sit. However, a man graciously agreed to move one seat down freeing up two seats in a row. Steve’s view of the musician was a little obscured, but he managed to peep around and could of course hear perfectly well.

We decided on pizza and wings but had some discussion on pizza toppings and wing sauce. For pizza we got garlic with pepperoni and black olives. For wings, I was interested in Buffalo Garlic but worried they might be too spicy. Our favorite bartender Toni said if we wanted less spicy, Barbecue, Garlic or Garlic Parmesan were better choices. Still, I wanted to try to Buffalo Garlic and Steven said OK.

“The hot stuff makes his bald spot sweat,” I explained to our new friend, who had also taken part in the discussion. “As for me, I’m going to have another hot flash any minute, so it really doesn’t matter.”

“You might as well add to it,” he agreed.

The wings were spicy, but after we asked for celery and bleu cheese (which we should have ordered in the first place; I love celery and bleu cheese), all was well.

The music, of course, was wonderful. We sang along whenever possible and chair danced when we weren’t eating. I could see other people enjoying themselves as much.

Sometimes I think I would like to stay home and vegetate, but when I have a chance to take in the local music scene, how can I resist?

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Another Nice Evening, Another Late Post

Posted on November 4, 2021 by mohawkvalleygirl

Here I am on Thursday morning pecking in Wednesday’s post (one letter at a time with the stylus; I really need to get a new laptop). What can I say? I’m still tired.

He’s cool.

Last night we enjoyed some great music with Mark Nanni at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY. We also enjoyed yummy food and saw our favorite bartender, Toni.

Nanni plays keyboard, guitar and accordian. Another patron was especially delighted with the accordian. He said his grandfather used to play it every night, but he had not heard it in 16 years.

I like the accordian, too!

It was a lovely evening, but I felt too tired to write about it last night. I read a book instead. It was the Ron Chernow biography of Alexander Hamilton. Good book, too.

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