Category Archives: local business

Breakfast Twins at Heidelberg

Posted on April 3, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

My husband Steven had a rare Saturday off on the 31st; he had requested it for the murder mystery (which I believe I mentioned once or twice).  We celebrated with breakfast out at Heidelberg Cafe in Herkimer, NY.  For another reason, we wanted to purchase some yummy rolls for Easter dinner on Sunday.

We got an early start, to beat the crowd, but were not there at the crack of seven, when they open.  There were plenty of tables available.  Some neighbors already enjoying breakfast said hello (I love small-town living).  We took a table for two, and a waitress almost immediately asked what we wanted to drink.  We both asked for a cup of coffee and a glass of water.  Looking over the menu, I noticed some lunch choices that sounded delicious.  I’ve only had breakfast at the Heidelberg.  I’ll have to expand my horizons.

We continued twinning when we ordered food:  two eggs over medium and sourdough toast.  YUM!  We enjoyed listening to the local radio station while we ate (I’ll have to write a blog post about that radio station one day soon; it is a recent addition to the Mohawk Valley).   We also discussed how may rolls to purchase, counting on our fingers how many were expected at my Mom and Dad’s for dinner.  A dozen and a half sounded good to me.

For once we refrained from getting any goodies other than the rolls.  I had a bad moment when I saw the English Tea Cookies — I LOVE them!  But I am far enough from my weight loss goals.

I’m afraid this is a rather dull post.  In my defense, I am waiting for Steven to get home for dinner.  It will consist of sandwiches made with Heidelberg rolls and leftover ham from Easter dinner.  I’m SO HUNGRY!  But I have proven to myself that I can compose a blog post while hungry.  I also avoided having a Monstrous Monday, so I will content myself with that.  No promises for Tuesday, though.

Heidelberg Cafe is located at 3056 State Route 28, Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-0999.

 

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Mmm… Coffee

Posted on March 13, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of a Mental Meanderings or Middle-aged Musings Monday, I thought I would give a belated shout-out to Utica Roasting Company, where Steven and I enjoyed breakfast during his Fabulous Four Day Birthday Weekend.  We had business in New Hartford, NY, and we just don’t like to do these things on an empty stomach.  After much debate, I suggested Utica Roasting Company as being right on our way, if we went that way (there are a few ways to get to where we wanted to go).

For the uninitiated, Utica is the city closest to Herkimer, and there are several surrounding communities that all run into each other.  I guess you would call it the Greater Utica Area, which I rather like the sound of.  I paused just now to Google (an even sillier verb that “blog”) “greater Utica area,” and I only got the magazine of that name, not a listing of the actual communities that comprise said area.  But I am no hand at computer searches.

Be that as it may, I drove, being more familiar with the area that Steven.  We went straight into Utica on 5S and with a little finagling, got to 92 Genesee St.  We easily found a parking space and walked right into the coffee shop.  I have been there a few times, and even wrote about it for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I knew Steven would like it, although he may be a little too mellow for a place whose motto is, “Wake the Hell Up!”

We ordered coffee and everything bagels (regular readers may remember that is my favorite), and sat down.  There was a tall table I would have liked to sit at, but the stools did not have backs, which Steven really prefers.  We sat at a regular table, once again eschewing the comfy-looking couch, as we did at Moose River Coffee in Ilion (perhaps you read my blog post about that fine establishment).

The two coffee places have good coffee, comfy couches, and everything Bagels in common.  However, Utica Roasting has a much more urban feel.  The walls are unfinished, the tables are metal, and it altogether looks like a hip, happening joint.  Oh dear, those are old slang terms.  There is some retro decor:  an antique scale, an old street map of Utica, so maybe old slang is OK.

We enjoyed our breakfast there, and the coffee did help us wake the hell up.  For more information about Utica Coffee Roasting Company, you can visit their website at www.wakethehellup.com.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

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I Could Use a Cup of Coffee Now

Posted on March 8, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been meaning to write blog posts about a couple of places I visited over the weekend (remember, it was Steven’s Fabulous Four Day Birthday Weekend).  Instead I have been tired and not writing much at all.  However, today I will try to get back on track with a well deserved shout-out to Moose River Coffee in Ilion.

We had originally planned to go to Moose River Coffee Friday morning but ended up hunkered down waiting out the winter storm.  I really love that Moose River Coffee, though, so I was happy we went on Saturday. For another reason, I knew they sometimes have bagels and if they don’t, they have sandwiches on Heidelberg Bread.  Yum!  As it happened, they had Everything Bagels, my favorite!  I got mine with cream cheese, while Steven got butter on his.

We found a table to sit down with our coffee and bagels, but we could have lounged on the comfy couch.  One table had a “Reserved” sign on it.  I watched with interest as a group of young people (at least, they were younger than me; I guess that’s an ever widening range) sat at it and began a game of Jenga.  I think it is pretty awesome for a coffee house to promote community like that.  Next to the comfy couch is a bookcase with books and a couple other games, so people are apparently always welcome to linger.

In fact, linger is what I like to do at a coffee house.  In this case, Steven and I did not, because we had other adventures to pursue.  However, I hope to return soon alone with my notebook.  I have a lot more writing to do.

Moose River Coffee is located at 70 Otsego St., Ilion, NY, phone number 315-895-0490.

 

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Scattered Saturday is Back!

Posted on February 18, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I went Mohawk Valley adventuring with my friend, Kim, and I will attempt to give a brief overview of our gyrations.  I may try to write more blog posts, detailing individual stops, but for now I must just type off the top of my head and try to hit Publish soon.  I have more Saturday I’d like to enjoy.

She picked me up at one and we went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Spirits. I may have mentioned yesterday that Swedish Hill Winery was going to be there, and they have sweet wines, which Kim likes.  As it turned out, they also have dry wines, so everybody was happy.  We couldn’t think of any other place to go in Herkimer at the time, so we headed to Ilion, NY.

Our first stop was Beer Belly Bob’s.  Kim wanted to purchase some Ubu for a friend.  I found out after she got it that Ubu is from Lake Placid,NY, so I heartily approved that purchase.  I wanted to go further afield and buy some Corona but decided to delay that purchase.  From there we went next door to Moose River Coffee, because I thought a cup of their especially smooth brew would revive me.

Our next stop was Cornerstone Consignments, where Kim found an adorable purse and two pair of earrings.  Then I suggested we go to New 2 You Consignment Shop, where Kim bought several sweaters.  That woman is always cold.  We hit Young’s General Store and Ace Hardware on our way out of town. They were having a luau, which they have had before but I missed.

As I type this, I am inclined to type more about each stop.  However, I feel these places would be better served by individual blog posts.  I hope I can follow through on such a thing.  In the meantime, I’m going to call this an acceptable Scattered Saturday post.  I hope you were somewhat entertained.

 

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Wine on a Friday

Posted on February 17, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

In lieu of my usual Lame Post Friday, I shall offer a brief shout-out to a local liquor store and a California winery.  I went to a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer which featured Michael David Winery of Lodi, California.

I often go to Valley Wine and Liquor on a Friday, because they often offer a tasting.  I often take notes, thinking I might make a blog post, then don’t.  Today I will.  Steven was off work, so our friend Kim picked both of us up at five, and we made our way to Valley Wine and Liquor.  Kim was disappointed when we found out they were sampling four dry red wines, because she likes sweet, but I said, “I will try them all!”

The first one we tried was the Earthquake Zinfandel.  I pronounced it “yummy,” which regular readers know is my highest accolade.  We also tried Petite Petit, a blend of Petite Syrah and Petit Verdot; 6th Sense Syrah; and Ink Blot, a Cabernet Franc.  Steven liked them all.  My favorite was the Zinfandel with the Ink Blot  in second place.  We decided to purchase the Petite Petit, because the label featured two elephants.  My sister, Diane, collects elephants.  I said we would buy it and save it till we got together with Diane.

“We’d better get together with her soon,” Steven said.

Kim and I plan to return tomorrow afternoon, when they are sampling Swedish Hill Winery, a New York State winery I have been to more than once.  Most of their wines are sweet, so Kim will be happy.  If I don’t like the wine, at least I can write another blog post.

 

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New Shoes and New Shirt

Posted on January 21, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

Ah January, time for the yearly trip to and blog post about Melfe’s Shoes in Ilion, NY.  Every January they offer a free t-shirt with purchase, so every January I get new shoes, which, by the way, my employer pays for.  It is a perk for which my feet and I are grateful.

I like to go first thing Saturday morning, when there is less likely to be a crowd, although I know the staff is good at handling a lot of customers in a short time.  I realize this is not the best time to shop for shoes. After work when my feet are nice and swollen might be better.  However, I had on work socks and figured I could make allowances for morning feet.

When I walked in and announced I was there for my annual work boots, Vicki, who has waited on me before, said, “You get the newbie, David.”

We walked over to the women’s section, and I started trying on shoes.  As I put on shoes and walked around, Vicki asked me how I was and how things have been.  I told her I wanted to get my husband back in for another pair of shoes.  Last year, we purchased him a nice pair, which he really needs, since he works on his feet all day.  I don’t see why I should be the only one in the family that gets new shoes every year.

I quickly made my decision, and got two pair.  I do like to switch off shoes, giving each pair a chance to air out for a day.  I picked a blue t-shirt.  They were also offering hats, but I knew I would get more wear out of a t-shirt.  I was delighted with my visit, and I am happy to give Melfe’s another shout-out.

Melfe’s Shoes is located at 64 Central Ave., Ilion, 315-894-4049.  Their website is http://www.melfes.com/.

 

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Thelma Todd Tuesday

Posted on January 10, 2018 by mohawkvalleygirl

No, I am not watching a movie featuring Thelma Todd.  I am drinking a Hot Toddy.  Thelma Todd’s nickname was Hot Toddy, so sometimes I refer to my Hot Toddies as Thelma Todds.  It works for me.

So instead of having a Tired Tuesday or taking a Blogger’s Sick Day (and I almost literally took one, publishing nothing today and hoping to do two tomorrow), I decided to give a shout out to DikinDurt Distillery of Herkimer.  I decided that after making myself the aforementioned hot drink and coming up with my headline.

I made the toddy the way a doctor once told me, when I had a dreadful case of bronchitis.  He said it was merely hot tea, lemon, honey, and a shot.  He recommended whiskey or brandy.  I’ve used both and enjoyed them very much.  Today, however, I have on hand a bottle of Mohawk Valley Fire by DikinDurt Distillery, a local business I have mentioned here before as well as written about for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.   The flavored moonshine adds a nice cinnamony taste to my drink (and I do not care if “cinnamony” is not a word; it is what I mean).

The distillery is located at 115 Smith Rd., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-868-1536.  The tasting room is open Thursday and Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m., Monday through Wednesday by appointment, closed Sunday.  Their fine products are available at many area liquor stores, a list of which is available on their website, https://www.dikindurt.com/.

 

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So Many Sweet Choices!

Posted on December 21, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last Saturday, my husband Steven and I made another sweet stop (in addition to the stop at So Sweet Candy Cafe, which I wrote about on Monday), at Honey Brook Hobbies in Ilion, NY.  Alas, I did not take any pictures.  But I thought in lieu of my usual Wuss-out Wednesday,  would give a fun business a quick shout-out.

In addition to freshly made baked goods and candy, Honey Brooks offers a variety of toys, decorations, and gifts.  I love reading all the hand-made signs with sweet and funny sayings.  Steven looked speculatively at some soft fuzzy blankets, and I found a good Christmas present for my great-nephew Shepherd (I don’t have to worry about him seeing this; he doesn’t read blogs yet).  With great self-control I did not purchase any baked goods, but Steven treated himself to an eclair.

As I looked over Honey Brook’s Facebook page just now, I keep seeing all these pictures of cookies.  Dammit!  I just bought some cookies at Friendly Bake Shop in Franklin, and I was NOT going to purchase any more!  Well, if I refrain from getting any of these yummy cookies, I can always go back around Steven’s birthday and order a wonderful custom-made cake.  Or should I do that from the So Sweet Candy Cafe?  Or Friendly Bake Shop?  Oh dear!

As we paid for our purchases, on Saturday I told the Honey Brooks lady how we had been at the So Sweet Candy Cafe earlier.  She did not seem to mind us talking about the competition.  Well, I think there is plenty enough room for more than one bakery in the Mohawk Valley.  Of course it will not help me reach my weight-loss goals if I feel I must purchase yummy baked goods from all of them.

Honey Brook Hobbies is located at 4 E. Main St., Ilion, NY, 315-444-8254. You can Like them on Facebook, and visit their website at https://www.honeybrookhobbies.com/.

 

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Sweet Stop on Saturday

Posted on December 19, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

What could be more seasonal than candy, fudge and yummy stuff?  Oh, who am I kidding?  I eat sweets and fattening things all year long.  However, during the holidays, we can all pretend we have a good excuse, and I will thank you NOT to rain on the yummy stuff parade (you know who you are).  This by way of introduction to a well-deserved shout-out to the So Sweet Candy Cafe in Utica, NY.

I do not get to the So Sweet as often as I would like, because I do not get to Utica as often as I used to.  However, when Steven had last Saturday off and the So Sweet was having a Holiday Open House, we naturally seized the opportunity.  I remembered to bring my Tablet, so I could take a few pictures for the blog.

I love an old fashioned Santa even more than I love the old fashioned candy.

One reason for seasonal visits to the cafe is that they decorate accordingly.  Steven and I both admired the Santa, and made several slow trips around the display looking at the stocking stuffers.  Covered pretzel rods, candy canes, and old fashioned candies like Lemon Drops and Boston Baked Beans…

This is where the Skelleton sat in October.

Because it was the Open House, there were some free samples.  Naturally I tried a few.  Then, since we definitely wanted some fudge, we asked to sample that too.

Mmmmm…. fudge…

 

It was delicious fudge for a really quite reasonable price.  We got three different kinds, a quarter pound of each.

I should have gotten a couple of close-ups of some of the fancy shaped truffles.

We ended up not getting any of the fancy stuff from the truffle case, but I’m afraid I stared at it so long that the calories seeped in through my eyeballs.

It was a fun and delicious part of our Saturday morning adventures.  We still have not eaten all the fudge and candy we purchased.  That may not stop me from sneaking back again before Christmas.  I may need some truffles.  Or cookies.  Or biscotti.  Or….

The So Sweet Candy Cafe is located at 531 Varick St., Utica, phone number 315-765-6463.  They are open 8:o0 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 to 7 Friday, 8 to 4 Saturday, and 9 to 1 Sunday.

 

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Moonshine for Me!

Posted on December 15, 2017 by mohawkvalleygirl

Steven and I just got back from Valley Wine and Liquor, where we sampled the wares of DikinDurt Distillery of Herkimer.  I had tried their stuff before, having visited the distillery and written about them for Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  I want to bring Steven out to the distillery, but we have not found a chance yet, so I was happy he could have a chance to try their moonshine.

First we sampled my two favorites from when I tried them before: Toasted Maple and Mohawk Valley Fire.  I described the latter as “cinnamony” in my article.  Perhaps it is not a word, but I stand by it.  I still think the Toasted Maple would taste good in coffee.  However, I will not get to test that theory yet, because we purchased the Mohawk Valley Fire.  I will let you know how that tastes in coffee, as soon as I find out.  As a final sample, we tried the clear stuff, which I had not tried before.  That was good too, but we preferred the flavored stuff.  We must go to the distillery sometime, though, because I have yet to try the berry flavors: raspberry, blueberry, blackberry.

We had a nice chat with Elizabeth Stack, one of the owners of the distillery.  She remembered me from when my friend Kim and I visited the distillery.  She said they had gotten a great response from the article.  That was nice to hear. We agreed that it was a great magazine.

For more information about DikinDurt Distillery, you can visit their website at https://www.dikindurt.com/.

 

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