Category Archives: local business

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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Back with the Breakfast Club!

Posted on June 26, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Since I drove myself around Herkimer, NY (where I live) twice in the last two days, I made bold to drive to Little Falls to join my Elks friends for breakfast at Ann Street Deli.  I believe I have mentioned that there is a group of us who meet every week for breakfast at various local places.  It was not that far of a drive, after all.  I made it there with no problem, found a parking place close to the door, and went in to await my friends.  I did not have long to wait.

Good for breakfast or lunch!

As you may have guessed by the snow if not the Christmas decorations, this is a picture from earlier this year.  It is difficult to take a picture while gimping along on two crutches.  Sometimes I use one crutch in order to carry something in the other hand but I did not do so this morning.

I had a croissant sandwich with one egg, cheese, and sausage.  It was quite tasty.  I cannot remember the yummy sounding things my friends ordered, but I may order them another time; then I will remember and report back.

More than the good breakfast, I enjoyed the company of my friends.  Being incurable sociable as I am, it was good to talk to people.  Of course I was able to talk to family members this past weekend, but for the most part I have been alone on my couch.  It’s not that I do not enjoy my own company, but you can get too much of a good thing.

I am so delighted to write about a Mohawk Valley Adventure again!  I hope I can have another one soon.

 

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Don’t Look Now, But…

Posted on June 9, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I gimped my way to Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer, NY.  I sat at a table instead of the bar as I usually do.  Partway through my chicken sandwich (Yum, by the way), I saw that we were being watched.

An excellent vantage point.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at seeing a Yeti at Yetty’s.  I thought it was delightful and wondered why I hadn’t noticed it before. No doubt because my back is too him at the bar.  How rude of me.

I zoomed in.

My close-up turned out kind of blurry.  That means I have an excellent excuse to return to Yetty’s soon. 

Yetty’s is open Thursday through Sunday, and they are still open, despite the For Sale sign out front.  If you are in Herkimer and are hungry, I suggest you stop in!

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Thank You, Nonna Maria!

Posted on June 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I had been craving a wood-fired pizza for some time.  I also had been wanting to try Nonna Marie Wood Fired Oven at Stone Mill, which I had heard raves about.  How perfect, then, that my way home from Canajoharie, NY on Friday (perhaps you read my blog post about the Shakespeare thing), took me right by Little Falls!  A couple of turns, and there I was, ready to partake.

I should have gotten a shot of the sign outside. Silly me.

I ordered the Vegetarian, with cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, and basil.  I got it to go, since by then I did not have far to, you know, go.

Looks like a place for a couple to sit for a photo op.

I did not have long to wait, but long enough to notice a picture on the counter advertising a sandwich that looked really good.  I told the workers I would need to come back to try it.

Here’s a clearer picture.

I will probably have to make multiple trips, because there are a few other pizzas on the menu I would like to try as well.  Luckily, Little Falls is one of Mohawk Valley Girls favorite destinations.

Nonna Maria’s is located at 410 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY.

 

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We Reporters Have to Eat, Too

Posted on May 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I decided this morning I would treat myself to breakfast out so I could definitely make a real blog post and plug a local business.  For one reason, I knew I would be out and about, searching for a picture to go with my story about the Ilion Village Board meeting for Sentinel Media (regular readers may recall I have a side hustle covering a few meetings and such in the Valley).  For another reason, an Everything Bagel at Saturday Spreads sounded really, really good.

Great place to stop!

Since I knew I was going to be enjoying a cup of Utica Coffee later (“Wake the Hell Up!”), I sipped a cup of tea while I wrestled with my journalistic endeavors (“Wake the Hell Up” is Utica Coffee’s tag-line; I’m not cussing at you).  Soon I was headed to Ilion in search of illustration.  I failed to get a shot of some soon-to-be-demolished properties, because they were quite overgrown by now.  Also, the neighbor’s dogs started barking at me, and I felt unwelcome.  Finally I got a shot of some re-paving that was also talked about at the meeting.

Central Paving seems to be doing a fine job.

I explained to one of the fellows working that I was not taking pictures for any nefarious purpose.  He told me he thought the mayor was doing a good job, and I agreed.  Of course, it is impossible to please everybody.  Even for Mohawk Valley Girl, if you can believe such a thing.

Finally I was at Saturday Spreads and enjoying my repast.  I got the Utica Grind this time, which I remembered to write down:  Cream Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Lemon Zest, Utica Grind, Flaky Sea Salt.

My writer’s breakfast.

I said to the waitress, “Some people make fun of people for taking pictures of their food, but I’m going to use it in my blog post.”  I really enjoyed it.  I found it quite salty and spice; it make my lips tingle, but they tend to get a little chapped this time of year due to allergies.  I looked longingly at the pastries in the case as I left but resolutely headed out the door.  I need to take off a few pounds for the sake of my knees and back if for no other reason.

Saturday Spreads is located at 264 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY.  You can follow them on Facebook.

 

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My Java Reward

Posted on May 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

When you get your biggest chore done by eight o’clock in the morning, it is a beautiful thing.  That is the observation I made to the staff at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY this morning after I made my order.

In fact I had more than just coffee.

I had written my article on the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, taken a picture to go with it, and got them both emailed out.  I drank a cup of tea while I  wrote, just in case I decided to treat myself to breakfast out (must watch my coffee intake).  Of course I decided to treat myself.  I ordered a breakfast sandwich with ham and provolone on a toasted roll, because I enjoyed the last one so much.  I got a regular hot coffee.

A writer’s breakfast.

As I breakfasted (broke fast?), I worked on a letter to my friend Kim in Colorado.  I SO miss going on Mohawk Valley Adventures with her!  Dylan, the young man who brought my sandwich to me, asked if I was writing another murder mystery.  I remember Dylan from when he worked at the End Zone.  He remembered me coming in with my friend who had since moved away.  I was pleased to tell him I was talking to that very friend.

That does remind me I need to start working on the next murder mystery.  At least a good breakfast should help!

 

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Maybe a Trip to Cooperstown…

Posted on May 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

People (even ones who are not named Shirley) must understand that Mohawk Valley Girl had to  attend a tasting of Cooperstown Distillery’s wares at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer on Friday.  Cooperstown, NY is a most delightful destination in easy driving distance from Herkimer (where I live), and the distillery is just one for the many attractions.  I do not drink a lot of booze, being more of an oenophile (that’s a fancy word for wino; regular readers know I like to be fancy), but I do love to taste it.

Cooperstown Select!

Sasha is one of the regular pourers at Valley, and she pretty much expects to see me.  Regular readers may remember that I left my adventure book at the liquor store on Thursday (I believe I mentioned it in my blog post).  Sasha was holding it up as I walked in.  Phew!  Someday I may want to compile my tasting notes into an irreverent wine and booze guide.

I started with the American Blend, which I declared nice.  I move on to the Straight Bourbon at 100 proof.  My note is “I like that!”  I must stay away from the really strong stuff.  Still, a little at a time is perfectly acceptable.  I can also purchase some to share.  The Straight Rye was very smooth.  Of course I had to bring up the song about “Bye Bye, Miss American Pie” (I can’t just say “American Pie,” because it might get mixed up with the vulgar movie).

When I tried the Single Malt Whiskey, I tried to explain single malt as referenced in Malice, a guilty pleasure movie of Steve’s and mine featuring Nicole Kidman, Alec Baldwin, Bill Pullman (whose name escaped me at the time) and Ann Bancroft in a wonderful cameo.  I don’t think I explained it very well, but now I want to watch the movie again.

I enjoyed the tasting but do not plan to switch from wine to bourbon at the present time.  To find out about tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor, you can visit their website at shop valleywine.com.

 

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I Find it at New2You!

Posted on May 16, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tonight is the night!  We present A Revolutionary Murder with a new ending and a new Evelyn Ganache, the put-upon assistant to Reuben Maneuse, organizer of the evening’s festivities.  I play Evelyn, whereas when we presented the murder before I played the evil and short-lived Amaretta VonSchnapps.  Of course I needed a new costume.  I thought I had found a good dress at a rummage sale, but when I got it home and tried it on, YUCK!  It showed up all my figure flaws (and believe me, I have a seriously flawed figure!).

After a few failed thrift store visits, I remembered I had a pair of generic black pants.  A plain blue top, paired with a patriotic scarf I had worn with the more flamboyant Amaretta costume would do.  I made my way to New 2 You Consignments in Ilion, NY, where I had previously found many excellent additions to my wardrobe.

Lots of good stuff here.

“I need a costume, but NOT something fabulous,” I told Robbi, the owner, as I walked in.  It was not long before I found just the right thing.  Phew!

I’m the one sitting down.

Just to show you an example of one of my more fabulous finds.  I actually found this the day of the murder mystery, and I have worn it for at least one other murder mystery since.  I think I look rather fabulous in it, but perhaps I flatter myself.

I’m second from the right.

And here is another fabulous find.  This one I wear as part of my regular wardrobe, not just for murder mysteries.  I do like to dress to impress, even if the only one I impress is myself.

New 2 You Consignments is located at 10 Central Plaza, Ilion, NY.

 

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Another Taste, Please!

Posted on May 15, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I wasn’t going to go to the tasting at Valley Wine and Spirits in Herkimer, NY yesterday, because when I get a free taste I like to make a purchase and I have enough wine and booze on hand for my next party which is not yet scheduled (I think that is a run-on sentence, but it is so seldom that I have one, I shall not apologize).  Where was I?  Oh yes, showing up to say hello to my friends of DikinDurt Distillery at Valley Wine and Liquor.

Nice lady, nice booze!

I seem to have mislaid the adventure book where I took my tasting notes, but I remember what I tasted and think I remember what I thought about it.  I actually think I left the book at the liquor store, because now that I think about it, I seem to remember putting it on some boxes of canned drinks under the tasting counter when I went to take the picture.  I can only hope it is still there, or that one of the workers saw it and said, “This has to be Cindy’s.”  I am known for going to tastings and taking tasting notes.

The bottle Kayla is holding is the Bourbon, which I liked.  It is funny how one’s tastes change, because I used to not care for bourbon.  Now I like the really good ones.  Next I tasted the clear Moonshine, which I purchased the last time I tasted DikinDurt.  I thought it might be good to serve at a party or perhaps to donate to a Basket of Cheer.  It was pretty strong all by itself.  90 proof, I think she said.

“That’ll clear your sinuses!” I said.  I liked it, but these things can be dangerous if taken to excess.

Next I tried the Raspberry, just to try a sweet one, which I rarely do.  It was quite tasty, very fruity and sweet. I am not big on the sweet stuff, but I can see where others might like this, mixed with pink lemonade or ginger ale, or even over ice.

I greatly enjoyed my tastes and my conversation.  DikinDurt Distillery has a tasting room at 7447 Main St., Newport, NY, which is open Fridays by reservation, 315-868-1563.  Their products are available at Valley Wine and Wine and Liquor as well as many local bars and restaurants. You can follow them on Facebook.

 

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