Category Archives: local business

Filling Our Bellies

Last Sunday, when Steven and I decided to have breakfast out before tackling our other chores (which included painting the stage floor for Leading Ladies; you didn’t think I wasn’t going to mention the play, did you?), I suggested Belly Busters in Herkimer.  I had purchased donuts there on Saturday (the traditional bribe for people working on your set on a Saturday morning) and wanted to check out the rest of the menu.

It’s a bright, airy place with lots of room.  The big windows let in plenty of sunshine, so things were very cheerful on Sunday, which was, local readers may recall, a beautiful day (or they may not recall; I realize it was six days ago) (I’ve been busy with a play, you may have heard).

I was happy to order my favorite, a breakfast sandwich (or “sammich,” as I like to say) on a hard roll with bacon, egg and cheese.  Steven decided to try the breakfast pizza with sausage, pepper, egg and cheese.  Both were delicious.

As we were waiting for our food, I said I was happy to find this place, because of how much I miss Chet’s Diner.  A fellow at another table told us the chef at Belly Busters used to cook for Chet’s.

“For a while he was at Donna’s Diner, now he’s here.”

That led to a discussion about how Donna’s Diner is now Mandy’s and the Family Funhouse in Mohawk now houses Mona’s.  So that makes two other places I’d like to write about.  Goody!  More breakfasts out!

Belly Busters is located at 225 West State St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 866-6700.  You can also Like their Facebook page.

 

A Friendly Stop

I pause in my Saturday gyrations to make a brief blog post.  I am having quite the lovely day with my dear husband, who has a rare Saturday off.

I began my day with the useful part: going to Ilion Little Theatre for chores related to Leading Ladies, the play I am directing.  The normal bribe for folks helping out on a Saturday morning is donuts.  Accordingly, I headed to Frankfort, NY and the Friendly Bake Shop.  Frankfort is not a far drive from Herkimer, where I live.  I parked across the street and walked in to find a line.  This, of course, was not surprising.

“Is there a VISA logo on their cash register?” I asked a lady in line ahead of me.  I had not provided myself with cash so thought to use my bank card.  She did not see one.  “I”m in trouble,” I said and sadly left.  She followed me out the door and called me back before I had crossed the street again.

“I was looking right at it,” she confessed.  Having done that myself, I completely understood.

I got plain, glazed, jelly-filled and chocolate glazed, three of each to make a dozen.  I wasn’t sure how many people I would have to bribe, but I was fairly sure of having leftovers with a dozen.  Anyways, a dozen is the normal amount of donuts.  Every once in a while I like to do something normal.

“And I’ll have a loaf of this bread,” I added, grabbing one.  It was Italian with sesame seeds, sliced fairly thin.  I’m sure it will be yummy.  The donuts definitely were.  I ate two myself almost as soon as I got to the theatre.

The Friendly Bake Shop is located at 122 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY.  Phone number 315-894-8861.

 

I’ll Be Looking for that Link

I don’t think Tired Thursday has the same ring as Tired Tuesday, and yet here I sit.  Well, instead of crying about how tired I feel, I will give a brief overview of my post-work errand running.  I had thought to write a blog post about that earlier today when I had difficulty coming up with a topic to write on while on break at work.  Of course now all I want to do is sleep on it and I fear the post will not be very good, but we have established that for Mohawk Valley Girl, a bad post is better than no post at all, so here goes (I don’t care if that is a run-on sentence).

I need some props and costumes for Leading Ladies, the show I am directing at Ilion Little Theatre (stand by for this blog to become All Leading Ladies All The Time, it’ll happen soon).  This being the only weekday I don’t have rehearsal, I thought a few stops on the way home would be appropriate.  Full disclosure:  I did not make all the stops I intended to and one place I was pretty sure would not have any props or costumes.

It was pouring rain when I left work, but one must not let weather deter one, must one (one being me, of course).  I kept telling myself that this was better than snow, but I’ve heard we’ll have snow again before too long, so I suppose I will have a basis for comparison.

First I went to the Thrift Store in Ilion, NY (I work in Ilion, by the way).  No props, but I found a black shawl, which I have been wanting to go with my little purple dress (I refuse to own a Little Black Dress).  Now all I have to do is lost that damn ten pounds so I can wear my little purple dress. I merely glanced at the fancy dresses.  My costume ambitions were merely to look.  We’re going to check the Ilion Little Theatre costume collection before purchasing anything.

At New 2 You Consignment Store, where I went next, I found a decanter such as a someone might have sitting on a table in a ritzy sitting room.  I wasn’t sure I loved it, though.  The lady there, who I am acquainted with because her daughter did a marvelous job in the murder mystery I have been talking about (perhaps you read my latest blog post about it), said if I decided I wanted it, I could call her and she would hold it for me.  We talked about the play, and I mentioned my need of dresses for a couple of manly-sized men.  She said she had some quite large fancy dresses, so I may be in touch with her about that, too.

I was getting sick of being out in the rain but decided to make one more stop at Earthly Matters, a store I have lately become aware of.  I did not think it was anyplace I would find anything for my play.  I thought I would like to write about it.  Oh, I SO DO!  I stood there for a while talking to the owner, looking at beautiful things, and taking notes.  I shall write a full post about it and perhaps an article to submit to Mohawk Valley Living magazine.  For today, however, I content myself with a mere mention.

I went home after that, bypassing the dollar store and a couple of other stops.  There is another thrift store and at least one more consignment shop I can check.  When I don’t feel so tired.  Sorry to keep complaining about it, but you know how it is.  If you don’t know how it is, well, just work some overtime and direct a couple of plays and do a few more things other than sleep and then write a blog post about it.   You can post a link in Comments and perhaps I’ll read it.

Happy Non-Sequitur Thursday, everyone.

 

That’s the Spirit, Mr. Reilley!

Last Friday, after leaving Vintage Spirits, Steven and I decided to stop by Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer to see if they had a tasting, which they usually do on a Friday.  I’m so glad we did.

“Life of Reilley Distillery!” I said, reading off the sign up front.  “Yay!  I love them!”  I remembered as soon as I saw it that I had seen it was an upcoming tasting, but I rarely make a note of these things.  Next time I will definitely make a note when Life of Reilley is expected.

We had tasted Life of Reilley at Valley Wine and Liquor before.  Ben Reilley remembered me from last time.  He remembered that I have a blog, which is another reason I am making sure to write a post about his business.  The main reason is, yum.

I am not a vodka drinker in general.  These days I rarely indulge in hard liquor at all, but even when I did, gin was my drink of choice, with occasional forays into whiskey, rum or brandy.  However, they say there are exceptions to every rule.  Life of Rielley products are just so tasty!  I had the plain, the raspberry and the vanilla and loved them all.  When I remarked about my usual preferences, Ben said he heard that a lot.  He was thinking of using it as an advertising slogan: the vodka for people who don’t drink vodka or something like that.

Life of Reilley Distilling and Wine Co. was founded in 2013 in Canandaigua, NY.  They are a family-run business and according to their Facebook page, they are living the life.  I love their spirit as well as their spirit, if you see what I mean.  To learn more about Life of Reilley, you can visit their website at http://www.lifeofreilley.net/. You can also Like them on Facebook.

Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St, in Herkimer, phone number 315-867-5800.  They are also on Facebook.

 

Working on my Oenophile Cred

Last Friday after adventuring for most of the afternoon, I stopped by Vintage Spirits in Herkimer, NY for their Easter wine tasting.   As regular readers know, I have no real oenophile cred (or even a clear idea of how to pronounce “oenophile”).  However, I love wine and I like giving a shout-out to a local business.

Tastings at Vintage Spirits are always educational for me, because Bronson, who owns Vintage Spirits, is very knowledgeable.   I suppose if I go to enough tastings there, I will eventually gain a few oenophile creds myself.  If I don’t drink too much wine and forget everything I hear (not at the tasting, of course, but, you know, if I buy a couple of bottles).

I started with Le Petit Rouviere Rose 2015 from Provence, France. I told Bronson how Steven and I often make the joke:   If I have a little red left in my glass but Steven is opening a bottle of white, I tell him to mix it and we’ll make Rose.  Of course that is not really how it is done.  Bronson explained how the wine skins are left in for a certain length of time to make the color.  I’m afraid I don’t remember the full explanation (yes, I purchased a couple of bottles; why do you ask?).

I though the Rose was tasty and would make a good summer wine.  Of course I am quite ready to sit out on my deck with a glass of wine, but so far the Mohawk Valley weather has not been cooperative.

Next I tried Heron Hill Dry Riesling 2013 from Keuka Lake, NY.  I like dry riesling and I am a huge fan of New York State wines (what a surprise), so I had high hopes for this one.  I was not disappointed.  It earned my ultimate accolade of “yummy.”  I made a further note that it was “New Yorky.”  I can’t describe exactly what I mean by “New Yorky.”  It’s one of those “I know it when I taste it” things.  This riesling was not entirely dry, and the description said it paired well with ham, so I felt confident in purchasing a bottle to bring to my parents’ house for Easter dinner.

I tried all the reds except the Fulkerson Red Zeppelin from Seneca Lake, NY.  I knew it was sweet, and I think I have tried it before.

In addition to the riesling, I picked up a bottle of Barefoot Pinot Noir, which is a very tasty wine, especially for the price.  Mom was cooking a rolled roast beef as well as the ham, so I thought some people might prefer a red.

Steven was working till six.  Thinking he had worked all day and would like a treat, I walked to his place of employment and brought him to the wine tasting, which ran till seven.  The nice people at Vintage Spirits did not mind that I tasted twice.  After Steven had tried everything, we purchased a bottle of the Rose.  Steven liked it, and I found I liked it even better on the second try.  Now if we could only get some good deck-sitting weather.

Vintage Spirits is located at 246 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  Phone number is 315-866-6800.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

Scattered Saturday Post About Friday’s Adventures

Yesterday I had some nice Mohawk Valley adventures with my sister Cheryl and our friend Penny.  We went to Barneveld and made several stops.

Our first stop was Foothills Mercantile, a venue which includes over 20 vendors of different sorts.  They have antiques, collectibles, handmade items and more.  I’ll have to go back again and write a more detailed blog post about them.

While there we ate some fresh-popped popcorn, and I purchased some vintage postcards.  They were a very reasonable price, so I shall feel free to send them to the people I like to send postcards to.

Next we went to Adirondack Cheese Company.  I LOVE cheese.  We tried some free samples, and I selected  Extra Sharp.   I liked the Dill and the Horseradish kinds as well, so I have motivation to return.  Additionally, they carry Croghan bologna.  Yum!  I also got some sesame sticks.

We were hungry after that so went to Van’s Tavern and got fish fry.   What a huge piece of fish!  It came with french fries and cole slaw as well.  Cheryl got macaroni salad instead of cole slaw, which she said was very good.  I took a good amount home.

This is just a brief and I’m afraid uninspired overview of the day.  I am still having problems with WordPress which are causing me no little frustration.  I suppose it is my own problem for being so tech un-savvy.  No matter.  Here is my post and tomorrow is Easter. Happy Saturday, everyone.

 

Moonstone on my Toes

We interrupt my week of posts lamenting my inability to write a real post with a shout-out to a local business.  Will it be a real post (whatever that means)?  I am not the best judge of that.  However, I will strive to keep lamentation to a minimum.

I have been wanting to get a pedicure for, roughly, ever.  Yes, that is a hyperbole, didactic readers (it is also an exaggeration, ordinary readers).  Still, my feet have been in need of serious attention for some time now.  I just keep forgetting to make an appointment, and you need one at Hot Spot Salon and Spa, where I like to go.

Facebook came to the rescue last week when Clair Does Hair, the page of my favorite stylist, posted that Clair had a couple of openings on Friday.  I immediately commented saying something like, “Ooh!  Ooh!  Can I get a pedicure?” Then I saw that the post was some time ago, so I got on the phone.  I got a 5:30 appointment for a spa pedicure.  I could have had 4:30 with a basic, but I really wanted the exfoliation and massage for my first pedicure of the year.

Oh, it was nice to soak my feet in the warm water.  It was nice to get my callouses rubbed off and my nails properly trimmed and all the rest of it.  It was nice to catch up with Clair, too.  I told her about our murder mystery (which you may have read my blog post about).  She was very upset that she is going away that weekend and cannot attend.  I told her I would be sure to let her know if we do any others (oh, I HOPE we do!).

Clair helped me pick a color called Moonstone.  It looks purple in some lights and green in others.  My two favorite nail colors!  She felt the color was really Me.

The weather has not been as lovely warm lately as it was previously, but I have been wearing sandals anyways, because I am so delighted with my toes.   For another reason, I don’t have that many good pairs of socks.  However, that may lead to a laundry lament, so I shall end the post.  Happy Thursday, everyone.

The Hot Spot Salon and Spa is located at 121 E. Albany St. in Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-9113, website http://www.hotspotsalonandspa.com/.  You can also Like them on Facebook.

 

A Pause for Coffee

I interrupt my Wrist to Forehead Sunday for a brief shout-out to a VERY local business: The Locavore in Frankfort, NY.

There I was, on my way home from church in Chadwicks, during which my delightful year-old great-nephew declined to sit on my lap, pondering my actions for the rest of the day.  I felt sluggish and down (you know, Wrist to Forehead Sunday and all).  I thought a cup of coffee might perk me up. Then I remembered:  Higby Road takes me right into Frankfort. I could go to The Locavore for an awesome cup of coffee!

The Locavore has all kinds of locally made products. I considered purchasing soap, honey, cheese, meat and other stuff, but ultimately decided just to get coffee.

The proprietor of the establishment remembered me from previous visits but remarked he had not seen me in a while.  I said I never went anywhere, and he said that was a lousy excuse.  He was quite right, of course.  I told him about all my theatre commitments, which he was interested to hear.

After some debate I decided on… oh crap, I can’t remember the name of the coffee.  But it was YUMMY!  There are several different kinds of coffee, both iced and hot. I had the LocaMocha another time and loved it.

The Locavore only recently started opening on Sundays.  I asked what time they are open till, because Steven works till one.  I was thinking maybe we would make it a thing to go out for fancy coffee after work on a Sunday.  Then I could try all the coffees.

The Locavore is located at 159 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-895-0325. You can Like them on Facebook.  I did.

 

Yum, Not Lame

In lieu of my usual Friday Lame Post, I shall give a brief shout-out to a local business: Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer, NY.

Our original plan had been to go out for a fish fry, but I am, what a surprise, not feeling well.  Yes, I’m as sick of feeling this way as you are of hearing about it. Let’s not dwell on it, shall we?

It is Friday during Lent and I am kind of, sort of Catholic, so I didn’t want meat.  I suggested a large garlic pizza with peppers and mushrooms, and an order of calimari.  We don’t technically need a large pizza for just the two of us, but I like how thin the crust gets.  Then I get leftover pizza for breakfast.  Yum.

Delivery was astonishingly prompt.  It usually is from Salvatore’s.  That is one reason we often let them come to our rescue when we don’t feel like cooking or going out.  The other reason is, of course, yum.

Wow, I guess there’s not a whole lot else to say.  How embarrassing.  Then again, perhaps my readers would prefer to stop reading a silly blog and get back to enjoying their Friday.  I know I do (yes, yes, I’m writing not reading right now; don’t be didactic).  Happy Friday, everyone.

Salvatore’s is located at 650 1/2 German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  Their website is http://www.salvatores-herkimer.com/index.html.

 

 

 

Friday with Fish

As Steven’s birthday weekend continues, I am no more inclined to cook or wash dishes than I have been during the week.  Luckily Steven was pleased to have dinner out again.  He wanted fish fry.  I remembered that Salvatore’s in Herkimer usually offers a fish fry special on Fridays.  We often call Salvatore’s for delivery, but it is also a good place to eat in.

The parking lot seemed full when we got there, but we easily got a table and were soon perusing menus.  Steven got the fish sandwich, which came with fries.  He said yes to tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise and tartar sauce.  I chose the baked haddock with ranch dressing on the salad.  It came with pasta.  I asked for butter and garlic instead of tomato sauce.  We each got  glass of Pinot Grigio as well as water with lemon.

The chef put a little parsley on my spaghetti along with the butter and garlic.  I asked for grated cheese, and a spoon.  I am quite adept at twirling my spaghetti, as a result of growing up in an Italian family.  Spaghetti and meatballs was a high treat for Sunday dinner.  I have since read that it is most proper to twirl your spaghetti on the plate; using a spoon is second best, and cutting the noodles up is downright vulgar.  Of course I’m going to eat my pasta the way I like to and not worry about somebody else’s arbitrary rules, but I can’t help making note of these things.

Speaking of downright vulgar, I know one is supposed to cut the lettuce in the salad.  I’ve seen people do it quite classily; it spreads the dressing around nicely.  I got lettuce on the table.  You can neither dress me up nor take me out, it seems.

The people at Salvatore’s wished Steven a happy birthday a day late.  Their Facebook page had wished him well on the day.  We like Salvatore’s.

Salvatore’s is located at 650 1/2 German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number  (315) 866-2600.  You can also find them on Facebook.