Category Archives: local business

Beginning My Wine Weekend

I’ve been promising a post about wine tasting for some days now. At last I have my wine tasting notes with me. How to begin?

I thought a Wine Tasting at Ilion Wine and Spirits on Friday night would be a fitting prelude to my Saturday tour in the Finger Lakes. It was.

I started with a a Darcy Kurt Gruner Veltliner, 2010, California. Scott thought it was an Austrian grape, although it is a California wine. This is where I become painfully aware that I am not a real wine blogger. My only notes are “oh yeah, very nice.” Nothing about fruity notes or a dry finish (I don’t remember if this one had either of those, by the way). I never even mention the bouquet. The only thing I can note is that I think the u in Gruner is supposed to have the two little dots over it (it has the “eeuu” pronunciation). (As side note: my fifth grade cello teacher, Mr. Tufts, taught me how to pronounce the u with the two dots. You make your mouth like you’re saying “eee” then your lips like you’re saying “ooo.” It’s fun, but it always takes me too long).

So I have several more wines listed with notes like “good” and “OK, but I liked the Veltliner better.” Oh, the Gerard Bertrand Viognier 2010 (France) I noted as “very dry, very plain, very light.” I wonder if real wine connoisseurs describe wines as “plain.” Not as descriptive or as complimentary as “yummy.”

I did try a wine I hadn’t intended to, Voga Moscato, Italy, and noted it as “yummy” and “a good wine to bring somewhere.” Another lady tasting said it was her favorite and urged me to try some. In fact, the cylindrical bottle looked familiar. I believe that is a wine I bought at another tasting and brought to my sister’s house one weekend some years ago. If so, my second note was quite appropriate.

My most notable take away was a recipe for some warm dip they served. You take equal parts shredded cheddar, chopped onion and mayonnaise and put in a 350 degree oven for about an hour. I believe they said the recipe is originally from the Horned Dorset Inn. I can’t wait to make some. Maybe to bring to somebody’s house along with a bottle of Voga Moscato.

I purchased a bottle of One Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, California, by Rob Mondavi, Jr. I teased Scott for being on familiar terms and calling the winemaker “Rob” instead of “Robert,” but it says “Rob” on the bottle. In addition to its being a very tasty cab, 50% of profits are donated to autism research.

I left with thanks for starting my wine tasting weekend off right. In fact, I’m not sure but what that was the best of my wine tasting last weekend. It certainly involved the least amount of driving. Ilion Wine and Spirits is located at 10 E. Main St, Ilion, NY, phone number 315-894-8142.

Tale of my Toes

I’d been wanting a pedicure for a couple of months now. I don’t usually wait for sandal weather; I like a pedicure any time. For one thing, I can’t seem to clip my own toenails properly and so get ingrown ones. And I never do the pumice stone thing right, either. I like to leave these things to the professionals.

Now that we’ve skipped right from spring into summer, it seemed even more imperative to have pretty toes. When I remembered that this Saturday was my sisters’ wine tasting trip, and I might want to wear sandals, my situation seemed dire.

I know, some of you are saying, “Come on! Dire?” (While nice ladies with pretty toes are nodding wisely in agreement.) I’m working overtime, I have rehearsals three days a week, I have a dog to walk a house to clean, laundry to do, a husband NOT to neglect… other people may handle their overcrowded schedules with panache (although I doubt it). I feel… if not overwhelmed, at least 80 to 90 percent whelmed.

Wednesday was the best day to get my pedicure. The operative thing to do was to make a four o’clock appointment and bring my sandals to work, so I could go straight to my appointment and not upset my dog (she hates it when you come home then leave right away). Of course I neglected to make said appointment. Maybe I could call from work. I forgot the sandals. Maybe all of you would see your way clear, but I pondered and dithered. Finally I found Hot Spot’s phone number in the phone book and called during lunch. A 4:30 appointment was open. I could go home, shower and change. I would disappoint my dog, but sometimes these things can’t be helped.

Of course getting couldn’t be easy with me. I wanted to go down Washington Street. I wondered if I really wanted to go by the courthouse, which at this time of day would probably have a lot of car and foot traffic. I reasoned that I would have time to make it through and it was the least complicated way to go. Then I got so absorbed in maneuvering through four way stops on German Street that I missed the turn. Now it was complicated. I turned right at the next opportunity and hoped for the best. I hope everybody realizes that missing a turn in Herkimer is not always easily fixed by a drive around the block. The blocks are not the squares and rectangles we expect. But my walking and running in the area stood me in good stead. I came out on Washington below the court house. Yay me. I can never do these things on purpose, but sometimes they work out.

I found a parking space a little ways down from the Hot Spot. Of course, as I walked to the door I saw at least three closer spots, but you can’t count on these things.

As soon as I walked in, Claire greeted me and said she’d be right with me. Then I turned around and walked back out, because I realized I had left my book in the truck. It’s the kind of day I’d been having (as you can tell). No matter. Once I had my feet in the warm, bubbly water, I knew I had done the right thing. Claire said she had an eyebrow waxing but would be right back.

“Take your time,” I said. “Now that I’m soaking, I’m happy.”

I opened my book about the Last Woman Hanged: Roxalana Druse, but part of me wanted to stare at nail polish colors and ponder my choice. A paragraph in, the book had my full attention. I was hoping to finish it by this weekend, because my mother and at least one sister want to borrow it.

Once Claire was working on my feet, though, it was more pleasant to chat. I told her about wine tasting and showed her my book. This led to a discussion of murderesses in general and the show Snapped. A lady and her daughter were also getting pedicures, and the girl doing theirs (I foolishly did not get her name) said she watched Snapped all the time.

“My fiance tells me, ‘Don’t get any ideas!'”

Claire brought up the movie Conviction, about a man wrongfully accused. The young girl who was getting a pedicure had heard a talk by Steven Barnes at her school. Barnes, in case you didn’t know, is a local man who served 18 years for a crime he did not commit. He was exonerated, but the real murderer has not been caught.

When it came time to pick my color, I first thought a neon pink which had been considered by the lady next to me. Then Claire pointed out a purple, which was also new.

“That seems more like you,” she said.

I felt so pleased by the recommendation, because it showed that Claire remembered me from previous visits. In fact, it’s been at least a year since I’ve been to the Hot Spot. I certainly won’t wait that long again. It was a great recommendation, too. I love my purple toes. I did not make a note of the color name. Something Plum, I think. It doesn’t really matter, because I never do the same color twice in a row.

I was sorry to put on socks and shoes for work this morning (not too sorry, though; safety first). Even if the temperatures cool off on Saturday, I will probably try to wear sandals for at least part of our wine tasting tour.

Hot Spot is located at 121 E. Albany St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-9113. You can also find them on Facebook.

Consignment Find

I like getting multiple blog posts out of one Saturday adventure. For one reason, it’s difficult to have adventures every day of the week when you work full time, even without overtime (and I love my overtime).

Continuing our Saturday meanderings, Steven and I left The Bistro on Main Street in Frankfort, NY and walked almost next door to a consignment shop we had notice earlier. Regular readers may recall how much I love consignment shops.

Good As New Consignment Store occupies two rooms, both of which are packed full of stuff. We made our cautious way amongst the racks. I walked around two round racks full of jeans, but did not find quite what I was looking for (since what I’m actually looking for is to wear jeans two sizes smaller than I currently do and still breath, that is not surprising). We admired a number of chicken things: glasses, canisters, a hard-cooked egg tray.

Then Steven spotted on a high shelf a decanter in the shape of a soldier. A dragoon, 17th Regiment, 1812 to be exact. It is a fine, upstanding, elegant soldier from a time when soldiers had a certain style (this is not to say anything against our current soldiers, who have a style all their own which is a bit more appropriate to this century). Steven has always wanted just such a fancy bottle, but they are not easy to come by, unless you buy them new and full of booze for a considerable price.

I discouraged Steven from getting it down himself to check the price. I did not want that soldier to fall on the floor. A nice lady that works there reached it for us in a quite fearless manner. She had to consult the owner for the price, which was one we didn’t mind paying (I don’t like to mention the actual price, because I have found that there is always some wise ass to tell you you paid too much). I fortuitously remembered that I owed Steven a Valentine present, so we were all set. The soldier now stands on our dining room table, waiting for us to select his permanent place in our decor.

Good As New Consignment Store is located at 108 W. Main St., Frankfort, NY. Phone number is 315-868-0772.

Chilling at the Bistro

Some time ago, Steven and I had discovered a restaurant in Frankfort, NY called The Bistro. I’ve been wanting to get back there ever since, but one thing and another… So Saturday afternoon when we left the fundraiser (see previous post), I suggested we check it out.

“I’m not at all hungry,” Steven said, which was not surprising considering how much he had eaten at the fundraiser (my consumption, of course, was more moderate) (but still filling).

“We could get a cup of coffee,” I suggested, an offer Steven usually does not refuse.

The Bistro was open, and we found a handy parking space. As we walked in I admired once again the elegant decor. A young man greeted us right away. I told him we just wanted to sit at the bar and have a drink.

He was busy clearing away a bunch of glasses, because, he told us, a party had just left. There was a clear space at the bar, however, so we sat down. I wondered what the party had been for but did not ask. I like parties.

Steven ordered coffee and I asked for a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon (fun to say and fun to drink). The young man said to let him know if we wanted to order food, but we did not get hungry.

We enjoyed our drinks and listened to music from Lite 98.7. Some of the songs reminded us of things, most notably a radio program I used to listen to called “A Time for Romance.” I told Steven how this lady used to play a love song, then get on and say, “That was for Mark from Angie, she loves you a lot; and from Tina to Edward, thanks, babe; and to Julianne from Gerard; from Becky to Anthony; to George from Martha; to Fred from Wilma,” etc. Only, I admit it, at the time I couldn’t think of all those names off the top of my head. Wouldn’t I be witty and clever if I could? I said I would feel distinctly un-flattered to have a song dedicated to me that was also dedicated to 50 other people, but the truth of the matter is, nobody ever dedicated a song to me ever in my life (I know, cue the sarcastic violins, poor unloved me).

Steven had a refill on his coffee, but I stopped at one glass of wine. It was only early afternoon, after all.

I has happy we had finally made it back to The Bistro and only sorry we did not come hungry. I guess I really need to get out more. The Bistro is located at 100 W. Main St. in Frankfort, phone number 315-717-9536. They are open Monday through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm. For more information, visit their website at thebistrofrankfort.com.

Valentine Wine

I was delighted to attend the Valentine Wine Tasting at Vintage Spirits in Herkimer, NY last Friday.

I started my sampling with a Charles de Fere Blanc de Blanc Brut. I knew that blanc de blanc was a sparkling wine — having also been made aware that the correct term is “sparkling wine,” because champagne only comes from a specific region in France. I’ve probably noted that before, but I must trot out my sophisticated wine knowledge whenever possible (and by “sophisticated” I mean I say it with a little sashay). Friday I learned that blanc de blanc is made from the Chardonnay grape. This gave me a chance to air the one other thing I know about wine.

“Is it aged in stainless steel or in oak?” I’ve discovered that I only like Chardonnay aged in stainless steel.

Bronson explained to me that the champagne method entails aging in the bottle. Boy did I feel silly with my stainless and oak sashay. I explained to a couple of other tasters about my little bit of Chardonnay knowledge and how foolishly proud I am of it.

“I was at a gathering once where they had Chardonnay in a box and I was all, ‘Is it aged in stainless or in oak?'” I gave myself a snooty tone of voice, making fun of my own pretensions. “Somebody said, ‘It’s aged in cardboard! Drink it!’ So I did.”

They were amused. It’s my favorite Chardonnay story.

A lady that started tasting after me asked how long you could keep champagne — uh, sparkling wine. Bronson said indefinitely, as long as it was not opened. I said that was good, since I’d had a bottle in the fridge for a while now. Bronson said that wasn’t so good; the vibrations could make it lose its bubbles. I asked if it would get skunked like beer if I un-chilled then re-chilled it. Bronson thought not, but I think I’ll go ahead and just drink that champagne soon. No point in taking chances.

The lady also told us about an old bottle she had acquired. She hadn’t known to store it on its side at first, so she was not sure if it had kept well. She also couldn’t quite make up her mind on an occasion to open it. I told her about Open That Bottle of Wine Day, which I heard about on NPR one time. A couple of wine aficionados had so declared a certain Saturday for just such a situation.

“What day is that?” she asked.

“I don’t remember,” I confessed. It had been a long time ago, and I had not had such a bottle at the time. However, we agreed that it would be acceptable to declare one’s own Open That Bottle Day.

I tasted a number of wines that earned my favorite accolade of “yummy.” I purchased a Chateau Blouin 2009 Bordeau. I learned that all Bordeaux are blends, and I tend to like blends (this could be dangerous: me acquiring more wine knowledge). I went home and declared it Open the Bottle I Just Bought Day.

Vintage Spirits is located at 246 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY. Phone number is 315-866-6800. You can get on a list to receive emails about upcoming tastings. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Pre-Superbowl Errands

Superbowl Sunday, I perceive, is a good day to avoid certain retail establishments. Accordingly, I made sure I had all the foodstuffs I wanted ahead of time (Hannaford), and, well, I just decided I could wait to purchase more yarn (Wal-Mart). Still, I had a couple of errands to run, and that forms the subject of today’s post.

My first stop was Hummel’s Office Plus in Herkimer, NY (of course NY, I’ve pondered the necessity of including that and still have not decided) to purchase a sympathy card. Of course I like to walk to Hummel’s with my dog, but that’s more for a short stop to say hello, not standing for any length of time pondering sympathy cards (does everybody have as hard a time deciding as I do?).

I had a nice conversation with the girl working upstairs. My blog came up in the conversation (OK, I bring it up whenever possible; you never know who might like to read a blog). She offered to show me how to download pictures from a smart phone. If I ever get a smart phone.

I wanted to use a card rather than cash, so I went downstairs to add some office supplies to my purchase. Much more fun to look at. I have a definite thing for office supplies. I found a clip board such as I have been wanting and a black gel pen with a comfort grip.

Next I went to Ilion to gas up my truck. I’d heard that gas in Ilion was eight cents cheaper than in Herkimer, although I confess I did not look particularly to make sure that was true. I thought I might go out to breakfast in Ilion or Mohawk to write the day’s blog post. I love writing in restaurants.

I could see from Citgo that the OPEN sign at Farm House Restaurant was not lit, so I drove past Remington Arms and on into Mohawk. Mohawk Diner did not look open. The Family Fun Center was open, but I was well beyond it before I saw a parking space. On into Herkimer and my old stand by, Philly’s Breakfast House.

Philly’s was crowded, as usual for a Sunday morning. I sat at a wobbly table by the window. It shook quite a bit when I cut my Eggs Benedict, but I managed not to spill my coffee. I warned the fellow that cashed me out that the table needed a screwdriver or something. He promised to take care of it.

I headed for home to look for something more useful to do before it was time for the Superbowl. Like take my dog for another walk or watch more crime shows on cable television. And of course prepare some Superbowl-worthy snacks. Could that be the subject of the next blog post? Stay tuned.

Walking with a Nefarious Purpose

I spent a good portion of my time at work on Friday pondering my movements for the evening (while still working; I have that kind of a job). I wanted to go to Hannaford, I wanted to go to the liquor store, I definitely wanted to walk my dog. Then the title “Walking with a Nefarious Purpose” came to me, and there was no looking back. Tabby and I were walking to the liquor store (see, I have a hard time with titles; when I think of one I like, I go with it).

Longtime readers may recall some months ago I wrote a post titled “Walking with a Purpose,” in which Steven and I walked our dog Tabby to Hannaford. Steven and Tabby waited outside while I went in and made our purchases. Steven was still at work, so he could not aid me in my purposes, nefarious or otherwise. However, I thought I could get away with taking my dog into the liquor store briefly.

I feel I am being a little silly even calling it a nefarious purpose. I was not purchasing alcohol for minors in order to corrupt their morals. I just wanted to enjoy a glass of white wine and maybe cook with it. I actually had it in my head to purchase a box o’ wine (the crowd I used to run with always referred to it as “box o’ wine,” studiously leaving off the “f”). For one thing, box o’ preserves the wine better if you don’t intend to drink it all in a short time. For another, I had discovered a flavor I liked.

Off we went. It was a lovely afternoon for a walk, not too cold, no precipitation. Ramar’s Liquors, where I intended to go, is a fairly short walk from my house. We were two blocks away from it when Tabby tried to make a left and head in another direction. I convinced her otherwise, but she tried again at the next corner. I hoped she would not insist. I can usually win an argument of this sort with a 17 pound dog, but I am not here to torture my poocher. I want us both to enjoy the stroll.

The box I wanted was right inside the door. Excellent! The lady at the register did not seem to mind my pooch being there. I had brought a reusable bag to carry my purchase. For one thing it had longer straps I thought I could put on one shoulder.

Tabby was happy to head in the direction of home. So was I, although it did seem to take a longer time. Maybe a small bottle would have been better. Or I could have taken Tabby for a walk and driven to the liquor store later. As the ever-heavier box bumped against my hip, I was only thankful it was not beer. I pictured opening a can of beer that had bounced on my hip for ten minutes and wondered if that would be a fun thing to do at my next party. I was just kidding, of course; I don’t have college-flavored parties any more.

The walk home was not really bad, but I thought it would make a better blog post if I suffered a little. For those of you with nefarious purposes of your own, Ramar’s is located at 104 N. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, 315-866-9897,

The Awful Tooth

Like many people, I hate going to the dentist. In my defense, I have a hair-trigger gag reflex and a super-sensitivity to oral pain. Still, one must look after one’s dental health, and a few years ago we found a dentist we liked, Dr. David Zilka, 301 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.

Dr. Zilka is the one who pointed out to me my ultra-sensitivity to pain in the mouth (as opposed to pains in the butt; I have the normal sensitivity to those). Previous to visiting Dr. Zilka, I thought I had a normal threshold but was just a big baby (yes, yes, I probably am a big baby, but you don’t need to emphasize the fact, those of you who were about to) (you know who you are). So when I get fillings from Dr. Zilka, I get a good dose of pain stuff. Dr. Zilka is also the kind of chatty, friendly fellow you can have a conversation with. When your mouth is not full of dental instruments.

Still, going to the dentist for routine checks and cleanings is easy and even pleasant to postpone. And then I started to get a twinge of pain when I chewed certain foods on a certain tooth. Oh dear. I thought I probably just needed a filling so made an appointment for a check and cleaning.

Of course as the day got closer I considered putting it off. It was only a twinge of pain after all. Surely another day would be just as good. As it turned out, calling to reschedule seemed more effort than just going to the damned appointment. Does that ever happen to you?

The lady who checked me in recognized me at once, noticed that I had lost weight (a sure way to win my heart) and welcomed me back. I do like a friendly staff. I was soon in the chair wishing I had brought a book. I amused myself while I waited for the dentist by looking out the window and noticing how many cars ran the red light at the corner of Mohawk and South Bellinger Streets.

When Dr. Zilka asked was I having any symptoms and I described my pain (full disclosure: it had gotten worse from the original small twinge), he put away the equipment for cleaning and said he was changing my appointment type, he needed to check this out at once, he wanted an x-ray, this could be serious. Yikes! I don’t remember what all he said it could be, but I heard the words “root canal” and “bacteria getting into the bloodstream.”

“So it’s good I’m here,” I said.

He said it was.

It turned out to be a cracked tooth. Dr. Zilka will be able to fix it with a filling. He offered to do it that day, but I might have to wait a while since he had another patient. I opted to make an appointment. For one thing I was getting hungry and did not feel like eating with a numb mouth. If I plan ahead, I can eat a large snack before I get the filling. Planning ahead is, of course, not my strong suit, but we do what we can.

As I made the appointment, I chatted with the ladies at the desk about what would be safe to eat till I get my filling. I volunteered to eat nothing but cottage cheese (I seem to remember doing that for a few days once in high school, long story). This suggestion was not highly thought of, but then I thought of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. We discussed recipes. This is the kind of sociable office I like.

For more information about Dr. Zilka’s office visit his website, http://www.doctorzilka.com, or call 315-866-2460.

Breakfast with Liz and Donna

Steven and I used to go to this fun diner on North Washington Street in Herkimer run by two nice ladies named Liz and Donna. Alas, it closed. However, last week Steven was delighted to report that he had noticed on South Main Street an establishment called Liz’s Country Kitchen.

“We’ll go there Saturday,” I said.

Liz and Donna have actually been at that location for over a year. Which just goes to show how often we are on South Main Street. Let that be a lesson to me.

Liz’s Country Kitchen is a cozy eatery decorated with a rooster theme. Liz loves roosters. Donna told us it caused a misunderstanding one day. Some young guys saw the rooster on the sign and thought it was a place that specialized in fried chicken. She did not say if they stayed and ate anyways, but I hope they did. Liz is a great cook.

Both Liz and Donna were happy to see us again (we were definitely regulars at their other place). They both looked well and happy, and the diner was doing a booming business. We found a table and perused the menu. I got my favorite of an egg sandwich on a hard roll with egg, cheese and bacon. Steven got eggs, pancakes and sausage. It was a delicious breakfast.

The place has a great hometown atmosphere. The customers were making jokes with Liz and Donna and with each other. I got into a whole conversation with a gentleman who, it turns out, retired from the place where I currently work. We left with plans to return for future breakfasts and/or lunches.

Liz’s Country Kitchen is located at 220 S. Main St., Herkimer, NY. They are open 7 days from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and for fresh haddock Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m. (Goody! Another Fishy Friday!) For more information call 941-8025

Easy Saturday Supper

Saturday I had planned to sensibly heat up leftovers for dinner, but when Steven got home after a hard day’s work and I made a tentative suggestion to send out for food, there was no turning back.

As usual with us, we were not sure right off the bat what we were in the mood for. Steven grabbed the folder full of menus from local eateries (yes, we finally learned to keep them all in one place). I was positive I had recently found one from Salvatore’s (when I was looking for something else, of course) and added it to the pile. Naturally it was not there. Naturally as soon as I thought of it, THAT was where I wanted to order from. My subsequent search was fruitless.

Regular readers know I am not very computer adept. However, I knew I had liked Salvatore’s on Facebook, because they post their specials every day (usually I see them after I have eaten and say damn!). I got on the computer. A few judicious clicks and I was on their website, http://www.salvatores-herkimer.com/.

We looked at hot subs as it was a cold night, and settled on Stefano’s Chicken (not sure who Stefano is, but apparently he makes a mean sub): chicken tenders, tomato, lettuce, bacon, American cheese and Honey BBQ Sauce. Steven suggested a large antipasto salad, which also sounded good.

They told him 30 to 40 minutes, and it was not nearly that long. I thought I had shut the inner door (we have a kind of an entryway), but of course had not so Tabby came out to greet the delivery guy. He did not mind; he said it happens all the time. Well, she’s a little dog and all she did was put her paws up on his legs in case he wanted to pet her. Her paws weren’t even wet because she’d been indoors. So you see.

The food was delicious. We polished off the sub but have some leftover salad, which I will no doubt enjoy this afternoon. Now I feel we must go to Salvatore’s and dine in, so I can pick up another menu (you can’t count of me finding the same thing on the computer twice). They are located at 650 1/2 W. German St., Herkimer, NY. Phone number is 315-866-2600.