Category Archives: local business

It Is Not a Headache to Find Mohawk Valley Adventures

Thursday turned into a real Blogger’s Sick Day as I left work with a dreadful migraine.  And then I had to deal with some stuff I did not want to deal with, with a headache or at all.  Oh dear, that sounded mysterious since I do not intend to explain.  Regular readers know I consider explanations tiresome.  Never mind. Suffice it to say (I love that expression, “suffice it to say”), I dealt with stuff, competently or otherwise, continued to deal with stuff Friday afternoon, and it is now Saturday morning when I hope to make my Lame Post Friday Post.

Full disclosure:  I have another headache.  However, it is not a migraine, and I have reasonable hopes it will go away, if not with coffee, perhaps with food and an OTC pain reliever.  Enough about me; on with the post.  Which may also be about me, but you will have that with a personal blog.

I don’t usually whine when I wine.

This is a shot from a wine tasting at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY.  It was Bully Hill, a New York State wine, obviously something near and dear to my heart.  There is a tasting today of Menage a Trois wines, another favorite.  I thought a picture of local interest and a preview of coming attractions would be a nice change form my beloved monster pictures.

Fun bartender at a fun bar.

Here is Tino, one of my favorite bartenders at the End Zone Pub, also in Herkimer.  I was there last night (not long enough to be the source of this morning’s headache, I don’t think, unless my capacity has gone WAY down in just the last few months) (SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!).  It is easy walking distance from my house, which is nice.  It also tends to get a nice clientele.  I had a great conversation with some folks I just met.  So there is another shout-out to a local business.

They were nice!

Speaking of nice people I just met, this picture was right there when I returned to my Media Library.  This was a couple who sat next to me at the bar on a busy night at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  The husband said, “We’ll be your new acquaintances.”  We had a lovely visit.  I gave the wife a piece of my garlic bread with mozzarella.  The husband gave me one of his bucket of beers.  We enjoyed the music of Tom Maneen.

Well, this has turned out to be not such a lame post after all.  I wonder if I ought to bill it as a Scattered Saturday instead.  In any case, over 400 words and three pictures, I call it a post.  Thank you for tuning in.

 

Music, Food and Friendship

When I picked up my Chromebook to make my Wednesday blog post early Thursday morning, my internet suddenly and mysteriously vanished.  Long story short, the problem was solved last night (Friday), I hope, and here I am  ten finger typing on my couch Saturday morning, no coffee yet, surprisingly enough.

What I had meant to blog about two days ago was a trip to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music, food and good company.  My friend Kathy texted me to see if I was going out.  I had wanted to but felt undecided about it.  Her text decided me and soon we were sitting at the bar, waiting for the music of Max Scialdone.

A little blurry, but it will have to do.

I took my usual photo with my phone to post on Facebook, encouraging others to join us.  I do that almost every time, and nobody has ever accepted my invitation. However, some of my Facebook friends like to know I am out enjoying local music.

I ordered a steak and cheese wrap.  Cabernet Sauvignon went well with it.  Kathy drank beer but was not hungry.  She was there for the music and the company.  We had a nice visit.

It really does say Max Scialdone.

A couple other patrons remarked about Max’s name in lights. I had noticed the sign unlit when we walked in.  I tried to get a picture of it with my Tablet.  Alas, it did not turn out well, but I figured I could just tell my blog readers that it said Max Schialdone.  I will try to get a better picture at a future time.

Kathy and I were both glad we had gone out.  No doubt we will do so again.

 

Yetty’s? Yes, Please!

Yesterday (Saturday), my friend Kim and I went to lunch at Yetty’s in Herkimer, NY.  We had not been there in a while and I am happy to report, it is just as great a place to eat as always.

This guy was not actually serving food at the time.

I foolishly did not take any pictures so am looking for previously taken shots in my Media Library.

We sat at the bar and sipped a little wine while we perused the menu.  It took a while to decide what to get, because quite frankly, everything looked wonderful.  At last we decided on a garlic pizza with sausage and extra cheese, with garlic fries for an appetizer.  It was one of those days, and I admit I have many of them, when my weight-loss goals went by the wayside.

We always look at the head.

I am especially sorry I did not get a shot of the head, which stands behind the bar under the television.  She had on a different hat yesterday.  They often dress her appropriately to the season.

I must check if she sports the bunny ears in a couple of months.

I throw in another shot of the head for good measure.  We enjoyed our meal very much and will probably return to Yetty’s soon.

Yetty’s is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, phone number 315-866-4201.

 

Frattello’s Helps

Here I am, trying to make a Wuss-out Wednesday Post on Wednesday.  I have been having a very enjoyable evening at Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort.  Alas, there was no musician tonight.  However, I sat at the bar with my friend Kathy, drank some Chardonnay,  ate a wrap sandwich, and had a very nice time.

Who doesn’t love nutcrackers?

This is a picture from a previous December at Fratello’s.  The nutcrackers are still there,  but I did not take a picture this evening.

Always there to see.

Looking in my Media Library, I found a photo of the sign out front.  Nice!

I see that I plug Fratello’s a lot.  It is a great place to eat as well as a great music venue.  But now I am thinking I might find some other places to plug.

He is great!

Of course I plug musicians too.  For example, Phil Arcuri, pictured above, plays other places as well as Fratello’s.  I might like to go to a few of those.

A summer visit to Fratello’s.

In the meantime,  I will continue to enjoy a favorite stop in the Mohawk Valley.

 

 

Congratulations, Renewed and Rescued!

Saturday marked the fifth anniversary for Renewed and Rescued, one of my favorite Herkimer businesses.  Naturally I went down to celebrate with them.

Renewed and Rescued is the anchor store and the founder of Mohawk Community Market, a wonderful vendor market in the old Munger’s Department Store on North Main Street in Herkimer.   They feature a wide variety of items ranging from repurposed vintage furniture to local artisan products and even including some food!

Getting ideas for Christmas!

I wrote my congratulations on a poster board they had set up, following my name with “aka Mohawk Valley Girl” but foolishly did not take a picture.  After looking through the room with clothes (I could use a new fabulous outfit), I went on to the food samples.

Good stuff!

I sampled some cheeses and a delicious pumpkin butter while chatting with some of the people who worked there.  They were very friendly and kind.  I was especially fascinated by some flavorings you can add to water.  Personally I drink plain water all day every day and love it, but I was just talking to a co-worker who can’t stand it plain. I will have to recommend these to her.

You could also add them to coffee and other beverages.

I wandered around looking at the other vendors’ wares and on into the basement, which now includes Mungers 1918 Luncheonette.  I mean to go there for lunch one day soon.  That will make for a delicious blog post!

Renewed and Rescued and Mohawk Community Market are located at 124 North Main St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

I Felt Like Some Music!

So I celebrated my return to blogging by missing my Wednesday blog post.  Go figure.  You see, I was feeling better enough to return to my usual Wednesday night thing of going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food.  I was glad I went but so tired afterwards.  I guess I’m still on the mend, as they say (does anybody still say that any more?).

They were great.

The musical talent was Gridley Paige Naked and Scared.  Of course, they were not actually naked, which was a great disappointment for me and my friend Kathy, who joined me.

However, they played some great ’80’s music.  I danced a little when I went up to take the picture.  I tried to post it on Facebook inviting others out, as I like to do, but my phone of Facebook would not cooperate.   I do not know that anybody has ever actually come out as a result of my postings, but some of my friends like to see that I am getting out and supporting local musicians.

Kathy and I shared some garlic bread with mozzarella, and I ordered angel hair pasta with a meatball.  Quite tasty, and now I have leftovers for at least two more meals.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  You can follow them on Facebook to find out who’s playing next.

 

Friends, Music, Why Not on a Wednesday?

Yes, I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort again tonight.  For one reason, it was beastly hot out and I wanted some AC.  For another reason,  one of my favorite local musicians, Phil Arcuri,  was playing.

I still think my phone does not take good pictures.

Of course I took my obligatory shot of Phil playing and posted it in Facebook, inviting all to come down and hear.  I guess this does not reach so many people, since my Facebook privacy settings are high (at least so I think they are). Still, one does what one can,

My work friend, Kathy, joined me.  We had a nice visit and shared some garlic bread with Mozzarella cheese.  Yum!

Recent photo that is still apropos.

Bartender Gino took very good care of us.  The picture is from Sunday,  but I suppose nobody will mind me stretching a point.

We had a wonderful time, eating, listening to music, and visiting.  Sometimes I wonder if I really ought to be running around so many nights, but then I think to myself, “Why not?” What is the point of life if not to have fun time with friends?   I suppose some people can cone up with a better point.  If so, please make a comment.  I will address it in a future blog post.

 

 

No Music, But Food and Fun!

After enjoying Brookwood Summer Market on Sunday, my friend Kim and I were hungry so went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for a snack.  We brought the bouquets we had purchased at the market.  The bartender nicely gave us cups to put them in.

The obligatory shot of me toasting.

As you can see, I got myself a pair of fingerless gloves from Herkimer Handknits.  It is the second pair for me, but I have yet to get a good picture of the first pair (preview of coming attractions).

This is Kim toasting her bouquet.

Kim did not purchase gloves but instead found this gorgeous bracelet.  I may have to borrow it sometime.

Isn’t she cute?

Here is our excellent bartender.   I asked her name but foolishly did not write it down.

And of course Gino was there.

As long as I was getting pictures, I snapped one of Gino.

Kim and I enjoyed calamari, French fries, and chicken wings.  She also got a wrap sandwich but only ate a bite or so.  She took the rest home to enjoy later.  I brought home a few chicken wings myself (and have already eaten them).

While we were there, I asked about upcoming musical entertainment.  Phil Arcuri will be there Wednesday (that’s tomorrow!) And the Playin’ Again Band will be there Friday.  Can I go to Fratello’s three times in one week?  It could happen!

 

Yummy at Yetty’s!

About mid day today (Saturday) I was faced with a decision:  either go to the store ANF purchase groceries or go out to lunch.  I think you can guess which I chose.

I walked to Yetty’s Pizzeria and Pasta in Herkimer, because I needed the exercise.  I am taking a break from running but wish to continue walking.  It did not take me long to realize that it was much hotter than it was last Saturday.  Oh dear.  Never mind, I told myself.  Get to the air conditioning!

Soon I was sitting at the bar, sipping ice water and waiting for a Muffaleto sandwich.  Kim’s and my favorite bartender, Piel, was on duty.  I was only sorry Kim wasn’t there.

We love Piel!

When I wasn’t chatting with Piel, I worked on a letter to a friend.  Eventually I ordered a glass of Chardonnay to go with my sandwich.  After all, I wasn’t driving!

Such a flattering sign!

I was quite taken with the Specials board.  I quite agree with the sentiment:  it is all about the people!  I enjoyed hanging with Piel, and it will be even better when Kim and other friends can join me!

Another fun view at Yetty’s.

I took another picture as I sat there, enjoying my sandwich and the air conditioning.  It was a very enjoyable lunch, and I took leftovers home to enjoy tomorrow.

Yetty’s is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-4201.  They are open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

 

Wednesday, What Else?

I really thought about not going to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food this Wednesday night (tonight).  I was going to stay home, behave myself, maybe get a few things done.   Then of course I talked myself into going out.  For one reason, Matt Grainger was playing.  At least I tried to behave myself while I was there.

Picture from a previous night.

None of the pictures I took came out, so I resort to my Media Library.   I took the obligatory shot with my phone to post on Facebook inviting others to come out.  My current phone takes terrible pictures.  That is what I get for cheaping out.

My friend Kathy joined me.  We enjoyed garlic bread with mozzarella cheese.  We chatted and enjoyed the music.  We both also ordered Buffalo Chicken Salads, which we intend to enjoy for lunch tomorrow.

He is fine, yes!

I searched my Media Library for another picture, because I do not have a whole lot else to tell about the evening.  I did not make notes about any of the songs he played, and nothing of note really happened.

However, it was an enjoyable evening.  I was glad I went, and I will enjoy having salad for my lunch tomorrow and Friday.  I also have a little leftover garlic bread to enjoy!