Tag Archives: breakfast out

Breakfasts and Beverage on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday

Posted on August 6, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I thought I would do a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday blog post today.  A quick check of my phone showed I had a few pictures I had not used, so let us see what I can find to say about them.

The road not taken.

I impulsively took this picture outside of Bridge Street Diner in St. Johnsville, NY after breakfast with my Elks Friends one Thursday.  I wish I had zoomed in closer to the hill and bridge. The road is another way I could have taken to go home.  I decided not to that day, because I wanted to make a stop in Dolgeville, which was the other way.  Of course I first turned the wrong direction at the end of the street and went the total wrong way to get to either destination, but I soon righted myself.  This is how I see new sights.

Speaking of breakfast…

Sometimes I fix myself an cheese omelet for breakfast.  The shape of this one struck me as so unusual, I took a picture.  I suppose I only could have cleaned off the coffee table for a better picture, but then the omelet would have gotten cold.  The coffee table is still a disaster, but I am working on it.  Slowly.

I was drinking wine at the time.

When I was at the Herkimer Elks Club after the car show on Saturday, a fellow at the bar ordered what sounded to me like “rum and coke.”  No, no, it was this whiskey, Roe and Co.  The bartender gave me a little taste.  I liked it but not enough to get a serving like the one shown here.  I made a note in my notebook (I never leave the house without at least one notebook) about it, as well as taking this picture.

This puts me over 300 words.  I say, Yes!  I leave the house soon for further Mohawk Valley Adventures.  Or at least a walk to the post office, to mail a letter to a friend.

 

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Another Stop at the Java Shop

Posted on August 5, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I treated myself to a late but excellent breakfast at the Java Shop in Herkimer, NY.  At least, it was late for me.  I had been up since 5:30 (not an unusual time of rising for me), finished my article about the Herkimer Town Board meeting for the Daily Sentinel, and driven out to East Herkimer to take an appropriate picture.  This brought me to almost 9 a.m.  I decided to treat myself, put a little money into the local economy, and give myself something to blog about later.  This is how I multi-task.

I did not take this picture till I left.

I ordered the Drink of the Week, which was Raspberry Cheesecake.  I opted to have it as an iced coffee and, alas, forget what the other options were.  Fine reporter I am!  I had had two cups of regular coffee earlier, as I worked on my article but hoped the ice and extras would fool my stomach into thinking I had not had that much coffee after all.  Dylan, the young man getting my drink, opined that you cannot have too much coffee.  My brain and my soul agree, my stomach not so much.  I also got an Everything Bagel with cream cheese.

As I sat I worked on a letter to a friend, trying to remember if it was The Java Shop or Shoppe.  I always set the scene when I write a letter.  I checked the sign as I left, also taking the picture, which I have neglected to do the last few times I have been at the Java Shop.  My previous picture had some glare on it. I also noticed some outside seating.  Nice!

A place to sit another day.

The Java Shop is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p. m.

 

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Another Good Breakfast

Posted on July 31, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday I met my Elks friends for breakfast at Marr Logg Restaurant in Utica, NY.  We had eaten there before and liked it.  I liked that I knew exactly where it was, having driven by it many times back in my National Guard days.  OK, I didn’t know EXACTLY where it was.  I knew which street it was on and drove slowly till I found it once again.

Bonnie held my leftovers while I took the picture when we left.

I was the first to arrive and staked out a large table.  There was an even bigger table with a Reserved sign on in, but I knew that wasn’t for us.  We never reserve.  For one reason, we are never sure how many of us are going to arrive.  I sat down, got coffee and glanced at the menu.

“I’m happy to see you’re open on Sunday,” I told the waitress.  “I often feel like breakfast on a Sunday and can’t find a place that’s open.”

She encouraged me to come, and said if the parking lot looked full to come in anyways.  “Sometimes eight people are meeting, and they all drive their own cars, so it’s not as busy as it looks.”  I promised to remember.

I was happy to see some friends show up soon, and Bonnie was REALLY happy to see the waitress with the coffee.  So was I, quite frankly.  I had been up since before six and hadn’t had a cuppa.  Of course I was quite indecisive as to what to get.  Everything looked so good!  At last I settled on two eggs over medium, hash browns and Italian toast.  I ended up taking most of the hash browns home. When I saw the omelets others had ordered, I made plans to order one of those next time.  At one point I had to take a picture of the chef I had taken a picture of last time.

A very patriotic fellow.

I remember taking a picture of him the other time we had been there.  I wonder if  I can find it in my Media Library, because I believe he was dressed differently.

There he is!

I love when a restaurant or other business dresses something for the season!  I will certainly suggest returning to Marr Logg in the fall to see what attire the chef spots then.

Marr Logg Restaurant is located at 1130 Culver Ave., Utica, NY.  They are open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and for breakfast only on Sunday.

 

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Tip Top Breakfast at Top of the Morning

Posted on July 17, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I met my Elks friends for breakfast this morning at Top of the Morning Cafe in North Utica, NY.  We had eaten there before, so I was able to refrain from annoying the car behind me by slowing down at every turn looking for Coventry Avenue.  I may have annoyed other cars with other driving behavior; I make no promises when it comes to annoying people.

I remembered to take a picture on the way in.

There were many good menu choices as well as some tempting specials.  I dithered and debated.  Then I went ahead and ordered two eggs over medium with Italian toast.

“That’s it?” Michele said.  I had been looking at some pretty elaborate meals.

“I’ll eat it, and I’ll like it,” I said.  Actually, the eggs were exactly the way I like them, and the toast had plenty of butter, also the way I like it.

I enjoy a simple breakfast sometimes.

I also liked the coffee mugs: what I call a four-finger mug, because the handle is nice and big.  I put pepper on my eggs but no salt.  Lately I have been eating eggs without salt and find I like them just as well.  Who knew?

Bonnie got one of the more elaborate breakfasts. I think it was a meat lovers scramble.  I took a picture for blogging purposes.

It did look tempting!

I may get one of the bigger breakfasts another time and take some home.  For today, I enjoyed what I got.

Top of the Morning Cafe is located at 414 Trenton Rd., Utica, NY.

 

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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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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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I Guess There Was a Race

Posted on May 3, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

There was a little bit of scatter to my Saturday but not enough to make it a Scattered Saturday post.  I got a little silly, so I was going to call this Silly Saturday, but a quick check of past posts showed that I used that headline back in 2012.  I suppose it would be OK to repeat myself after that length of time (it was kind of a dumb post, actually).  Well, let me lead with the silly.

I say it is fabulous and fashionable.

We are supposed to wear fancy hats on Kentucky Derby Day, aren’t we?  This was a hat I have had for some years now.  I found the furry thing earlier Saturday at a rummage sale at a nearby church.  I know, I am supposed to be getting rid of junk at my house, not purchasing more, but I just can’t resist a good rummage sale!  I also found a great pair of shoes for costume purposes, a few pairs of gloves good for running this winter, a bowl for my next Halloween party, the man’s blazer I’m wearing in the picture, and a handy zipper bag.

Yummy place to eat!

Before going to the rummage sale, I had breakfast at Saturday Spreads in Frankfort, NY.  I had an everything bagel with garden toppings, which I had last time I ate there and had been craving ever since.

Attired in my new fancy hat, I did not go to any Kentucky Derby parties or even to Pete’s Tavern, where I could have made a bet on the race.  I did stop by the Elks Lodge so my hat could be seen.  My friends were suitably impressed.

I think I need to start dressing fabulously more often and perhaps with less excuse.  It is fun and at my age, I think such eccentricities are to be encouraged.

 

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For Pete’s Sake!

Posted on May 1, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Thursday morning I met a few of my Elks friends for breakfast at Marr-Logg Restaurant in Utica.  I may have mentioned that a group of us meets every Thursday at various places in the area. We enjoyed a very good breakfast.  I only took one picture, but I think it makes a pretty good story (or perhaps I flatter myself).

I kept looking at a figurine standing up over the counter on the other side of the restaurant.  The lighting was not bright, and I was wearing an older pair of glasses, so I could not see it very well.

“I don’t know what that doll is,” I finally said.

“It’s the chef,” Michele said.

“Oh, that’s its hat, not its head.  Silly me.”  It also had flowers for eyes and was holding a flag.  “I think I have to take a picture for my blog.”  I went across the restaurant to do so, explaining to a waitress who happened to be standing there.

Isn’t he cute?

“He’s all dressed up,” she said.  “His name is Pete.”

“It is not!”  the man behind the counter said indignantly.  I did not ask for the whole story, but I was amused by the man’s indignation.

Marr-Logg Restaurant is located at 1130 Culver Ave., Utica, NY, phone number 315-797-7730.

 

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A Little Help Waking Up

Posted on April 28, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Last week when I was out and about and wanted to treat myself to a late breakfast, I finally went to Saturday Spreads in Frankfort, NY.  I was extremely happy I finally made it there.

I love a good coffee shop!

The cafe is located where the Knight Spot used to be.  They were open only for ice cream for the longest time and finally opened indoor seating.  They have remodeled the inside.  There is less seating than when it was the Knight Spot, but it is charming.  I ordered a coffee and an everything bagel with fancy toppings, then sat at a tall table (regular readers know I have a thing for tall tables).

They serve Utica Coffee, which has the memorable tag line, “Wake the Hell Up!”  Of course I love local, but this is also yummy coffee.  My bagel came with cream cheese, tomato, capers, red onion, and fresh dill.  It had a name but I foolishly did not make a note of it.  All the more reason to return!  The other reason being to try the other bagel toppings or treats they offer, and to drink some more coffee (I often need to wake the hell up).

For those who do not share my thing for tall tables.

Saturday Spreads is located at 264 Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-444-8151.

 

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