Tag Archives: breakfast out

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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Potato Pancakes for Breakfast at Boulevard

Posted on March 21, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

My group of friends that meets weekly for breakfast decided on Boulevard Diner in Whitesboro, NY this week.  I had been there once a long time ago, and I know it has a very good reputation, to I was happy to go there. I knew right where it was, too.  No problemo!

Of course, just because I know where it is does not mean I know how to get there.  In my defense, things  can get a little confusing in the greater Utica area.  It was 2011 when I stopped driving in that area on an almost daily basis.  Also, I have a terrible sense of direction in addition to not reliably knowing my right from my left (that’s a thing, you know, it’s not just me).

Cool clock.

My friends were already there when I found the place but had not ordered yet.  I had no idea what I wanted but found several tempting items on the menu.  I ordered last, which turned out to be a good thing.  Bonnie, who ordered just before me, got Potato Pancakes.  Potato Pancakes!  I didn’t see that, and I don’t remember ever seeing it on a breakfast menu.  I got that, too.  They were delicious.

Before we left, I had to try to win a duck out of the claw machine.  My late, dearly missed husband Steve was really into those machines, so I give them a try once in a while in his memory.  I put two quarters in, realized it needed a dollar, could not find two more quarters. I went back to the table where Michelle nicely gave me two quarters.  I won a duck!

I didn’t have a striped one!

I told Michelle the duck was half hers, but I took it home.  I think she was as pleased as I was that I won it.  Later that day I found I did so have two more quarters, so returned her investment.  Maybe the next time I win a duck in a machine, I will give it to Michelle.

The Boulevard Diner is located at 24 Roosevelt Dr., Whitesboro, NY.

 

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I Get Adventurous with my Coffee

Posted on February 27, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

A lot of my Mohawk Valley Adventures involve food.  Well, I like to eat; I may have mentioned that my weight-loss goals are more like daydreams.  Never mind that.  It is also important to me to be sociable. I meet a group of my Elks friends every Thursday for breakfast at various area restaurants and diners.  This morning we went to the Java Shop in Herkimer.

At least you can read “Java.”

Oh dear, I knew I should have tried for a better picture.  In my defense, it was snowing this morning.  I have been to the Java Shop several times and am a great fan of their breakfast sandwiches.  I usually get regular coffee but decided to mix it up this morning with something cold and fancy.  I got a Delgano, which is whipped coffee with milk on the bottom.  SO silly of me not to get a picture of it!  I guess it is an excuse to return to the Java Shop soon.  I also got a breakfast sandwich with ham, egg and cheese on a roll.

Full breakfasts are also available. One friend got an omelet while another got eggs and toast.  The home fries looked delicious.  I noticed the shop does a booming take-out business, especially for the coffees.  There are a lot of options available, for coffee and for food. I greatly enjoyed my breakfast.  I only hope to remember to take more pictures the next time I am there.

The Java Shop by Cucino Berto is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer NY, phone number 315-717-7724.

 

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A Breakfast Bribe

Posted on January 11, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

I have been putting off going grocery shopping for too long.  This is something I have been prone to for the last couple of years (yes, since my widowhood).  This morning I had the bright idea to go out to breakfast (because there was little food in the house and no breakfast food) then shopping.  Sort of a bribe in advance.  Accordingly, I headed to the Hometown Diner in Mohawk, NY.

I have been there several times and enjoyed it quite a bit.  Today I went for one of my favorites: a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin with sausage, egg and cheese.  I worked on a letter to my friend Kim while I waited for it.  I did not have long to wait, which was just as well, because I did not have much to say in the letter.

As I got up to go to the rest room, I noticed the Valentine’s Day decorations.  Nice!  I had noticed some sparkly red earlier but thought it was left from Christmas. I congratulated the staff for being so up to date.

Not the ones I thought were left over from Christmas.

Naturally I took a couple of pictures for blog post purposes.  It was a delicious breakfast, but it kind of backfired on me.  When I got to the supermarket, I was still full, so none of the food looked particularly appetizing.  The usual advice of  “Don’t shop on an empty stomach” does not work for me.  However, I did manage to purchase a few things, including some toaster waffles and a dozen eggs.  At least breakfast is set!  Then again, breakfast out is always nice.

Had to get a close-up of this cute guy!

The Hometown Diner is located at 150 W. Main St., Mohawk, NY, phone number 315-927-4149.

 

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I Hop to the Java Shop

Posted on March 12, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I went to the Java Shop a few times when it was on Main Street in Herkimer, NY and liked it but had not yet visited their new digs on Mohawk Street.  I finally corrected the omission yesterday.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

I confess one reason I had not visited yet is that there is only street parking, and I am not good at finding a parking space.  Of course this was the case on Main Street too, but I find parking easier on Main Street than Mohawk.  I guess that’s just me.  Also, the Main Street location was easier walking distance from my house.  I can still walk to Mohawk Street, but it is farther and I have to cross Route 5.  I know, the trials and tribulations of being me.  Some of you are probably playing miniature violins or whistling, “It’s a Hard Knock Life” (you know who you are).

No gumballs in the gumball machine, but I like it.

I ordered an egg sandwich on an English muffin and after some debate decided on regular coffee.  I was going to get fancy and try a latte but decided against it at the last minute.

Plenty of seating.

I sat at a table and started a letter to a friend while I waited for my sandwich.  There is a section with couches, which would be nice to sit at if I was only having coffee.  I wanted to take a picture, but with the sun shining in through the windows, I was afraid it would not come out.

I enjoyed my breakfast very much.  The coffee was delicious, but I must return one day to try one of them there lattes.

The Java Shop by Cucina Berto is located at 402 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-717-7724.  You can find them on Facebook.

 

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Not Much Post But Cute Pictures

Posted on January 11, 2023 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was too tired on Tuesday to make even a Tired Tuesday Post.  I would only have whined for 200 words, as I have done in the past.  It is now Wednesday morning.  I did not take my daily walk (can you still call it a daily walk when you miss a day once a week?), but I thought I would try to come up with some semblance of a blog post.

One thing I have is a couple of cute pictures I took at FarmHouse Restaurant in Ilion, NY, when I went there for a breakfast that I neglected to make a blog post about.

It looks like the creamer is talking to the cup.

I actually did not put creamer in my coffee, but it was so cute I had to include it in the picture.   I ordered a breakfast sandwich, which I did not take a picture of (I will end a sentence with a preposition if I decide to).  However, when I finished it,  I noticed the frogs on the plate.  My husband, Steve, collects frogs.  I took a picture so he could be jealous.

So cute!

Who knows, maybe the frog plates will entice Steve to join me for breakfast one day!

FarmHouse Restaurant is located at  9 Central Ave, Ilion, NY, phone number 315-895-0770.  They are open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday,  8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, closed Wednesday.   However,  I noticed on Facebook that they would like to expand their hours, based on staffing.

 

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