Tag Archives: dining out

Good Tuesday Dinner

Posted on February 19, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

Yesterday was Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday as I like to call it. I know, for me every Tuesday is Fat Tuesday, and every other day as well. Leave me alone, I’m working on it (was it a Freudian typo that I first put “forking on it”?). Anyways, the day was wearing on, and I thought I would like to do something fat. Like go out to eat. After considering every possible place I could get to, I decided on the Paradise Eatery.

As soon as I walked in, I knew I had made the right decision, as the waitress gave me a big smile and welcomed me. Soon I was sitting down and looking at a menu. My eye immediately fell on Cheeseburger, and my body said, “Yes!” It was a rare moment of decisiveness for me. I had asked for a glass of water to start with but later requested a cup of coffee as well. It was very good coffee.

The Cheeseburger was everything I had hoped for, and it came with fries which were perfectly done. I chatted a little with the waitress, who has helped me before when I have eaten there. I told her how her big smile had made my day.

Picture taken at a different time.

When looking for a picture, I remembered my original post about Paradise Eatery was “Bad Pictures, Good Eatery.” I guess I need to get some better pictures. An excellent excuse for another meal at Paradise Eatery!

Paradise Eatery is located at 122 W. Albany St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-219-5149.

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Posted in humor, local business, personal and tagged blog post, blogging, cheeseburger, dining out, Fat Tuesday, food, herkimer ny, Mardi Gras, Paradise Eatery, restaurant. Bookmark the permalink.

I Yetty While I Still Can

Posted on February 8, 2026 by mohawkvalleygirl

The For Sale sign on Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer, NY tells us a great place to eat might not be with us much longer. Of course, Yetty’s fans hope somebody will purchase the property and continue the restaurant. In the meantime, I was happy to see they were still open and serving on Friday, because I was hungry.

He looks so jolly.

I took that picture on a previous visit. I did not take any yesterday, because I did not think of it. It took me some time to peruse the menu, because I did not know what I wanted. Pasta? Pizza? At last I decided on a Black and White Burger. Black and White refers to the sauce. It came with fries, and I asked for ranch dressing to dip them in.

They always treat me special!

The special board probably says something different now, but I did not notice. I really must start paying more attention to these things. In any case, my food was delicious, and I took leftovers home. I love leftovers!

I do enjoy eating out, and I especially love a local eatery. When it is walking distance from my house, Score!

Yetty’s is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY. Their website is yettys.com. Go eat there while you can!

It Was Yummy at Yetty’s

Posted on December 23, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

I was sorry to see a For Sale sign on Yetty’s in Herkimer, one of my go-to restaurants. However, they are still open currently, so I stopped by for an early dinner the other day. I enjoyed the Christmas decor.

Nutcrackers! Like my husband used to collect!

I got a Muffuletta sandwich. Do you need to say “sandwich” or is that implied by muffuletta? Fine foodie I am! But I know it is yummy! I had leftovers, which did not last long.

Everybody has the Christmas spirit!

My picture of the fish with the Santa hat came out blurry, but I am unlikely to get down there again and take a better one before the New Year. Then again, one never knows. I also have a craving for pizza, and Yetty’s pizza is delicious. If you get it with sausage, the sausage is a whole layer on top of the crust. I get hungry just thinking about it. Then there is pasta, salads, subs, appetizers, and more. So much food. So little time.

I do not know how long Yetty’s will remain open. It could be somebody will purchase the restaurant and keep it going. In the meantime, I hope to eat there again. Of course now that I think about “so much food, so little time,” I am thinking of all the other great restaurants in the Mohawk Valley. Oh dear. What a dilemma.

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

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A Delightful Dinner

Posted on September 25, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Today I found myself in Little Falls around dinner time and decided to check out Trattoria Giorgio’s. It is in the space previously known as Ruggiero’s Trattoria, which I always liked. I found that it is still a delightful place to eat.

I guess it’s also known as a Tap and Tavern.

I took a seat at the bar and perused the menu. I wanted to get a glass of wine with my meal but would not know what to drink till I decided what to eat. I went with one of the specials: a grilled chicken BLT. I thought it would pair well with Chardonnay. I don’t really know a lot about wine pairings, but I know in general white goes with chicken.

While I waited for my food I worked on a letter to my sister Diane and chatted with the bartender and other patrons. The bar is in a U shape, which is handy for conversation.

My sandwich was delicious. As usual, I cut it in half and took half home with me. It came with chips, but I figured the chips wouldn’t travel well in the same box with the sandwich. They were not the homemade kind anyways. But I kept nibbling on them while I finished my drink.

I was in Little Falls to attend a meeting of the Flash Fiction group at Little Falls Public Library (preview of coming attractions). If I make that a regular Wednesday thing, I may make dinner out a regular Wednesday thing too. There are a few more places along Main Street in Little Falls I would like to eat at (another preview of coming attractions!). But I will make Giorgio’s a regular stop.

Giorgio’s is located at 546 E. Main St., Little Falls, NY, phone number 315-823-1414.

Lots of Cars at Dave’s!

Posted on August 15, 2025 by mohawkvalleygirl

Tuesday I went to one of the last Cruise-Ins at Dave’s Diner in Schuyler. Dave’s is closing as of Sept. 1, to the dismay of many, but, hey, folks are allowed to retire! My late, beloved husband, Steve, and I used to stop there on our way to Rome or Utica, usually for a great breakfast, although their lunches were splendid as well. Tuesday I had a delicious burger before walking outside to enjoy the cars.

Yes, they stretched for a long line!

I later found out that trophy was the People’s Choice from the first year Dave had the Cruise-In 25 years ago. The winner has returned to proudly display the trophy every year since.

I LOVE classic cars!

Yes, there were two long rows of cars.

I walked up and down the rows of cars a few times, because more kept arriving. A couple of the owners said if it had not been so hot, more cars may have shown up.

Back when cars had style!

If I had a car this cool, I would take Bonita for a ride.

A couple of cars had cool passengers. After getting a shot of the skeleton, I noticed Chucky.

“I’m Chucky, wanna play?”

Then I said, “Oh, you have Tiffany too!” The lady said, “Of course!” Of course I took another picture.

The couple that slays together, stays together!

I’m not really a huge fan of the slasher flicks, but my husband and I rented the original Chucky movie (Child’s Play) (on video; that’s how old that is!) and were entertained by it. Years later I saw Bride of Chucky in a theatre (it may have been second-run) and urged it on Steve. I just love that Jennifer Tilly! But I digress.

Two more Tuesdays remain for Dave’s Cruise-In, and two more weeks to get a good meal at Dave’s Diner, 2251 State Rt. 5, Utica, NY, phone number 315-735-4332.

A Little More Stone Soup, Please

Recently I went for another meal at Stone Soup in Herkimer, NY, so I could sit inside instead of in the beer garden. I took a few pictures to use in a blog post.

Elegant dining surroundings.

I am well used to dining alone; I’ve done it for years, even before I was a widow, but looking at the dining room, I thought it would be very nice to sit at a table with a few friends. I’ll have to arrange that sometime.

I do love a tall table.

Or I could sit with one friend at a tall table. I SO miss my bestie, Kim, who moved to Colorado!

Where I sat.

Instead I sat at the bar, which I also like to do. I ordered the Alex Smash Burger, which is what I had before. I feel I should branch out and try other menu options, but that smash burger is just so good! I love the homemade chips that come with it, too.

My view from where I sat.

It might be a good idea if I stopped eating out so much, so I can cut down on calories and save a little money. But then again, it makes for such good blog posts, and I do love to support a local business!

Stone Soup American Bistro and Beer Garden is located at 148 N. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-219-5045. You can find them on Facebook.

Stone Soup? Yes, Please!

Friday I checked out the newest restaurant in Herkimer, NY, Stone Soup American Bistro and Beer Garden. I had heard from friends that it was a good place to eat, and the outdoor seating area was lovely. It took me a couple of tries to be hungry at a time they were open, but then I had a great meal!

I especially like the lettering!

I had been watching with interest the work being done on the empty storefront. As soon as they had a Facebook presence, I followed that. The name was inspired by the children’s story “Stone Soup.” The lettering on the sign comes from different locations across the country.

It can seat up to 50 outdoors.

I opted to sit out back, in the beer garden. I was early, so tables were not filled. I ordered a smash burger with homemade chips. I am a sucker for homemade chips!

Where I was sitting.

This would be a great place for a group of friends to meet. I must gather a group of mine soon! In the meantime, perhaps I will go there for lunch and get a picture of the indoor seating. And sample more of the menu, of course.

Stone Soup American Bistro and Beer Garden is located at 148 Main St., Herkimer, NY. You can check their Facebook page for menu and hours.

Family, Food and Fun at Asteroga

Wednesday night I walked down to Asteroga Ale House in Herkimer, NY, to meet some members of my family for dinner. It was half price burger night. I got there a little early so sat at the bar and sipped a glass of wine while I waited. My sister Cheryl and my parents soon showed up, and we sat at a table. We were joined by Cheryl’s daughter Kimi, Kimi’s boyfriend, Matt, and his daughter Athena. We were a merry group, having a lot of laughs while we enjoyed our meal.

Kimi and Athena.

I had a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and red onion, well done. Athena had the same but no tomato, and added waffle fries to hers. Mine came with homemade chips and a pickle. Athena is particularly partial to pickles, as am I. Kimi opted for a Reuben and regular fries.

Athena and Matt.

I forget what kind of burger Matt got, but it had an onion ring on top. Cheryl got the bacon-mushroom-Swiss burger. That sounded yummy. Mom got the same, and Dad got an Italian burger.

Mom and Dad.

I did not take any pictures of the food. Quite frankly, I was too interested in eating it. My dining companions graciously agreed to have their pictures taken for the blog.

Cheryl and Kimi.

I took half my burger and some of the chips home, for future enjoyment. It started to rain when I walked home. I often say, I ain’t sugar; I won’t melt. Lately, however, I begin to wonder: would I melt like the Wicked Witch of the West? At least this time I survived to make the blog post.

Just Time for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post

I am up later on a Sunday than I usually am, because I like to go to bed early on a Sunday, but I thought I might just make a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post before turning in.

One reason I am up later is that I met two long-time friends (tactless to say old friends, but we ain’t none of us very young) for dinner at Carmella’s in New Hartford, NY. Carmella’s was doing such a booming business, I hardly think they need a plug from Mohawk Valley Girl, but there it is nonetheless.

They are the best!

I had a great meal and a great time visiting with two friends who I met through my late, dearly missed husband Steve.

It was in fact, the second night in a row for me dining out. Last night my bestie, Kim, and I had a great meal at Yetty’s in Herkimer. I declared the bartender, Piel, my new favorite person. He graciously agreed to a photograph.

Isn’t he the cutest?

I gotta say, I love being older, because I can enjoy these young people and say so without their thinking I am coming on to them. I can just be everybody’s Aunt Cindy.

Oh goody, that is over 200 words. Sufficient for a Wrist to Forehead Sunday Post. Time to worry about going to work tomorrow. Or not. That is, not worry. I plan to go to work.

Back off, Creature! I have a few more hours left!

Are Wednesdays a Thing Again?

After deciding last week that I was going to stay home every night this week, I decided to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for food and music, as I used to do almost every Wednesday. A quick check of their Facebook page told me Justin Smithson was playing acoustic guitar.

He is an excellent musician.

As I walked in, I was greeted by Geno the bartender and Justin Smithson himself. I ordered a garlic pizza with sausage and mushrooms. It was one of Steven’s favorite things to order. I was sipping some Chardonnay, also a favorite of his. The music started shortly.

I was loving it right away. Justin started with a beautiful James Taylor song. Then I dissolved into embarrassing tears as he got to the chorus: “But I always thought that I’d see you again.” This is what happens. Every day I realize I will never see my husband Steve again. However, I must try not to make a spectacle of myself.

This one turned out a little dark.

Justin moved on to play a variety of tunes. At one point he asked for requests, and a man said, “Cat Stevens!” Justin played “Wild World,” which is a song that plays in my head when I am running and go by a WildWood camper.

“Made my night!” said the requestor when the song was done.

I greatly enjoyed hearing the music. I will be back at Fratello’s again soon!

Mohawk Valley Girl