Tag Archives: food

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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!

 

Friends at Fratello’s

I feel sure regular readers expected me to go to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music and food as I often do on a Wednesday.  Indeed I did and I had a wonderful time.

They were still setting up when I made my obligatory Facebook post inviting others to join us.

Perhaps not as good a picture as I had hoped, but one must make do.

My work friend Kathy joined me.  We sat at the bar and ordered food and drinks.  These things are always more fun with a friend.  I introduced her to my nephew-in-law, Matt, who was there with some of his family.

Speaking of friends, musician Justin Smithson, who I have heard and enjoyed before, was joined by two friends, Dave Hawthorn and Steve Webb.  They were excellent.

They were great!

The first picture was taken with my phone.  Later I took a couple with my Tablet.

A different angle.

I bumped into another patron while taking the second picture.  She was very nice about it.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  They have music other days as well.  I may have to eat out more often.  For one reason, it makes a good blog post.  Or do I flatter myself?

 

And Wednesday Is Still A Thing

Yes, I went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort for music and food again on Wednesday even after I went on Monday.  In my defemse, Phil Arcuri!  In my further defense, a work friend has been wanting to join me on a Wednesday at Fratello’s.  I ran into her this morning at work (we do not always see each other).  It seemed a propitious concantenation of circumstances.

Unfortunately I did not take many pictures while I was there.  I took the obligatory shot with my phone to post on Facebook to invite others out to the scene.  My new phone does not take very good pictures.  I feel a blurry picture is fine for a Facebook invite but not so good for a blog post.

Different night, same great Phil.

I searched my Media Library for a picture of Phil Arcuri and found this one. I was happy to introduce my friend Kathy to one of my favorite local musicians.  She was soon a fan.

I often mention how much fun it is to watch Phil play because he is clearly having so much fun.  Today he had a couple of background singers.  A little boy got up and asked for “Sha la la.”  Phil was happy to sing “Brown Eyed Girl.” The boy was soon joined by a friend, and they danced and sang along.  So cute!  I wish I had gotten a picture.

So I had another great time at Fratello’s.  I may stay quietly home tonight, but no promises.