Tag Archives: restaurant

Good Breakfast!

This morning I had a good breakfast at the Home Town Diner in Mohawk, NY.  I was meeting some friends and had suggested the place.  We ate there once before and enjoyed it.

It’s a nice place.

I did not take any pictures; this is from when I ate there the first time, by myself.  I love to go out for breakfast.  My favorite thing to order is a breakfast sandwich, which I had this morning:  ham, egg and cheese on an English muffing, yes please!  A couple of my friends had omelets, which looked pretty good.  The hash browns looked tempting, too.  Maybe next time I will ask my friends if I can get a picture of them around the table.  In case any of my blog readers think I am making it up and I really don’t have any friends.

Also from a previous visit.

The last time I was at the Home Town Diner I had waffles with fruit, which was the special that morning.  Yum!  I did not see any breakfast specials on the board, but I know they often have good lunch specials.  Note to self:  go to the Home Town Diner for lunch.

We lingered over coffee, chatting.  It was a very pleasant morning.

The Home Town Diner is located at 150 West Main St., Mohawk, NY, phone number 315-927-4149.  You can follow them on Facebook to hear about their specials.

 

Return to Fratello’s

Wednesday I did something I haven’t in a while:  went to Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY for music an food.  Long-time readers may recall that used to be a regular thing with me.  Why wouldn’t it be? I love music, and I love food!  Additionally, I love supporting local, both restaurants and musicians.  But for one reason and another I have not made it to Fratello’s in a while.  When I saw that Gridley Paige Naked and Scared with Justin Smithson was going to be there, I made plans!

Unfortunately, only one of my pictures turned out.

I keep saying that I will never get over my disappointment that Gridley Paige is not actually naked.  That is the dirty old woman in me.  I question, too, how scared they are, but I do no purport to know anybody else’s emotional state.  I had never heard Justin Smithson play with them before but have heard him solo and like him quite a bit.  He is, as you may know, the Rock’n Roll Mayor of Frankfort.  I should see if the Sentinel wants me to start covering Frankfort Village Board meetings.  I already do the Town ones.

After quite a bit of debate, I decided on a steak and cheese wrap.  Yum!  There are so many excellent choices.  I may have to start going every week again, so I can work my way down the menu.

When I left, the band was bantering with some customers.  I listened for a minute then said, “You guys have to play another song so I can dance my way out!”  They were happy to oblige.  I took my time leaving, dancing back and forth a few times, looking like the crazy old lady I am.  Such a fun time!

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.

 

A Delightful Dinner

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.

 

Not a Powerful Blog Post

Yesterday I was disappointed to lose power about 9:30 in the morning.  I can’t put it stronger than that, because I had already had coffee and breakfast.  An inconvenience, merely, I told myself, and hoped it would not last long.  I wished, of course, that it was not such a gloomy day, because I could have happily sat doing crossword puzzles or reading.  I also wished I had completely charged my phone, but one can’t have everything.

Since I hadn’t gone running, I went for a walk, looking to see if any trees were down.  There were not, but I did not take that long of a walk, because my stomach started to feel upset.  When it settled down, I went outside and worked in the lawn, cutting down my daisies and peonies that were definitely over.

My flowers in better days.

That did not last long, either, because the humidity made it difficult to breathe while exerting myself.  Lots of bending and straightening, which is not easy with the pot belly I am having difficulty losing (kindly do NOT say TMI!).  Eventually I found sitting on my front porch working on a letter to a friend to be an eligible activity.  The light was better than inside the house, and there was an occasional breeze to assist my comfort.

Eventually it was lunch time and I took the lack of power as an excuse to go out to lunch.  Yetty’s had power but no internet, so the television wasn’t on and I had to pay with cash.  I prefer to do that anyways.

The Special board at Yetty’s, taken during a previous visit.

My power was restored by late afternoon.  Once again, I cannot complain. I hear other areas may not be restored till Tuesday at 11:30 p.m. (I’d thinking National Grid said that because it sounded better than just saying Wednesday).  Also Saturday’s storm caused great damage in surrounding areas, including three fatalities.  I personally feel blessed.

 

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.

 

A Little Music is Always Nice

Fratello’s Pizzeria in Frankfort, NY used to be a regular stop for me, but not so much lately.  However, tonight, after attending the Frankfort Town Board Meeting to cover it for Sentinel Media, it was right on my way to stop as I drove home.  I did not know if there would be music, but I thought I could use a little food.  I decided if there was a parking space readily available, I would stop.  There was!  And there was music!

He is very talented.

Ryan Quinn was playing a James Taylor song as I walked in, “Fire and Rain.”  It is kind of an emotional song for me, because of the line, “But I always thought that I’d see you again.”  It makes me think of Steve, my late beloved husband.  I’m not the only one.  At the time of Steve’s passing, at least one friend referenced the song, talking about how hard Steve’s death hit him.  But I don’t mean to bring everybody down.  It is a beautiful song, and Ryan did a great job with it.  However, I was happy when he went on to “Benny and the Jets.”

I ordered a mixed sub as a wrap and a glass of wine.  It was delicious.  I chatted up Tony, who was my favorite Wednesday bartender a few years ago. She was waitressing tonight.  She still has the alpaca pen Steve and I got her at Paca Gardens.  How fun is that?

No keyboard pictures tonight, but he did play it.

Before I left I danced my way into the room where Ryan was playing to take a picture and leave a tip.  “Thank you,” he said, “for your interpretive dance and your tip.”  I thanked him instead for the music.

Fratello’s Pizzeria is located at 158 E. Main St., Frankfort, NY, phone number 315-894-8484.  You can follow them on Facebook to keep updated on their musical entertainment.

 

Bad Pictures, Good Eatery

The other day I checked out the other new restaurant in Herkimer, NY, Paradise Eatery.

Must get a shot of the window without all the reflections!

I had been intrigued for some time by “This must be the place” on the front window.  I heard they had opened and stopped by one afternoon.  At the time I stopped they were only serving smoothies, smoothie bowls, or appetizers.  Appetizers are my favorite, so I looked at them first.  I chose Crab Rangoon.  Ooh, were they good!  They came with soy and boom-boom sauces for dipping.

Oh dear, this isn’t the best picture either.

I could have sat out on the patio but opted for the dining room, which was almost empty at the time.  It was just before the dinner rush.  I appreciate beating the rush.

And this one’s blurry! Damn!

I took a picture of the ceiling on purpose, because it is one of the cool ones you often see around here.  As you see, it is not such a good picture.  I am nobody’s photographer.  However, even with lousy pictures, I can recommend Paradise Eatery.  If the other menu items are as good as the Crab Rangoon, you will be in for a treat!

 

A Yummy Snack

The other day I finally made it to Caffe’ Maya in Herkimer, NY.  It was late afternoon and I was feeling peckish, not ready for dinner but in need of a snack.  I happened to walk by Caffe’ Maya and found it open.  Score! I had an antipasto for one, and it was delicious.

I know, I only should have taken a picture from the outside as well.

It looks like a traditional Italian place with lots to look at.

Maybe too busy of a picture?

Of course, seeing all the cans made me want to cook for myself, which I rarely do these days.  Then again, my stuff probably would not turn out as well.

Not such a good shot with the sun coming in the window, alas.

I did not take a close look at everything hanging on the wall.  Perhaps at another visit.  Of course there must be another visit.  I must try other things than the antipasto!

I did not sit on this inviting bench.

The bench was near the door to the ladies’ room.  I guess you could sit there an wait if it was Occupado.  Oh wait, that’s Spanish.  Silly me.

Caffe’ Maya is located at 208 S. Main St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-574-2236.

 

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.

 

A Shout-out and a Snowman

I thought I could manage a Waste Not Want Not Wednesday Post.  I have a couple of seasonal photos, including a shout-out to a local business.

There’s no place like Yetty’s for the holidays!

Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta is one of my favorite places to stop for a snack, lunch, or dinner.  On a recent visit there, I admired their latest decoration, painted by the owner and chef.  I must do a full post about Yetty’s soon.  That will be a good excuse to treat myself to dinner there again.

I’m sure he or she has melted now.

I got a picture of this snowman on a walk I took on the first of December.  I am not sure if those are teddy bear ears or frog eyes on the head, but I like it.  Most of the snow is gone now, with the rain that has been pounding down all day.  Oh well, at least I don’t have to shovel rain.  I would probably be too lazy to make a snowman anyways.

The sad thing is that I only have two photos to waste not.  Then again, a short blog post is better than no blog post at all.  Once again, I thank you for tuning in.

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