Tag Archives: restaurant

Oh, the Avocado!

This morning I did not want to get out of bed.  I was so comfy and sleepy, I wanted to doze for at least another hour!  Isn’t that always the way it is?  I was wide awake at three.  If I had no place in particular to go, I would have been up and at ’em by five, six at the latest.  Because it was the day for breakfast with my Elks friends, my treacherous body wanted to sleep.  I suppose this is of less interest to my readers than the cafe where we enjoyed breakfast, though, so I will cut to the chase: Castlewood Cafe in New Hartford, NY.

It is perhaps not a castle, but there is a lot of wood.

I knew it was across the street from Sangertown Square mall, and I worked for almost seven miserable years at said mall (the less said about that the better), so I felt I certainly knew how to get there.  Several different ways, as a matter of fact.  Of course I haven’t worked there since 2011 and rarely shopped there, so the different ways of getting there are pretty much all mixed up in my head, so it was perhaps not as smooth a drive as I envisioned.  However, the road I picked did come out where I thought it did, and for once I did not drive right by the place and have to back track.  Yay me!

Not as good a picture, but I wanted to break up the prose.

My sister Cheryl has eaten there and said they sometimes have stuffed French toast as a special.  Yummy!  Sure enough, they had three different kinds on special, and a few more in the regular menu. Hitch got the pumpkin-stuffed kind and said it was delicious.  I was my usual indecisive self.  I had just about decided on Crepes Florentine, having only recently discovered crepes, but then Bonnie ordered an egg sandwich on Focaccia bread with avocado, hard-cooked egg, tomato, cheese and red onion.

“Oh yeah, that!  I’m totally getting that!”  I said.  My friends laughed at me for my sudden change of mind, but they laughed in a nice way.

It was a delicious meal, accompanied by Paul de Lima coffee, which I particularly like.  I also got the chance to give Michele the duck I had gotten for her last Thursday (perhaps you read my blog post about it).

Castlewood Cafe is located at 8548 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, NY.

 

Another Good Breakfast

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.

 

Tip Top Breakfast at Top of the Morning

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.

 

Return to Yetty’s

Yesterday, feeling hungry and remembering how much I love restaurant leftovers, I made my way to Yetty’s in Herkimer.  I ordered a Muffaletta, a marvelous sandwich olives and cold meat on a delightful bun.  I can only eat a quarter of it, leaving three more quarters for my future dining pleasure.

 

Hi, buddy!

Of course I was happy to see the actual Yeti looking down on us diners, of which there were not many, since I was late for lunch and early for dinner.  I had forgotten the pictures I took of him the last time I was there are somewhat blurry.  That will be my excuse for another stop at Yetty’s!

My other excuse is to try another of their delicious desserts.  I had not tried any before but ventured on a piece of carrot cake.  It was yummy!  And huge.  I could not finish it and left the restaurant completely stuffed.

Today I am going to attempt a trip to Hannaford, to purchase some regular food.  Previous to this, my sister Cheryl and my parents have brought me some provisions.  However, I like to take responsibility for my own nutrition.  I was going to use Hannaford To Go but I really want to get a puzzle book with anacrostic puzzles, and you really need to look those over in person. I hope my leg holds out.

Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer is located at 109 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.  They are currently open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Sunday.

 

An Excellent Dinner

Last night I was hungry as well as wanting to get out of the house, so I went to Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Herkimer, NY.  I was not disappointed!

One of my go-to places!

It was right around four when I got there, so I had my choice of places to sit.  I ordered broiled haddock with a side of pasta, then got an antipasto salad to take with me, thus ensuring a few meals in the coming days.  I also took some of the fish and pasta home, so I am set!

My waitress was one of my fellow actresses from Ilion Little Theatre, so that was nice.  We were able to enjoy a little chat, although more diners arrived after me, so she was a little busy.  I really miss my theatre friends.  I must make my way back to ILT soon.  I think I saw something about auditions in the coming weeks.  I wonder if there are any parts for actors on crutches (preview of coming events).

As I ate, I enjoyed the music: classic rock from the ’70s and ’80s.  Yes, they are “oldies” now, but so am I.  I embrace it.  I only wish my body had waited till after the Boilermaker 15K to give out as it has, but let me not hark back to my foolish problems.

Salvatore’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is located at 650 1/2 German St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-866-2600.  They do a booming take-out business as well as offering a full-service sit-down dining experience.

 

Don’t Look Now, But…

Thursday I gimped my way to Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer, NY.  I sat at a table instead of the bar as I usually do.  Partway through my chicken sandwich (Yum, by the way), I saw that we were being watched.

An excellent vantage point.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at seeing a Yeti at Yetty’s.  I thought it was delightful and wondered why I hadn’t noticed it before. No doubt because my back is too him at the bar.  How rude of me.

I zoomed in.

My close-up turned out kind of blurry.  That means I have an excellent excuse to return to Yetty’s soon. 

Yetty’s is open Thursday through Sunday, and they are still open, despite the For Sale sign out front.  If you are in Herkimer and are hungry, I suggest you stop in!

Thank You, Nonna Maria!

I had been craving a wood-fired pizza for some time.  I also had been wanting to try Nonna Marie Wood Fired Oven at Stone Mill, which I had heard raves about.  How perfect, then, that my way home from Canajoharie, NY on Friday (perhaps you read my blog post about the Shakespeare thing), took me right by Little Falls!  A couple of turns, and there I was, ready to partake.

I should have gotten a shot of the sign outside. Silly me.

I ordered the Vegetarian, with cherry tomatoes, roasted peppers, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella, and basil.  I got it to go, since by then I did not have far to, you know, go.

Looks like a place for a couple to sit for a photo op.

I did not have long to wait, but long enough to notice a picture on the counter advertising a sandwich that looked really good.  I told the workers I would need to come back to try it.

Here’s a clearer picture.

I will probably have to make multiple trips, because there are a few other pizzas on the menu I would like to try as well.  Luckily, Little Falls is one of Mohawk Valley Girls favorite destinations.

Nonna Maria’s is located at 410 Canal Place, Little Falls, NY.

 

For Pete’s Sake!

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.

 

A Little Help Waking Up

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.

 

Yetty’s Is Still Here!

I saw a Facebook post from Yetty’s Pizza and Pasta of Herkimer, NY asking people not to listen to rumors: Yetty’s is still open.  There is a For Sale sign posted in front of the restaurant, but it is open while the owner tries to sell it.  It was good news to me that Yetty’s is still there, because they are open on Sunday.  I went down yesterday and enjoyed a good dinner.

I like the hair band making a skirt on the one Yetty.

I am a big fan of their pizza and the Muffaletta Sandwich, but I was in the mood for pasta.  I got the Ziti Bianco, a vegetarian dish.  It was yummy, and I had leftovers to take home.  I love restaurant leftovers.

While I ate, I noticed the goose dressed for St. Patrick’s Day.  Why I have not included the goose in previous blog posts about Yetty’s, I do not know.

Gotta get me an outfit like that.

I will return to Yetty’s as long as they are open. I only hope that when the place finally sells, the new owner keeps up the tradition of delicious food.

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