Toro Korean and Japanese Dining
in Fishkill

Thursday night dinner at Toro in Fishkill. Friends recommended this place. We enjoyed the Korean more than the Japanese. Great sake list! Will be back for sake and cooked small plates.

We like sharing our restaurant discoveries, hope you like reading them. But I am so done with food pictures! Taking them and posting them. So you won’t be seeing them here anymore. I leave that to the pros.

Also we are adopting a simple restaurant rating scale. Three levels. Definitely going back soon, will go back, wont be going back. Now since we have dozens of places to try the return trip may take awhile, but you get the idea. Toro fell into category two. Continue reading Toro Korean and Japanese Dining
in Fishkill

It’s Spring, Drink Pink

Or salmon, coral, peach, just make sure it is a Rosé.

It can be a rosado from Portugal or Spanish or a rosato as it is called in Italy, but for spring drinking, all summer long for that matter rosés are a great choice.

Sipped this fabulous wine from Domaine de Sulauze in Aix en Provence called Pomponette, perfect with a simple salad. A little more flavor and nose than a white, but the real show is the color! Continue reading It’s Spring, Drink Pink

Cocktail of the Week – “Classic Negroni” at Gleason’s Peekskill

We have enjoyed Gleason’s in Peekskill for lunch and dinner and will get around to writing about that.

Today we would like to applaud the fabulous cocktails they are known for. In particular this classic Negroni. The star of this drink is the Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin, that really makes the cocktail. That and the bartenders skill, slipshod bar work can ruin a drink, here they craft their cocktails well. The rest of the ingredients are pretty standard. Continue reading Cocktail of the Week – “Classic Negroni” at Gleason’s Peekskill

Local Weekend Fun – May 2nd – 3rd

Lots of exciting things happening this weekend as spring really stars to kick in.

We are really just covering the Lower and Mid Hudson Valley so far, hope to expand our listings in the coming months.

The 2015 Hudson Valley Fair begins today and continues for the next three weekends, at the Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY. There is a carnival midway with rides and games, and live entertainment, exciting thrill showsa full petting zoo, fire works and much more! Of course there is lots of food and drink to enjoy Continue reading Local Weekend Fun – May 2nd – 3rd

Lettie Teague Inspires Me Again

Wine in Words: Notes for Better Drinking

If you have any interest in wine you’ve no doubt read Lettie Teague. While she was with Food and Wine Magazine, or in her current columns for the Wall Street Journal. Her insightful observations on how wine plays in life inspired me to write about wine. Which meant drinking more too! Continue reading Lettie Teague Inspires Me Again

A Fanciful Visit to Benmarl Winery Marlboro NY

As I drove higher and higher on the tiny road to Benmarl, I felt more and more like I had somehow been transported to Italy. Yet, I was still in New York and about to have the pleasure of meeting Matthew Spaccarelli and his father Victor owners of Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, NY.

Benmarl wines have enjoyed the favorable focus of wine writers and critics for some time. I think the wines here are reaching a whole new level as Matt has gained the knowledge and confidence to try new techniques. We loved what we tasted.

Read our full article at New York Cork Report, Benmarl Winery, Very Ready for the Next Ten Years

Continue reading A Fanciful Visit to Benmarl Winery Marlboro NY

The Many Cultures of the Hudson Valley – Celebrating ANZAC Day

One of the many things we love about the Hudson Valley is the deep diversity of cultures here.

This Monday morning we gathered with our friends David and Cathy Lilburne and other noted Hudson Valley citizens with roots in Australia or New Zealand to share words and pay tributes to brave soldiers and observe ANZAC Day, the national day of remembrance that commemorates the sacrifice and contributions of all Australians and New Zealanders who have served in the military.

Our group was small but the emotions ran large. Each of us had a story to tell of family members who served. My father was was stationed in New Guinea with the U.S. Army during World War II, part of the U.S. Pacific Campaign.

Moments like this give rise to a wonderful sad gratefulness for all we have today.

Continue reading The Many Cultures of the Hudson Valley – Celebrating ANZAC Day

Finally Found a Thai Place We Really Like – Golden Buddha in Fishkill

Our friend Joanne told me this place was great, then terrible, now she heard it is great again, new ownership since August. We decided to give it a try.

I used to try and do real restaurant reviews and such, but it is all so subjective, so I stopped. I guess the bottom line is that we were happy enough with Golden Buddha that we are looking forward to going back. There are a few reasons.

The staff here are nice, genuinely interested and the food was very good, we had just sampling of some basics. Is that enough? No it’s not. There are lot of interesting dishes on the menu, beyond the typical Thai fare, we want to try. The wine list is well considered. I will tell you why. Lastly the dinning room is appealing with a calming modern ambiance.

Continue reading Finally Found a Thai Place We Really Like – Golden Buddha in Fishkill

What a Difference a Month Makes at Stonecrop Garden Cold Spring

We went back to explore Stonecrop yesterday. What a difference, a month ago it was a cold and icy place. The spring flowers have begun to sprout and bloom in abundance, such beauty as we walked about the grounds, so many spots to sit, gaze and meditate. More Pictures below…

Continue reading What a Difference a Month Makes at Stonecrop Garden Cold Spring

Cocktail of the Week, I’ve Been Saving This One For You

Called “Hudson Valley Pleasure”

You may have noticed, we are off booze this week, doing a spring cleanse, it is great. Feeling like a million bucks! But, no new cocktail this week. Luckily, I’ve been saving one for you.

I created this special Negroni, it is #50 on our 100 Negronis Blog, to celebrate the warm weather and a milestone on the blog. We are actually up to 68 there. It is a celebratory drink finished off with Michele Chiarlo Nivole Sparkling Moscato.

So here is Negroni #50! “Hudson Valley Pleasure”

Continue reading Cocktail of the Week, I’ve Been Saving This One For You