Food Talk: Away from the Big Apple; From Farm to Table

When my friend Alan Adelson invited me to his house in the Catskills for dinner to talk about his new documentary film project, we didn't hesitate.    
                                     

  Gallery and Art Studio of Turquoise barn

Thursday night after work on MTA train to Poughkeepsie takes me and my partner to the heart of the Hudson Valley, where we picked up a rental car. For the next three days, we had enjoyed very much being vegan with the abundance of fresh farm grown vegetables to varieties of melons in the rolling hills by the Hudson Valley. 

Weekend Trip: Farm Fresh in November

Fresh produce for dinner in November is always a treat this time of the year.

For my four days off during Thanksgiving, I paid a surprise visit to my friends Mike and Jan Kokas of Upstate Farms two hours away from NYC in Tivoli, NY in the Hudson Valley.  With such fertile rich soil; they have been one of our purveyors for many years. Upstate Farms supplies quality produce to fine restaurants such as Eleven Madison and Daniel NYC.

 

Picking Tokoyo Turnips

Hudson Valley Travels: Route 7, Copake Falls, Ellsworth Hill Orchard, Sebastian Beckwith, Stone Wall Dairy Farm

This weekend, for Mr. Z's birthday, his wish was to hop in a car and get lost with no plans whatsoever. Cruising along Hutchinson Parkway and off on to the winding country Route 7 along the scenic the Housatonic River, all one needs is a couple of cold bottles of water if you decide to get on the Appalachian Trial. This time of the year there is an abundance of fresh produce available from local farms and roadside stands--plenty of choices to satisfy and whet your appetite.


2 ½ hour from New York City we stumble upon Copake Falls for a cool dip after a 45 minute hike and were surprised to find only a handful of locals. Refreshed and tranquil with the gushing waterfall and especially on a 90 degree scorching hot summer afternoon.

A quick detour for summer peaches and cherry pies at a roadside stand nearby the old quaint town of Cornwall. As dusk approached, dinner hour was quickly upon us, so at nearby Ellsworth Hill Orchard, we picked up pattypan squashes, zucchinis, Italian frying peppers and sweet white corn for our first night's dinner at my old friend and In Pursuit of Tea guru, Sebastian Beckwith’s cabin surrounded by 103 acres of lush green pine trees and a 14 foot deep pond.

For lunch the next day, we were recommended to Toymaker Cafe at Village Falls for fresh salads and sandwiches to bring for a picnic at the fall and then continued on to the vibrant city of Kent for spinach panini and expresso gelato along with a book fair.

On the way home we bought fresh unprocessed raw milk and eggs at Stone Wall Dairy Farm, where the land has supported this dairy farm for over 150 years. Perfect for stocking up our fridge back in the city.

Weekend Trip: Hudson Valley, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Rhinebeck, Culinary Institute of America

We started our trip late one Friday morning after rush hour, from the New York City's west side, heading to Blue Hill at Stone Barns. It's a good 50 minutes pleasant drive on the Taconic Parkway. We stopped and had lunch at Blue Hill, which is a working farm for the restaurant as well as for those who wants to volunteer. On Saturday, the market is open to the public from 2-4 pm. They serve organic meals such as duck panini, roasted beet salad, and the fluffiest egg salad you've ever tasted.

We continued onto Route 9 toward the town of Hudson and decided to stay in Rhinebeck, NY (another 1.5 hours further away).

Some choices for staying include:

Olana at Hudson, NY

• Madalin Hotel in Tivoli, NY. A perfect stay in a gorgeous restored historic landmark, located in the heart of Tivoli, NY.
• Rhine Cliff Hotel in Hudson Valley is also a nice and serene. It's a boutique country hotel that's tucked away near the Rhinecliff Amtrak Station -- 5 minutes into the heart of Rhinebeck by taxi for shops and restaurants.
• Belvedere Mansion in Staatsburg, NY is where we stayed. Although, the rooms are very small, it has an outdoor pool and great tennis courts, useful for us since we're both avid tennis players.
• Maple Stone Inn is another hotel located in New Paltz that has a cozy, intimate feel and provides an excellent breakfast.
• Journey Inn is a contemporary style, with a good location near tourist sites such as the Culinary Institute of America.

Many talented chefs have opened restaurants over the years here in the Hudson Valley. Some of places that we've visited recently:

• Terrapin Restaurant in Rhineback, NY. Josh Kroner is the chef and owner. He uses local vegetables from farms and provides excellent service every time we go. I particularly enjoyed their small dish menu.
• Arielle is a new restaurant in Rhineback, NY that is run by the Belvedere Mansion's owner. It had very good French and Mediterranean cuisine and a beautiful outdoor space.
• Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, NY. See great chefs on site while classes are in sessions. An amazing selection of desserts and small dishes to sample at their cafe' or if you feel like white table cloth service, you have choices from French to Fusion-inspired restaurants...It's the world's premier culinary college!

Things to do and places to see:

white peaches at meads farm.

• Wings Castle in Millbrook is also a delightful place to visit and view the famous tourist site of castles and such.
• Fisher Museum is another place to take a look at for performing arts and incredible picnic ground located in Annadale at Bard College.
• Storm King Art Center
• Dia Art Foundation is another museum that is "internationally renowned for initiating, supporting, presenting, and preserving art projects, mostly collections from the 1960's."
• Dutchess Tourism provides many options of tourist sites that you may visit during your stay.
• Opus 40 is "about one hundred miles from New York City, tucked into a pocket of the Catskills near Saugerties, lies one of the most extraordinary pieces of sculpture ever created by a single man."
• Meads farm is also a perfect farm for family outing to pick succulent white peaches, cherries and berries this time of the year.
• Olana Estate Historic Site is my favorite where I took a great nap after 45 minute tour of the mansion over looking incredible view of the Hudson Valley and prestine Catskill. It's 250 acre, historic estate of Federick Church who made his fortune with Hudson Valley paintings and built the mansion based on his travels in the late 1800's, also 20 minutes from our hotel. There are many great trails for hiking with incredible views; so pack some water and great walking shoes, you are ready to explore New York in the country side.