The Alternative Baker
My sister used to live along the Rondout Marina, in Kingston NY. I was strolling along the waterfront one day a few years back and being a coffee-a-holic, I needed a fix.
I wandered into this cute little tiny bakery. It was love at first site. Essell, the owner and baker, came out of his kitchen to greet me and talk tome like one of his family. He is a grad of the Culinary Institute of America’s pastry and baking program. He has created a bakery similar to those in Europe, and his customers love it. The place is lucky enough to have space for 4 people inside and 2 outside at the small cafe table.
His shop is always busy! He truly is the ‘Alternative Baker’. He bakes with all natural ingredients and has many organic products as well. Offerings free of cholesterol, wheat and gluten are just as tasty as the old standbys like Buttermilk scones and Sticky Buns. Essell was credited with the honor of having his now famous lemon cakes (hence the web-site) sold in the Williams-Sonoma catalog. Today, you can order from his web site and have them shipped right to your door!! He offers bunts, loafs and bite size minis for just $1!
The menu is extensive and I am always delighted to see something new and different every time I go. Once it was small cherry clafoutis, another time it was bite size cheese crackers with a kick of cayenne pepper. The scones and cafe au lait are my morning standard. The offerings for lunch are just as delish and include soups and sandwiches, but go early for the best selection. You can build your own sandwich with your choice of cheese, toppings and spreads with fresh greens for a mere $3.00 – $4.50 the difference being the type of bread….peasant roll, baguette or focaccia.My choice is fresh goat cheese, olive and basil pesto, red onion, red peppers, greens and olive oil on home-made focaccia bread. At $4.50 it was voted best bargain sandwich in the Hudson Valleyin 2005.
And as if he is not busy enough, Essell also bakes wonderful one of a kind wedding cakes. I live about 25 minutes drive from the Rondout, yet I find myself driving out of my way and make excuses to go there on the weekend. I am hooked! Of course, when we knew that we would be attending Mardi Gras and watching the Hudson Valley Horrors…
my first thought was that of excitement. "Oh, we can go see Essell" is what I always say. I go as much for him and for his food. That Saturday, I enjoyed my standard for breakfast and announced to him that we would also be back for lunch! To my chagrin, only a few hours later, we returned to find that he had sold out of all his sandwiches! Great for him… not so good for us. We happened to meet my Dad down there and he had also gone in for a cup of coffee. We were raving about Essell to my Dad and telling him how much we love going there. As luck would have it my Dad informed me that Essell and I have more of a connection than I ever thought… he bought our family’s extra freezer about 10 years ago when he was first starting his business! I think I will inform him that this should entitle me to cafe au lait on the house for the rest of my natural born life! I hope he will agree!
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What a facade
European facades fascinate me. I am moved by them. So very different from where I grew up.
Red, ocher, peach; Changing color with the setting sun and shadows. Sturdy, historic, yet timeless.
Many display large ornate windows, some with arches, others framed in shutters. Nature erodes away layer after layer. Stucco chips and paint peel away from the facade.
Some balconies cling to the side, with bright flowers draped down and around. Pulpits hold Juliet as she beckons “Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo?”, to her lover; Or the old lady feeding the pigeons. Depending on the day, don’t we all feel like we have layers that are being peeled away from us?
Who did we start out as, and who have we become over time? Both in architecture and in people, you wonder what is behind the closed door. Both the architect and the person spend so much time and effort primping and paying attention to the details on the outside, when something so very different may be happening on the inside.
Whether peering through windows or into eyes, we are searching for what is on the inside. We want to see what’s in the home and in the soul. What are you hiding inside? Is it empty and bare? Is there way too much clutter? What do you want us to see? What are you trying to protect? What face are you wearing? Maybe it is time for a make-over…
Photos: Pictures of Italian Palazzo in Venice and Florence all ©Robin Locker Lacey
Now that’s my kind of Juice Box
Leafing thru one of my favorite travel mag’s I found my new favorite kind of adult ‘juice box’. It is available in Portugal and is the perfect single size serving of wine. Great for tucking in your bag and taking to a picnic…a nd it doesn’t require the use of a corkscrew. Choose from red or white. The best part is they cost about .80¢ each!
Mardi Gras Madness
The Mid-Hudson Valley is home to many cities along the river that have been revitalizing and trying to breathe new life into forgotten water front area’s. Kingston is no exception. There is a small water front area, referred to as the "Rondout", mainly because it is located on the Rondout creek. Years ago, my Dad had a boat that he docked at the Rondout Marina, and we used to spend July 4th on the boat and watch fireworks, right from the water at night. There is now a thriving little enclave, with about 12 restaurants/cafes, boutiques, a yoga studio, a bookstore and antiques. I will go into more detail of this area in a future post. This weekend, Kingston hosted the first Mardi Gras Celebration and it was held at the Rondout. Yes, we had just had a huge snowstorm, and yes it had been about 10 degrees F for about a week… but the show must go on! Ordinarily, I would not feel compelled to spend time outside to collect some beads. However, I had a reason to go. My sister is the co-founder of the "Hudson Valley Horrors", a local roller derby league, and they were having their first public bout as part of the celebration! What a way to premier… as if roller derby was not challenging enough… try doing it outside… on pavement! As luck would have it, the temperature warmed to above 32 degrees and the sun came out!
Round and round and round they skated, wearing polypropylene and leg warmers, knee pads, helmets, mouth guards and shirts with their very cool logo on it, while the rest of us were sipping hot chocolate and shivering in the crowd. Members include ‘Puffy Bangs’, ‘Rxy Ramalotte’,'Rough Gem’, ‘Aurora Gory Alice’…..and my sister ‘Scarlett Bloodletter’! All went off without a hitch. Lots of falls and elbows, but no serious injuries or blood.
Some of the other events were ice sculpture carving and a parade complete with beads… though sorry to say, the Rollergirls float (shaped like a roller skate), traveled down Broadway sans Rollergirls. Apparently, some sort of timing issue after their skirmish!
The Hudson Valley Horrors will host their first official bout at their home rink, Hyde Park Roller magic, on April 15th. They have even received national press… they were on ABC World News Tonight with Charles Gibson! Check them out if you are in the area.
Service with a smile?
The last few days,I have been watching the horror stories unfold as a result of the severe storm we were dealt in the Northeast. Specifically, the 2 Jet Blue planes that were stranded on the runway at JFK airport for 9 1/2 and 11 hours respectively. Not to mention the fact that I would go absolutely insane if that happened to me!!!! I know myself, and I will be the first to admit that I would NOT be able to handle that. The only reason I can handle flying is that I know I am moving and will arrive (soon) at my destination. But to be stuck in a cramped chair, not moving, on the ground, with a warm building in sight… is more than I can handle. Plus… I paid good money for that ticket!!! Forget the safety issue… I ask you where is the customer service??? Then tonight after work, I planned to stop at a local Italian cafe/pastyshop around the corner. Let me say, I already know this place is not known for its customer service, but… in I go anyway. There was one person ahead of me, so I thought. I perused the selection for a few minutes, deciding what to buy. In walked an old co-worker that I had not seen in a while, so we caught up on old times for a few minutes. Just when I thought it was my turn, someone else must have been waiting in the wings… and now he was up. Meanwhile, no one has said hello, made eye contact or even made believe I was there. I did not feel welcome. At this point 20 minutes had gone by, I said goodbye to my friend, told her I could not wait and left. No one blinked an eye. I visited for about 10 more minutes in the parking lot with another co-worker that was waiting for the first.
All in all, I spent 30 minutes here and that second customer had still not completed his transaction. I will not be back… ever. Again… I ask you… where is the customer service???
My mission not accomplished, I stopped at another well known Italian deli on the way home. This place is known for their food and service. It is family run. And it shows. I always think of them for food and Italian groceries, but they don’t have a huge selection of desserts, biscotti and Italian cookies. I walked in and immediately got a warm welcome, they were glad I stopped by. I was able to find a cannoli and slice of chocolate peanut butter cheesecake (that looked and tasted divine by the way). I spent just as much time talking to them, as I did just waiting for someone to notice that I had a pulse at the other place! I only spent $5, but they didn’t care. They knew I would be back. I am a good customer, and they know it. They treat you like family, and I know it. I have spent many years in fields that require excellent customer service. "The customer is always right" is the motto I grew up with. I don’t know where it has gone… where is it hiding? Even in France, where they are not known for customer service, they at least expect you to say "Bonjour" and "Au Revoir", when entering or leaving a store. In most instances, that got me at least eye contact and a "bonjour", from the Parisian sales clerk. Don’t people realize that the way you treat people will have an effect on your business. Positive or negative. Doesn’t anyone care about getting a "Gold Star" in customer service anymore?
My Love List
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you! As a celebration, I have decided to share with you a list of 50 things I love…
a clear, starry night
my dog
dark chocolate
good red wine
treasure hunts
fragrant rose gardens
the color pink
spa treatments
finding a bargain
planning someones vacation
planning my vacation
blue cheese
french accordion music
italy
my nephew
vin santo
my french press
pretty stationary
bed and breakfasts
going out to dinner
a massage
a day in New York City
my imagination
entertaining
TJ Maxx
flea markets
making new friends
cooking
breakfast in bed
Le Creuset dutchoven
hot cocoa
the first snow
potatoes..every way imaginable
italian leather
real butter croissants
tiramisu
lavender
candles
paris
antique
monogrammed linen sheets…laundered
surprises
puppies
scarves
collecting seashells on the beach
gelato
beauty products
ornate picture frames
snuggling
sleeping in on the weekend
a hot bubble bath…
What’s on your Love List…?
Cupid’s Wine
The label on this bottle of wine, reminded meof cupid, love… and therefore… Valentine’s Day. It is a Chapelle-St-Arnoux, 2004 C√¥tes du Ventoux, Reserve. Scoring 89 points from Wine Spectator, it’s one of the best value French reds I have came across. It has an intense berry flavor, mainly black-berry and raspberry. A nice fruity finish. At $7.99 abottle, it makes a great everyday wine. Open a bottle and share it with your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day!
The Romantic Rodin
Everyone has decided to celebrate love, because Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. I will continue the celebration with a tribute to one of the most romantic museums in Paris… The Rodin. I knew who Rodin was when I first visited the Musee Rodin in Paris, but I had no idea how much I would love his works and the museum itself. The museum is housed in the Hétel Biron, where Rodin lived and created for the later part of his life. He died in 1917 and never gotto see his dream of his own museum materialize, as the Musée Rodin did not open until 1919. The ch√¢teau is welcoming with meandering foot pathsof rosesin the front and lush formal designed gardens in the back. The romance begins as soon as you first stroll through the gates to the museum… I was immediately drawn into the rose gardens leading to the mansion. It was May, so the posies were in full bloom, and they perfumed the entire front yard. I was lucky enough to visiton a sunny day. When I entered the foyer of the museum Iwas struck by the wonderful marble staircase, complete with an ornate iron banister.
The museum is located on 2 floors. Masterpieces in marble and bronze are displayed throughout the museum. Favorites like Balzac, Cathedral Hands,The Kiss, etc as well as lesser known subject are intermingled together and as you wind your way through the works, you must stop to gaze out the windows and appreciate the beautiful garden views.
My favorites sculptures are The Kissand the Cathedral hands. To me, they just exude romance. Maybe it is the smooth gleaming white marble, maybe the intertwining. Both the bodies and the fingers are intertwined, suggesting the two are becoming one. Cathedral Hands is on a turntable which allows you to gently rotate the sculpture to view the detail from all angles.
Outside, to the right of the mansion,nestled in the trees is a wonderful café, where you can relax and get a simple lunch, a croissant and a cafe. On your walk over, notice the shimmering gold tip of the Invalides peaking out from the tree tops.
The café is great location and a perfect spot to appreciate thegrandeur of the mansion.
Take awalk through the sculpture garden on the opposite side of the café and you will find larger than life bronze sculptures hidden among the garden. Pieces like Headless Hercules, Balzac, Thinker and The Three Shades keep watch over the shady chestnut trees and park benches.
The pièce de résistance is the Gates of Hell, which was the most elaborate and intricate of his works. When I was through with my visit, not only did I know who Rodin was, I felt who Rodin was.
Though popular, somehow its small size and beautiful setting make this a cozy, intimate museum, not seemingly overrun by tourists. Leave yourself 2-3 hours for an in-depth visit. For more information on the collections, pictures, directions, admission and rates, visit the website.
Photos: sculptures and garden at the Musee Rodin, Paris, France.
Travel Tips #2……Lighten up!
photo courtesy of FotoSearch
Packing is a daunting task! How many times do your friends and co- workers ask you… "are you packed yet?" for days and weeks leading up to your vacation? Many I am sure… all for the same reason… we hate it! What will I wear, what should I bring, I hope I don’t forget anything. You make list after list, it is a process after all. Here are some of the things I do to make it… manageable.
~Check with your specific airline as to what their luggage requirements are, then follow it!
~Stick to one bag, and I try to make it a bag that can be carried on. I know the thought of this for all you ladies out there is scary, but it really is do-able! Lay all of the clothes you think you will need out on the bed… than put at least half of them away, you will never use them! Bring solid color pants, skirts and tops that all go with each other and mix and match your outfits. Black is a great color because it goes with everything (and it is slimming). If you want different looks, bring accessories instead of more clothes. Scarves, earrings, necklaces and bracelets take up less room than clothes! You can dress down for daytime with walking shoes and dressup the same outfit with accessories for a night out. Make everything fit in one suitcase. The time spent on this up front will save you the time, aggravation and money spent if your checked luggage was lost.
~Wear the heavy, bulky stuff. If you are going to Paris, the weather is unpredictable, so you MUST bring a raincoat. Instead of packing it, why not wear it on the plane so that you can save room in the suitcase for things you need? The same goes for a winter coat, sweaters, blazers etc. If it gets to hot on the plane, just strip! Put the items back on when you arrive.
~Limit yourself to 3 pairs of shoes. Bring one pair of dress shoes and 2 pairs of comfortable shoes. I switch between the comfortable shoes every day so your tootsies don’t get used to one pair. White sneakers are not very popular with Europeans, so to remain stylish and comfy, try Dansko, Noat, Mephisto or Diesel walking shoes. Wear the heaviest shoes on the plane, so your luggage will be lighter.
~Wash and wear. Why not pack less and do a load of laundry to reuse some of the clothes that you brought? Why do we always need a new outfit for every single day? Most of the time when you are on vacation, you won’t see the same people everyday… or maybe even ever again! Some hotels offer laundry service, either free or for a small fee. You can even do your own wash in the sink (or bidet… come on, what do you think those things are used for anyway). Bring a small wash kit along. This one even contains a clothes line to dry your garments on.
~If you do need to check your bags, make sure your luggage is clearly marked. If you can put a tag on that stands out from the ‘pack’, you will locate it quickly. I like the tags from wishing fish and from Tepper Jackson, available at flight001.com and plum party.com.
~Think small. Full size toiletries can be heavy and bulky! I collect sample sizes of my favorite products. I also save small containers of products that I have used. These empties come in handy when I want to pack toiletries, but don’t want the bulk of full sizes. Check to see if your shampoo, conditioner, skin and hair care products are available in small sizes. I often buy a full size and a travel size whenever I see that it is available, as I know I will use it! These travel sizes are dedicated ONLY for travel. Your local drug store and Sephora are excellent resources for this.I also save small perfume samples for this exact reason. If travel sizes are not available, put just the amount that you need in a recycled container that you have saved, pack this in your luggage and you will be amazed at the space savings.
~Reload! The minute I get home from a trip… as I am unpacking… I am repacking. Whatever toiletries I used, I automatically refill or put a replacement product in my kit. This way it is always ready to go, even on a last minute trip, and it saves me from worrying about what Ineed to pack. I have razors, toothbrushes, brushes and combs that are just for travel. They never come out of my kit. It is an easy way to check something off your long packing list… actually you don’t even need to put it on a list! These are a few of my favorite packing tips… I would love to hear yours!
Happy Travels, Bon Voyage, Buono Viaggio!
Rosemary Cashews
The French love cocktail parties. Who doesn’t?
The trick to a successful one is serving good food without spending hours in the kitchen, so that you are able to enjoy your guests.
Shouldn’t that be the goal of any party?
This is a perfect recipe for a simple, yet impressive nosh. They fly out the door every time I make them. Guests down them by the fistful! The recipe is courtesy of Barefoot in Paris by Ina Garten, which is one of my favorite cookbooks for easy French food.
Rosemary Cashews
You will need:
1 pound roasted unsalted cashews
2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Spread the cashews out on a sheet pan. Toast in the oven until warm, about 5 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the rosemary, cayenne, sugar, salt and butter. Thoroughly toss the warm cashews with the spiced butter mixture and serve warm.
Bon appetit!
