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Hudson with A European Flair

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This past weekend, we celebrated Valentine's Day by taking a little trip to Hudson, NY.

Hudson is only about an hour, due north, from where we live. You can take Amtrak, which we really, really wanted to do- but they don't make it very cost effective. We are all about going green, but when it costs about $50 per person for a round-trip ticket and about $12 for the gas in the car- you do the math.

It was a beauty of a sunny day for a drive and we hugged the river while admiring gorgeous views of the Catskill Mountains on the way up.

Hudson has gone through quite a bit of transformation over the years. The big attraction for us, other than food is antiques.

There are 65 antique stores in Hudson. (cue choirs of angels singing, here) Yep, sixty-five!

So while that kept us very busy- it certainly wasn't the only thing we did that day.

Leave it to me to find the European flair-everywhere I go. I was able to celebrate quite a few of my favorite things on Sunday.

France

The Frenchie in me found Le Gamin, a perfect little French cafe on Warren Street in Hudson. Part French cafe, part boutique. Huge bowls of steaming cafe au lait are served in their signature bowls, made by the well-known Pillivuyt company- are also for sale.

This place is the real deal-complete with French antique signs and an old post office counter behind the bar. The crêpes were amazing as was the cafe au lait and cappucino. We will definitely be heading back there- for the omlettes, salads, croque monsieur, citron pressé, croissants and every French classic crêpe imaginable- even Nutella!

Wine

The wino in me found the coolest wine bar in Hudson. (p.m.) Wine Bar is a tiny nook with a long white and grey marble slab atop a black bar. And if the candles don't light the place up enough for you, the chatty, friendly Irish owner, pouring excellent wines and comparing European trip stories, will.

Oh and tapas, lots of tapas!! What more could a girl want from her wine bar? Oh, maybe a cool loo with blackboard paint and chalk- to write p.m. your own p.m.(personal message). I have never had the opportunity to shamelessly p.m. (promote myself) or my blog in the john before- other than talking on the phone, while, uh, on the throne, but in the end, though I was tempted, I decided against it.

Instead we left a good luck wish- in Italian of course.

We enjoyed some of the best wine here. Chris a chilled Reisling and I a smooth and smokey Spanish Rioja, each for $8. For tapas we enjoyed a plate of pecans, herbed olives, peppered potato chips and caper berries. And the never-ending glassful of grissini was a nice touch.

Not only will we be back, but we'll bring friends. Isn't that what you do when you like a wine bar? In my opinion (p.m) was p.m. (positvely marvelous).

Italy

Our original reason for heading north, was to try an Italian restaurant. Actually it serves Tuscan cuisine. The chef has cooked in Tuscany, specifically in the Chianti region. Vico, which means village in the Tuscan dialect, is only steps away from p.m. Wine Bar, which is a combo that packs a one-two punch if you should decide to visit both in the same evening.

The prix-fixe, which includes an organic green salad with shaved pecorino cheese and a sweet balsamic dressing, an entree or pasta and any dessert on the menu is a great deal at $29.

The beautiful dishes that stuck out from the menu were Bistecca Florentine (I could kill Chris for being a vegetarian as you need 2 carnivores to be able to properly devour this side of beef), Pollo Toscana, Osso Bucco, Butternut Squash Ravioli and Lasagne al Chingiale. The homemade Vahlrona Chocolate and Pistachio Gelato were rich and creamy and the Bood Orange Sorbetto was intensely flavored. The Cioccolato Sciolto was heaven on a plate.

Though we loved our dinner here, we decided that we would probably not make the trip just for Vico due to the fact that we have such other great Italian restaurants like Mercato and Il Continori, right around the corner.

That being said, we had a great dinner all the same and a wonderful day together treasure hunting and eating. We look forward to visiting Hudson again soon.

So, which is your favorite flavor of the day? France, Wine or Italy?

***

Le Gamin (Country)

609 Warren Street

Hudson, NY 12534

(518) 828.2885

(p.m.) Wine Bar

119 Warren Street

Hudson, NY 12534

(518) 828.2833

Vico

136 Warren Street

Hudson, NY 12534

(518) 828.6529

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d. prizzi
February 19th, 2009
Sounds like you had a wonderful Valentine’s day exploring Hudson! It’s a charming and interesting place…also love the art gallery Carrie Haddad.

janie
February 19th, 2009
Next time I’m back home I want to take a trip to Hudson. Thanks for sharing your tips.

Steven Roll
February 19th, 2009
I like this post because it shares how to enjoy Europe at home. Not all of us can live as nomads. In fact, sometimes the anticipation of travel or incorporating the things I like about a place into my daily life helps to increase the passion I feel for certain areas of the world.
Music, movies, food, and Podcasts, and Meetup groups are some of the ways I connect with the places I like to visit.

My Melange
February 19th, 2009
We only got the scratch the surface, but yes, we did have a great time! We’ll have to look into the gallerys next time and I’ll keep your suggestion in mind D! Thanks.

My Melange
February 19th, 2009
Steven, you and I share the same philosphy!! And I wholeheartedly agre with you on all counts!! Thanks for your thoughts..it helps me realize that there are more *like me* or I should say, *us* out there

My Melange
February 19th, 2009
Anytime Janie, anytime! Let me know what you think

anne
February 19th, 2009
What a super Valentine trip…:-) Loving the sound of it all!!

My Melange
February 19th, 2009
Thanks Anne, it was in fact, super!

Leesie
February 19th, 2009
I enjoyed this post very much. I live in the beautiful Hudson Valley (Warwick to be exact) and although we have great shops and restaurants I need to find out for myself how far Hudson, NY is, map it, and put it on my long list of “need to go there someday.” Otherwise, next time you go will you invite me?

My Melange
February 20th, 2009
Hudson would make a nice weekend destination for you! You definitely have to put it on your list!

Kevin
February 21st, 2009
Hey Robin,
Thank you so much for stopping into (p.m.) last week, I hope you had as good a time as I did sharing travel stories. I look forward to you and Chris coming back.
Love the site, just as we discussed, its about living life and appreciating good friends, good food and good wine!
Kevin

My Melange
February 21st, 2009
Hi Kevin-
Thanks for stopping by. You bet we will be back! With friends, an appetite, more travel stories to share and a craving for more of that delicious wine you serve We had such a great time with you- I am quite sure that is why we left with such a positive feeling about Hudson!
Robin

Shannalee
February 24th, 2009
Wow, as a girl who, along with her mom, has been to just about Every. Single. Antique Store. in the greater Chicago area, I got a little excited when I read about Hudson. A mother-daughter weekend might be in order.
Loved all the European stuff, too. Very fun!

My Melange
February 24th, 2009
Shannalle, I think Hudson would make a perfect weekend get away for you both!!! You will love the Antiques!! If you can stay longer, I’d recommend Rhinebeck and Cold Spring as well!! You can contact me if you want hotel/restaurant recommendations!!
xo