ROUDIGANS

Roudigans is a tacky little place connected to the Quality Inn & Suites and was voted best steakhouse in Hudson Valley. Believe it. When I was coming Upstate just on the weekends this is where I always wanted to stop for dinner. It's right off 87 in Kingston and 20 minutes before home. It's the ultimate in Comfort Food. Well made and large portions. Tonight it was particularly good. The Garlic Mashed Potatoes were chunky and not over pureed. My medium rare Prime Rib didn't have too much fat. They were both the perfect temperature when they arrived. The salad bar comes with the entree. It's my favorite part of the experience. Iceberg Lettuce, Red Onion, Black Olives, whole Radishes, Cottage Cheese, Peppercinis, Bacon Bits and Ranch Dressing. The soup was New England Clam Chowder. I added Oyster Crackers. All this food was only $17.95

CUCINA

Cucina is the chicest restaurant in Woodstock and the Catskills at large. They serve a contemporary Italian menu based on seasonal and local ingredients. I had the Crispy Squid with a Creamy Citrus Sauce. I love Calamari and theirs is perfection... light, crisp and tender. My entree was the Rigatoni with Peas, Sausage, a bit of Cream, Red Pepper Flakes and Parmesan. I don't like wet, soupy food. This dish was not... the sauce wrapped itself around the al dente Noodles. I ate them one at a time. Cucina is owned by Lois Freedman. She's also the general manager for Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurants in NYC including the Mercer Kitchen. Her staff at Cucina is amazing... cute, friendly and on top of everything. I will come here as often as possible.

THANKSGIVING

This was my third and best Thanksgiving Dinner at Casa Grande in Chichester, NY. It's the fabulous home of Cynthia Garcia and Laura Anderson. It was warm, cozy and delicious. Cynthia made Roast Turkey with Rich Shallot Gravy, Sausage Stuffing and Spice Rubbed Ham. Laura made Mac & Cheese, Chipotle Deviled Eggs and Collard Greens. Karl Åberg made a Warm Corn Salad with Bacon. Renate Winter brought a Smoked Whole White Fish. Chris Lutowski made Cranberry Compote and a Sweet Potato Casserole. Peter Occolowitz made a Concord Grape Pie and a Apple Tart. Stephen Garstang made individual Pumpkin Custards. Clarissa made Brussles Sprouts with Horseradish and Bacon. Vicki Starr brought a Tossed Green Salad. Leticia made Spicy Swedish Meatballs. Susannah Gaterud-Mack provided the Malbec. I don't remember what Sheila O'Niell made. Anyway, I made Warm Potato Salad and added Dill this time in honor of Fredrik. He's still trapped in Sweden. When all was said and done I eat so much I was dizzy. There were also 9 dogs present. My dog Malo was not happy about that and tried to start riots all night.

MARIA'S BAZAAR

Maria's Bazaar is my favorite delicatessen in the Catskills. This place is tucked behind street front shops uncrowded by tourists. Everything on the menus is truly homemade and changes from day to day. Twice I've had a Pastrami on Rye with Mustard and Pickles. The backed goods are amazing and I love that they're displayed in piles out in the open. The first time I came they had a Poppy Seed Danish. It's the best pastry I've ever had.

POTATOES

This Summer I had the Potato Salad special at Landau Grill in Woodstock, NY. It was so yummy and last night I finally attempted to make it. I boiled Red Potatoes until tender, then added Sea Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper, Mayo and Whole Grain Mustard. Yum! Like most dishes I try to duplicate, it's probably a simpler (amateur) version, but there is no shame in my game.

GREENS

I try to eat a bowl of Greens a couple times a week. It's so simple. Get some Spinach, Collards, Chard or Kale. Saute them with Olive Oil, Butter, Ground Pepper and Sea Salt. That's it! Rich and so delicious. Dark Green Vegetables make you big and strong like Popeye.

CAKE No. 2

This time I topped the Pound Cake with a Semi Sweet Vanilla Sauce.

BAR 89

I love Bar 89. It's in SoHo, NYC and straight out of American Psycho. It has the best 80's downtown feel to it with it's ever changing art installations. You can always get a table and the portions are huge. Renate, Christopher Schulz and I went there for dinner the night of his birthday. He had the Nachos which were just Chips, Cheese and Jalapeños. Perfect! I had the Au Poivre Burger. Straight up greasy Bar Food around the corner from Chanel. Fabulous! Roger Griffin called while we were eating and swung by at the end. I think we're getting together for dinner Upstate this weekend. Stay tuned.

HANGOVER FOOD

The night before I had a lovely dinner at Blue Ribbon with Renate and Karl Åberg. It was too dark to shoot it... I refuse to use flash. I guess in the Fall/Winter I'll mostly be documenting Breakfast and Lunch. Spring and Summer will allow more natural light during dinner hours. Anyway, we went to dinner before Christopher's birthday party. This is the morning after. Nothing cures a hangover like a Bacon, Egg and Cheese on a Bagel from the closest bodega anywhere in NYC.