13 Desserts and Friday the 13th at Towne Crier Cafe

When we took our visiting family out for Valentine's Day, which this year was on February's Second Saturday, we happily landed in the Towne Crier Cafe. As promised in a glowing New York Times review, the dessert case welcomed us as we walked in, promising a selection of 13 desserts for a ravishing end of the evening. At least, 13 desserts were available that night. Their norm is 12 desserts, and every so often, they offer a special pastry.

It was from our waiter that we learned that the Towne Crier's pastry chef, Mary Ciganer, was his mother and is part of the foundation of the restaurant with her husband and founder, Phil Ciganer. He didn't mention that Mary had formerly been at New York's legendary Le Cirque, but by then, we had ordered the Apple Walnut Danish with Chocolate Chips and were totally intent on trying her dessert. It was a hard choice, as we could have ordered the Chocolate Truffle Torte, or the Sour Cream Plum Coffee Cake, or my other favorite, the simple but deadly Carrot Cake, or the friendlier Poppyseed Cake made with out dairy, sugar or eggs.

Here's how the Apple Walnut Danish with Chocolate Chips went over at our table:

Apple Walnut Danish with Chocolate Chips with a mandatory scoop of vanilla ice cream. All forks on deck.

The sweet sauce is quickly wiped up by my neighboring father who leaves no evidence of his swoop.

Forks are beginning to fend for themselves, and we are wishing for spoons for bigger scoops.

Elbows are out. The photo is blurry because things have surpassed getting serious.

The end.

Valentine's Day Chocolate Fix - Forget Date Night, Just Give Us Chocolate

Valentine's Day is really a religious holiday for chocolate, let's be honest here. You can go out on a date night, but where are you getting your chocolate, and just how deep and dark are you going? Get in touch with your cravings, because you've got choices right here in Beacon...

CHOCOLATE SNACKS

Praise be, Jeni's has arrived to Beacon, NY by way of Utensil! This is a big deal, folks. I normally get it straight from Columbus, which is a long 12hr drive! As a connesour of hot fudge on ice-cream or brownie sundaes, I can tell you that this fudge it bitter, dark, and hits the spot. It also is a perfect match with Salty Caramel ice-cream, which good news for us - is here in caramel sauce form!

Ask Instagram, and you shall receive the real deal for Yodels. When we asked 5 Hens if she had her own version of the Yodel, she clucked back "Yes, at Martha's in Newburgh!" These Chichi Ding Dongs are made from Valrhona chocolate filled with whipped cream from a local dairy. Pre-order for Valentine's Day, at Martha's Friday and Saturday located at 105 Liberty Street in Newburgh. Find 5Hens in many Beacon shops, including Dennings Point Distillery. Full list here: www.fivehensbakedgoods.com

The chocolate cheesecake cupcake at Get Frosted Cupcakery may give you immediate satisfaction as you're walking to your next pedicure or to get a glass of wine at Oak Vino or Chill. www.getfrostedcupcakery.com

GIFTS FOR TEACHERS & FRIENDS

Chocolate covered strawberries are a fancy treat for anyone on your list, including a great idea for an office party or platter. Hand dipped in Belgian or dark chocolate using fresh ingredients at The Chocolate Studio. www.facebook.com/TheChocolateStudioBeacon

Chocolate covered Oreos from The Chocolate Studio, located on the very East side of Main Street are an easy treat for yourself, and a much appreciated gift for a teacher or friend. www.facebook.com/TheChocolateStudioBeacon

And your box of chocolates will be coming from Alps Sweet Shop of course! Beacon's local yet national chocolatier makes their chocolate in their Main Street factory in the copper pots you see pictured here. They can ship to wherever you like. www.alpssweetshop.com

DATE NIGHT WITH WHOEVER - JUST ORDER IT!

The espresso chocolate cake at Dogwood is a surprising spot-hitter. It's surprising because usually for a cake, icing or a fudge topping is required (or hint hint Dogwood: we'd love a scoop of vanilla ice cream!). But this chocolate is so deep and moist, that you'll want to take advantage of it while you're enjoying yourself on date-night, I suppose, with a stout of some kind. If you're enjoying this at home (yes...you have permission to order dessert to go), enjoy with this recommendation from Tim Buzinski of Artisan Wine Shop: "A glass of slightly fizzy red from Italy works great, and one we have right now: Sangue di Guida Special." www.dogwoodbar.com

There is a secret society of chocolate pastry chefs in Beacon, and the maker of this Bliss Cake is one of them. JoAnne Meyer is the Chocolatier & Pastry Chef at The Chocolate Studio, and also bakes and delivers for local eateries. This Bliss Cake has become somewhat famous, if not hard to find.  The Bliss Cake is a decadent fudge cake topped generously with a deep, rich dark chocolate mousse, covered in ganache, served with a port wine reduction. Find it at the Piano Piano Wine Bar in Fishkill, at an upcoming Ladies Night at the Chocolate Studio. You can also order it directly on-demand from the Chocolate Studio directly. (845) 765-1165

Look at These Great Brands - Key Food Shakes Off A Haunted Reputation

My family and I moved to Beacon in 2009 from Manhattan's "Upper Upper West Side" on Columbus Avenue. Grocery stores were all around us. Our apartment was above a Bravo, and we had several "markets" on Broadway. Not to mention vegetable stands, and an occasional honest to goodness bakery. Whole Foods had just opened up a few blocks down. Life was good food-wise.

So when we moved to Beacon, we had one requirement: to live within walking distance to a coffee shop so that we didn't experience too much of a culture shock from living in the City where we walked everywhere. This was one of the best requirements to have, because it meant we moved within walking distance to a big grocery store, Key Food.

In the last few years, I've noticed many changes at Key Food, as have others. From the classical music playing during the day, to the wide selection of organic and independent brands stocked on the shelves. So I took a meeting with two of the owners of Key Food - Junior and Mo - to give me the real scoop on what's been going on.

We met behind the big black doors near the produce section - the real behind the scenes of Key Food! Junior confirmed rumors I'd heard from shoppers who commute to Beacon from areas south of Newburgh, that this Key Food in particular was known for listening to shoppers. Junior says he takes many requests and finds the items to put on the shelves. I asked him if they felt as if they were living under the shadow of previous owners. Junior somberly nodded his head. Unknown to me was that the current owners of Key Food and my family moved here at the same time, so I didn't experience what longer Beaconites had encountered. From the day they bought the Beacon Key Food, his family, who also lives in Beacon, has been working to improve damaged relationships from everyone including customers and vendors.

As for pricing, well, I know that business owners do their best to deliver to their customers, and that the equation that makes a price is calculated based on what makes that business tick, from employees to benefits to group purchasing sales to warehouses. For instance, some grocery stores own their own warehouses to keep prices down, while other grocery stores can't take on owning a warehouse so they pay a warehouse to store their inventory, like Key Food does.

At the end of the day, has Key Food made a Beaconite's life easier? Yes. Several shoppers gave me their favorite items that they find weekly at Key Food, so lets walk the shelves in Key Food to see  what's in stock!

Mrs. Meyers is a fixture in our home, as is the $.99 dish soap! Key Food gives you a selection here, to pay a few dollars more for Mrs. Meyers, or $.99 for a generic brand. We actually use the $.99 dish soap but buy the Mrs. Meyers counter spray and all purpose liquid to refill.

Organic milk is a highly sought after item. New to me was the price of Hudson Valley Fresh, a local brand that is delicious and responsible. It's a fact that Stoneyfield milk is in the $5 range when it can be found at Hannaford for the $3 range, but here sits Hudson Valley Fresh for $3.19! An often over-looked and local choice.

Hello delicious cottage cheese.

Tas Kafe and Sumptown are favorites for a lot of people, but so are illy and Starbucks for others. Lately, Starbucks has been on sale for $7.99 or $8.99, which is on par with Hannaford and other big stores.

Ghee has been growing in popularity by health enthusiasts and butter lovers who want more from their butter, but less fat and these health benefits.

Those who love nuts are loving the dedicated nut section that has been living near the meat department.

The gluten free pasta selection has increased, as well as pasta alternatives like rice pasta.

An entire freezer of healthy food! From frozen Indian food to frozen Annies to Ezekiel bread.

And look! Ezekiel bread in cereal form! Or you can get a strawberry PopTart. Options!

Annie's chocolate chip bars!

Some people really love seaweed snacks. Here is Annie Chun's brand of Korean seaweed, and it's not the only brand here.

For the babies, HappyBaby and HappyTot. Pick up one as you shop to help getting through the isles easier.

Hot dogs aren't the healthiest things, but if you like them, the Boar's Head beef brand has been a favorite.

Alright - I'm no meat specialist, but early adopters of grass fed beef like Poppy's has helped bring responsible meat to Beacon. Beaconites actually have several options to get great meat that has been raised  responsibly, but if you're in Key Food getting other things and can't make another the meat section does offer a wider selection now.

Northerers don't know how lucky they are to have Sticky Fingers BBQ sauce in a bottle. I know this first hand because I lived in Charleston, SC and frequently went to Sticky Fingers restaurant before they bottled their sauces. Finger lickin' good.

Honey for Fall Days - A Boutique's New Staple

Fall's chill is in the air! And so are scratchy throats. Beaconites know how to face harsh weather, and it's to embrace it and treat ourselves to nature's deliciousness - honey. And boutiques are fully stocked with local honey!

UTENSIL

480 Main Street

East End of Main Street on the Curve
Visit Utensil's Facebook Page

Catskill Provisions makes a seriously amazing raw honey. Why? Because their motto is happy bees make happy honey. Their bees must be very happy and sweetly fed. New to your tastebuds and sure to warm your body is Mike's Hot Honey which has been infused with chilis. Like you needed the extra spike of awesome! But you did because your butternut squash needed to kick into high gear. Utensil always picks the best selections for your culinary needs.

HONEYBROOK FARMS

Beacon Train Station

Beacon's Farmer's Market on Sundays

www.beaconfarmersmarket.org

Not only can you find raw honey at the Beacon's Farmer's Market, from Honeybrook Farms but you can find the Honeybee Pollen for those of you who want to eat local bee pollen to help build resistance to local allergies. And can pick up a big jug of pure maple syrup while you're down there...

LAUREN & RILEY

462 Main Street

East End of Main Street Before the Curve

www.laurenandriley.com

Normally found in Lauren & Riley are party dresses, cute tops, adorable little girl's dresses, and Betsy Johnson-esque shoes. But this season they are offering you honey with tea! Or is it the other way around. Hudson River Apiaries honey is on the shelves at Lauren & Riley.

BEACON PANTRY

267 Main Street

Middle of Main Street Across from Key Foods (who also has honey)

www.beaconpantry.com

Known for French selections, Beacon Pantry of course has specialty raw honey, and stocks the often sought after Lavender honey, in addition to Acacia, Chestnut, and Cinnamon Creamed honey (!?!). Dips and spreads for chicken just got a lot more interesting...  

Drink up! Or for you serious honey lovers, spoon it up.

Great Pandora Music at Encore Coffee House

From the owners of Sukhothai down on the East End of Main Street comes Encore Coffee House. And with free wifi, it really has a nice folky music selection playing for those of us seeking an iced latte in air conditioning, with maybe a fruit smoothie later!

Plan Bee Farm Brewery - Farm to Bottle Beer

Inspired by the "Barn to Brew" article in the Summer season's issue of edible HUDSON VALLEY, I finally ventured down to Beacon's Farmers' Market to try the beer from Plan Bee Farm Brewery that is mostly all grown and cultivated from one farm: the farm owned and operated by founders and brewers Evan and Emily Watson.

Even more compelling is the component that makes this beer extra special and unique: the Watsons use their own yeast from their farm, using cultures from peaches, apples, and unpasteurized honey from two bee-hives that came with the farm when they bought the property in Fishkill.

The most special thing about cooking, baking or brewing something is using ingredients around you to make the freshest of flavors not easily replicated time and again. Plan Bee Farm Brewery loves this spontaneity of flavor, and embraces and actually seeks out the different flavors their unique yeast method produces. According to Even in the article from edible: "I love the odd and complex flavors you can get from it. These are the backbone of our beers."

Each of their beers have a story which you can read about on their blog. The bottle I tried was their popular Chamomile, developed specifically for and sold at the Cold Spring General Store. Delicious. I took it to a gathering on Mahopac Lake and a friend happily dubbed it a "soft" flavor and immediately texted his parents who were hiking for the day in Cold Spring, to request that they buy a few bottles at the store.

A brew with a notable story behind it is the TechiNiki, which was named after an Indian woman of the Wappingers tribe who picked a peach on a Dutch settler's farm in 1659 and was shot - thus starting the Peach Tree War throughout the entire Hudson Valley. So you're drinking history with these beers, along with flavors and ingredients grown just miles away from you.

Sunday Errands: Brioche Buns, Olive Oil, a Sweet

The best way to "run" errands is to walk them with a little one in tow and attach a cookie and a cupcake to the adventure. First stop is to Beacon Bread Company for brioche buns for weekday packed lunches. Next it's to the Scarborough Fare olive oil store to fill up this bottle with olive oil that tastes like "fresh cut grass and artichokes", to be used later in gazpacho and dipped in white bread from All You Knead and fresh Parmesan from a block from Beacon Pantry. Then it's off to Key Foods for rolls of fresh mozzarella and Applegate provolone cheese for a homemade pizza dough, the dough for which we will pick up from Pleasant Ridge on our way back home.

All on foot and a Radio Flyer bike!

What are your favorite errands on a Sunday?

Summer Wine Picks from Artisan Wine Shop

Summer and wine...such a happy combination. Of course your inspiration for different wines will come from different places, so we talked to Tim and Mei at Artisan Wine Shop for their recommendations on the perfect red, white or rosés wines for summer occasions available in their wine shop right now. Keep in mind, Tim recommends that most red wines should be served chilled in the summer. About 30-45 minutes in the 'fridge should do it...

GARDENING

You've been gardening, pulling weeds, harvesting beans, transplanting hostas, building decorative walls, and you're ready for a glass of wine. You're hot and tired, but you feel great after all of that physical work that looks so rewarding. What wine should you pair with your mood?

WHITE
Arca Nova is a Vinho Verde that is a refreshing white with a lightly bubbly effervescence to keep the taste fresh and you cooled off. It's a white wine from northern Portugal made from light, crisp grapes that are green and lush.

RED
The red Gamay from Domaine Les Hautes Noelles should be chilled and is a 'vin de la soif' (a wine for thirsty people) pulling in a cherry flavor that is low in alcohol.

PICNICS IN THE PARK

You're heading to Riverfront Park for a picnic, music festival, or a stroll down Long Dock, or are having an Alice in Wonderland type picnic in the pruned shrubbery at Dia (get some cheese from Homespun's Dia location), you'll want a wine that will match the early night breeze.

WHITE
You'll enjoy the Schlossmuhlenhof, a Riesling, but not just any Riesling...a dry Riesling Trocken that is native to the Germans who make and drink it. According to Tim, the Germans don't drink any other type of Riesling, certainly not ones that are sweet, which can be considered the norm by Americans. It's lower in alcohol, crisp, clean and good with food.

RED
The Fuori Off Road Strada, a liter of Tuscan red wine in a box.  Packs well in a sack, and you'll get more wine with less packaging! Put this organic boxed wine on ice. It's a Chianti, but not officially classified as such, being that it's in a box. It's light and crisp with some structure and dryness from the tannin. It will have dryness on the finish and is good with food.

BBQs & BACKYARD GRILL OUTS

You're going to a friend's BBQ or backyard grill, and everyone is bringing their craft beers and growlers from The Hop, but you want to bring wine.

WHITE
The Effet Papillon is a Cotos du Roussillon blanc from the southern part of France. It's wrought with soft texture and stands up to the weight of grilled chicken, fish and vegetables. The Effet Papillon picks up flavors well to enhance your meal.

RED
La Flor is a Malbec that is full of flavor. It handles heavy foods like meat well, but could be drunk by itself. This red wine is tangy in nature, and works well with BBQ sauce.

TIM'S FAVORITE ROSÉS FOR SUMMER

Tim was especially excited to share his favorite bottles of rosés. The Lieu-dit Cocagne Coteaux du Vendomois and Pigoudet Premiére. The Coteaux du Vendomois is dry and savory with no sweetness, and is best 15 minutes after opening. The Pigoudet is made from a blend of grapes and is more fruity because of the warmth of the region.

WINE CUPS FOR THE OUTDOORS!

And of course, you must have the proper glass! If you are on a picnic, traveling or just want to drink from a sturdy cup outside, the govino wine glass is shatterproof, reusable, disposable and available locally at Utensil. So fit in the trip from one end of town to the other when you are headed to your event and are picking up wine on your way! And don't forget, if you need a quick apple pie, there are usually mini apple and cherry pies ready at BJ's. 

All of these wines are available in the Artisan Wine Shop, so print out this guide or mention the Summer Wine Pick Guide on A Little Beacon Blog for some guided direction on picking your wines!

Homemade Pizza Night

Pizza is really easy to order from anywhere around here (Leo's, Brothers, Pleasant Ridge, Andoline's over the bridge in Newburgh) but really fun is buying freshly floured dough from Pleasant Ridge of Brothers and making our own. Sometimes a square deep dish in a silly baking dish works, and my personal favorite, the calzone loaded with grilled chicken, spinach, tomatoes and cheese (provolone and mozzarella).

As you can see here, sometimes we go rogue and each make our own pizzas! Some prefer the pizza stone (me), and others prefer the metal baking dish (hubby). We both love buttering the bottom, and I sprinkle some salt on the baking surface. The next goal is to stop into Utensil, the kitchen store on the east end of Main Street to get a wooden pizza oven thing so that I can more easily transfer pizza onto the pizza stone.

And, I haven't tried to buy gluten free dough from Brothers, but they do serve a gluten free pizza! So maybe they'd sell you the dough (but shhh...you didn't hear it from me...)

Junior's Cheesecake at Mary Kelly's

Beacon...we have a problem. Junior's Cheesecake is being served as one if many very deliciously sinful desserts at the Irish pub Mary Kelly's. Normally, I get my fix of the Brooklyn based cheesecake at Grand Central when I'm coming home on the train. Yes - I'm that person eating an entire slice of New York style cheesecake with a giant red syruped up strawberry by myself. But it's worth it. And now...it's only moments away by car! Danger zone. :)

Beacon Open Studios Weekend

This year, the Beacon Open Studios city-wide art studio tour will be on the weekend of May 3-4th from Noon-6pm. There are over 50 artists to visit (maybe 66 but who is counting) in 25 different venues, some of which are shops on Main Street like Bank Square or even apartments, and some of which are studios located in the artist's homes. Artists are also showing at The Lofts further up Fishkill Avenue (Rt. 52) and worth the drive.

If you're jogging around Beacon as I was several years ago, you've seen the white signs with this big red dot saying "Beacon Open Studios". Can't miss it. Walk in to wherever you see one and explore the art that is hidden there. The discoveries will keep you busy all weekend, and you'll have plenty to eat and sip at the neighboring restaurants and cafes. You will even find one of a kind jewelry from artists like Kit Burke-Smith, Martha Humphreys and Kat Stoutenborough.

And it's even kid-friendly with an art studio at their headquarters. Play-dough, yes!

Brioche Buns Up Your Sandwich at Home

For those of you who pack a lunch or work from home, one easy way to up your game with your sandwich is to use this brioche bun from the Beacon Bread Company. And if you needed a dippin' bread, like for saucy cheese in an extra cheesy mac and cheese from April's Rachael Ray cover story, their baguette is nice and fluffy on the inside, ready for soaking. Because you won't eat all of this at once, just slice up the baguette into 3 sections and place into a big Ziploc bag.

The brioche buns pictured here were used for:

• A really good egg salad sandwich courtesy of Easter eggs.
• A grilled chicken sandwich with melted munster cheese and sauteed (in butter) spinach and mushrooms.
• Brioche buns are also good on breakfast egg sandwiches...

And if you have better bread storage ideas, share them in the Comments below!

OMG It Smells So Good In Our Car! Pizza from Andiamo's in Newburgh

Pizza for dinner but not just any pizza in a box...pizza from the wood burning oven of Andiamo's Restaurant across the bridge in Newburgh right off 84. I mean....right off 84.

Fresh mozzarella, dough that cooks in 3minutes in a wood burning oven. So worth the drive for pickup. We are going to tailgate it tonight and go to the Hudson Valley Fair.

Mmmmmmmm.

Oak Vino Wine Bar is a Gem, and in Walking Distance

Oak Vino Wine Bar is the seven year passion project for owner and Middletown resident Rinny Shah. From the first sip of wine, I realized we were in no ordinary wine bar. We were in Rinny's happy place, and our palates were reaping the rewards from her dreams of opening a wine bar, and the consistent research she does on each bottle of wine offered in her bar.

When I stepped up to the bar to ponder the wine list before perching on the seat, I saw a familiar friend on the wine list that I don't normally order - Chianti. The first time I drank Chianti was in Tuscany, and it was a common table wine, but so good. It's when I finally understood the meaning of this line: "Going were the water tastes like wine." That's exactly what Chianti was like for me in Italy during a summer abroad taking literature classes. It was also the first time I actually liked red wine, having been plagued with headaches after consuming it at family holiday dinners. I came to realize ... not all wine is the same.

Upon returning from my trip to Italy, I'd order the table wine at Italian restaurants, which is often Chianti. It was not the same. I haven't ordered Chianti since.

Hence my nostalgic sigh, "Oh, Chianti...," when I saw it on Oak Vino's wine list. The woman behind the bar, who I came to learn was the owner Rinny Shah, heard my whisper, and answered "The Chianti is delicious." Shocked that she heard me, I had to order. Two glasses later, I learned her entire start-up story.

Rinny discovered the spot for the wine bar after a breakfast at The Beacon Bagel. Oak Vino Wine Bar is one of several business in "Market Square", the formerly empty row of storefronts that were available on Main Street for years, yet now hold several new businesses including More Good Syrups and Roosevelt Vet on the Hudson. When the Town Crier signed on, several other businesses fell into place as well. Rinny and her husband Griven Patal, a small business owner of phone stores in Fishkill, love Beacon. Rinny had been meticulously planning for a wine bar in her head while saving up at her corporate job. Due to a personal experience, she quit her job and finally pulled the trigger on the wine bar.

Griven points out that every detail in the wine bar is Rinny's design. From the reclaimed wood beams, to the wood lining of shelves in the wine refrigerator. She works 80 hours a week, planning the wines, and cooks the sauces and tapas she serves at the bar to compliment the wine. Griven remembers his first days as a small business owner, and is still amazed at Rinny's endurance to create a space so paired with her vision. In fact, Rinny's husband works with her and the rest of the staff on weekends to help close the bar and polish the crystal glasses.

Yes, crystal glasses. Because in Rinny's research, she discovered that wine tastes better in crystal. The glasses need polished every night, and who better to do it than a husband ;)

I can concur that red wine does taste better in crystal. Quite clean and poignant. I will have to try a white wine next! I've been in a few wine bars in my life, and I can promise you that this one is special.

Enjoy!

Picture quotes in the ladies bathroom. "Life goes by quickly. Just be happy.' And "Be free." Easily done in Oak Vino!

The Rumors are True: Fresh Beef and Fish at Beacon Pantry

While out at Quinn's with our friends who turned us onto the Cold Spring Coffee Pantry (a cafe in the mountains of Cold Spring), they also clued us into the fresh beef and fish deliveries at Beacon Pantry on Thursdays! And by "fresh," I mean air sealed packaging maybe a day or two before it's delivered to the store.

One of Beaconite's biggest wishes have been to have a source close by for meat and fish. There is a source in Cold Spring out the back of the Riverview Restaurant on 9D. We usually get our hamburger meat and filet mignon steaks at Hannafords on Rt. 9, and they really are pretty good, yet require planning ahead for shopping, and then a real commitment to eating the steak or fish for dinner, lest you wait too long and the fresh beef goes to waste. This wouldn't seem possible, but stuff happens and you end up cooking something else for dinner sometimes.

I'm trying to meal plan on a Monday mornings and buy groceries throughout the week. So having ground beef and steak at Beacon Pantry is such a help.

So mark your weekly calendars:

THURSDAYS: delivery of meat and fish (like ground beef, different types of steaks, salmon, shrimp, grouper, and can change per week).

MONDAYS: fish and meat are moved to the freezer.

Beacon Pantry is a Facebook page you're going to want to keep refreshing! They post what's going on almost daily.