Author Archives: upstatedowntown

Vegging Out at Liberty…

Posted on April 29, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews …is not top-of-mind for most who come here. At the newish Liberty Public House in Rhinebeck, the red, white and blue-themed décor is eye-catching and fun.  And, on a menu that salutes Americana favorites, the “Liberty Burger … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Off the Beaten Foodie Path: Another Fork in the Road

Posted on April 14, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Surprise parties?  Cringe.  Surprise visits (as in “I’m downstairs in the lobby!”)?  Uh-uh. Don’t you dare.  Surprise gifts?  Unless you know my taste and size—I’d rather you didn’t… Obviously, I’m not big on surprises—unless they’re delicious. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Farms, Local Food, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sauvignon Standard: Dry Creek Vineyard

Posted on March 31, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews In step with spring’s early arrival, I find myself gravitating towards Sauvignon Blanc. Sauvignon Blanc It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, often likened to cat’s pee in its natural, sometimes “wild” (sauvage) pungency. But when not over-cropped, over-oaked … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hot Off the Press: The Ramps Cookbook…

Posted on March 22, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews …and we’re in it! Our photographs of harvesting and preparing ramps at our upstate farmhouse (taken by Christopher) and glimpses of his secret backwoods foraging spot (pages 2-3); and, my ramps recipe, Wok-Braised Ramps, (pages 26-27), are featured … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Bookshelf, Food, Hudson Valley, Local Food | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Rite of Spring: Ramps Return

Posted on March 19, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On St. Patrick’s Day, tender, emerald green ramp shoots finally peeked out of my special upstate patch, a happy harbinger of spring — and good eating to come. I’ll check back in a couple of weeks to … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Home Cooking, Hudson Valley, Local Food | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Spring Into Hudson Valley Delicious

Posted on March 14, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Winter 2012 is going out with a whimper—actually, with this week’s temperatures hitting the lows 70s—more like a whisper…  But, hey, all the more reason to step out during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, which spans seven New … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Hudson Valley, Local Food, Restaurants | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Great Quaff Under $10: Chapelle-St-Arnoux Ventoux

Posted on March 10, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews It’s hard to find a decent wine with some character for under $10…but not impossible. Across a couple of vintages, I have discovered that the Chapelle-St-Arnoux Ventoux is a consistent, tasty quaff, and a gem of a value wine.

Posted in Wine, Wine + Food | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cantine Valenti: Stylish Wines from Etna

Posted on February 24, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Few places in the wine world are as exciting as Sicily. An island of vines since antiquity, and a vintner’s sun-drenched terroir dream, it has experienced a remarkable revolution toward quality wines in recent years, leaving behind the reputation of cheap bulk wines that … Continue reading →

Posted in NYC Events, Restaurants, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tivoli Bread & Baking Scores with Multigrain

Posted on February 5, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Ace baker Mike Gonella, owner and quarterback of Tivoli Bread and Baking, our go-to bakery upstate, got into the spirit of Super Bowl Sunday today, fashioning his famous multigrain bread into a carb-based football likeness.

Posted in Food, Hudson Valley | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Margaux Meets the (Wine) Press

Posted on January 30, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews At its traditional January Bordeaux lunch last week, the Wine Media Guild (WMG) of New York sampled multiple vintages from two estimable Margaux chateaux, Chateau Rauzan-Ségla and Chateau d’Issan, (second and third growths, respectively, in the 1855 Bordeaux Classification). The lunch, organized by … Continue reading →

Posted in NYC Events, Wine | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment