Category Archives: Food

Unexpected Plums? Clafouti!

Posted on August 4, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Our ancient red plum tree served as an early muse here at Upstate-Downtown. And we’ve received lots of plum goodness from it over the years. It has, unfortunately, fallen on hard times recently, a victim of “black knot” plum tree disease and … Continue reading →

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A Serious Summer Pink (and Other Food/Wine Matters)

Posted on June 29, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews I had tarragon on the brain. We have a perennial patch of tarragon upstate, and this summer, it has produced like no other year. Normally, I have to constrain Kathryn from pillaging the entire clump in one … Continue reading →

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Ramp Fest Hudson 2015: Gone in a Flash

Posted on May 8, 2015 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On one of the most beautiful days of the year upstate (so far), the fifth annual Ramp Fest, a culinary celebration of “the wild onion of myth and mystery”, took place last Saturday (5/2/15) at  Basilica Hudson in Hudson, NY. … Continue reading →

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Locavore Passion at Murray’s in Tivoli

Posted on September 17, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Eating real food that nourishes the body is important to us.  And when we learned that there was a newly installed chef—Amy Lawton—at Murray’s in Tivoli, Dutchess County, we were thrilled. We’ve often found that women in … Continue reading →

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Roma on the Hudson

Posted on August 30, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews As the fast-waning days of summer soon shift to autumn, we look forward to tasting the change of seasons at Mercato Osteria & Enoteca, interpreted by chef-owner Francesco Buitoni. A talented chef who continues to cook at … Continue reading →

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Two Boots Bard: Dude Food, Suds and Tunes

Posted on July 19, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews Meat. Cheese. Crust. Beer. Righteous pizza attracts most guys—and a lot of girls.  Add live music to the mix, and it’s dude heaven. Two Boots, a Cajun-Italian eatery founded downtown (the East Village) in 1987, has delivered … Continue reading →

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Go Down to CrossRoads (in Hillsdale)

Posted on May 15, 2012 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews “Farm-to-table” has become a buzzword for many restaurants in the Hudson Valley — and around the country. And while it’s a great trend to support, using local and/or organic ingredients doesn’t always guarantee a great dining experience. One Hudson Valley … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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