During a pause in my preparations for Maine, I thought of some info to share with you about a few spots closer to home. In the past week or so, I’ve ventured slightly south to hit up a couple of cool places, some new, some well established, of which you should be aware.
First up – The Hereafter. I’d heard of this cocktail bar but only in the most general sense. I most certainly wasn’t prepared to walk into the place and witness what amounted to a large group drawing class. Yet, that’s exactly what we encountered when we entered on a recent Wednesday night. A lack of artistic skill was no obstacle to our receiving two nicely made and delicious cocktails which we sipped as we observed our fellow imbibers render their versions of the man poised on a slightly raised platform as a model. Fun!
The evening’s main event was dinner at a different bar, that of Haema on Hudson’s Warren Street. We were there as part of Friends & Family prior to their opening weekend and it very much felt like a reunion of sorts with a room filled with supporters of owners Hannah and SJ. The restaurant’s interior is lovely with a wonderful combination with dark wood floors, perfectly lit corners and windows facing Warren Street.
And the food and beverage game is absolutely on point. Everything we sampled was fantastic.
I can’t wait to go back!
Days later, I again found myself in Columbia County, but on this day I avoided the city of Hudson and drove instead to Olana for a quick peek at the gardens. It was a beautiful afternoon and I had seen a few photos on a friend’s Insta that inspired to me to swing by on my way downstate where I would be meeting a friend.
The riotous display of late spring flowers did not disappoint. Iris and peonies abounded and created a gorgeous scene and I drank it in. Upstate New York at its finest!
After my brief stop, I continued on my way at the mercy of WAZE and my desire to stay off of the highway. My next destination was the Stockade Tavern in NYS’s former capital, Kingston, a place I’d be checking out for the first time.
I arrived prior to my friend and sat patiently at one of the three outdoor tables with my book until the Stockade opened for service. Once the bartender unlocked the door, I went inside to the surprisingly eye appealing tavern. The curvaceous bar, low lighting and comfortable seating combined to make a very welcoming space. But, I was committed to being outdoors in our ever so brief springtime. I took my daiquiri special, along with a carafe of water and glassware, and exited the unassuming yellow door and returned to my sidewalk patio perch.
After a quick catch up once A arrived, we drove over to Sushi Makio, a small Japanese place about 10 minutes from the Stockade. As I am inclined to do when dining at a restaurant for the first time with a friend that already is a fan, I completely yielded all food decisions to A. She ordered with her usual gusto and I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
This fish was special – perfectly firm, yet tender, and I was thrilled with everything. Even the miso soup had a richness of flavor and body that I don’t recall enjoying anywhere else nearly as much. Well worth the trip to Kingston – make a reservation for sure.
Where have you been recently? Anything to share?
DelSo 