Another Road Trip to Saratoga Springs

My sister Barb and I took another road trip this past weekend. We combined a visit with Clara and a rug show in a little town just east of Saratoga Sprins called Victory Mills. I've posted some photos of the rug show on the blog we share -- Hallowed Hill Primitives -- if you'd like to take a look. There were many beautifully hooked rugs, but this one, called Too Good for the Doorway designed and hooked by Marian Bigelow was my favorite. The hooking technique is amazing, and I love the simplicity of the design -- the circles breaking the straight lines. It really is too nice to wipe your feet on.



But you can read about the rug show on the other blog. . . I want to tell you about dinner on Friday night. Clara invited several of her friends to join us, and, of course, they picked the best and most costly restaurant in town. But it was worth every penny -- obviously, since it is now Tuesday, and I'm still talking about Friday's dinner.



The restaurant is Max London's, right next store to Mrs. London's, the well-known bakery. It was very busy when we finally arrived (Clara had to blow dry her hair, you know. . . ) I asked the waiter for his recommendations and I took his advice on everything. I started with a mixed green salad with beets, walnuts and blue cheese that was perfectly dressed. He recommended the skate for my main course -- he said it was the best fish dish he had ever eaten -- and he was right! It was served with cavolo nero (I had to ask -- that's Italian for black kale), butter beans, and preserved lemon. I wanted to lick my plate when I was finished, and I found it very hard to share tastes with my fellow diners, that's how good it was.

The dessert menu didn't excite me -- I had to ask what Chocolate Maximus was (a flourless chocolate torte served with pistachio ice cream) and what's a budino? (Can you tell I let my subscription to Gourmet lapse?) Our waiter explained that budino is Italian for pudding, and that this black-bottomed butterscotch pudding was the best dessert he'd ever eaten . . . He was right about the fish, so I ordered the pudding. It came in an unassuming glass -- and my sister was thinking "You paid $8 for that?" I'd pay twice that to have one right now . . . It was layered chocolate and butterscotch pudding topped with an unsweetened whipped cream, soft caramel and fleur de sel. Yes, salt! It was AMAZING! I am going to try to replicate it soon . . . Or make the 5 1/2 drive to Saratoga so I can order it again . . Barb ordered a BLT pizza that looked great, and the Chocolate Maximus, which was also delicious. Clara ordered seared duck with wild mushroom risotto which was also lovely. (She learned to love duck when we went to Paris -- it was during the height of the Hoof and Mouth scare and she wouldn't touch beef . . .)

Now I have to go think of something to make for dinner tonight. . . I wish Max London lived next door. . .

Blogging on the Road . . . the Laptop Case's First Trip

I took an impromptu trip up to Saratoga Springs yesterday to visit my daughter at college. I had a great drive up (which is good, because it is a 5 1/2 hour drive). The day was brilliant -- pure sunshine and blue, blue skies. I love to drive and enjoyed my Volvo's comfortable seats (with fanny warmers!) as well as the fabulous view of Manhattan from the Throgs Neck Bridge and the bluffs of the Hudson River above and below the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The Catskill Mountains rise up to the west just north of New York City, and farther up, above Albany, you can see the beginning of the Adirondacks. Pete and I spent a lot of time there on Tupper Lake in our younger days. Pete's cousins have an old cabin there, built by their grandfather -- no heat, minimal electric, an outhouse and you can only get to it by boat. It is a beautiful place, but I don't do rustic well anymore.

I'm staying at the Saratoga Hotel and Conference Center. We stay here everytime we come for parents' weekend. I love staying in good hotels. I love the anonimity of them -- bed and breakfasts make me crazy. (I don't want to talk to anyone over my morning coffee.) I've got wi-fi, a down comforter and pillows, and room service if I need it. I can walk all over Saratoga's great little downtown.



I love the clean look of the room -- no polyester frou frou floral bedspreads -- and so much space. I feel like I'm on vacation. (See my laptop case on the bed?)

The main street -- Broadway -- that leads up to Skidmore College is lined with beautiful Victorian homes. I would love to see inside them. (I took these pics back in October -- that's why the grass is green, instead of being covered by snow.)




Okay -- I am off to fill my daughter's gas tank and refrigerator before I head for home. The weathermen are predicting a rain and ice storm up here, so I will have to get on the road soon.

Happy February, Everyone!

Sarah