Thee Diner in Cicero makes the walk, and the drive, worthwhile

Does it make sense to drive 55 miles to walk 3 miles in a snowstorm with temperatures in the teens? A fair question.

The answer turned out to be a resounding yes as I was able to explore Oneida Shores Park and stop in at the Thee Diner in Cicero. Both first-time experiences proved to be fruitful and fun.

I drove to the park on the southwestern tip of Oneida Lake last Saturday and was forced to take the  toll-thirsty Thruway for part of the ride because the side roads were slick and sloppy. The park has a beautiful lodge tucked into the woods, where I got my route map for the 5K folksmarch sponsored by the Syracuse YMCA.

I do have this curious need to be rewarded for my endeavours. I’m sure it’s a lack of emotional depth. No “it’s the journey” for me. When I hike I need a payoff, a vista of unparalleled beauty. Play softball, I want to win. Badly want to win. When I do these folksmarch walks, I want that pin that comes with a successful jaunt.  I blame my parents.

Oneida Shores Park

Oneida Shores proved to be a beautiful setting for my stroll (See more photos here). The trees were covered in what looked like gooey marshmallow, and the lake, or more immediately Muskrat Bay, looked impressive in its gray/white expansiveness. I stayed warm despite the niggly temperatures, decked out in my new Columbia jacket that came courtesy of Mrs. Claus at Christmas. (By the way, if you need a thin, crazy warm jacket or any kind of outdoor gear at steep discounts, check out Sierra Trading Post. Great deals.)

The folksmarch folks do a great job organizing these walks, which can be stretched to the 10K variety if you are so compelled. I had bought my cross country skis with me, and I tried it after my walk. But the snow as actually too deep and there were no skiers out before me cutting the trail, so I hopped in my car after warming up at the Arrowhead Lodge and collecting my nifty pin (at right). 

The road conditions had improved  by that time so I took Route 31  and came across the Thee Diner, which is under a mile from Route 81. I’ll be the first to admit that the diner doesn’t look like much form the outside, but if you are traveling on Route 81 and need a break, this is a great place to refuel.

It is always a good sign for me when a diner offers me options for my cup of tea. I have nothing against Lipton or Red Rose, but when given a chance for an English Breakfast Tea by Bigelow or Twinings, I’m all over it. That was one of several options offered to me by the waitress who greeted me at one of about eight tables in the main section of the diner, which has additional tables in an expanded dining area with large windows letting in the meager doses of sunlight.

Thee Diner in Cicero

I also was reminded right away about why locally owned restaurants are so much better than chain eateries. Instead of hokey pieces of kitsch on the walls that some corporate suit approved after myriad consultations with overpaid designers,  there was photo after photo  of patrons lining the walls. Real people from the community. That alone speaks volumes.

My breakfast of eggs, home fries, sausage, and toast was right on the mark. I was intrigued by the sign that promised homemade desserts by Cindy, but I didn’t walk that much at the park. Thee Diner also serves ice cream during the warmer months.

After my leisurely breakfast I didn’t mind one bit that I had about 50 miles left to drive. Seemed like nothing at all.

Additional photos from this trip:

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Tags: cicero, columbia, hiking, oneida shores park, route 81, sierra trading post, thee diner, ymca

Hapanowicz Bros. offers a little slice of heaven for meat-lovers

During a summer meander through New York Mills I had come across Hapanowicz Bros. Meat Market, at the corner of Clinton and New Hartford streets. It was closed, but I vowed to return.  On Saturday,  I did.

Wife L and I spent some serious time perusing the incredible varieties of  sausages, prime cuts of beef, pork loins, and double-cut pork chops,  to name just a few. The butchers on hand were friendly and answered all our questions.  This is way more than your typical deli meat counter, I guarantee you, though there were lots of options for luncheon meats and salads, too.

There also were enticing ready-to-eat homemade entrees available, including goulash, chicken pot pie, New England clam chowder, greens, and golabki, the Polish stuffed cabbage dish. Of course, the meat cases also were filled with Polish kielbasa.

We were disappointed that the bread section had a sign saying that Napoli’s breads and tomato pies were currently unavailable, but we bought some really nice rye bread made by Star Bakery in Utica. (My last post about the joys of Napoli’s bread resulted in some folks emailing me  about really good bread available at Roma Sausage and Deli, on Bleecker Street, just down from Napoli’s, and  Spano’s, a bakery over on Niagara Street. )

We will freeze a lot of what we bought at Hapanowicz as we hunker down for the winter that wasn’t (at least so far). We bought some breakfast sausage links, hot Italian sausage patties, a couple of bockwursts,  hot Italian sausage links, two packages of homemade pierogies, some meatball mix, and some beautiful pork loins that we’ll put a nice rub on and try to grill.

It might not sound this way, but we  do eat healthy in my home with lots of veggies mixed in with our meals and lighter fare some nights with soups and salads. But I am  a committed carnivore, as the photo below can attest.  So I’m hoping that the Hapanowicz meat market, which dates back to 1916, will continue to  be around for a long, long time.

Booty from Hapanowicz market

Tags: hapanowicz meat market, Italian sausage, meat, napoli's, new york mills, pork, Roma Sausage and Deli, sausage, Spano's

Picture this: Bread as art in Utica

Bread nourishes the body and art nourishes the soul.

Walking, I’ve discovered lately, can do both.

I took a ride to Utica the other day and my first stop was Napoli’s bakery and deli, at the corner of Bleecker and Culver. Their Italian bread is some of the finest you can find in CNY. I can’t, and don’t, eat enough of the textured bread with the crunchy, chewy crust. It is unbelievably good.

I also ordered a large tomato pie. Napoli’s offers some of the finest around, with a tangy sauce topped with just a sprinkle of Parmesan.  Combined with a wonderful pizza crust, I’m working my way through through several square slices before taking a breath.

It’s good stuff all around.

Photograph © 2006 Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust Courtesy Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona

After that critical purchase I visited the Munson Williams Proctor Arts Institute on Genesee Street to take in the Ansel Adams photography exhibition.  It is an amazing display of 48 photos Adams had chosen himself late in his life to best represent his work.

Tags: ansel adams, bleecker, buyea's, canastota, hiking, link trail, napoli's deli, utica

Hit the brakes and make a stop at Daniel’s Grill in Marcellus

You know it’s time to get the brakes fixed when all conversation stops in the minivan when you are trying to slow down after cresting and rapidly descending one of the many hills on Route 20 near Lafayette. The shudder of the worn brake pads replaces the guffaws and chuckles that had filled the car on the more even stretches of my favorite national highway.

We had been driving to Skaneateles for a Dickens Christmas a few weekends ago when Wife L gave the stare and posed the pointed question: “Will you call the mechanic now?” It was time, as Sister-in-law B’s white knuckles could attest to, and I would indeed later call the good folks at Deland’s garage in Pine Woods who took care of things, with a more mild holiday hit on the wallet than anticipated.

Caroling along Skaneateles Lake

Tags: daniel's grill, lights on the lake, marcellus, route 20, skaneateles, skaneateles lake

Conesus Lake dining spot serves up great food and views

How many Finger Lakes are there?

Answer: 11 (we don’t count Cazenovia Lake or the “thumb,” Oneida Lake)

Can you name them?

Answer: No, but Wikipedia can: Otisco • Skaneateles • Owasco • Cayuga • Seneca • Keuka • Canandaigua • Honeoye • Canadice • Hemlock • Conesus.

What’s the point of this Q&A?

Answer: I visited two of the Finger Lakes in the past few weeks and had a wonderful lunch on the shores of the westernmost lake, Conesus, and enjoyed a Dickens Christmas on the second-most eastern lake, Skaneateles.

North Shore Grill in Lakeville, NY

Tags: conesus lake, finger lakes, geneseo, grouper, lakeville, north shore grill, skaneateles, suny geneseo

Old-style Italian food and an old-style Folksmarch to walk it off

I like Italian food. Which is good, because living in CNY I  have lots of Italian food options. I discovered a new option last weekend in East Utica called Joey’s.

Joey’s is not new, not at all, but was new to Wife L and I and Friends W. And it was good. Carefully prepared Italian food. Generous portions at  reasonable prices. A homey setting, complete with not red, but green and white checkered tablecloths.  That is how I would describe Joey’s: old-style Italian.

Joey's Restaurant on Mohawk Street in Utica

Tags: alee's, folksmarch, Joey's, Matilda Joslyn Gage, north syracuse ymca, the willows, utica