Watkins Glen Part II-An Herb Cottage and Good Food

While volunteering at the track was so much fun, our short stay at a Bed and Breakfast called The Herb Cottage was a thrill for me.  It was clean, Carolsue was so friendly, it was like walking into a family home.   Everything is natural – she even makes her own soaps.  She is a Vegetarian offering organic goodies. 

In our room, The Rosemary Room, this cute little shelf was on the wall, complete with recipes:

Carolsue offered us a glass of wine. It was a chardonnay with a mango ice cube. 

We were so hungry and there was no way we were waiting until 8pm to have dinner with the PCA volunteers at Falls Motel. We went to the Wildflower Cafe in the village of Watkins Glen and enjoyed the following:

A funky shaped loaf of whole grain bread

Cajun Seafood Stew: Mine in a spicy marinara with asparagus and Ted's in the cajun cream sauce over fettucine

After dinner, we strolled around Seneca Lake front, taking a look at the many sailboats docked and just rocking with the light wind.

We then joined the friendly group at Falls Motel for more wine, lovely conversation and some picky food (I won’t admit that Ted and I actually ate a SECOND time).

Saturday:

Because we were scheduled to be at the track by 7:30 am, Carolsue said she would leave breakfast ready for us.  She prepared: Yogurt with nuts, granola, blueberries and strawberries.  Extra strawberries.  Bagels with rosemary-grand marnier cream cheese.  Coffee.  A wonderful start to the day.

Following our work at The Glen and enjoying Thunder Road tour, we set out to Ithaca, NY.  Ithaca is the home of a very popular Vegetarian restaurant called Moosewood.  They offer many cookbooks, an earth friendly atmosphere and delicious Vegetarian and Vegan cuisine.  I didn’t tell Ted that when directing him to the restaurant.  His first question to the waiter was “Do you have any meat dishes?”. 

In spite of having no meat, the lunch was enjoyable and filling.

Garden Salad with Spicy Peanut-Lime Dressing

Fresh Seafood Ragout: Salmon, shrimp simmered with herbs, saffron and citrus served with toasted baguette slices

Menestra: Broth of carrots, mushrooms, potatoes, peppers, artichoke hearts simmered with herbs paprika, thyme. Served topped hard boiled egg and spanish olives

Zesty chipotle pepper hummus with greens and tomato

Following lunch, on the way back to the car, we enjoyed the music of a street musician playing in between tents of street vendors:

Watkins Glen, Seneca Lake, and Ithaca New York.  If you have yet to visit, make plans to get there during the warm days of summer. There is always something going on.

Have a great Sunday.