Deserving Much Recognition, Dano's Heuriger on Seneca Near Watkins Glen, NY

Dano's Heuriger on Seneca is a Viennese restaurant near Watkins Glen, NY. A heuriger is an Austrian term meaning a restaurant with an emphasis on wine harvested during the current year. The wine served is mostly from the Finger Lakes region and from Austria. Traditional Viennese food is served everyday from their extensive menu. Some of my favorite item on the menu are their delicious goulash, schnitzel and sauerbraten. There are a wide variety of spreads to enjoy with their fresh breads. Their salads are unique and accompany the meats well. It is owned by husband and wife Dano Hutnik and Karen Gilman. Karen is the pastry chef and my favorite dessert is her apple strudel Dano has been a chef for many years and has dabbled in many things including jam but recently he is working on perfecting the art of hand-crafted cheese. This past winter, we were given a tour of his cheese projects and we were also given a cheese tasting. We found his cheese to be as good as his regular menu items, exceptionally done well with a eye for detail. Dano tends to be very critical of his food so by the time you are tasting it, it has gone through many trials before it is good enough to serve to his customers. This restaurant is on the Seneca Wine Trail which our Seneca Lake Inn is an associate member of for every year it has existed.

Dano's food is worth the trip alone but his restaurant overlooks Seneca Lake with large glass windows offering a spectacular view. Behind the restaurant is fresh herb garden which he uses in his salads and there is a large meadow and orchard to the side. The architecture of the building is modern with simple lines starting with very large doors for its entrance and tall windows facing the lake. Karen's large paintings hang on the walls to complete the modern look. On warm days, customers are invited outside to enjoy the food on the terrace.

One of my favorite memories of eating at this restaurant was when we went with a large group and ordered the "Chef's Table" which is a large sampler of Viennese food served family-style. We brought our own wine and spent an entire evening being served food from his menu. You must call ahead and make arrangements for this but he gave us a per person price and when we arrived the food started flowing and did not stop soon enough before I was full and whispering "uncle". I say whisper because I did not want the food to stop because dessert was next.

The summer hours are from 12-8:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The restaurant is open to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. You can call (607) 582-7555 to make reservations. Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome too. The address is 9564, Route 414 in Lodi, NY. It is just north of Shalestone Vineyard. From our Finger Lakes Inn, the restaurant is a 20 minute drive.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033

Silk Naturals - Local Business, Natural Makeup in Trumansburg nearby Ithaca NY

The Ithaca NY region has many small entrepreneurs and Silk Naturals, a local makeup company is one of those businesses that makes our community unique. Even though we have Cornell University and Ithaca College in the Ithaca region who employs many people, I believe that at least a third of the population owns their own business. Almost everyone I know has more than one job and one of those jobs is a small business on the side. So it is no surprise that we have someone who is making their own makeup, Silk Naturals. They are a local makeup and skin care company located in Trumansburg NY. It is not as well known by the locals, however, it has developed a cult following online and across the world. Silk Naturals is sold at Sundrees and Funky Finds, both located on Main Street Trumansburg nearby Ithaca NY. The business is in walking distance from our Inn nearby Ithaca NY.

The owners stand out from other companies with their dedication in obtaining feedback from their customers. Also, the product line is made with as few ingredients as possible and they are natural and organic. The company also is owned by generous people during October, the profits go to organizations supporting cancer research. The company has also donated to The National Kidney Foundation, Engineers Without Borders, The Look Good Feel Better Program and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Not all of Silk Naturals products are silk-based. There is a vegan line that does not have silk powder in it. Primers, lip products, foundation, skin care, and face products are available with a different, vegan formula. With the exception of four products, everything is gluten-free. The brand has a patent-pending foundation that involves mixing bases of your choice to make the perfect-match foundation. If you tan, you can add more of a base to your foundation, and not have to buy a completely new foundation. There are many shades of lip products and eyeshadow available. There are over 200 eyeshadow that span the spectrum of the rainbow. There are over 100 lip products. Skin, body, and hair products can be purchased on their website. So when visiting the Finger Lakes Region of NY, check out this small local business for makeup needs. We can never have too much makeup, right ladies!


Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033

The Rongovian Embassy to the USA, Trumansburg, NY nearby Ithaca

One of my favorite places in Trumansburg NY nearby Ithaca NY is the Rongovian Embassy to the USA, known to the locals as the Rongo. It was one reason why Roman and I settled in the Finger Lakes region of NY, the Rongo is in walking distance from our Bed and Breakfast nearby Ithaca NY. We thought when we got old, we could use our walkers, roll up the street, have a beer and listen to music in the evening. I guess we think ahead when it comes to entertainment. It is located in Trumansburg nearby Ithaca NY, and was founded in 1973 as a bar/music venue. In the 1970's and 80's Savoy Brown, Orleans, Hot Sweets, and Duke Robillard were musicians and bands that you could find playing in the evenings. The Rongovian Embassy has had many owners, but the atmosphere has stayed the same throughout the years. It was originally well known for the amount and diversity of the beers, drinks, and names of the drinks that were served. There were 50-60 beers available - most of them were imported. The Rongo has a friendly close-knit atmosphere. It is located on 1 West Main Street. It is in the heart of Trumansburg and is surrounded by other shops and restaurants.

That is the story you find on the website but the story I heard once was that the Rongovian Embassy to the USA was opened for the purpose of providing a place for Vietnam Vets to hang out with each. The Vets were not greeted with arms open when they came back from the war and the Embassy was a safe haven for them. The part of the name, Rongovian, is shortened to the Rongo, which could be said like the Wrong Go!, a political statement to our presence and role in Vietnam. Many residents did not patronize the establishment for this reason in the past but this is not the case anymore.

The kitchen is open for food from Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30-9 p.m. I particularly enjoy their delicious hamburgers but the menu is not the reason to go to the Rongo. Its the music and the community.

Musicians come from all over to perform at the Rongo. Independent and local bands are predominantly featured there. An eclectic style of music is the best way to describe what one might listen to when visiting the Rongo. Country, Folk, blues, Middle Eastern, and rock music are some of the genres of the upcoming groups to play at the Rongo. Bands perform primarily original works, as well as covers. If you do not like a type of music one night, you can return later that week and will most likely find a band that you do enjoy.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY, 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033

Midsummer Nights Dream, The Ithaca Festival nearby Ithaca, NY 2011

The Ithaca Festival celebrates the departure of students from Cornell University and Ithaca College. Over 30,000 people attend the four day festival. The Festival was established in 1977; it was originally named  "Celebration Ithaca." A colorful parade began the festival from Cayuga Street to Lewis Street to Dewitt Park. On Friday and Saturday, the festival took place on the Commons, a closed off street filled in with pavers. The festival moved on Sunday to Stewart Park that is adjacent to Cayuga Lake. The parade had a multitude of costumed people and floats. Local businesses were represented, such as the Bed and Breakfast of Greater Ithaca, of which I am a member. I have attended many festivals in the past and have enjoyed them. We are not as eccentric as some groups like the He-man chain saws. It is a group of men with chain saws revving their chainsaws in a coordinated way to play music. The other one, which is my favorite entry is the Volvo ballet. Volvos were the most popular cars in Ithaca at one point. Since then, the Subaru has taken that spot and they also have a ballet with the mini cooper group. These cars are dressed up in tutus and they move gracefully down the street. Don't forget the Suffer Jets, our very own rollerblade team performing on rollerblades.Originally an arts festival, the music, crafts, and art are still here today. This year there was an Open Air Art exhibit that featured local artists creating art on Saturday. People were able to talk and watch the artists directly. There was more art in stores and various stalls on the Commons. This event gave the attendees an opportunity to get to know local artists.

Over 1,000 musicians, entertainers, and ensembles performed during the Festival. There were many music genres represented: Zydeco, rock, punk, Irish, country, classical, folk, jazz, Latin, and more. Locals came to support their favorite bands, such as Radio The Ape. Dance and karate groups provided entertainment as well. The musicians performed in various pavilions, stages, the CSMA building, and an amphitheater.

A Midsummer Nights Dream themed masquerade ball was held this year for the first time and the Sim Redmond Band performed there. The costume party took place in the Ithaca Farmers' Market. Tickets were priced at $15 for a fun night of dance and celebration. I wish I had been able to attend the masquerade. Our guests attended when they stayed in our Bed and Breakfast nearby Ithaca, NY.

The Spring Craft Show was held in downtown Ithaca NY Friday and Saturday and in Stewart Park on Sunday. Over a hundred artisans and craftspeople attended the craft show. The craftspeople were not only locals and represented a wide diversity of trades and regions. Ceramics, jewelry, art, photography, and more items were on exhibition and/or for sale.

The food is one of the main attractions at Ithaca Festival. There were many choices of food and stands on the Commons. Burritos were offered at different stands. One of the more popular stands was the Fry Bread stand. You could get original fry bread that was fried dough with powdered sugar. You could also get fried dough with strawberries and whipped cream. The food is freshly made and very delicious with fresh cold lemonade.

The Ithaca Festival, Ithaca NY is a dynamic and enjoyable experience. It starts every year the first Thursday following Memorial Day Weekend. The food, art, and music contributed to the atmosphere of fun and merriment. It is an Ithacan experience that should not be missed.

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033

Trumansburg Farmers Market in the Finger Lakes Region of NY

The Trumansburg Farmers Market is one of the many farmers markets in the Finger Lakes region NY. Much of the Finger lakes is rich in farming and many of the residents demand fresh local and organic foods. This market features a variety of vendors who cater to this wholesome way of eating and a community based agriculture and it is in walking distance to our Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast. The products offered include: herbs, fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs/dairy, plants, flowers, wine, honey, food vendors and crafts. This market also has local music entertainment while you shop. It is located on the corner of Route 227 and Route 96. The Trumansburg Farmers Market is open on Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. on June 1st through October this year.

What stands out to a new visitor of the Trumansburg Farmers Market is the diversity of products and the architecture of the market. The architecture consists of two single-loaded pavilions, a pedestrian entrance, and a music gazebo. The community built these after the Trumansburg Farmers Market was awarded a $25,000 grant from the NYS Agriculture and Markets Department. The Trumansburg community came together to design, build, and put together the structures.

There are also crafts aromatherapy, pottery, clothing, carved gourds, honey products, and jewelry. You can often find me visiting the farms, vineyards, and bakeries to pick up things for our breakfasts. I love the garlic selection because I use garlic for most of my pesto I make through the season. Some of the more unique offerings of this market are freshly made juice (Saví Juice), Community-supported agriculture bread (Wide Awake Bakery), medicinal herbs (Dragonfly Gardens), and homemade ice cream (Cayuga Lake Creamery). Organic food is advertised by almost all of the produce stalls.

Local bands and musicians play under the pavilion in the center of the market. One of these bands is The Zydeco Trail Riders, a band from upstate New York, plays Creole, Cajun, and zydeco music. This band will play three times through the Farmers Market season. The Zydeco Trail Riders is composed of five people playing the accordions, guitar, bass, drums, rub board, and includes vocals. The live music brings together most of the community.

Don't forget to stop by every Wednesday for the 2011 season!

Innkeeper Rose Hilbert
POB 95, 112 E. Main St.
Trumansburg, NY 14886
info@gothiceves.com
www.gothiceves.com
1-800-387-7712
607-387-6033