The Catskills
Just a few hours drive from the city brings the opportunity to leisurely enjoy farmland, food and community. Explore Delaware County’s endless number of farms, general stores, mountains and winding country roads lined with creameries, grazing cows, horses, historic barns and wildflower fields. Maybe throw in a side trip to the adjoining and more popular Ulster County in Big Indian for dinner and then hit Phoenicia on the way home. All along the way enjoy Farm to Table cuisine at it’s very best.
Where to Stay Table on Ten (52030 Main Street / Route 10, Bloomville; 607/643-6509; tableonten. com) located above restaurant Table on Ten are three bedrooms for rent in an 1860s house. All are beautifully designed with handmade beds and woodwork. The shop in the café downstairs also carries goods from local purveyors as well as a few items from Brooklyn. Extra hint! The attic room is the place to be.
Brushland (1927 County Highway 6, Bovina Center; 607/832-4861; brushlandeatinghouse.com/above-brushland) Located above their restaurant, Brushland Eating House, is a lovely two bedroom apartment for rent on air bnb. Kate’s Lazy Meadow (5191 Route 28, Mount Tremper; 845/688-7200; kateslazymeadow. com) Rent one of the 10 wooden cabins, each one decorated better than the next, at this very private kitschy motel owned by B-52’s singer Kate Pierson, which sits alongside Esopus Creek and breathtaking mountain views.
The Graham & Co (80 Route 214, Phoenicia; 845/688-7871; thegrahamandco.com) A modern 20 room hotel offering three acres of activities including a swimming pool, badminton court, a fire pit and bicycles for exploring.
Where to Eat Table on Ten (52030 Main Street / Route 10, Bloomville; 607/643-6509; tableonten. com) Well known for its wood-fired pizza, this restaurant, café and inn is owned by former Brooklynites Inez Valk and Justus Kempthorne. Try the Fennel or Prosciutto pizza on pizza nights (Fri and Sat only) and for breakfast the Egg in a Pan or House-made Organic Granola over Maple Yogurt, along with a Turmeric Tonic. Brushland Eating House (1927 County Highway 6, Bovina Center; 607/832-4861; brushlandeatinghouse.com) Also owned by a couple from Brooklyn, Sohail Zandi and Sara Elbert, Brushland nods to the Catskills region with seasonal produce, regional sourcing and a fresh take on comforting classics. Try the Cider-glazed Turnips with Smoked Cheddar, Hand-rolled Pasta with Tomato, Wild Oregano and Pecorino, and the cult-favorite Pork Schnitzel.
Lucky Dog Farm Store & Cafe (35796 State Highway 10, Hamden; 607/746-8383; luckydogorganic.com) This general store offers a variety of produce from the farm, baked goods, vintage items and local products from neighboring farms as well as local gift items such as soaps, pottery, yarn and woodwork. Have lunch in the café and try the Chicken Pot Pie or Meatloaf with a Kale Salad. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options are available.
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Russell’s (2099 County Road 6, Bovina Center; 607/832-4242; russellsstore.com) A general store which has been in the Russell family since 1919 and serves breakfast and house-made baked goods. Many products in the store are locally made or grown. Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room (8373 Route 28, Big Indian; 845/254-6500; peekamooserestaurant.com) Marybeth and Devin Mills, the chef, hail from some of nyc’s finest restaurants. The menu is shaped around what local farmers have in abundance that week. Everything on the menu is great, but don’t miss the house-made ice creams, specifically the mint ice cream, made using fresh mint, stems and all.
Phoenicia Diner (5681 Route 28, Phoenicia; 845/688-9957; phoeniciadiner.com) The menu is crafted to offer traditional diner favorites with a modern twist using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Try one of their specialty breakfast skillets.
