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Uncle Lary and John head into the dining room at The Mountain Brook Inn in Bovina, New York. Check out the snow!
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This past weekend, I headed up to my little country retreat in the middle of New York’s Catskill Mountains. It was a wintry wonderland with a bit of mud thrown in to tease us that spring is lingering upon the horizon. My dad, Jary, and uncle Lary came up to visit John and me from Florida, and we had a blast hitting a few of our favorite hot spots. Jary and Lary loved bundling up for the six-degree weather after departing the tropical climes of Tampa just hours before. (P.S. My dad’s other brother is named Tary. I had weird grandparents).
Our favorite go-to is The Mountain Brook Inn, a former hunting lodge that LA transplant Gary Simmons has done up as a comfortable and relaxed getaway in bucolic Bovina, New York. The eight rustic-chic rooms are filled with overstuffed furnishings, verdant plants, current magazines and wonderful linens. But, the real selling point is the Saturday-only suppers that Simmons hosts in his ground-level dining room. I have traveled the world and been lucky enough to dine in some of the most amazing restaurants, but there is nothing better than the soothing experience that Simmons has created. I am mad for the fireplace and the cozy furnishings—and don’t get me started me on the menu. This week the fare included a stellar celery soup and roasted beet salad with fennel and orange followed by locally sourced osso buco with mashed potatoes. We finished off the meal with brownies accompanied by fresh whipped cream and tangy lemon tart. Amazing!
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Hotelier/restaurateur Gary Simmons shows off his baking prowess. His desserts are amazing.
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On Sunday we headed to Blue Bee Café and Steinway Books in the charming college town of Delhi, New York. A purveyor of wonderful vintage and used books, this elegant storefront exudes style in its selection of smart books and eats. Try its unparalleled chicken salad on a croissant and the mozzarella-and-pesto panini. Sublime! Jary and Lary were really taken aback by some of the amazing new eateries that the Catskills have to offer.
And I haven’t even raved yet about Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room, one of the finest dining experiences in the mountains and yet without any pretension. More on other Catskills finds in another blog post.
I am off to High Point, North Carolina, this week for a furniture show, so stay tuned for my southern adventures! Chick-fil-A, here I come!
Photos by Jason Oliver Nixon
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| My dad, Jary, orders one of the terrific panini sandwiches at the Blue Bee Cafe in Delhi, New York. |