Let’s talk about the food
If there’s one thing I miss about living in Upstate New York, it’d be the food!
One aspect of Upstate New York I deeply miss is its food. In August, the culinary scene is a delightful toss-up between charming ice cream shops and vibrant farm stands. My 11 and 15-year-old kids might lean towards the ice cream stands, but we unanimously adore the sweet corn. With corn season just beginning and tomatoes at their peak ripeness, it feels like time to indulge. The farm stands, brimming with fresh lettuce, basil, beef, potatoes, squash, onions, garlic, and even bouquets of flowers, make me crave dinner before the day has barely started. Beyond the irresistible sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, and raw milk were among our favorites, not to mention the unique donut peaches and unforgettable cheese curds! Snacking on fresh basil, tomatoes, and cheese curds became a delightful habit.
The apple trees sagged under the weight of their abundant fruit, a testament to the region’s fertility. Five Kids Bakery in Gilbertsville became our must-visit destination. As a hot spot in a sleepy town, it warranted waking up early—think 6 AM early, which felt like 4 AM to me—to ensure we got there when the doors opened at 7 AM, as their delicious offerings sold out quickly. The bakery buzzed with energy, drawing a diverse crowd that felt almost city-like with its array of snazzy cars, little dogs, and families coming together for pastries, croissants, cinnamon rolls, cruffins, cronuts, and their morning coffee. I even spotted a retired dad sporting a CMC Leadville T-shirt!
The bakery also introduced us to dinner delights imported from Italy, like bucatini—a thick, hollow spaghetti—paired wonderfully with farm stand veggies, cheese curds, Italian spices, and a drizzle of imported olive oil. We savored a local favorite, Poutine, in Mohawk country, a decadent dish of crinkle-cut fries smothered in gravy and cheese that’s simply irresistible.
Poutine
Crinkle cut french fries smothered in gravy and cheese.
The Yellow Deli was a another favorite with my kids. There are a few sprinkled around the world, but this was our first encounter. It’s run by some kind of retro-religious-hippy-commune with super KiND people. A yellow glow literally emitted from the windows of this once popular bar in Oneonta. Flowers adorned the front windows and when I stepped inside it felt like I’d walked back in time and East a bit to Northern Europe. Natural wood timber jointed together without nails, gingham yellow curtains, bushel baskets as lamp shades were just a few of the adornments. The food was simple and wholesome. The murals on the walls spoke of the hippie days gone sour and finding God. Definitely a unique experience in a deteriorating upstate NY. There’s one here in Boulder that we’ll try soon.
