EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY!

If you head toward the town of Catskill (take a left at the stop sign (Woodstock Ave.), go over the steel bridge to the stop sign, turn Left, and then Right at the traffic light (23A), you’ll find STORY’S FARM MARKET at the intersection of 23A and 32A.  You’ll see it on the right hand side, on 32A.   Open only in season, they have some of the best home grown fresh corn, tomatoes and greens in the area.

WOODSTOCK 
SUNFLOWER is a health food store with a large selection of  vegan, vegetarian and organic foods, green cleaning products, cosmetics and vitamins.  As you enter the Village of Woodstock, you’ll see it on your right next to Rite Aid Drugs.  If you’re “of an age,” be sure to ask for a senior discount.

SUNFROST is at the other end of town, going toward Bearsville.  It’s on the left side of the street a short distance up from the post office. More gourmet than health food, they do have a fine selection of organic and home grown produce.  Good “take-out” gourmet deli section.  Try the home baked vegetarian Shepherd's’s Pie.   They have a small, but impressive selection of cheeses and fresh fish, including wild salmon.  An adjoining  lunch counter offers juices, sandwiches, wraps, soups and salads.

The closest you’ll come to a supermarket in the Woodstock area is HURLEY RIDGE MARKET.  It’s located on Route 375, the junction just before you enter the Village of Woodstock.  HURLEY RIDGE WINES AND LIQUORS is just next to the market.  Knowledgeable staff and large selection of fine wines and liquors.

I buy my wines at TINKER STREET LIQUOR.  They have tasting's on Saturdays from 2:00 to 7:00.  Open on Sundays.  A very sweet shop with good wines and liquors and friendly, attentive service.

MOWER’S MARKET,  behind BREAD ALONE in Woodstock,  is a Woodstock tradition.  Mostly a flea market,  it is home to a terrific produce stand where I often buy my fruit and veggies.  Lots of high quality organic items at low overhead prices.

Your well-behaved dog deserves a treat!  Take your first Right after Sunflower, and you’ll see WOOFSTOCK to your left.  Complete selection of food, treats, toys and paraphernalia.

IN SAUGERTIES

LUCKY CHOCOLATES is not to be missed!  It’s on Route 212 as you head toward the Village of Saugerties.  This shop was an instant hit, and I’m not the only one so addicted that I stop and buy just one piece of candy on  my way home.  Only organic chocolate is used and Rae even makes vegan truffles.  On my frequent trips to California, friends and family insist that I bring some! Always lots of samples.

A few doors down from LUCKY CHOCOLATES,  you’ll see a little market adorned with British and American flags.  Owned by Helen of Toy, the shop features meat pies, teas, biscuits and other English treats.  Lest you wonder why she’d called Helen of Toy, check out her shop of vintage and highly collectable toys.

SAUGERTIES has a small, but delightful farmer’s market on Saturdays from 9:00 until 2:00.  It’s on the left hand side of the road just as you turn on to Main Street.

MOTHER EARTH’S is in Saugerties, on Main Street.  Smaller selection than SUNFLOWER,  this is your basic health food store.

PRICE CHOPPER, on the way to the Village of Saugerties, has a surprisingly large assortment of vegetarian, vegan and organic products.

OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

WOODSTOCK

I don’t know how she does it, but GARDEN CAFE chef/owner Pamela Brown produces unfailingly fabulous lunch and dinner selections.  I’m hooked on the Garden Bowl, which changes daily and always includes a green, a grain and a protein. The vegan caesar is great; I always order “extra crunchies.” Conveniently located in the heart of Woodstock, across from the village
green.     
Reservations are helpful for weekend dinners.        

Lunch and Dinner, BYOB,
Closed Tuesdays.
845.679-3600

Regarding BYOB, try TINKER STREET WINE AND LIQUORS, diagonally across from the GARDEN CAFE.

MARION’S COUNTRY KITCHEN, a great room with with a few leaves of fresh rosemary always on your napkin.  This meticulousness shines through in her cooking, European inspired, and very gourmet.  Marion is a lovely, lanky blonde and a dynamo in the kitchen.  Always one or two vegan specials.  Excellent wines and fabulous desserts.  It’s off of Route 375, just as you approach the Village of Woodstock.

Dinner Only, Thursday - Sunday
Sunday Brunch
20 Country Club Lane
845.679-3213

THE BEAR CAFE is where you go to be seen, so if you’re planning to go, you must book a reservation! It opens to a chic, U-shaped bar for people watching.  In warm weather,  there’s outdoor, covered dining.  In or out, try to sit by the stream.  Dining room is big, and always active.  At the same time, check out what’s happening next door at The Bearsville Theatre.  It’s attracting big musical names. Food is varied, always fresh and seasonal.  Some vegan choices. The wine list is extensive. 

Dinner Only
845.679-5555

SAUGERTIES RESTAURANTS

MISS LUCY’S  Brunch, lunch and dinner in a country
setting.  Full bar.  Amazing desserts.   On Partition
Street in the Village. 
90 Partition Street
845.246-9240

THE RED ONION straddles the Woodstock-Saugerties border, on Route 212.  Good food, always vegan entrees, full bar. 
Dinner Only
1654 Route 212
845.679-1223

NEW WORLD HOME COOKING draws a big crowd.  This is a huge, colorful room with paintings by Justin Love, a prolific local artist and gifted musician. Lots of vegan and vegetarian choices. Full bar.
Lunch/Brunch weekends, Dinner every night.
1411 Route 212
845.246-0900

METAPAN is the latest addition to Village of Saugerties eateries.  Casual (BYOB) lunch and dinner
service.   Central American specialties.
12 Market Street
845.246-6400

CAFE WITH LOVE has great coffee and always has a “house copy” of the New York Times.  Breakfast and lunch.
85 Partition Street
246-1795

TANNERSVILLE AND HUNTER

MAGGIE’S CROOKED CAFE has sandwiches, salads, soups, juices, entrees and is vegan friendly.  Huge portions.
Funky best describes this delightful cafe.  Say “hi” to Maggie.
Breakfast/Lunch
6000 Main Street
518.589-6101

HUNTER has a health food store and cafe.  Our friend Francine, a chef,  runs them both.  I’m sure the food is great, but we haven’t eaten there yet.