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Tag Archives: wines

Chautauqua Area of New York – So Many Artisan Entrepreneurs Are Bred Here

www.americantravelnews.com . The Reverie Creamery is owned by partners Riko Chandra and Jim Howard in Mayville, New York.  Reverie produces its own seasonal cheeses and also carries a variety of cheeses and goodies from around the world with a focus on small, American, artisanal companies.  Reverie is dedicated to using local ingredients and collaborating with a range of local artisans.  Their artisan products reflect a meaningful relationship to the land and Western New agricultural heritage. Because Reverie Creamery selections of cheese varies seasonally,  there always new things to try. They started as a cheese store selling a selection of Artisan cheeses, but soon began making their own fresh cheese. They are dedicated to using local agricultural products that they continue to market.

Besides their cheeses, their store is full of local food products and handmade items such as carving boards, ceramics, and many other beautiful locally made gifts.They also have cheese & wine pairings, harvest dinners, and many other events. We tasted some of the cheeses that were made on site. Delicous!!! For more information go www.reveriecreamery.com  716-789-5757

 

Riko believes that “Every piece of fine cheese that you savor has a story to tell”
The upper Crust Bakery Fredonia

 

After the cheese tastings, we were ready for lunch. Just a short drive later we arrived at the Upper Crust Bakery and Soup Co. on Main Street in Fredonia, New York.

Their sandwiches look so big, so I ordered a half of homemade tuna with a bowl potato soup. Of course when I looked in the desert case, just had to have one of their delights. Hard to make a decision. They had cinnamon buns, pecan buns, blueberry and raspberry clouds and much more. With my raspberry cloud enjoyed a fresh cup of espresso.

Everything looked so good, it was hard to pick

For more information call: (716) 672-2253 or their website is: www.uppercrustfredonia.com

The next time that we return, we would like to visit the Lily Dale Assembly. We did take a drive overall, to the site and took a walked around. The summer season opens June 30th. The the website has information and the event schedule: www.lilydaleassembly.com.

There are so many places that we missed. Check out: www.tourchautauqua.com

 

 

 

 

 

A Visit To The Duke Mansion; A Charlotte, NC Historic Inn & Meeting Place

Picking up the key to our suite!
Picking up the key to our suite!

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVEL NEWS  Charlotte, N.C.-Barb and I always like to experience the fine mom and pop B&B’s, resorts and middle of the road hotels and motels across America. However, sometimes we enjoy visiting the finest upscale, restored hundred year old homes and older. The architecture and landscaping of a different time, and mind-set, be they diminutive, or sprawling (The Duke Mansion is 32,000 Square feet, nearly a full acre of home) of the highly successful business magnates (now gone to bed in history) of the ilk of Guggenheim, Rockefeller, Loews, to name a few, that were able to afford the utmost in real estate and grandiose homes, now turned into guest accommodations. The Duke Mansion is such a place in time and space. With 14- original acres back in 1915 and today, gardens of roses and flora mirroring the past gardens, rooms with soaring ceilings, and huge windows with brass hardware of delightful industrial Revolution, art era design, juxtaposed near today’s comfortable beds and modern bath facilities-and at a price per day and evening, reasonable enough for any special occasion and exclusive visit.

 Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd "B" stands for!

Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd “B” stands for!

We pulled into the curved driveway with easy parking, stopped for a picture of Mr. Duke’s original shooting fountain (Duke of Duke Power fame, said his Rolls Royce, Daughter Doris and his fountain was what he was most proud of) and were ensconced, thanks to the delightful concierge into a charming room with chocolates on the bed and homemade cookies and beverages just outside our door. After relaxing and looking over the grounds (So much history, so little time!)  We headed for a highly recommended restaurant; Five Church for dinner! What a delightful meal awaited us after the Valet did the parking: Maine Lobster for Barbara, Scallops, and their 60-second New York Strip for us too (we share everything, and compare notes and tastes). Great service by Brian, our wait guy! We tried shrimp flat bread for appetizer and wonderful tomato bisque! Everything was “multi belle.” www.5church.com Entrance at 5th Street and Church St. 704-919-1322.

IMG_5200Duke Mansion is located at 400 Hermitage Road Charlotte, NC 28207 www.dukemansion.com 888-202-1009

Checking out the Duke Mansion
Checking out the Duke Mansion
Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!
Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!
Almost like a fairy tale!
Almost like a fairy tale!

The White Carrot Restaurant in Mayville, New York Par Excellance

AmericanPressTravelNews-June 29th, Team Bob and Barb back home at Goose Holler’ Farm after “Stopping to Smell the Roses” in Upstate New York-While there we enjoyed the wonderfully upscale “The  White Carrot”, fine dining restaurant.

Chef/Owner Brian Kienld has got it “going on.” Paring various wines to each of 3 or 7-courses of true French cuisine, will make for a great evening taking your honey out for any special occasion. Barb and I had a great time here. Out back, there are tables on their covered patio deck, or eat inside with AC. The pond and water geyser fountain was beautiful. Veggies & herbs growing organically in the chefs special garden, friendly and attentive wait staff, soaring ceilings and a bar to call home about, too! Now here were the delicious  food offerings: We tried a Korean BBQ Pork Belly. Sour Cream & onion potatoes, red onion Agrodolce. It was paired with Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet, California 2014. The Garden Plate was a celebration of great veggies and the salad was paired with Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio, Italy 2015. We eventually finished off our meals with Strawberry Panna Cotta. Strawberry biscuits. The Mazza Ice Wine, a Lake Erie, wine product 2013 was extraordinary. All in all, Barb and I experienced a true, Haute cuisine extravaganza!  Check out The White Carrot at www.whitecarrotrestaurant.com 716-269-6000 4717 Chautauqua-Stedman Rd. Mayville, NY 14757 

Barb loved this place!
The back area of the restaurant.
Sous VidLoin of Lamb. Lentil Puree. Arikara Beans. Pickled Onion. Paired with Mazza Chautauqua, Cellars Shiraz, Lake Erie, 2014.
Salmon Crudo. Lemon Curd. Orange. Oregano. This dish was paired with Mazza Sparkling Chardonnay, , Lake Erie, 2014. This one of the 7 courses offered at the White Carrot.
Poached Foie Gras. Puffed Grains. Umami Broth paired with Rivarose Sparkling Rose, France.
Mushroom Farro. Stuffed with 4-year old Gouda & Summer Truffles. San Lorenzo Chianti, an Italian wine 2015 was paired with this dish.

 

5 Church Restaurant, Quickly becoming the “Go To” Spot For Exceptional Dining!

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVEL NEWS, Charlotte, NC-Gotta eat, eh? Well this time we dined at 5 Church Restaurant in the City of Charlotte, NC. After we dropped off our bags at The Duke Mansion, we drove about 15-minutes to down town Charlotte, left our car at the door with the restaurants Valet and entered into the “gourmet zone.” Lobster, 60-second NY Strip, Scallops that sat up and said “eat me” and we were off to a salivary circus. The meals were excellent. After our shrimp & cheesy flat bread, the tangy tomato bisque soup, we carefully decided to taste, photo and release. So of course you have to eat, but you have to sleep too! Very full bellies work great for Lions who sleep most of the time during Africa’s daily heat, but people only sleep at night! From mussels, to imported fiz water to dipping breads, steaks done their special way, lobster, shrimp that tasted like shrimp, 5 Church Restaurant came through first class, great! Go 5 church.com call them too at 704-919-1322

Luscious Scallops. Like seafood?
Luscious Scallops. Like seafood?
Braised shrimp on cheesy flat bread. A spectacular appetizer!!
Braised shrimp on cheesy flat bread. A spectacular appetizer!!photo, taste and release the entree’s, before all the great offerings found a crowded home in our soon to hit the pillow, bellies! Gotta eat, yes, gotta sleep, yes!
Lobster and taters- excellence!
Maine Lobster, the real thing-and strange looking, but beyond good taters- excellence!
Broth, perfect and WOW tasty, dipped a bunch of great breads in this taste! Mussels terrific!
Broth, perfect and WOW tasty, dipped a bunch of great breads in this taste! Mussels terrific!
What a great, picturesque bar! 1-lady, hundreds of bottles of grapes!
What a great, picturesque bar! 1-lady, hundreds of bottles of grapes!
Convenient parking! Rain or shine. We like that! Sick of driving around and around and hoping for a park spot!
Convenient parking! Rain or shine. We like that! Sick of driving around and around and hoping for a park spot!
Brian, our great waiter loads us up with 5 Church specialties. Barb was impressed!
Brian, our great waiter loads us up with 5 Church specialties. Barb was impressed!