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Lunch at a State Park Don and I got hungry while exploring Saratoga Spa State Park in New York, last summer. We found lunch in this charming building. We love visiting parks and eating at them. But that usually means packing our own food. Our closest park back home in Texas, is Brazos Bend State Park. There's no "Spa" in the name, but we love a sandwich at a picnic table, after wandering the trails and spotting alligators. The Gideon Putman Resort There were no obvious reptiles at this New York state park, but they had some nice accommodations. The lovely Gideon Putman Resort opened in 1935. Guests came from far away to "take the waters" for good health and relaxation. Catherine's We could have eaten lunch at the hotel, but we learned about this smaller cafe that offered a more casual setting. The inside was cozy and quiet. A few golfers were gathering in the nearby bar. Screen Door The arches and woodwork were classic, but the screen door was calling to us. "Is the patio open for dining?" Ahhhh! Perfect! Just down the steps, we had our pick of umbrella shaded tables. The air was perfect. I loved the outside view of the structure better than the inside. I studied the classic brick structure, with ionic columns. The noticed the words Golf Club, written above. Arches I loved the flowers and the arched windows and colonnades. I saw a photo of some lovely ladies lined up posing, back in the day. I wondered about the famous folks who once visited. Did Fred Astaire or Cary Grant enjoy a summer day, on this patio? Victoria Pool But the best part of our view was the calm pool, surrounded by more brick buildings and towering trees. The Victoria Pool was the very first heated pool in the country! Oddly enough, it is too expensive to heat it now. On Deck Don and I sipped a beer and studied our menus on the original limestone deck. The pool was closed and we enjoyed the quiet. But it would have been entertaining to see what kind of crowd enjoys the pool, during open hours. I felt like I was dining at my Aunt Marguerite's country club, but we were in a state park! This all felt sort of silly and magical! My Buffalo Wing Salad was not something that would have been on the menu years ago, but it was wonderful. Aunt M. probably would have ordered a chicken salad sandwich, just like Don. All was wonderful! Bit of History I love a little dining adventure that includes some history. This was a fun one. We had no spa treatment, but I felt like I'd had a therapeutic lunch. Maybe next time we'll go back and stay at the hotel and join the crowds at the pool! Maybe next time, I'll find out who Catherine was!
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Love the Signs! Sometimes you just have to pick a restaurant because of their cool signage... even when the sign confuses you a bit! It was a bright summer day when Don and I spotted this unlit neon sign, with smiling face, tiny mustache and chef's hat. Was this an Italian restaurant? Wait, what about the blue sign shaped like Texas? Cowboy steaks maybe? And the words on the stone wall? (Gonzales Restaurant) Yum... enchiladas? I was up for any and all! Corner of Texas Highways 83 and 67 The restaurant was just sitting there right on the corner of 2 highways, when we pulled into town on the last day of a long road trip. We hadn't heard about the place. No help from Yelp. No guidance from articles. No word of mouth. These finds are always extra fun... and extra daring. The OPEN sign was lit, but it was almost 1:30. We parked and crossed our fingers as we headed over. Small town restaurants make their own rules. On the Corner Since 1901 I read later that the building has been sitting here for more than a century. As we headed to the entrance I studied the stone work above. I wondered how many different kinds of businesses have enjoyed this corner spot, over the years. Then I took a good look at the painted windows. It looked like we would be having a festive Mexican lunch! Welcoming Staff Don and I usually try to avoid being the last diners, at any restaurant. There's nothing more uncomfortable than eating your meal, while brooms sweep nearby and chairs go up on tables. When we stepped inside, we saw no lingering diners. That was not a good sign. The Buffet The idea of a buffet at the end of a shift, was also unappealing. But the women at the door welcomed us, with such enthusiasm. And the Mexican decor was fun and we could eat quickly and get on the road! We stayed and found a few decent foods at the Fajita and Salad Bar Buffet. Best of all, we ended up having a fun time chatting with the staff. Happy Chatter There was a lot of playful banter between the folks running the place... I believe 2 sisters and a brother? They happily included us in their weather talk, when they found our we were from Houston. "Oh it was 114 here yesterday! I remember when I was a kid, the weather never bothered me. I could be out picking cotton or collecting sheep's wool and I never felt it. Now I can't even work in the garden!" Eerie Hall & Stories I took a trip to the restroom and came back grinning. The journey had amused me. The hall had been long and dark. I didn't get a picture of the decorated walls, or the darkened "dining room" where a TV glowed in the corner. I pictured festive family gatherings and celebrations. When I returned to the table, the ladies began telling us stories about the old building. "It's haunted, you know." Cowboy Ghost They shared some articles about the old building, which had been a saloon until prohibition. After some years as a department store, the building reopened as a restaurant in 1954. Supposedly Norton, the Cowboy Ghost has been haunting the place for a very long time. No Signs of Norton
So we had a curious little dining adventure, as our last meal on a a 2-week road trip. Maybe we need to revisit for an evening meal... and be the last diners again!
Dinner in Vegas! I've seen a lot of vintage postcards showing Las Vegas, with neon signs, glittery casinos and glam pools. This is a postcard from the cute place where we ate dinner in Las Vegas, New Mexico! No neon or glam decor shown in these photos. But, the postcard looks vintage and the restaurant itself looked pretty vintage, when we visited in 2017. The Plaza In 2017, Don and I stayed at The Plaza Hotel. No, we weren't at the ritzy Plaza in NYC... we were in Las Vegas. We weren't in the gambling Vegas, we were in New Mexico! The Nevada and New York locations would have been very entertaining, but this overnight was all about easy. We walked out of our sweet historic hotel and strolled across the plaza to dinner. El Rialto The Garcia Family has been running El Rialto since 1975. They've had some time to accumulate some curious things for their windows. I have no idea about the age of the building, but once inside, the high, pressed tin ceilings, hinted at old. Busy on July 3 It was the day before the holiday, so there was a weekend energy to the restaurant. Most of the tables were taken up with large groups of locals, many with children. Big Outfits Big Meals Don and I did some dressing for dinner. I don't think our shirts or jewelry fooled anyone into thinking we were locals. However, our server said she loved my squash blossom necklace. She said her grandmother had lots of turquoise and she hoped to get turquoise, one day. Don's bolo tie got noticed on our walk to dinner. A very polite panhandler asked for a quarter. Don gave him a dollar and then received a thank you, along with positive words! "Nice bolo tie!" We hoped there was no sarcasm in his voice. Eating and Watching Each of our piping hot meals was served on 2 thick plates. I ate my taco, tamale and relleno while keeping an eye on the busy kitchen. It was quite entertaining. Don had chicken enchiladas and filled me in on the happenings in both rooms. He had a good view of many woven rugs, displayed on the wall. One had a large "R" in the center. Was that for el Rialto? The Garcias I studied a framed photo before we left. I don't know if we met any of the Garcia family that night. It was too busy to bother anyone with questions. If we'd had some chatting time, I would have asked how the restaurant got its name. Rialto makes me think of the bridge in Venice. Shopping There were some curious lamp creations for sale and a t-shirt or two. We could have completed our meal with a purchase. But we headed off, with full stomachs and empty hands. Quiet Plaza We headed across the plaza to our hotel. It was fun to imagine the little city, once a booming railroad town in the early 19th century. After WWII, the town grew quiet. We may have missed out on the excitement of a bigger city, but we made it back to the hotel, just in time for karaoke!
Lunch in Leadville!
Two years ago, Don and I finally stopped for lunch! Yellow and Blue The colorful building looked just the way I remembered it! When it was built in 1888, there was no adorable burro sign, or yellow and blue paint. The structure housed a bakery, hardware store and music store, until the 1930's, when Roy Pray opened his business. By the late '30's, "Ray's Lunch" suddenly became "Golden Burrow Cocktail Lounge", open 24/7. At that time, the nearby mines kept 19 brothels in operation. There was a constant flow of hungry and thirsty customers day and night, at Golden Burro! Diner In June 2017, Don and I expected to see plenty of tourists when we stepped inside. But the middle room, felt much more like the local diner. Lots to Read There was lots to look at and read, while we waited for a table to open up. The sign catering to bicycle friends, was a reminder that "tourists" come in big groups. We were glad to be sharing the cafe with the "Rocky Mountain Billy Goat" and locals... not mobs of travelers. A Real Burro Neon Burro This is the booth I really had hoped for. It was right beside the mirror and yellow glass. I was very amused by all the donkey treasures, especially the old neon sign. I think that was originally on the outside of the building. Dining Counter The room to the right of the entrance had a dining counter that looked pretty retro. I believe the back bar was part of the original business, when they were serving those cocktails round the clock. More Burros The woman behind the counter looked a little busy as she cleaned. I decided not to ask her if she'd ever counted all the burros in the cafe and bar. I liked the larger one in the center, best. Dave in the Brass Ass Saloon Dave The Back Room Dave showed me the back section of the saloon. There were vintage costumes for photo shoots and lots of tables for playing poker. He said I could learn to play Faro too... whatever that is? Dave told me he'd moved to Leadville over 30 years ago. He said The Burro became so run down, the locals wouldn't even eat there. He worried about selling it someday. "They'll probably just tear it down and build a condos." He was a good spirited guy, but concerned that so few care about history anymore. Time to Dine
Feasting Don ordered the Meatloaf Dinner, "Just like Mom used to make." It came with dark gravy and a twice baked potato. The medley of broccoli and cauliflower had a decent cheese sauce and it all started with a cup of bean soup! Pretty good for a small town cafe where miners used to hang out! No Doggy Bags For Us
Lunch on the Butterfield Trail! A year ago, Don and I passed through the sleepy town of Mesilla, in New Mexico. We had heard about the restaurant, La Posta. I was eager to eat a little Mexican food, in a 160+ year old building. The stucco structure also happens to be part of the only station that remains standing, on the old Butterfield Stagecoach Line. The Beginnings The compound was first constructed in the 1840's. Ten years later, Sam and Roy Bean (yes, the judge) operated a freight and passenger service line from the compound. After the Civil War, La Posta became an important stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach Line. By the late 1800's, Mesilla was a lively wild west town and The Corn Exchange Hotel opened up within the compound. Katy's Corner The hotel business ended over 100 years ago, but La Posta Restaurant opened in 1939. Katy Griggs Camunez started serving food in the NE corner of the compound. There were only 4 tables, the floors were dirt and there was no running water, but her business grew.Today, there are a lot of corners in all the rooms that make up the 17,000 square foot business. I'm not sure which was the corner where Katy began. But the colorful, cozy rooms all felt festive! Stucco, Tile & Brick Good Timing Luckily we arrived early for lunch and missed the crowds. I imagine they get a tour bus or 2, now and then. The first thing that I noticed when we entered, was the fountain. I do love a fountain! Then my eyes wandered to the colorful tile work and brick floors. The stucco walls must be a couple feet thick! Trees and Cages There was a lot of wildlife happening in the main entrance of La Posta. There seemed to be trees growing up towards the ceiling... and cages... ... the cages were filled with parrots and the tanks held fish, including 1 Red Pirranha. A bold sign warned us to keep hands out! Bird Room I didn't count the rooms, but there were many. Our hostess took us to our table and I glanced longingly at a room filled with tropical bird decor There were colorful birds in the paintings and parrots hanging from the ceiling. The skylights and plant growth made the room feel like a jungle. The skeleton on the balcony added a different twist. Paper Flowers and a Corner Kiva We passed another room that looked inviting. The entrance showed the thickness of the walls. A corner fireplace made the space look cozy, even in July. A couple sat beside a window with bright, paper flowers hanging above! Over the doorway I noticed carved figures and a painted mask. It looked exactly like a mask my dad bought in Mexico years ago! So many surprises! Window and Giant Mask One wall, felt like stage set. The giant mask made me of think Greek Theatre. The window with shutters and flowers made me expect to hear opera, from a singer on the balcony. I would love to know the story about this curious/whimsical decor. Cantinas There were 2 cantinas at La Posta. I peeked in and felt tempted. But I don't usually drink a Margarita before noon. Beams and Color My eyes tried to take it all in. The wall colors, the log ceiling beams, the flowers and rustic shutters. Our Table We didn't end up in a cozy corner room or a 2-story space with skylights. Our room was in the center where I could see all around and watch the guests coming and going. Sisters Enjoy Don and I relaxed at our cute table with its decorated oilcloth. I couldn't help but smile at the table of nuns nearby. They seemed pretty animated and chatty and they did not have margaritas at their table. We were on the road so no margaritas for us either, but we did order a feast. Chimichanga for Me I for some reason ordered a bean chimichanga. The rice, beans cheese and sauces were all decent, but my main course was a bit dry. Or maybe I was just too full from pigging out on chips. Enchiladas Don enjoyed his Sour Cream Enchilada Plate with chicken. He had no complaints. Time to Wash Up After chowing down, I needed a good handwashing... which means a trip to the Ladies Room. I could see a lamp's glow welcoming me, as I passed the fountain. Pink! No one appreciates a kitschy Ladies Room as much as I do! The door decoration was beyond lovely. I stepped inside and found a sitting area, worthy of the title Powder Room. The walls were the color of bubble gum and the cushioned chairs had heart-shaped backs. I so wished I'd come with a lady friend, so we could powder our noses, then sit a spell and do a little gossiping. Delightful Details I'm not making fun of this bathroom. I would be truly heartbroken if I returned and they had remodeled. The stall doors looked like a decorated cake! The sink area had some tricky hidden lighting. The tile had some fancy trim that couldn't be missed! Love, love, love it! Old Mesilla Plaza Besides dining rooms, cantinas and outdoor patio, La Posta also had a number of shops. They actually sold some lovely things, but Don and I decided to do our post dining meandering elsewhere. We wandered over to Old Mesilla Plaza. We spotted our party of Sisters on the steps of San Albino Catholic Church. They took turns taking cell phone photos of each other and I regretted that I didn't think to run over and offer to take a photo of the group. That would have tied up our road trip dining adventure, very nicely!
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The Dining Blog
This is a blog about Dining Adventures. Sometimes, I talk about food. Below, you can read how this started. On July 4th 2011, I set a goal to try 50 culturally diverse restaurants in one year! (I knew that was possible, living in the Houston area) I spent the year pulling in friends and family to join me, on some unusual dining adventures. I met some curious people, tried some scary foods and explored places and cultures I never would have otherwise. Even though I met my goal, I learned too much to end my adventures in dining. I have continued blogging about memorable dining adventures of all kinds, near and far... and all the discoveries and funny things I've learned along the way! Locations and types of dining adventures, are listed further down. Archives
November 2023
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