#7 all about apples
Hello, and thank you for tuning into this week's newsletter, my apologies for the delay as there were technical difficulties (of the laptop kind). I'm treating this issue a little differently and sharing some of my favorite apple-centric recommendations in the area!! Whether it's apple picking, cider donuts, or some pretty great apple dishes, we have many opportunities in the Berkshires, Capital Region, and beyond to enjoy since it's still warm.
In the Berkshires:
The Farmstead at High Lawn Farm is hoping to extend the ice cream season by releasing three fall flavors: Apple cider doughnut, Maple gingersnap cookie, and pumpkin caramel swirl.
During my time in the Berkshires, cider donuts at Bartlett's Apple Orchard & Farm Market were always part of a meeting, or someone brought one to a get-together. Pick-your-own or order curbside pickup.
The Capital Region
Windy Hill Orchard East (not related to Windy Hill Farm), a pick-your-own apple orchard-farm store in nearby Castleton-on-Hudson, NY, sells apple-based desserts and sweet treats beyond just cider donuts! Recently the Windy Hill Orchard East was named #4 for Best Cider Donut in the Capital Region. Check out the full list over at WGNA.
Located in Rexford, New York, Bowman Orchards sits on 98 acres of freshly grown apples, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, pumpkins, and more.
Further Afield:
Growing up in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, it wasn't fall until I had a cider donut from Atkin's Farm Country Market in Hadley.
While this is a bit further from the Berkshires and the 518, Clyde's Cider Mill is an excellent stop if you find yourself in southern CT. Located in Old Mystic, CT, Clyde's is the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States and a National Historic Landmark.
What I'm cooking/eating/reading:
I had the chance to watch the replay of live food art photography by local food photographer Tom Smith via his space at The Albany Barn. Memory of Sunday Dinner which Smith describes as an" Abstract interpretations of the foods from an Italian-American upbringing," is a project Smith livestreamed their styling and phographing three classic Italian-American dishes. The video of the live stream can be viewed here. As someone who takes pictures of food, this was fun to watch!
In Massachusetts food news, Governor Baker announced that restaurants could seat up to 10 customers at a table and allow the use of bar seating starting today. Read more about it in The Boston Globe.
The Boston Globe wrote recently about Pleasant and Main, an antique-filled restaurant in the village of Housatonic, Mass. It was one of the first restaurants I wrote about, so it's great to see the recognition.
If you have a spot you think should be featured, food news to share, or a great food-focused day trip from the Berkshires or Capital Region, please email me at thestephanita@gmail.com or message me on Instagram at StephanitaEats.