A walk down (mostly food) memory lane

Ed explains to Paul that if you sit quietly, you’ll eventually hear the woodland creatures and they may even come up to you. Location: near the top of a trail at Winding Hills State Park in Montgomery, New York.

The only two things I miss about living in New York are the trees and the food.

There’s nothing better in the summer than to walk under a lush, green canopy in one of the many state parks, the sun poking through spots here and there. If you sit and listen long enough, the forest comes alive with the sounds of all the critters that live there.

In the fall, the reds and oranges and yellows blend together in a beautiful array that is difficult to look away from. Raking them up isn’t fun, but six-foot high piles to jump in with your dog, Conan, certainly is.

Then, there is the food. There are so many different kinds of food to try, you would stay away from chain restaurants for most of your life.

You should, however, always start with dessert. Why? Well, why the hell not? New York State has many delicious options, from the sultry homemade cheesecake at the I-84 Diner to Drake’s Cakes’ Funny Bones.

The I-84 Diner in Fishkill, New York still has the best cheesecake on the planet.

When you could still carry your food, cooked, uncooked, in a baggie, or in your hand, onto a plane, I once brought cheesecake from the I-84 Diner. It comes in a nondescript box. It is a large box. I was bringing it back to my coworkers in Nebraska so they could get a taste of what cheesecake should taste like. Even after the trip across the country, it was still silky, smooth and scrumptious.

As I walked down the aisle to find my seat on the plane at Newark International Airport, several people, including a flight attendant, asked me, “Is that I-84 cheesecake?” It was. Most smiled, but one passenger said, “Whoever you got that for is one lucky person.” My five coworkers were lucky. They loved every bit.

I could eat an entire box in one sitting.

I have loved Funny Bones my entire life. The whipped peanut butter center, surrounded by chocolate cake and dipped in milk chocolate is not a healthy snack by any means, but the three are perfectly blended together that my mouth waters at the thought of eating one. There is no better snack in the world and I have eaten plenty of snacks around the world.

Decent ice cream in Bloomingburg, New York.

My cousin Kaylie took me for some ice cream. Friendly’s was the place I went for that whenever I was home, but they’re closed now, so she too me to the Quickway Twin Cone in Bloomingburg, New York. I got my favorite, vanilla dipped in chocolate, and proceeded to eat like a five-year old. The ice cream dripped all over my hand and I didn’t care.

My small vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate at the Quickway Twin Cone in Bloomingburg, New York. Yes, I asked for a small. I couldn’t finish it before a good portion dripped all over my hand.

Once you have eaten your dessert, then you can move to main course. There are so many options, but I have a few favorite things to eat whenever I return to New York. I need to visit Coney Island in Middletown. I want some Indian food. I want a Bavarian Kreme Donut from Dunkin’ Donuts. Then, I want to taste the world.

A trip to Middletown isn’t complete unless you visit Coney Island.

Since 1924, Coney Island has served up food to locals and travelers. As a child, I didn’t care what else they had, still don’t, I went for the hot dogs. Their homemade chili sauce is a recipe that has been passed down through five generations.

A proper Coney Island chili dog has their famous chili sauce, mustard and onions on it. Since I’m not a proper American, I eat mine with just the chili sauce or ketchup only. I know. I’ve been told many times how wrong I am. I don’t care. Eat your hot dog however you want. I won’t make fun of you for whatever toppings you chuck on it.

a Bavarian Kreme donut from Dunkin’ Donuts.

I got my Bavarian Kreme donut this time at the Dunkin’ Donuts in the Hoboken Train terminal in Hoboken, New Jersey. It’s a good donut. So is the Boston Kreme. Still, nothing will ever beat the sweet taste of their honey-dipped donuts. It’s a shame they switched to the crappy glazed donuts because the honey-dipped donuts were glorious perfection, especially if you got one while it was still hot at about 5:30 a.m., after delivering 250 newspapers to the good citizens of Middletown. It also sucks that Dunkin’ Donuts no longer make their donuts fresh every day, but that is a story for another time.

Although Colandria’s Pizza is good, I enjoy pizza handmade, homemade and with the flavors of the local pizza shop. I let my mom choose a place. We ordered by the slice, like you can do in civilized places and I grabbed a Yoo-hoo in a glass container to go with it. If your Yoo-hoo isn’t in a glass container, you’re missing what makes it taste so good.

A perfect lunch. Pizza by the slice, Funny Bones, and yoo-hoo.

After hitting the required foods, I look for whatever else I can eat or try. While spending time in New York City, there were two restaurants within a couple of blocks of our hotel this time, so Paul and I decided to try them out. After walking a dozen or so miles each day, we had worked up an appetite.

Shepard’s Pie at D.J. Reynolds in New York City.

D.J. Reynolds Irish Pub and Restaurant had some great food. I’m always up for trying Shepard’s Pie and this place did not disappoint. It was like every pub I’d been into across the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Europe. We were close to the table next to us and eavesdropped on their conversation. It was pleasant to hear a Dutchman, an Italian, and an American discuss world affairs in engaging conversation. I often only get to hear right-wing shouting where whoever shouts the loudest thinks they’ve won. This was thoughtful, well-thought out arguments with discussion that covered all sides. It was refreshing to listen to while I ate my Shepard’s Pie.

Our next dinner was a ABA Turkish Restaurant. I had never eaten in a posh Turkish restaurant before, though I have had Turkish food in European fast food joints.

Homemade bread and olive oil.

The homemade bread to dip into olive oil was a great way to start after spending most of the day walking.

Lebni, thick homemade yogurt with walnut, garlic and fresh dill and herbs. The dill was a bit too much to take, but otherwise, not too bad for the first time I tried lebni.

For the first course, I chose lebni, a thick, homemade yogurt with walnut, garlic, and fresh dill and herbs. I’m not fond of dill, which is probably why I kept squinting my eyes every time I took a bite. While it was tasty, I’m not sure I would eat it again. Dill just isn’t my thing. Paul had a homemade lentil soup.

Döner Kebab.

For the main course, I went with Döner kebab, a ground lamb and beef cooked on a rotating spin then thinly sliced. It was served with rice, lettuce, and red cabbage. It was what I expected, though it tasted like there was much more lamb than beef. Paul got the Adana kebab.

The third course was drinks. Paul had Turkish coffee while I had Turkish tea. Everything was in just the right portions and we were definitely full when we left.

Great Indian food in Middletown, New York.

Back in Middletown, we finally got my favorite kind of food. Saffron is a damned fine Indian restaurant. If you’re ever in Middletown, go eat at Saffron. Every dish is good. I’m partial to Chicken Korma. The garlic naan is fantastic as well.

A quick and unfocused shot of some of my dinner, Chicken Korma with garlic naan. The naan was perfect, with large chunks of garlic in it.

We don’t eat out much in Scottsbluff. There aren’t many options to choose from. There is Chinese, Mexican, fast food, and your typical American fare. We’re always grateful for the Greek Festival in August and try to make it every year. If I want a lot of food options, I have to drive several hours to get it.

So, when I visit my mom, I bring a handful of cash to throw at good food. It’s worth it.