Melithaca - Day One Saturday

As you probably know, Ithaca, NY is one of my favorite get-aways. It is a 4-5 hour drive so I don't get to go as often as I would like, but I have been fortunate to have been able to make monthly trips the past three months. Generally, this blog is about menus and food I cook to share, but since Ithaca is so committed to local, sustainable eating and reflects my ideal way of life (I choose to ignore the horrendous Wal!@^~ that takes up part of what used to be Buttermilk Falls State Park land), I thought I would include it here. Besides, I bought so much food at the farmer's market, that surely this will serve as background for another entry or two.

Generally, we would leave before 8 am to beat the traffic and to take advantage of a full day when we arrive. This weekend however we took it easy in the morning (particularly since we hosted the Pampered Chef party the evening before), and left at 9:45. The traffic on Rte 80 was awful about an hour into the trip, but besides some minor construction congestion, that was the only hold up.

We stopped for lunch at our regular spot, Binghams Restaurant in Lenox, PA (it is about a half hour from when you get on Rte 81 off exit 211). The first time I went, I was skeptical . . . animal heads on the wall and a front dining room full of cigarette smoke generally are not signs of fine dining. To be honest, it's really not fine dining but it is solidly good, home style cooking with fresh baked bread and pretty good coffee. I ordered the bowl of cream of broccoli soup (tasty but a little lumpy) with a side of homemade whole wheat bread. Okay . . . I admit. . . the main reason I stop at Binghams is their pie. They have the most amazing pie. This time, I had a slice of Apple Crumb Caramel (yes! this is as good as it sounds). Chris had the wild blueberry pie warmed up and topped with vanilla ice cream which was also quite delicious.

About an hour after leaving the restaurant, we turned off the highway onto route 79 and began the final 45 minute leg of our trip. As we drove the winding roads through small towns with quaint old churches, signs for chicken barbecue, and beautiful views of tree filled hills, I felt myself begin to relax. We opened the car windows to take in the fresh air. Signs that we were getting close are the Six Mile Creek Winery and the turn-off to Cornell University and Collegetown.

When we got to the downtown area, we parked the car and took a walk on The Commons, a community centered pedestrian mall with lots of independent shops and restaurants. While on the Commons, we bought our tickets for Saturday night's screening and discussion at Cinemapolis, a non-profit independent movie theater.

On the way to our motel, we stopped at our favorite coffee shop, Gimme! Coffee. We picked up a copy of The Ithaca Times while we sipped a truly perfect cup of coffee. We also bought a bag of beans to bring home.

The motel where we stay is not one I would recommend. It's a little run down, but the price is right and they offer a microwave and refrigerator in the rooms. Basically, we just need a place to sleep at night and don't spend a whole lot of time in the room. So I won't plug them here, but would gladly recommend the Frog's Way Bed and Breakfast in the the EcoVillage. You have to share the kitchenette and bathroom with whoever is staying in the second room, but the owners are super nice, the simple breakfast is fresh and energizing, and it is fascinating to spend some time in this intentional community. There are a million lovely bed and breakfasts as well as cottages, inns and hotels. For information, go to www.visitithaca.com. Of course, the state forests also offer beautiful camping opportunities.

Because it was so late when we checked in, we didn't get a chance to go to dinner on Saturday night. Instead, we went straight to the movie theater. Missing dinner was okay though. Cinemapolis has the best movie theater popcorn, popped in peanut oil and topped with real butter. They also have really cool spice toppings. I tried the "Eastern Spice Mix." Really, how can I ever go back to microwave popcorn?

Later this week, the Dali Lama is visiting Ithaca and Cinemapolis was offering a special preview of "How to Cook Your Life," a light documentary film inspired by Zen Master Dogen's "Instructions to the Cook", which uses the preparation of food as a metaphor for the cultivation of our spirituality. It was really interesting and the main person in the film, Zen Master Edward Espe Brown, presents himself as very human - not necessarily what I would imagine a Buddhist monk to be like. One of the most meaningful parts of the film to me is when they talk about the way that food cultivates your three minds: "Big Mind, Joyful Mind, and Kind Mind." If you are really into food as a connection to life, I would highly recommend this film.

Following the film was a panel discussion with Julie Jordon, who operated the Cabbagetown Café for 18 years and authored several vegetarian cookbooks; and Gary Redmond, operator of Regional Access, a food wholesaler and supplier of organic, local and regional products. It was fun to participate with like minded people and hear their thoughts about Ithaca's progress in supporting local farmers and creating hydroponic methods of agriculture.

On the way to the motel, we stopped at the Green Star Co-op for a late night snack. I took some membership material to review (more about that later).