…and chips, and cork, and more wine, and…
SARATOGA SPRINGS – This past Saturday, April was glorious not just for the sighting of the elusive sun, but because at 1 p.m., I was entering the Saratoga Springs City Center with my fellow speechie, Erika, to partake in the Saratoga Wine and Chocolate Festival.
Now I know what you are thinking – how much wine and chocolate can one person take?
Well if you are referring to me, a lot!
But wedged in between local and nearby vineyards and bakeries were cheese stations, olive oils, jewelry and so much more.
Although the chocolate was amazing – shout out to the online only, Chocolate Pizza Co. (https://www.chocolatepizza.com/) who somehow handed me a crispy potato chip that was smothered in peanut butter then coated in chocolate,
My thighs can gleefully report that I did not go home with any chocolate or wine. Rather this girl fell for the pickled station…you read that correct.
Stacey Tracy’s had the most delicious pickled-carrots, garlic, pickles, etc that you can imagine.
Stacey’s label says it all-”Stacey Tracy’s products originated out of her kitchen a decade ago as a gift to her friends and local taverns the word spread and the rest is history”. I sampled, then immediately grabbed a container of her dilly carrots, garlic, and dill pickles.
So I paid for one of each, and happily moved on to the 0’Oldtymer Moonshine Distillery. This Long Island-based, family-owned distillery had an apparent following, big pour, and after Brian gave me a sample of their maple pecan flavored moonshine I purchased one for a hostess gift.
My girlfriend Erika needs her treats to be gluten free and the wine and chocolate festival had many gluten free options. Erika couldn’t resist cookies from the entirely gluten free bakery in Schenectady-Different Blend Bakery. I can honestly say I could not taste the difference – their chocolate cookies were delicious!
But our actual first – and last stop was to the HouseofCorkNY. Now for those that know and love me, you can imagine that it took all my powers to not purchase a kusadasi cork purse – in red, please ;). However, you can certainly make note that my birthday is in August.
These purses were soft, lightweight and very stylish. My girlfriend did walk away with a beautiful tote!
As Erika and I walked out into the hustle of Saratoga, bags of various goodies in hands, we both said, that was decadent and made a date for the same time, same place next year!
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GALLERY OF DELICIOUSNESS
Mandy Mitler
Photos: Arthur Gonick
April 25, 2018
