James Beard Foundation. On Tuesday, April 12 Stissing House is heading to NYC to serve a Game Feast at the James Beard Foundation. We’ll be cooking pheasant and drinking Hillrock at Pier 57. Tickets are available on their website, here.
Pints for Moms. Reservations for Mother’s Day brunch and dinner open on April 23. Any Mom in the room gets a pint on us. We know you need it!
A Cake Feast with Natasha Pickowictz. We’ll be celebrating the publication of Natasha’s first book, More Than Cake, with a cake feast on Saturday, May 6. If you’re tickled by black sesame and strawberry jam sheet cake with candied lemon verbena, or into the idea of a chamomile choux crown or swirled milk buns with sorrel butter and sliced cucumbers, join the party. Expect drinks, her signature bakes, and a signing with Natasha.
When Spring gives you rhubarb and peas… make cocktails!
We have two new drinks that celebrate the season. Notes by Nathan Rawlinson.
Rhubarb Daiquiri. A Daiquiri is a classic, invented in Cuba in 1898, and also perhaps my favorite cocktail of all time. The only spin here is instead of using straight sugar, we're making a rhubarb syrup. White rum and fresh lime juice complete the fresh, pink drink.
Garden Fizz.The Gin Fizz is a cousin to the Tom Collins cocktail, both of which are some of the oldest codified cocktails first written down in 1876 - thanks Jerry Thomas. Our variation plays a little on the more adventurous side. We make a green pea and mint syrup using the shells from the peas in our spring salad. The fizz is completed by adding gin, fresh lemon juice and the white of one very fresh egg. All shaken to a frothy smooth drink, served over ice and topped with soda water. Spring!
We’re deviating from our usual format of interviewing a grower/maker as so many of you have asked us where to go and what to do in the area. There’s a lot we love nearby, here are a few ways to make a day of it!
Thompson Pond Preserve, Pine Plains. Walk the loop around Thompson Pond at the base of Stissing Mountain and hear only the birds. This is a leisurely and restorative activity for those of us avoiding a vertical challenge.
Climb the Stissing Fire Tower at Stissing Mountain, Pine Plains. Not for the fainthearted, this is a rigorous 900+ vertical feet hike that rewards you with a view of the whole Hudson Valley.
Fortunes Ice Cream, Tivoli. Brian and Lisa make the best ice cream this side of Rome, and lucky us, their season has just opened. Our team can’t agree on a favorite flavor, but labneh sour cherry and their darkest chocolate have received many votes.
Hammertown Barn, Pine Plains. Just down the road from us Joan Osofsky sells everything for the home from cookbooks to large antiques. You will probably want to move into one of the staged bedrooms on the second floor, but will have to settle for taking home a lovely early American nightstand instead.
Demeter Home, Pine Plains. For timeless finds and decorative pieces that change with the season, go say hello to Alex.
Montage, Millterton. There’s a lot to love in nearby Millerton, and at the very top of that list is Fritz and Dana’s antiques shop, Montage. Fritz and Dana have built a nationwide following for their selection of antique furniture, art and lighting, which they bring over from Europe and turn over quickly. There’s always something new we can’t resist.
Rosie’s, Pine Plains. Go over the road for an excellent egg sandwich with famous homemade hot sauce.
Chaseholm Farm Store, Pine Plains. Open seven days a week for a true taste of Pine Plains milk, cheese and meats.
Foxtrot Flowers, Stanfordville. Pre-order a custom bouquet or arrangement from Foxtrot’s on Farm Flower Shop or swing by their farmstand for speciality sunflowers & other seasonal blooms. Their flowers are wild, abundant and delightful, regeneratively grown on farm by Kate! Located just 5 minutes south of Pine Plains.