Fall Fling

I would probably name Garden Cafe on the Green in Woodstock, New York as one of my favorite restaurants. But maybe it’s because if I’m there, I’m upstate. I’ve fought the Cross Bronx Expressway, and won, then was lulled by green and early foliage splotches of speed northbound on the I-87. So really, the restaurant can be half as good and I’d still love it. But it is not half as good. It’s all good.
Besides their great everyday menu, their specials are fantastic. I ordered the Beet Tartar with orange avocado swirl, rice pilaf, pan-seared tofu with smoked cherry tomato horseradish relish and seasoned greens. I devour each pile with reckless abandon.

How beautiful.

After our amazing lunch, it was time for a quick trip to X’s to O’s Vegan Bakery in Troy, New York, outside Albany. My crazy friend lit-er-ally ordered “two of everything.” Yes, two of everything in this case. I was stunned.

Out of everything, we chose to chow down on a Milky Way cupcake, drizzled with caramel, and a Nutella cupcake. Also in the background, a pumpkin chai latte.

There’s the huge stash, three boxes worth of treats.

Why did we eat so much? Well, my kooky friend dragged me with her to zip across mountain tops, pumping enough adrenaline to merit the caloric intake. I was amongst the foliage, 3,200 feet up.