At about the mid-point of a day trip to the Finger Lakes region of New York, one of my favorite people and I were wandering through Ithaca at about lunch time. We happened upon the Moosewood Restaurant and that's when I gave up any pretense of being able to offer the usual "wherever you want to eat is fine." For me, there was no question. It had to be Moosewood.
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| Hot ginger lemon tea |
As we walked toward the restaurant, I recognized the signature tree and moose logo on the restaurant's green awning covered entrance. I took in the simple elegance of the open multi-story atrium-like dining area, bar and -- yes -- a wall that held the Moosewood souvenirs for sale.
Wide-eyed from the moment I spied the place, I tried not to act like the infatuated fan that was squealing inside me. I managed to not say, "I love your cookbooks!" and "I've tried so many of your recipes!" Acting cool and adult was an effort! I did take out my camera and take pictures of the ginger lemon tea that started my meal and the raspberry mousse that finished it off. In between, I enjoyed the saffron rice stuffed peppers. Everything was delicious! [That link is to a recipe that looks similar to what I had.]
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| Raspberry mousse: the gluten free choice |
It's hard for me to describe the sheer awe-filled delight of my serendipitous Moosewood Restaurant experience. It would be like having Stephen Colbert strike up a conversation with me in the audience of his show. Or it would be like being in a week-long Bible study with feminist theologian Rita Nakashima Brock and then sharing a leisurely dinner with her and some friends, full of laughter.
Of these three, I've now been fortunate to enjoy two of them to the max. I know I will enjoy the Colbert experience just as much!
6 comments:
I love Moosewood, too!
Lily, aka Witch Mom
How fun to be able to do something which makes you grin on the inside so broadly! Are you really going to see Stephen Colbert??
What fun! I love the baked bean recipe in the Moosewood Cookbook. It's always a kick in the pants to cook from it because I am such a carnivore!
And on a similar note, but in a different vein, your description of the experience sounds akin to what it was like when I was in Mendocino, CA, and stood in front of the house that "belonged" to Jessica Fletcher on "Murder, She Wrote." Goosebumps!
I've heard of so many people who LOVE that cookbook. I'm going to have to try it out!
I used to love a cooking show done by Mollie Katzen. Isn't she the Moosewood lady? I must go google and investigate!
When I moved, I got rid of almost all of my cookbooks -- except my Moosewood cookbooks! I recommend them to everyone who asks for vegetarian recipes, simple recipes, healthy recipes -- you get the idea! Thanks for sharing your encounter with fame :-)
I've had their "Daily Special" for years, but only just began to use it...it's great!
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