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!
