Local Love: Aurora Arts and Design Center

We may be surrounded by hay fields and grape vines, but there is a surprisingly broad variety of places to go and things to see in our little neck of the woods.  We're happy to introduce you to a place that holds a place in our hearts.  We asked our friend, Phoebe, for a little review and enjoy reading about her journey through the space. 

Aurora Art and Design not only sits in the heart of Aurora, New York, but has become the warming hearth where local artists come together, as it is known as the Mall of Aurora. Upon Arrival, the sweet essence of beauty captivates you into a whirlwind of color: intricate jewelry sparkles when it captures the sunlight, photographs of sunsets on Cayuga Lake that seem too real to be true, antique wooden furniture that brings the warmth of home. 

In the Artisans Collection, I find a room full of art that appeals to both the tall and the small from Dr. Seuss school desks to beautiful painted furniture, hand sculpted animal pottery, quilts. Delicate handmade jewelry daintily dangles all around the room. There are beaded pieces, glass pieces, enamel, and polymer clay pieces. The artwork ranges from paintings to drawings and then to photographs. Everything artsy could be found in the collection and all from local artists. “We get new artists all the time,” Jacci Farlow tells me.

Next, I find myself strolling through Alexander Millen’s Antiques and Accessories. The area allows home and worldliness to collide to form a peaceful atmosphere. First, my eyes naturally take me to the jewelry tables. They sparkle and shimmer as the sunlight hits them through the windows. There are wooden tables that the jewelry rests on that makes me think of home, yet there are dishes on them from China and all around the world, both far and near. I find local jams and products nestled around the edges.

 I walk into the photo gallery and look at the unbelievable photography – of the Aurora Inn, of Wells College, of Cayuga Lake. The sky is on fire, the buildings are captured with an eye I hadn’t noticed before. The effect is quite jaw dropping, worthy of being rendered speechless by such exquisite beauty.  Walking into the Trillium Gallery, I am engulfed in a world of still life that captures an world almost unreal – of local buildings and agriculture. The Trillium Gallery offers family portraits.

Everything is different, but everything is beautiful at the Aurora Art and Design Center. Stop by yourself and prepare to me ensconced in a world of beauty like I was.

Thank you so much, Phoebe, for a lovely review!

Cookie's Lemon Meringue Pie

The pie that brings people in from afar - Cookie's famous lemon meringue.  It's on the dessert menu this weekend.  Get a slice before they're gone...

You won't regret it!

Staking the Vineyard

We've been working hard to get our vineyard off the ground (or in the ground, as the case may be).  Our latest efforts were focused on staking our rows so that we can run wires and give the growing vines the support they'll need.  We used locust posts, provided by our friendly Amish neighbors.

It was a lot of work, but the results were worth it. 

Come on by to see the results and to sample one of our new house wines!

Local Food and Community at Early Morning Farm

the Pumpkin Hill catering crew

We are passionate about using local and organic ingredients at the Bistro and were happy to be invited to participate as a local vendor at an open house at Early Morning Farm on Sunday.  For those who don't know them already, Early Morning Farm is a local organic farm, founded in 1999, that has grown primarily through its well known CSA (community supported agriculture) program.

We're impressed with the wide range of produce that is available through Early Morning Farm and the dedication they show to sustainable farming and community involvement.  

a cute alpaca from Angel Tree Farm

tomatoes, all strung up and happily growing in one of the many hoop houses

raspberry bushes, growing strong for a solid crop next year

beets

winding strips of fresh lettuce

trying to decide on this one:  squash or cukes?

bees are happiest on organic farms

Nancy from Bet the Farm, in Aurora, sharing tastings of her local wines

The Piggery served up some AMAZING pulled pork sandwiches

My favorite take home of the day - Chevre from 4 Tin Fish Farm

they also make some yummy goat feta

creamy farmstead cheese from the very local, Keeley's Cheese Co.

mushroom logs in process (I promise a link to this soon)

Early Morning Farm is so much more than local, fresh, organic, produce.  It's a beautiful model of sustainability and ideals in action.  We hope that you'll take a moment to check out some of the local foodie businesses that surround us in the Finger Lakes.  We loved sampling the local foods and have a feeling that you'll enjoy them, too.

It was a pleasure to tour the farm and to meet so many like minded folks in this idyllic setting.  We heard a rumor that they might do this again in the fall.  Will we see you there?

Our House Wines are Here!

After years of serving wines in our restaurant, we are thrilled to finally be adding three of our own to the list.  Our own grapes are not yet ready, so we worked with a local winemaker to develop bottles that could be enjoyed with a meal or on their own.  The results are two table wines and a fruity red for those who like a sweeter flavor.  

Pumpkin Hill's Farmhouse Red

Proud Red is something to crow about!  Our winemaker put together a superb blend of Finger Lakes grown Leon Millot, Dechaunac, Baco Noir and Marachal Foch.  The results we think are most pleasing.  A clear, bright red, dry on the pallet, yet smooth on the finish, with a light aroma of harvested berries and the subtle flavors of cherries and plums.

Pumpkin Hill's Farmhouse White

This big rooster is very proud!  Made from 100% Cayuga White, it's the perfect wine for the porch on a summer's day or a cozy nook inside when the weather turns.  You'll first be greeted by the aroma of peaches and strawberries.  A taste will reveal an additional hint of mandarin followed by a clean and dry finish.

Pumpkin Hill's Wild Chick

This one is full of personality!  Our wine maker took our house blend red and added a generous dose of Finger Lakes Concord and we were so excited about the results that we had to call it our "Wild Chick".  From the moment it hits the glass, you can't help but notice its burnt red color and the explosion of fragrance that could only come with the Concord addition.  A taste reveals the full flavor of Concord grapes, plums, and cherries.  This little number is definitely on the sweeter team, but we feel it will be pleasing to many pallets who also enjoy a dryer wine.  We've been told it's like Sangria in a bottle.  So, maybe our Wild Chick has a little Spanish accent... salud!

Cheers!

Farm Fresh Local Organic Produce!

We are so blessed living here in the Fingerlakes to be surrounded by farms producing the most amazing summer produce. Whether its the sweet local strawberries (that we will be turning into Strawberry Shortcake this weekend) or the fresh organic bib lettuce that were just harvested a few short hours ago, we are thrilled to keep it local by supporting our farming neighbors and bringing our customers the most delicious and most nutritional fruits and vegetables around.

Abbot Greenleaf delivering his freshly picked, organic zucchini........Roasted veggies anyone?