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‘Now Ya Travelin’’ Category

  1. Now Ya Travelin’ (stop #3)

    August 9, 2010 by Daniel

    The third stop on my “Now Ya’ Travelin” journey was both enlightening and sentimental.  This stop was at Andriaccio’s Italian Restaurant at 4837 W. Lake Road in Mayville, New York.  For the past 25 or so years it has served the people of Chautauqua County some of the most authentic Italian dishes, and by far the best pizza in the region.

    Andriaccio's

    Andriaccio's

    I say sentimental because back in the late 50′s this booming restaurant was the site of my father’s Kendall gas station.  Oh how I remember those days in my youth, just to hang out around the garage.  Too young to be of any help, but still happy to be there.
     
    I got there about 11:30 A.M., just wanted to snap a few pictures to put in my album and thought it best to advise the people as to what I was doing.  They were happy to hear my story of this place in it’s earlier days and advised me I should talk to the owner, Guy Andriaccio, and oh what a “guy”.

    Phil w/ Guy

    Phil Clark & Guy Andriaccio

    Now , the enlightenment part.  Sat down with Guy, relayed my story and he took me on a tour.  What had been the service bay, where the mechanical work was done , was now a lovely dining area complete with a beautiful hand painted wall mural of what I think the countryside of Italy must look like.  The ceiling was highlighted with exposed beams where the radiator hoses and fan belts once hung.

    The second dining area was just as nice, it had been the wash bay, back when gas stations washed cars.  I said before that I was not old enough (7-8 years old) to do anything around there but as I recall now I was allowed to wash cars.  What had been dad’s desk, cash register, and counter area (where he kept the candy bars) was now the bar area sporting all the liquor bottles and the rest of the stuff you would find at a well stocked bar.

    Bar at Andriaccio's

    Dad's old cash counter turned full bar

    So, as I stated earlier, just a few pictures, 15 minutes tops turned into 2 hours of the most delightful conversation, with my new found friend.  Then Guy insisted on making me his “special” pizza, an offer I could not refuse, and what a treat. I could go into the ingredients but think it best to just refer you to their web-site for fear I would leave something out.  So here it is, www.andriaccios.com, this will take you to their extensive menu and you can also read the whole story of how they started.
     
    I thank Guy for the “stroll” down memory lane, the special pizza, and the invite to the farm that I had to take a rain check on but will cash it in next year, and the continued success of this fine eating establishment.
     
    It was a good gas station and now it is a great restaurant, I think dad would be well pleased.

     Chef Phil

    Category Now Ya Travelin' | Tags: | 2 Comments

  2. The Saga of Sadie J’s

    July 20, 2010 by Daniel

    Chef Phil & Sadie at Sadie J's 

    First and foremost from this blog you must realize that there is only one Sadie J’s Cafe.  It is located at 21 South Erie Street in the beautiful village of Mayville, New York.  There seems to be some confusion on this point by the summertime residents to this area.
     
    The confusion arose as a result of the owner, Louise Johnson, thinking she needed to get into another profession and sold the original Sadie J’s that was located within the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution, a cultural mecca of teaching and performing arts, located on the shores of  Chautauqua Lake through out the summer months. The new owners have been content to “ride the wave” of Louise’s reputation for good food and service.
     
    Getting back to the real purpose of this story. After a few  ventures into the non-foodservice business and a short stint into the fashion world, Louise realized her true calling was in the restaurant arena, and lucky for us.
     
    Back to Mayville she came, located a storefront at 21 South Erie Street, formerly operated as the BonJour Cafe and began the 2010 season as the original, and only, Sadie J’s.
     
    Open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. seven days a week Louise and her staff put out  the best breakfast and lunch menu items in Chautauqua County.  I particularly enjoyed the Portobello Mushroom Pita sandwich,( grilled portobello with provolone cheese and fresh spinach on pita bread).  For the complete menu and extensive daily specials be sure to check them out on Facebook.
     
    Take it from this old chef and new friend to Louise, Terri and the rest of the staff, you will not be disappointed with any selection at the one and only Sadie J’s Cafe.
     
    Yes, I must mention it was named for Louise’s cat and  good luck for the remainder of this season and many more to come Louise.
     
    Chef Phil

    Category Now Ya Travelin' | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment

  3. Chef Phil’s “Now Ya Travelin” Day 1 Report…

    June 29, 2010 by Daniel

    This is the day one report from Chef Phil on his ” Now ya’ travelin” vacation.  It is my intent to report on the restaurants that I visit, get some interviews, pictures, and possibly recipes from these places.
     
    This is actually day two but I have chosen to overlook day one as it was, shall we say “forgettable”, not going to mention names but suffice it to say that a Mexican restaurant that featured an authentic Mariachi band playing “Orange Blossom Special” and “Rocky Top Tennessee” is possibly a once in a lifetime find in the Blue Ridge mountains of West Virginia.  That said, we move to this report coming from Indiana, Pa.
     
    Home of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which all you YouTube enthusiasts will recognize as the alma matter of Chad Hurley, one of the co-founders of this great video sharing site.
     
    But far and away Indiana, Pa. is best known as the birthplace of the great film actor, Jimmy Stewart.  If Jimmy were alive today I know that he would boast of and frequent a fine restaurant in his home town.  The restaurant I mention is, Benjamin’s.  From the street it looks like a Victorian home much like the others on Philadelphia street, but inside is a dining area, bar and the setting of a wonderful restaurant.  In back is a two level dining patio second to none.  I had the pleasure of dining there with a very good friend, Roxanne Embry and her husband, Dodge.  Rox and I attended culinary college together and worked together in our early years of our profession.
     
    I can only comment on the appetizers and entree that I had but for a full run down I would direct you to their web site, (benjaminsindianapa) this will show you more of the history and menu of this establishment.  Now, back to the food.  As an appetizer we shared a wonderful Hot crab and artichoke dip with a somewhat spicy sauce that went well with the tortilla chips that accompanied it.  Next up was the Pan Asian Shrimp, superb, a spicy shrimp dredged in a house made tempura batter, drizzle with a spicy glaze and served over Asian slaw, I could have made a meal of the slaw by itself.  My entree was a “daily special” so you won’t find it on the menu.  It consisted of angel hair pasta tossed with chopped Roma tomatoes, artichokes and feta cheese topped with shrimp which were done to perfection, you know the kind I mean, they snap when you bite into them.  The rest of the entrees looked as delicious as mine and I am quite sure that goes for any item on the extensive menu that is prepared by this talented kitchen staff.
     
    Did not look at the wine list but from all other observations I am sure it is extensive as well. I highly recommend this eatery if you are in the area, if not it is worth a trip if you are even close.
     
    I have no problem giving this place a 5 of 5 fork rating or on the Mr. B scale, 5 nums.
     
    Do not miss a trip to the Jimmy Stewart museum, another highlight of my trip, hope to return someday as it was too much for me to take in one day.
     
    Next stop, Chautauqua County New York, my home town, several new restaurants since I left, and a few I grew up around, stay tuned for more “Now ya’ travelin” reports.
     
    Chef Phil

    Category Now Ya Travelin' | Tags: ,, | 1 Comment