Oooh a lament on leaving NY...

Today it really hit me that we are less than 3 week away from leaving New York.  We went to our usual weekend diner and it hit me that this was prolly the last time I would be dining at The Gateway.  Not that its anything particularly special...its good food, mind you but its not like some big time restaurant in NYC or some place bearing a big celebrity name.  I will miss all the small places like -

• Yobo - where Jon fell in love with the sushi and they served a side of fried rice big enough to feed 4 people.  The amazing interior design is beautiful and mesmerizing.  Waterfalls and all... dreamy.
• Leo's - where from the moment you stepped inside you expected to find a mafia poker game going on in the back room.  The pizza boys name is Guido even.  It doesn't get more authentic than this place.
• The Gateway Diner - it touts itself as being your every day friendly Greek restaurant but they literally have a bit of everything on their HUGE 10 page menu.  Italian, Irish, Greek, French...you name it - its here and comes in epic sizes for a small penny.  
• Steak & Stein - I have never had a steak more delicious than this place.  When you walk in, you feel like you stepped into colonial times by the decor and the huge stone fireplace.  Very cozy and romantic. 
• Cosimo's - mama mia!!  I only wish I could make meatballs like the Nonna meatballs here.  And the white pizza with gorgonzola.  Get outta here!  I never knew I even LIKED gorgonzola before this place.  I could seriously eat here every day.
•  The Thayer Hotel restaurant - ugh I want to cry thinking about The Thayer.  Spent my anniversary there eating a wonderful meal on the balcony overlooking the river while a couple got married below us in the garden.  Listened to their vows and the music...it was *perfect*.  It was fine dining at its best truly.  The president stays here when he's at West Point.  If he likes it, so will you!  :)
• Prima's Pizza - I will never in a million years forget Prima's.  Walking inside was like trashy yard sale meets Mario Batalli's level of cooking.  The pizza was the size of the table (I kid you NOT for a large) and their ravoli was sinfully good.  The inside is so fascinating..everywhere you look was some form of knick knack or antique and pictures. EVERYWHERE.  You just couldn't take it all in.  I'm so thrilled they ship nationwide.  I might not get so homesick afterall!  :P

I'm sure I've missed some of my favorite eats but these stand out the most.  I will truly miss Adam's Fair Arcres Farmer's Market.  I love the smell of this place.  It smells 'green' and reminds me of the farm.  Everything is fresh and they have organic veggies/fruit and locally raised meats.  Every Saturday we'd go there after eating lunch at either Denny's or The Gateway.  And every time we'd do laundry, we'd eat next door at Leo's or this wee small Chinese place.  There is just so much I didn't get to do in my 8 months here in New York and hella more I will miss so much.  I can only wait for the day when I move back here - because I *will* be back here some day. 

So if you get the chance, stop by the places I mentioned.  They are fabulous and unforgettable and you won't regret it.  Oh Hudson Valley - whatever will I do without you?!