Thursday, November 11, 2010

tarrytown

"In the bosom of one of those spacious coves which indent the eastern shore of the Hudson, at that broad expansion of the river denominated by the ancient Dutch navigators of the Tappan Zee, and where they always prudently shortened sail and implored the protection of St. Nicholas when they crossed, there lies a small market town or rural port which by some is called Greenburgh, but which is more generally and properly known by the name of Tarry Town. This name was given, we are told, in former days, by the good housewives of the adjacent county, from the inveterate propensity of their husbands to linger about the village tavern on market days."
That is how Washington Irving began his 1820 novel, The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. One hundred and ninety years later, Tarrytown is, "a village with rich and varied historical and cultural roots and a splendid setting overlooking the three-mile width of the Hudson River." What the NY Times failed to mention, however, was that it also boasts  one hell of a coffee house
Today, I took opportunity of the amazing weather to take photographs of the area's beauty and the town's charm. Oh, and by the way, just in case you're wondering: their local high school is named Sleepy Hollow High School, their local team is the Horseman, and their Cross-Country team does train on the paths of the Rockefeller family estate. Fun Westchesterite facts :).
Lovely, isn't it?
As for my current place of work , Coffee Lab Roasters... it is the most divine of all. And when I say "place of work," I mean place that I do freelance work while drinking incredible soy lattés brewed by the people that actually work there.
In their words, the coffee they serve is "grown globally and roasted locally." In the past few years, Westchester Magazine has voted them the Best Green Coffeehouse in 2009, Best American Coffee in 2007, and Best Coffee Shop in 2004. They rock in oh-so-many-ways, I can't even tell you!
I will tell you one thing though.
The ridiculously overpriced American Craft Chocolate bars that they sell, in addition to their incredible coffee flavors and varieties, exquisite teas, and delectable baked goods all prepared and served in the most environmentally and socially friendly of ways... are so, so, so worth it. And they're vegan too.
Coffee-check. Chocolate-check. Now, bring on the vino and gossip ;). I'm off to a girl's night at another local favorite, Pour It's outings like these that make my days of living at home enjoyable. Wishing you a wonderful evening as well!

5 comments:

  1. oooh i am loving your Westchesterite facts :)

    gorgeous photos! that is so interesting about Sleepy Hollow.. never knew where it took place before!

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  2. Sounds like the perfect day!!

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  3. Shannon, Tropical Eats: Thanks, love! Come visit sometime.

    anandaprana: One of them at least :).

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  4. Hi! I just found your blog through a suggestion on google reader, and I've been reading a few posts. I had to comment on this one, because I grew up right across the river from Tarrytown in Rockland County. I've been to that music hall for shows.

    I also went to school at Westchester Community College in Valhalla (10 minutes down the thruway from Tarrytown), and met my boyfriend of more than five years there! He grew up in Westchester, and now we live together in Albany.

    We'll be back down for the holidays, and this post made me even more excited!!

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  5. Rosey Rebecca: How wonderful! I'm so glad you found me. Enjoy your holidays close to home :).

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