Great Roadside Trip: Phoenicia Diner

© Doug Koh

At last we've arrived at the long weekend and just in time to enjoy the fall foliage. The city is always late to show its bright autumn colors but Upstate NY never fails to amaze around this time. If you have the chance to drive up this weekend, you'll surely see sights of gold and red just as the leaves slowly start to fall and fade. And don't forget to take advantage of the season flavors - pumpkin sugar donuts and apple cider are available at nearby markets and grocery stores. 

But if you are really craving for a fuller meal, we highly recommend this popular roadside joint. Off of Route 28, Phoenicia Diner is just the kind of place you'd imagine to find on a good 'ol fashioned American road trip. What we love is the creative mix of the nostalgic American diner atmosphere and new, thoughtful design. The menu has a  wide selection of breakfast favorites, sandwiches, greens, and more! All ingredients are from local farms and gardens. 

Make sure to come with an empty belly!

© Doug Koh

© Doug Koh

© Doug Koh 

© Doug Koh

Directions from New York City:

NYS Thruway 87 to exit 19 Kingston and first turn off the traffic

circle to RT 28W for approximately 22 miles. Phoenicia Diner will

be on your left  after the shopping plaza. Look for their logo on the

sign in front.

Other local food stop recommendations:

Adams Fairacre Farms
1560 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine, NY 12449

adamsfarms.com

Wallkill View Farm Market

15 New York 299, New Paltz, NY 12561

http://wallkillviewfarm.snappages.com

Rendez-vous with the Sun

This is not really a seasons-specific post, because you can enjoy the beauty of a sunset every evening of the year but lately (especially during season changes) we have had quite spectacular sunsets here on the right bank of the East River. For those of us who can make it outside on time for sunset we have made this modest "Brooklyn at sunset" strolling guide . Enjoy the last few weeks of warmth in the city New Yorkers and witness sunsets at these great locations. 

Sun sets around 6.56pm these days  

Brooklyn Heights Promenade: The promenade leads you from DUMBO to Brooklyn Heights, ending at the Brooklyn Bridge Park.  It is situated high above water and gives a spectacular view of the South- East tip of Manhattan.

Grand Street River Park (this one is on our Street!): located at the very end of Grand Street in South Williamsburg, it is a great spot to take pictures of the Williamsburg Bridge at sunset with the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges at a distance. Iconic little spot at the tip of out fingers ;-)

Williamsburg waterfront: located at North 5th Street. Gentrification of the neighborhood came with a great deal of urban planning and lovely walkable piers. This one offers a beautiful global view of the city, overlooking Midtown Manhattan and the Empire State building.

Greenpoint Waterfront: Nice little community Park located at the end of Manhattan Avenue.

Please note: Some of these parks close at dusk so first make sure to check for open hours here www.nycgovparks.org

A Happy Anniversary

Last Sunday we had the pleasure to celebrate one more time our many years (9 to be precise!) in business. 

It is really because of the support and the great community of friends and loyal customers that we are still going strong and we want to thank again every participating soul in this great adventure of a business that is Commune Salon & Gift! We love our community.

As usual, the party was a blast.  The kids are growing and families expanding and we couldn't feel happier to see everyone gather around good music and good food.

With Love,

~ Commune ~

Season's change

Transitioning into another season is not always so easy, especially since summer went by so fast this year it seemed!  Fortunately, we have had spectacular weather recently in NYC, helping us get into the Fall mood.

We love the lightness and dreamy feel of artist Maia Flore. This is how we should transition, feeling gently lifted from one season to the next.

We hope everyone is having a lovely Autumn so far!

 

Enchanted

It's the golden season here on the East Coast.

Pretty, pretty mushrooms, mossy woods and fall foliage.

The outdoors are quite magical at this time of the year.

Mushroom hunting is the perfect weekend project.

Do you go mushroom hunting?

Party time

✶   It's happening again, save the date!    

                                       ✶
We'll be looking forward to gather again for our 8th year anniversary on October 21st at our usual space on Grand street.
Food, refreshments music & performance.
                     It will be a lovely night.         
✶

                              ✶       We hope to see you all there!

                ✶ 

September rainy days are calling for tea

 

Last year, a beautiful tea atelier opened its doors on the edge of Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  

Shortly after opening Bellocq Tea Atelier quickly became number one on food magazines must-see stores in Brooklyn. You can show up anytime during their open hours for a tasting and mingle with no less than the friendly creators of this beautiful line: Heidi and Michael.   

Bellocq also happens to have the prettiest website.

We love their philosophy, aesthetic and passion.

Coats and boots

New York is about to wrap up its fashion week, again closing the book on what we can expect to be the styles of next Spring.

And yet, we are about to unpack coats and rain-boots from the back of the closet and welcome Autumn.

Therefore, we leave you today with a little fashion poem from designer Minä Perhonen.

Enjoy the beginning of the fall!

A friendly reminder

We are entering the beautiful month of September and like tree leaves, our store is slowly turning into fall.

But you still have time to come and get yourself something on sale this week... Letting go of summer is just too difficult!

The light is spectacular at this time of the year and we hope everyone in New York is enjoying the season's change with delight.