Restaurant Review: Pumpernickel's

 Sometimes you walk into a place and it feels like home.   

Ted and I dined at Pumpernickel’s,  Center Court, New Hartford Shopping Center.  The delicatessen has been in the same location for 16 years (that tells you something!) and expanded to a comfortable size about 5 years ago.  The atmosphere is warm and friendly.   Playbills/posters from classics such as “Les Miserables”, “Miss Saigon”, ticket stubs from “Blue Man Group”, and more don the tables and walls.  If your dining partner is lacking in conversation, well there’s plenty of eye candy…no NOT that type…but the interesting theater memorabilia. 

We looked at the menu outside the door and I was in heaven.  A lot of fish! 

We went inside, were immediately seated, and opened the menu.  Wow! What choices. Pumpernickels offers something for everyone, from Vegan to Meateater.  What sandwiches! What specials!

Their menu is available on line but you should visit this deli, sip a glass of Cavit Pinot Grigio or a Corona while you peruse the extensive menu options.

Ted and I began our Pumpernickel experience with just what I listed above:   Cool, Crisp, Light…

As usual, my request took about 5 minutes for the very polite waitress to write down.  It seems to feel like a re-make of the old movie “When Harry Met Sally” when I place a food request:  

….I’d like the Chef’s Salad, please, with oil and vinegar on the side, and the apple pie à la mode, but I’d like the pie heated and I don’t want the ice-cream on the top, I want it on the side and I’d like strawberry instead of vanilla, if you have it. If not, then no ice-cream, just whipped cream, but only if it’s real. If it’s out of a can, then nothing.

That’s how my order ends up. It is NEVER as written on the menu. The waitress at Pumpernickel’s didn’t bat an eye when I reeled off all the adjustments requested to my dish. 

 “I’ll have the Haddock Franciase but please have it made without the butter.  No rice and no coleslaw. I’d like extra spinach.  If I can’t get the extra spinach then a steamed vegetable.   No steamed vegetable? That’s fine, then please try for the extra spinach.” 

The result?  PERFECT!  The haddock was so flaky, who needed a knife?!  The vegetable topping of onions, peppers, tomatoes, was a nice accompaniment to the fish and the spinach.  Look at the beautiful bed of spinach the fish rested on:

 But lets take a step back and go through our dinner because Ted won’t allow me to post this review unless I tell you about his dish.

A crisp, green salad with red tomatoes, cool cucumbers over a bed of fresh romaine.

Onion battered green beans served with a chipotle ranch dip.

For Ted: The Brooklyn Grill = Grilled chicken breast topped with mushrooms, crispy bacon...Ted was overwhelmed by the moist chicken and perfect balance of flavors.

Haddock Florentine: 10 ounces of fresh haddock baked in Chablis and lemon. The fish is topped with onions, peppers, tomatoes and served with fresh sauteed spinach.

While I was ohing and ahhing over my dinner, Ted couldnt talk because he was so wrapped up in his sandwich, amazed at how thin, yet tender and flavorful the chicken was.   Who knew?!  Where have we been all this time?  Why have we not seen advertisements, rave reviews?   I think it’s because the repeat customers (as we sat there, we overheard quite a few) want to keep this little treasure to themselves.  

If you haven’t been lately, make sure to get to New Hartford Shopping Center, look for Center Court, and wander into Pumpernickels , located at the back if entering storefront of the shopping center.  They have something for everyone – Vegetarian as well. The prices are better than fair and the staff so friendly, it’s like walking into a family reunion.  We hear the pies are out of this world!

The happy eaters and Chef Phil

A movie review!   “Transiberian”

This movie stars Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, and Ben Kingsley.  It is a suspense-thriller.  Once again, Ted and I stayed awake for the entire movie.  We have to give it a thumbs up.

This movie is about a couple suffering from some marital troubles (again!) but the best part is that they don’t scream and yell at each other. It’s a subtle disfunctional relationship.  Of course there is the couple that comes on the scene to challenge their loyalties to one another.  It involves drug trafficing but doesn’t repulse with showing drug abuse of a person.  It’s a good movie that somewhat crawls then takes heart pounding leaps towards the end.  The best part?  An ending that leaves you with a smile.

Ted and I are off to New Jersey in celebration of brother-in-law Eddie’s 60th birthday! Go Eddie!   It should be fun!  Have a great weekend.