Maybelle's Breakfast Egg Sandwich

It's 20 something days and counting until our wedding and I've been running back and forth from Hudson firming up plans. My stomach was rumbling after my hair appointment so I decided to treat myself to brunch. As I asked around while antique shopping in Catskill, locals were praising this new farm-to-table establishment called Maybelle's. Can't beat local advice!

The culinary compass usually points toward Hudson but don't underestimate Catskill. The sleepy stretch of Main Street may not standout as a gourmet destination but Maybelle's lays the foundation for an exciting menu worth coming to Catskill for. At first glance, I was mesmerized by the menu and its offerings: pan-seared duck sandwich, caramelized brussel sprouts with pickled okra, lamb merguez, among a bevy of tantalizing dishes. Sadly I was by myself and restrained myself to a simple breakfast sandwich accompanied by a sip of homemade lavender soda. 

As simple as a breakfast sandwich can be, the right elements can elevate this breakfast staple to a whole new level. At Maybelle's, two over easy eggs are sandwiched between the most tender and fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuit, schmeared on both sides with a generous amount of tangy goat cheese, and topped with your choice of local Catskills bacon or sausage. Add a swirl of sriracha and I was in breakfast bliss. Forget all the other frozen microwaveable breakfast sandwiches. The stars are the fresh ingredients but that goat cheese added an extra creaminess that made this little 'ole sandwich so decadent. I might very well start putting goat cheese on all my breakfast sandwiches from now on. But first I gotta bring J with me on a return visit, most likely as husband and wife the next time around!

The Beer Belly

With a name like The Beer Belly, you wouldn't expect this type of joint to serve such addictive food but it does! J and I would probably come here on a daily basis if we still lived around the corner.The atmosphere is a perfect mix for the both of us; not too pretentious or hipster yet comfortable and approachable. 

The Beer Belly has been curating an evolving list of excellent craft beers and a menu that is fun and thoughtfully prepared with simple and delicious ingredients. By now, you might as well call us regulars. We've tried nearly everything on the menu and while not all bites are perfect, there's been some memorable ones that are worth coming back for:

$1 Oysters: It's become a Sunday ritual for us pairing these freshly shucked beauties with a pick-your-own flight of delectable beers. You can also stop by on weekdays from 11am to 5pm for this daily deal.

Bresaola Bites: These artfully wrapped purses of thinly sliced cured meats are generously filled with a creamy chive goat cheese. It's a symphony of flavors between the tanginess of the cheese and salty bites of the air-dried beef. The basil pesto adds another dimension of flavor, bringing a fragrant accent that pairs wonderfully.