Bob wondered last time why I didn't write about our Tuesday trip to Belhurst Castle, so I told him I thought the previous blog about our trip to Oswego was long enough. This deserved a posting all itself.
Tuesday morning, on the spur of the moment, Paul said - Let's go have lunch at the Belhurst. What a marvelous idea!
So - within 15 minutes, just before noon, we started up route 14, past a host of wineries, up the lake, and back to Geneva and the Belhurst Castle. I had pointed out the Belhurst to Bob, both coming and going, from Oswego. It's so far back from the road; he couldn't see anything. It's on a beautiful spot of land overlooking Seneca Lake.
Being a Tuesday, I didn't think we'd need a reservation. The Belhurst has been added on to over the years, and it has a huge covered area with several roof-lines, made to look like a big stone castle. It includes a winery, gift shop, two restaurants, several outdoor/indoor dining areas. Plus it includes two hotels. One on the property and one up the hill a ways, on the other side of route 14.
There's a long long driveway through shade trees into the parking area. As we got closer, we noticed it was full of tour buses, and antique cars. Lots of people wandering inside and out. Uh Oh. Probably not the best idea coming without a reservation. We like to eat at the buffet area which is in the older area of the castle. Inside, we walked past an english-style pub that was half-filled.
It seems the tour and other groups have separate rooms off the main long hall. Phew. That doesn't affect normal customer traffic. We had a beautiful table, in the corner of a long room overlooking the lawn, trees, flowers, stone walks, and the lake. There were tables and chairs under an awning, set outside our windows; we didn't see anyone at them while we were there - due to the heat, probably. Lots of people walking around outside though. Linen tablecloth, napkins, candles, ornate china dishes out there and inside. For a while, we were the only ones in our room, until two other couples arrived. Very quiet and peaceful. We almost could have used (a piano player, Bob said) some music.
As we ended our meal, they served us six huge chocolate-covered strawberries surrounding a huge mound of whipped cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. Oh, my. It was blissful. So, can I put a crack in this beautiful picture? The wait/staff was wonderful. The ambiance was also. The food was just mediocre. But it was well-worth the trip. I'm glad Bob had a chance to see it.
We went outside to the parking lot and wandered around these wonderful show-car quality vintage cars. Real beauties. We took pictures of them. In hindsight, we probably should have gotten permission, but we didn't. One of the gentlemen told me a long story reminding me of the Taylor name and Bully Hill run by Walter S. Taylor. He couldn't use his name on his wines.They all said REO on them, which I found out stood for R.E. Olds. As in Oldsmobile.
On our way home, we stopped at Fox Run for a wine tasting. Bob bought some wine and glasses to take with him to his friend Mark's in Toronto. We also stopped at Miles Vineyard, closer to home, which is owned by friends of Brenda's. I wanted Bob to see it. It looks like a southern mansion - with weeping willow trees and other shade trees, going down to the lake. Their wine wasn't as good, but we got free glasses (for the $3. wine tasting charge so actually we paid for them.)
We got home and decided we didn't need any supper. But eventually Bob cooked some hotdogs on the grill and they tasted delicious.
We're home alone now. Bob left this morning for Mark's. We miss him! It should be a five hour trip to Toronto. Of course the heat spell has dissipated. Wouldn't you know it? Such is life. Bob came up north to get out of the heat. It's cloudy today. I'm doing wash.
Paul and I are both tired.
So how're things goin' in your neck o' the woods?
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