We went to a small local cafe last weekend. We were wanting to try out this nice fancy restaurant instead, but the restaurant was only open for dinner and we didn't want to hang around waiting for an hour an a half on it to open. So, we settled for the cafe. But, settling isn't really the right word because it ended up being pretty awesome.
The food was incredible. The quality was superb and the fresh taste of the sandwiches is enough to make my mouth water thinking about it right now. The prices were very reasonable and the amount of food received for the money spent was worth it. The Parisian decor made the atmosphere comfortable as well.
What impressed me even more than the food and the atmosphere, though, was the friendliness of the owners and staff. I guess they could tell pretty quickly we weren't "from around there" because the owner came out and asked us where we lived before and what we thought of the town. He told us how he started the business and the future renovations he planned. He told us about his trips to Canada and where the best touristy bars are located and where the coolest hotels are. It felt as though he was our own personal tour guide.
When we expressed a sense of disappointment at the lack of culture in this town, he explained that the people who end up being sent here (for work/military) and who stay do so because of the hunting environment. Upstate NY is fairly sparse in regards to big cities and covered instead with farmland, so what you're left with is hunting, boating and camping. It's a naturalist's dream, I suppose.
He also reinforced my discovery of there not being many available job opportunities. When I told him I had spent half my life working in the veterinary field and that I had wanted to find something similar when we moved here, he said that was a step up for most people around here, so there probably wouldn't be many job openings at places like that.
The owner of the cafe talked to us for about 30 minutes. I really enjoyed hearing a perspective of the town from someone who had lived there for most of his life. As we were finishing up our plates and getting ready to leave, one of the cooks brought out a bowl of fried ice cream for us. I'm not sure why we were chosen to get free dessert, but it just made the experience that much better overall.
If you're ever in upstate NY and visit a little city called Watertown, then please stop by Romalato's Delicatessen. You won't be disappointed.
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