A Karnes pick led to the old Brennan’s on Rt 81 near Earlton, no, wait, what is this place?? Gray Willow!

A major renovation, or was it a replacement, commonly finds a full parking lot of cars visiting the couple-year-old new guy on the block, in the middle of nowhere, or so it can seem.

Owners of Reds, Paul’s, Pomodoro, Track 32 joined forces for their dream opportunity. Its own pr claims it is “a popular farm brewpub and restaurant in the Northern Catskills known for its elevated comfort food, house-brewed beers, and relaxed outdoor space.”

First-timers (Deb & I may have been the only ones) see a very dark sided building that changes vibe immediately upon entering. A large open floor concept, possibly 70’ by 70’ but made cozy by its wood theme and by its use of a few heavy beams that visually divides the space into several “rooms.” The tanks of the brewery glow under the white light on the east end, and a three-sided 40 foot long bar, backed with the obligatory liquor bottle rows, act as a visual magnet. Another building, a pavilion, sits beside the main building and appears to be a popular spot to visit.

The menu might be called upscale casual, with an attractive list of apps, mains, salads, and desserts. Throw in some worthy beer and one has a mainstay on the outskirts of Earlton.

The appetizer menu attracted two of our orders: (copying and pasting from the website allowed this wordiness; my apologies, not to be repeated too often)

the Willow wings (tossed in our spicy Jamaican Jerk sauce. Served with celery and roquefort dressing) and the Thai chili pork belly (crispy & glazed with jalapenos, scallions, fried onions and peanuts).

Other appetizers, in the $12-$20 range, included corn ribs, fig flatbread, Bavarian pretzel sticks, hot honey mozzarella sticks, deep fried deviled eggs, Kate's disco fries, Ignacio's nachos, house made French onion soup, and grilled Tuscan bread with honey butter,

About fifteen main courses appeal, mostly in the $20s range).

Not ordered:

Stuffed steak, bean burger, burrata with roasted beets, pork schnitzel, stuffed chicken Caprese, NY strip steak, Tuscan chicken ravioli, honey garlic salmon, psychedelic rabbit gumbo,

ordered:

• Korean BBQ meatballs - with red cabbage, pickled radish and carrots, and chopped chili peppers
• Frickadellan burger - Griddle fried German meat patty on a pretzel bun with melted Hootenanny cheese (McGrath Cheese Company, Hudson, NY), sweet and sour red cabbage, and whole grain mustard. Served with our hand cut fries and house made pickle
• the Willow House burger - Half pound custom blend of chuck and pork belly char grilled and served on a brioche roll. Additional toppings available
• Kale-Brussels Caesar salad, with salmon, chicken or shrimp as add-ons (not Kriss!)
• Cascatelli Mac & Cheese - local Sfoglini pasta with blend of sharp cheddar, gruyere and tilsit cheese. Baked in cast iron with chunks of pepper bacon and fried onion sliver topping
• a two app combo: the Wings and Bavarian pretzel sticks (Traditional German fresh baked pretzels with our stout cheese and whole grain mustard)
• another two app combo: the Wings and Fall Apple Salad (baby arugula with local apple slices, goat cheese, candied pecans, fried prosciutto and dried cranberries)

Dessert:

Not ordered were the Jane’s ice cream, campfire smores indoors, crème Brule cheeseke, chocolate torte, and ultimate chocolate cake.

Ordered:

• apple pie - individual puff pastry with local apples served with Jane's vanilla ice cream
• homemade cookie skillet – chocolate chip cookie, baked into a skillet with vanilla ice cream.

Service

She (we did not get her name) provided excellent service. Efficient, prompt, attentive, friendly but not overly, she was an asset to Gray Willow.

Ambiance

GW is a warm-wood feed, with a 20 foot peak creating an airiness. We entered as dusk was starting and the use of windows is an asset. Two concentric, different width metal rims/wheels, lined with lights, acted as a creative chandelier. Noise level was medium high so each couple mostly talked to the couple directly across the table. And a few familiar faces passing by almost made us feel local.

Beer

• S & K IPA – a West Coast style IPA
• zoinks! – another West Coast style IPA
• Oktoberfest – a German lager
• Willow Light – an American light lager
• Skeeter Creek Pilsner – German style
• Behind Brew Eyes – East Coast IPA
• Liberty Lager – American lager
• Black Widow Export Stout – a foreign extra sout
• Golden Sombrero Mexican Lager – light with high clarity
• Cuppa Jojo Coffee Blonde – lager with hint of coffee
• or a flight of 3 or 4 or 5 five-ounce pours

Drinks

Water all around, with a couple of sodas. Beer, of course, was a natural, with Don trying a flight of four. A wine, a gin, a Manhattan filled out the order.

Cost

Separate checks were allowed, creating a return to normalcy after the Bears experience. Final tallies, including tax and tip, if I saw correctly ranged from the $75 lower end to the $125 upper end.

Topics:

The Notar upcoming change of residences captured a lot of questions and comments. All the best, we offered. I think we other six are living vicariously.

            Other topics: Ken’s health seems stable/improving; daylight decreasing; prepping the gardens for fall and winter; plans for the Florida homes (2 of 4); memorial service/party for Cousin Betty (once, a table companion in Rhinebeck early on); none of us missing going back to school; grandchildren returning to school; mah jongg; whereabouts of the Tim & Judy, Kerry & Julie, Ross & Lynda; gardening season coming to a close; deer, lots of deer; CR 67 roadwork; and others that have evanesced into the cool morning temps of late.