Typical dialogue with customers often goes something like this

PATRON: Where upstate is the owner from?

WAITER: New Hartford

PATRON: Ohhh…where is that?

WAITER: Outside of Utica

PATRON: Uh huh and that is…

WAITER: In between Syracuse and Albany

PATRON: Whoa that is upstate!

WAITER: It sure is. It sure is. Would you like to hear a story about the wood?

Born and raised in New Hartford, NY population 22,166 according to the 2010 census. High school mascot: spartans. And while a town placed between the state capital and basketball capital might seem really way upstate, it sure aint no Buffalo.

Great draught selection for this hot, humid day and an updated oyster list too.

See you upstate!

Dog may be man’s best friend, but in this city it is the cat that rules the roost.

Diabolical pose: front paws are clasped together, not touching the floor

This little guy runs Furry Paws over on E8th Street. Notice all the dog snarf on the bottom of the door? BuckShowalter definitely helped with that.

Hey buddy - cash or credit?

Enjoy the holiday weekend. Safe travels.

See you upstate!

We adhere to the same principle as reality tv…by entering our place of business, you are agreeing to the remote possibility of becoming blog fodder.

Perfect carb fix, our fettuccine with clams. That and beer, lots of beer.

Meet Josh. He’s a bit of a stalker regular who also runs pretty fast. And far. Just placed third in the NJ Marathon a couple of weeks ago in 2:38:33.

See you upstate!

After all it wouldn’t be a Monday without a little construction project underway.

The old man armed with power tools

See what happens when the wife doesn't sign off on things - like red paint in the bathroom

Should be interesting to see what the morning brings.

See you upstate!

The thrill of a handwritten missive – quickly becoming an upstate tradition.

Oh and in addition to our daily oyster selection, you might have heard that we got in soft-shell crab too?

See you upstate!

Empire Brewing Company is in the house today and tomorrow.

• Monday, May 14: from 5pm – midnight, any empire beer + six oysters = $12
• Tuesday, May 15: from 5pm – midnight, any empire draught is $5

Empire is taking over five of our taps, featuring a great selection of their award-winning beers

• White Aphro
• Liv & Let Rye
• Empire Strikes Bock
• Maple Porter
• Empire State Pale Ale

We’re closed today for Mother’s Day folks. Enjoy the day with your family.

We have Empire Brewing Company taking over the shop this Monday & Tuesday, so be sure to come stop by.

See you upstate!

Got giant Elkhorn Oysters in the house tonight. Firm meats with a high brininess, sweet flavor and a melon finish. Meat plural is us throwing down industry jargon.

And receive an upstate pencil with your meal

From the coast of Washington – Elkhorn oysters are accustomed to fighting the tides, clamping tightly shut during low tides to preserve their liquor and to protect themselves against predators.  Am assuming we would constitute as said predators. Creating a rustic looking exterior with barnacles, black & white speckled shells with shades of green.

Some come on by, as the pencils these oysters won’t last forever.

See you upstate!

Ah springtime in the city. Warm weather, twilight evenings and um construction.

We're open, just have to walk the long way around to our door

We paid extra for this view

Must admit, construction rigs are still a thrill to watch

Hopefully the round-the-clock manpower will end the construction sooner than later. Come by and check out the trucks with us.

See you upstate!

And it makes the wife frisky lands you in the doghouse…

The husband fleeing the scene...eventually

Late night debauchery – considered really early morning by most. We (husband) have Jason of The Immigrant and Jonathan of The Whiskey Shop to thank.

Excellent whiskey, terrible idea

See you upstate!