BACKROADS • OCTOBER 2021
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Thisilldous Eatery presents
GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN
404 MAIN ST, ROSENDALE, NY 12472 845-658-7175 • THEBIGCHEESEROSENDALE.COM They have a saying at this month’s Great All American Diner Run: Explore the Divinity of Cheese and Nourishing Mediterranean Food. Divinity? Nice. The Big Cheese was a serendipitous find while on a 300-mile day trip that we stole in late July. With a very spring-like day, temps in the low 70’s and not much in the way of humidity, we went searching for people, places or things to fill the pages you are now reading. What, you think Backroads creates itself ? Cruising into the town of Rosendale, once the concrete capital of the world, we were both heading towards the bad side of hangry. The town has several restaurants, but it was The Big Cheese that grabbed both our attention and, with a spot right across the street, we parked and sauntered inside. As we got close I read the sign: Café’, Market, Mediterranean…and Canal Town Thriftique. Thriftique? They also claimed to serve Darn Good Coffee. Indeed, they did. The Big Cheese is more than just a place to get a bite. Doing a bit of research back at home I learned more about this unique town and local-conscious shop. ‘The best little venue to explore the divinity of cheese, Mediterranean foods, fresh salads, deli, groceries, Kombuchas, eat-in, take-out, breakfast, lunch, dinner, movie snacks, chocolates, coffee, WiFi & vintage selections!’ Phew, that a lot of goodness in one place; lucky us. Yuval & Lisa Sterer run a wonderful little restaurant that boasts good, healthy, nutritive food, local farm-fresh goods, juices, cheese from
tasty places to take your bike
around the world along with a delicious menu of fresh salads, deli foods to gourmet goodies, freshly made Middle Eastern fare, and some of the most inventive and scrumptious sandwiches this side of the Hudson. The a.tmosphere is unique, warm inviting, and friendly. They also run an eclectic second-hand store within the restaurant. You can get a superb lunch and then do a little bit of shopping You will find books, kitchenware, and unique clothing. Really nice clothing by the way! From the moment we stepped through the threshold we were encircled with the most wonderful aromas. Think the best deli, cheese shop, and market all mixed together with a strong dash of The Med. The women that were behind the counter were very friendly and were very patient as we took a long time to finally decide on what we wanted from their strong and inviting menu. Their cases are filled with inviting Mediterranean dishes such as stuffed grape leaves, spanikopita and labaneh along with more hot and cold appys and entrees. The cold cases house the amazing assortment of cheeses, along with other dairy products. If you are a breakfast anytime person, they can do that for you, with such dishes as the Israeli: scrambled eggs with fresh greens, tomato and olives
