Business Notebook: Carriage Path Café delivers on the egg creams, Paninis

Warwick - Remember egg creams? You can order them here. It’s only been open just over a month, but Warwick’s new Carriage Path Café is already an award-winning restaurant. The cafe, on the picturesque Carriage Path between Main Street and the South Street parking lot, opened its doors April 19 and was recently singled out at the St. Stephen’s Parish “Taste of the Town” celebration for its Belgian Waffles and Panini sandwiches. Owner Karen Hutchinson, a Warwick resident and former partner in Café a la Mode, is no stranger to the restaurant business. And her new eatery is a family affair. Her husband, Bill, who everyone calls “Hutch,” does much of the cooking and her children: Jillian, 17, and Brynn “Breezy,” 14, keep things running smoothly behind the counter. “Don’t forget to mention my father, Jack McDonald,” said Hutchinson. “He’s a man of many hats. He does the bookkeeping, opens up in the morning and helps out in any way that he can. He’s my inspiration.” In addition to a variety of lunchtime Paninis, which are pressed sandwiches on Indian Nan bread, Carriage Path Café serves a full breakfast as well as “Take and Bake” dinner specials from Tuesday to Friday. “This is great for busy people and we can fax you the menu for the week in advance,” said Hutchinson. Although ordinary fare is also available, the Carriage Path Café offers its patrons an opportunity to try something different. At breakfast, for example, you might want to try “Popeye Eggs” washed down with a choice of gourmet coffees. At lunchtime, you can order a chicken, ham, turkey or roast beef Panini or create your own combination. The dinner specials change daily and everything, from breakfast to dinner, can be ordered and delivered within the local area. The restaurant also offers a variety of frozen drinks, smoothies, cappuccinos and lattes. Weather permitting, there is outdoor seating. In addition to food service, the Carriage Path Café also carries a selection of baked goods and nostalgic candies. And speaking of nostalgia, those egg creams, once unique to New York’s five boroughs, are available at the Carriage Path Café in several flavors including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and coffee. The Carriage Path Café is open Tuesday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.;on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. To order your weekly menu or for additional information call 986-0177. Farmers Market The popular Warwick Valley Farmers’ Market officially opened on Sunday, May 21 and will be open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until the end of October. Featured this season will be all types of greens, root vegetables, bedding annuals, goat milk products, baked goods, fruits, jams and jellies and local wines. “When it’s in season, you’ll find it here,” said Market Manager Jo Hull. Entertainment line-up Besides good food and drink, the Italian Villa, 274 Route 94 South, is a good destination for weekend entertainment. One popular event is “Comedy Night,” held on the third Friday of each month. And this coming June 23, patrons who come early, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., will be treated to a Barcardi special company promotion featuring free special Barcardi Rum drinks. Karaoke nights in June are also held on Fridays and there’s an opportunity to win cash and other prizes. Have dinner or drinks at the Italian Villa on Saturday nights and you can also enjoy dancing to the music of a live band. Call 987-1500 for reservations and information.