Blogs

Have you ever experienced times when all you want to do after a long day at the office is cozy up to your favorite bar with no pomp and circumstance, plop your backside on a bar stool, order a cold one and chat with the bartender and the rest of the patrons?  I'd be lying if I said I only had one bar that makes me feel at home.  These are the places you walk in and by the time you get from the entrance to the bar the bartender already has your drink waiting for you.  Here are a few of my favorites...

I think it's an unwritten rule that if you play softball on a team during the summer months you must retire to a bar as soon as the game is over.  Lucky for me, our team wasn't sponsored by a bar so we could move around town.  One of "my" team's favorite places to go after a sweaty seven innings is Main Street Lounge on lower Main Street in Stroudsburg.  It's a hidden gem with parking in the rear and grilled cheese sandwiches that are better than mom used to make.  If we didn't hit the Main Street Lounge, there's a good chance you could find us at the Cinder Inn, where Veronica always made us feel like family.  Iced cold beer, a scrumptious steak sandwich or quesadilla and life couldn't get any better.  You can also find live music or a DJ on Friday nights at the Cinder Inn. Check out my sexy hair in the pic from the 80's night I attended there.  Oh what a night!

Moving up route 80 west to the Bartonsville/Tannersville area you can sometimes find me at the Original Pocono Pub on route 611 in Bartonsville.  There is something to be said about a bar that you can almost always find a Harley Davidson parked outside, it usually means there are pretty great people on the inside!  Fantastic food, great music and awesome people make for the perfect ending to a not so perfect day.

Last but not least the bar that I have actually referred to as home on more than one occasion is Pub 715 south.  If you want wings this is the place to go!  Shawn, the self-proclaimed "King of Wings" or "Wing King" will knock you right on your rear end with his hot sauce and leave you wanting more of his Soco garlic or Jack Daniels wings (two of my favorites), you may want to try his newest creation, peanut butter & jelly wings!  Steven, Bobby, Steph and Shawn will make you forget the troubles of the day and ease you into a restful night.

If you will be at any of the aforementioned establishment drop me a note, I just may be inclined to join you for one to take the edge off.  Ciao for now...

Coming up with new blog ideas is not as easy as I thought it was going to be.  I'm sitting here wondering what exciting things did I do last week that I can share with everyone.  Hmmm...  I organized my kitchen cabinets Saturday morning and enjoyed  a wonderful dinner in NYC on Sunday evening, but that certainly doesn't qualify for a Pocono Mountains Socialista Blog, but it did get me thinking about all the great restaurants we have right here in our neighborhood.  From fast food to chains to gourmet restaurants, you can find just about anything you want in the Pocono Mountains.

Last week, I went to our new Olive Garden for the first time and was pleased that I did not have to wait to be seated.  I chose the mushroom ravioli in a light cream sauce as my entrée and finished the evening off with a nice hot cup of coffee.  Then, I skipped across the parking lot to pick up some new reading material from Borders.  I also had dinner at one of our hidden gems in East Stroudsburg.  Ichiban Oriental Restaurant (570) 420-0440, located in the Big K plaza is delightful.  Their sushi creations are truly works or art and their Chinese dishes are the best around (in my opinion). 

One of my all time favorite places to eat is Andrew Moore's Stone Bar Inn located in Snydersville.  The last time I dined there I started the evening with a delightful bottle of wine that complimented my mouth-watering crab cakes perfectly.  For special occasions, be sure to make a reservation and ask if the Chef's table is available.  It's a one of a kind experience dinning in the heart of the kitchen watching the masters at work.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

During the week, one of our favorite places to order lunch from is Moe's Southwest Grill .  There's just something great about picking up the phone ordering a tasty burrito (maybe 6 -8 burritos depending on how many of my co-workers are craving Moe's that day) and having it delivered right to your office with no mess and no fuss!  I can even claim to know the owners personally!  Check out their website and you just may see a familiar face...  Mine!  Give Karen a call, order some of their lip smacking cuisine and tell her Staci sent you!

I guarantee this is one of many blogs to come on dining establishments in the tranquil Pocono Mountains.  Next week I will tell you all about The Lounge at the Comfort Inn in Bartonsville.  Ciao for now...

How do you explain things that go bump in the night or that eerie feeling you sometimes get that makes all the hair on the back of your neck stand up?  Or those mysterious flashes you catch in your peripheral vision making you believe that you are not alone?  What about those times you're walking to your car in the dark or getting the mail from the mailbox and you know something is lurking out there waiting to pounce on you.  Your heart starts to pound and the blood races through your veins.  You can't help but quicken your pace, hold your breath, slam the door and lock it before breathing again.   Are these manifestations made up in our sub-conscious minds or are they signs from the world of the paranormal? 

October is a scary month for many reasons. One, it gets cold which is scary for me because I hate to be cold.  Two, the leaves fall off the trees leaving us with tree carcasses where once beautiful landscaping stood. And three, October brings us witches, ghost, goblins and stories from the dark side. 

Ghost stories have been a significant part of our Pocono Mountains history.  Books have been written about the haunting of our resorts, the unexplained whispering heard in the bogs and forests and the mysterious disappearance of entire families.  Folk lore or non-fiction, we may never know  if these stories are true, but if you are looking for a scary treat this Halloween join the Pocono Paranormal Research Team at Skytop Lodge for the resorts Spoo-Tacular event this weekend.   According to John Hotchkiss of the Pocono Paranormal Research team, there are certain areas of Skytop that are definitely HAUNTED.

Why not pack your bags and spend a few nights listening for the voices from beyond, searching for the ghosts of guests past or making your own haunting memories.  This is a perfect weekend for a "trip-and-treat" to the Pocono Mountains! 

Give me your ideas for next week's blog!  Ciao for now!

The leaves start changing from robust shades of green to brilliant hues of red and yellow.  A crisp breeze blows the distinct smell of autumn through the air and you know... it's football season.  Something happens to me on Sunday mornings starting in September, I feel electricity that doesn't exist any other time of the year.  I wake up and my mouth begins to water as I crave hot Buffalo wings and ice cold beer, who says you have to wait until the games start to get into the perfect state of mind?  We are talking about football people!  A game where finely tuned (and not so finely tuned) men of steel race and smash each other on grass, turf and snow covered fields all for our entertainment.

For 21 weeks a year Sundays are made for football.  We make plans for friends to come over to watch our favorite team or we all head to a local bar to breathe in some of the excitement.  Then there are those of us who spend hundreds of dollars a year purchasing the NFL Sunday Ticket to be sure we don't miss a single minute of the action.  Knowing this, there is no denying football is a social sport.  What would we do if we couldn't harass our friends about how terrible their team played the previous week or what a shame it is that their star player was traded or occasionally relish in the fact that our team signed a franchise quarterback?  How could we manage for 21 Sundays without the pigskin hitting the dirt or yellow flags flying?  

This was a tough football week for many of us; let's hope this Sunday brings tight offenses, strong defenses and fewer yellow flags!  If you love the game of football the way I do and you enjoy sharing your love with friends, as well as complete strangers check out the following establishments in the Pocono Mountains where you can catch the football fever, have some wings and a pint or two! Go Bears...

Sarah Street Grill - Stroudsburg, PA
Shenanigans - Lake Harmony, PA
The Boat House - Hawley, PA
Apple Valley - Milford, PA

Next week it's all about ghosts, ghouls and goblins.  Ciao for now...

As promised, I grabbed a few of my co-workers and we crossed the street to check out Liquid, the new martini & tapas bar on Main Street in Stroudsburg.  I think we all had the same reaction upon entering the bar - WOW, what a great addition to Stroudsburg!  The décor is modern, eclectic and sharp.  Our bartenders Robin and Kyle took wonderful care of us.  I personally sipped the following martinis: Goose Bumps (Grey Goose Vodka, dash of Remy Martin and olives), Carmel Covered Apple (apple vodka, apple Pucker and splash of sour), Asian Paradise (pear vodka, pear sake, pineapple, grenadine and pear sugar), Sweet Kiss Goodnight (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps and fresh fruit) M&M Martini (honey mango melon vodka, Cointreau and mango puree) and my absolute favorite (which is NOT on the printed menu) the Bellini Martini (champagne, peach schnapps and fresh peaches) absolutely delicious.  I also tasted a delectable specialty drink from their cocktails menu, a Caipirnha made with Cachaca, lime and simple syrup, it happens to be one of Mark's (my boyfriend) favorites and I am definitely putting it on my favorites list as well. 

My co-workers and I decided we had to try a variety of tapas to go along with our mouthwatering martinis.  We chose Chicken Spring Rolls, Tuna Tartar and Chicken Quesadillas.  They all came out of the kitchen looking like works of art and tasting delightful.  After my first visit I was hooked!  I have to admit that I have been back again and highly recommend the steamed clams, the battered eggplant, the white pizza and their stuffed chicken.  Words don't do justice to how scrumptious the food is or how exciting it is to have a new state-of-the-art dining facility on Main Street.  The revitalization of our downtown continues in a big way. Please plan a daytime or overnight outing to Stroudsburg and take in the fall foliage, shop at our one-of-a-kind boutiques and eat, drink and be merry.  I promise you it can all be done on Main Street in beautiful downtown Stroudsburg.  

Next week I will give you an inside look on where you can catch your favorite football teams on the big screens in our four counties.  Also, don't forget to send me your unique blog ideas for upcoming issues!  Ciao for now...

The life of a self-proclaimed socialista is never dull or boring.  I had a fun-filled, three-day weekend I couldn't wait to share with you. Friday began with a trip up to Pocono Raceway to watch the Bertil Roos racing series practice on one of the many road courses. If you feel the need for speed, this is a great way to quench that thirst. You can partake in a half-day adventure or sign up for 3 or 5-day course.  I can't begin to describe the feeling that overcomes you as you come into a turn staring at the boards, hit the apex and drift out. It's truly exhilarating.  Check out their website for scheduling and prices. 

Met up with the race boys at Louie's Prime for dinner on Friday evening.  The meals around the table ranged from a crisp beefsteak tomato and fresh mozzarella salad to a succulent veal marsala all were met with rave reviews. Louie's offers a pleasant atmosphere for  groups like ours to intimate dining for two.  Four bottles of wine and several cocktails later we were ready for Saturday.

Saturday evening started with cocktails around the bar at Nick's Lake House as the staff put the finishing touches on our banquet room.  I chose filet mignon as my entree and it was phenomenal!  My boyfriend Mark had the halibut and raved about it for the rest of the evening.  If you are looking for a spectacular view of the sunset over Lake Harmony, this is the place to go!  

Sunday afternoon brought blue skies and gorgeous fall foliage as the background for a wedding we attended at Mountain Springs Lake Resort.  The brilliant reds, oranges and yellows were the perfect complement to the Lodge as we sipped delicious refreshments on the patio.  Mountain Springs is the perfect place for a wedding, corporate event or relaxing getaway with the ones you love.  It boasts 325 private wooded acres and a 76-acre spring fed lake.  Tranquility and peace of mind all wrapped up just for you!

Would love to hear your comments and suggestions on this blog and where you would like me to go in the future.  Next week I will give you an inside look at the new Liquid Martini Bar on Main Street in Stroudsburg, ciao for now.

When visiting the Pocono Mountains you are sure to drive by at least one candle shop, if not more. I stopped by American Candle in Bartonsville this past weekend in search of a birthday present and found much more. As a child, I remember begging my parents to take me to American Candle. I'm sure you're wondering why a kid would want to be brought to a candle shop, but the store is much more than that. They have an amazing assortment of candy, anything you can imagine, they have. If candy is not what you're looking for, their assortment of candles is endless. You can find any scent, size and style candle possible. The possibilities don't end there, they have seasonal decorations, Swarovski crystal's, collectibles, and even wedding and special occasion gifts. I walked away with a beautiful Swarovski crystal flower. There were so many beautiful things I had to remember I was shopping for someone else!  Maybe, for my birthday someone will have the same idea for me.

With so many candle shops in the Pocono Mountains be sure to stop in and check them all out!

It's officially fall! It's time to break out the sweaters and jeans and put away the t-shirts and shorts.  The Stroud Mall will help you do just that. With amazing ways to save everywhere you look, you're sure to find great deals.

I personally love dressing for fall. There are so many great options from cardigans to jackets and everything in between. The perfect place to shop for fall in the Pocono Mountains is the Stroud Mall, where you will find a variety of great stores. You can find everything you need at department stores like JCPenney, Sears and Bonton. If you're looking for trendy stores, try American Eagle. American Eagle has great stylish attire for boys and girls. And don't forget to save while you're there. Sign up for an American Eagle member card for FREE and save big. You will receive discount coupons in the mail and through your email.

Save big this fall in the Pocono Mountains!

Living in the Pocono Mountains of course I've been to Callie's Candy Kitchen and Callie's Pretzel Factory. They are both a must when visiting the Pocono Mountains! You get the experience of watching candy and pretzels being made, with the enjoyment of being able to buy and eat it as well. First, I'll start off with Callie's Candy Kitchen. This place is a candy lovers dream. Wherever you look all you see is candy and unique candy at that. You won't just find the regular candy you can buy at a grocery store, you'll see anything from huge colorful lollipops, candy cartoon characters and chocolate covered everything. You will certainly not be disappointed leaving Callie's Candy Kitchen. Once you do leave the candy kitchen, make sure to head over to the pretzel factory right down the road. Pretzels are made fresh every day along with other snacks like gourmet flavored popcorn. After you see how they're made, make sure you try all the different kinds of pretzels available. They make everything imaginable from pretzels filled with cheese to pizza pretzels to buttermilk ranch pretzels! However, the pretzel twists are by far my favorite. Callie's Candy Kitchen and Callie's Pretzel Factory are both a great way to spend the afternoon.

With so many chain restaurants making their way into the Pocono Mountains, it's nice to take a break and stop by one of the locally owned cafes. Dale's Café in Bartonsville is just that. I've been to Dale's many times and always love looking at the forever changing artwork hanging on the walls. These paintings and drawings are for sale by local artists. Every time I go to Dale's Café I get the same thing, the Italian Panini, I'm hooked. If Italian Panini's aren't your thing don't worry, Dales has a large variety of high-quality sandwiches, wraps and even personal pizza's. Everything is made fresh and is guaranteed to taste amazing. I decided to introduce my sister's boyfriend to Dale's Café this past weekend and he loved it. He was skeptical at first since he was extremely hungry and didn't think a sandwich could fill him up, but he walked out stuffed. I of course, ordered the Italian Panini and both my sister and her boyfriend ordered the Chicken Firenze Panini. Our food came out extremely fast, we hardly waited at all. After we all finished eating, her boyfriend decided to pick up the check because he noticed how extremely affordable Dale's Cafés prices were. With daily specials located right as you walk in, there's something for everyone.

For other cafes in the Pocono Mountains try out, Bean's Roasting House & Café located in Honesdale and Café Origins in Jim Thorpe!