One-Tank Trip / Chautauqua County
A lazy drive turns up unexpected treasures
Enjoy scenery, antiquing, good food
HAUTAUQUA — Was Nat King Cole serious when he sang about the lazy days of summer? Every weekend there’s a home project, a lawn to mow, a party to attend/throw.
Why not put the brakes on and take a real lazy day? A One- Tank Trip with someone who can appreciate a leisurely drive and all the wonderful things that go with it — pleasant conversation, some stops along the way, a nice meal.
If you need guidance, here’s a ride to the Chautauqua region with a mixed bag of interesting stops that would be perfect for a drive right through the fall. The Red Brick Farm was our original destination, but we discovered that the drive expanded into a perfect way to “while away the day.”
Start off by driving down Route 5 (yes, the Thruway would be quicker, but this is the whole point). It’s a gorgeous ride down the Lake Erie shoreline through towns like Evans, Angola, Silver Creek and Dunkirk — all the way to where you’ll hang a left onto Route 394 to head toward Westfield Chautauqua Lake. Here’s what we found along the way. Pick and choose from the list and create your own trip.
Before Westfield
For bargain hunters. You’re sure to hit yard sales as we did along Route 5, including what seemed to be a semi-permanent one located on a right corner just after the left turn off onto Route 394. It was a mishmash of furniture, kitchen and glassware plus some great old black and white photos.
Landmark Acres Antiques and Nass Daylily Farm. On Route 394 heading toward Westfield, turn right on Route 20. (You’ll pass Landmark on the way to the farm, but you can save that for the return trip.) Head two miles, pass the Johnson Estate Winery, where you could also stop. Turn left on Jillson Road to the end, then right on Hardscrabble Road. You’ll see the “Daylilies” sign on the left. Owned by the sweetest couple, Janet and Harold Nass, the farm is home to more than 350 varieties to purchase. Organized in planter boxes, the Nass’ make it easier for customers, as their expertise and slick Mac laptop can whittle down choices.
Need a tall, fiery red color flower or short purple? With a few clicks, they can show you pictures of all they have if it doesn’t happen to be in bloom. They don’t ship, so be prepared to take your purchase home or to come back later. Prices vary greatly, depending on what you want.
Heading back, stop at Landmark Acres Antiques where you’ll find exquisite items located in what was once the barn of the first farm settled in Chautauqua County in 1802. Beautiful furniture, glassware and china filled this space. We loved the picture of the 100th anniversary celebration at the farm in 1902. You’ll see the same buildings as when you drove in, except with horses, buggies and the long-gone people who attended the event.
Cross Roads Farm Market. Near Landmark Acres Antiques, you’ll see a sign for this turn off on County Route 21. The co-op market is situated on land used along the historic Portage Trail, which connected Lake Chautauqua and Lake Erie. More than 40 vendors are in three buildings. Here are our favorites.
Spice Harbor features hundreds of spices and mixes (corn-bread, pancake, soups) as well as gorgeous handmade miniature wooden sailboats. Other food vendors include Chautauqua Coffee, Fudge ’n Stuff, Maple Country, Greenstone Bakery and a jam/jelly place.
Evening Shade Pottery caught our eye, as did the whimsical faces on its mugs, planters and vases. At another stand, we found handmade Polish pottery at wonderful prices. Typically blue and white, this stand had unusual blue/gold and blue/green combinations and patterns.
In the textile department, Precious Possessions had some darling hand-knit baby clothing and fabulous “little/big” bags that converted to as small or as big as needed. At YB Normal Farms, it was all about alpaca yarns and beautiful wool sweaters, mittens and more.
Jerry Nichols Woodworking was our last stop. The furniture here was outstanding and unique. The pieces that had delicate pieces of wood inlaid were stunning. It took some patience to make these items!
The Cross Roads Countywide Yard Sale will be held next Sunday through Sept. 1.
Westfield, Mayville
Westfield Farmers Market. From Cross Roads, head back to Route 20 and turn right back onto Route 394. You’ll run smack into the Westfield Farmers Market. A member of the New York State Agricultural Department’s Pride of New York, the market only carries products raised/processed in the state.
Along with the seasonal fruits and vegetables, we discovered all-natural meats from two local farms: Parable Farms ( www.parablefarm.com , 761-7224) and Stand Fast Farm Grass Fed Beef (338-2072). Bring an iced cooler if you plan to purchase. Parable Farms had free-range chickens (at $2.50 per pound) and brown eggs. They also raise beef, pork, turkeys and lamb, which can be ordered for when they are ready. (Loved the “Don’t dig your grave with your fork” note on the brochure.) While Stand Fast Farm had some items on hand, you can order a “Sampler Pack” for around $200 that can be delivered to your home. If you are in the market for a unique gift, there were gorgeous Amish baskets in every shape and size imaginable. Our noses drew us to the Lather Soap Company table, where we picked up two delicious smelling bars — Lake Erie Sunset (an orange and yellow, spicy smelling bar) and a Lemongrass Sage, perfect for a cool shower after a hot, sticky day of driving.
Portage Hill Gallery. Back on 394 heading toward Mayville and Chautauqua Lake out of Westfield, we stumbled upon the great little Portage Hill Gallery which features regional art in all types of media including sculptures, pottery, paintings, photos and jewelry. Owned by Audrey Kay and Donald Dowling, the gallery claims to be the oldest private running gallery in Chautauqua and is home Audrey Kay’s clay studio.
Home Chic. This cool shop in a pale green building on the right caught our eye as we continued down Route 394. Remember those metal chairs of your past? They sell them here along with tableware, wall hangings and other funky home decor items including great cocktail glasses. This would be a fantastic place to get a little early holiday shopping done.
Red Brick Farm Marketplace. At last, continuing on Route 394 (also called West Lake Road) through Mayville to the Red Brick Farm (on the right), home to several shops and a restaurant.
Check out the beautiful gardens with huge hostas before heading into Henry & Co., a home furnishing store (they have a location in Clarence, too). During our visit, the wicker was out in full force. Peruse the wonderful furniture, and head upstairs to find antiques.
The Yarn Cottage has fabulous yarns for the knitters, and for the rest of us, items knit and ready for purchase. We regret not purchasing one of the beautiful purses.
Chautauqua Miniatures was filled with dollhouse items, while the Brick Village Gourmet stocked specialty foods such as jams, jellies, salsas, relishes, salad dressings and seasonings. The shop features the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association Grapeseed Vinaigrette Salad Dressing, grape berry topping, grape berry jam and grape juice concentrate. After all, the area is the largest Concord grape-growing region in the world.
Our favorite place was The Perfect Setting with its gorgeous table settings, tableware, fantastic linens and kitchen items. Loved the onion goggles, and the Zoo Friends kitchen tools (a shark paring knife and appropriately, a hippo chip clip). Be sure to pick up a fantastic lunch bag made of bright neoprene. It looks just like a fashionable purse.
Extra stops if you have it in you: You’ll see plenty of stops we didn’t make, including Webb’s, a resort that’s also home to a restaurant and candy shop. If you go past the Red Brick Farm on Route 394, you’ll find the Book Barn, an outstanding used bookstore visited at another time.
Where to eat
All this travel is bound to make you ravenous. Lucky for you the area is home to its own “Restaurant Row,” starting with the flagship La Fleur at the Red Brick Farm Marketplace, an AAA Four Diamond Award Winner. Its French cuisine includes a chef’s tasting menu utilizing seasonal ingredients sourced through a variety of local farms and suppliers. Unfortunately, on our visit, the place was a week away from its longer seasonal hours.
So we headed to The House on The Hill, a bright cheerful place that serves breakfast and lunch. Diving into a scrumptious chicken flatbread with artichokes and The Cuban (sliced pork, salami, onions, banana peppers, pickles and Swiss), we washed it all down with fabulous and refreshing ginger iced tea, saving just enough room for a classic sugar and lemon crepe.
This year, the restaurant features an exhibit of art created by persons involved in Chautauqua County’s Resource Center’s Day Habilitation Art Classes. It was organized by Kristen Briggs, a local artist who teaches art to persons with disabilities. Other restaurants on Chautauqua’s Food Restaurant Row include The Watermark, Olives, Iron Stone, Bon Jour Cafe & Patisserie and Romano’s Pizzeria.
If you go
Landmark Antiques: 326-4185, www.landmarkacres.com . Open 11 a. m.-5 p. m.; Sunday noon to 5 p. m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Nass Daylily Farm: 326-7572, www.nassdaylilyfarm.com . Open 10 a. m.-4 p. m. Friday through Sunday, and by appointment. Cross Roads Farm Market: www.thecrossroadsmarket.com . Open 9 a. m.-5 p. m. Saturdays. Westfield Farmers Market (and for information about the Chautauqua area): www.westfieldny.com . Open 8 a. m.-1 p. m. Saturdays. Portage Hill Gallery: 326-4478, www.portagehillgallery.com . Open daily, 10 a. m.-5 p. m. in August; after that, hours are 11 a. m.-4 p. m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a. m.-5 p. m. Saturday and 1-5 p. m. Sundays. Home Chic: 269-2442. Open 10 a. m.-6 p. m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a. m.-7 p. m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a. m.-5 p. m. Sundays.
Red Brick Farm Marketplace: www.redbrickfarm.com . Open in the summer 10 a. m.-6 p. m. daily; 10 a. m.-5 p. m. Sundays. Restaurant Row — Visit La- Fleur’s Web site for information on all the restaurants at www.restaurantlafleur.net . La- Fleur is open for lunch 11:30 a. m.-2 p. m. and dinner 5-9 p. m. Monday through Saturday; it’s closed Sundays. The House on The Hill is open 8 a. m.-2:30 p. m. daily.
