Newest Places to Brunch in the western Catskills

Upscale cafes and everyday diners and bagel shops and coffee bars cropping up all around the area. A new vegetarian breakfast and lunch cafe open on weekends only opened early this year and was just written up in the NYTimes. Heaven, as it is called, is in Bovina in the western Catskills. Breakfast without bacon or sausage can actually be really enjoyable. The coffee is, well, heavenly, and having tofu for breakfast makes one want to go out and hike and be healthy the rest of the day. This place started as a bakery and has expanded to include breakfasts or brunch - so don't expect a huge menu. It's all about the baked goods here. Scones, brownies, cookies, biscotti - you simply must leave with a sinful sweet when you're done. There's lots of local chatter in this cafe which is filled mostly with weekenders reading the NY Times, gossiping about the recent auction, where people went for dinner, who's around this weekend. The vibe was particularly warm and jovial, despite our being solicited by an annoying real estate agent trolling for new leads. There were the coolest families and their kids I'd ever seen outside of Brooklyn.

Another new dining spot - this one I truly enjoyed even though it was a hike from my neck of the woods. We actually made a day of it and went to Cooperstown afterwards and did some antiquing so it was a worthwhile outing over all. The Beehive in Franklin is new this summer and the most attractive cafe I have seen in the Catskills. Wonderful fresh baked muffins, and typical diner breakfasts like two eggs any style with toast, home fries, bacon or sausage. Or upscale your selection to enjoy a filet mignon sandwich rubbed with pastrami spice and served with grilled red onions. Or Scotty's Strata - potato pancake with ham, scallions, roasted red peppers baked in a savory egg custard and served with green and blue cheese sauce. Simply divine. Located at the former Franklin Diner, the owners kept the diner counter area intact which gives the place that other type of vibe. Like you can just stop by and have a coffee and someone you know will be at the counter too. There is also a marvelous little garden patio out back. They're open six days a week and are less than ten minutes from Oneonta.

One thing all these two new additions have in common are the incredible portions. So bring your appetite and take a little drive for breakfast or lunch next time you're in the area.