Good News for the Alaskan Salmon Season

Alaska salmon catch up in ‘09

By SeafoodSource staff
11/18/2009 2:22:08 PM - The numbers are in, and Alaska’s 2009 salmon harvest turned out to be the 11th largest since the state’s inception 50 years ago.
Fishermen caught 161.7 million salmon this year, up 15 million fish from 2008, according to preliminary figures released on Monday by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G). However, the 2009 harvest was down 14 million fish from the pre-season forecast and 11 million fish from the 10-year average.
As for the value, the 2009 harvest came in at USD 370.1 million (EUR 247.6 million), up from the 10-year average of USD 308 million (EUR 206.1 million).
Here’s a breakdown of all five Pacific salmon species:
• Alaska’s sockeye landings totaled 43.3 million fish worth USD 207.2 million, or USD 0.80 per pound, in 2009, compared to 39 million fish worth USD 190.6 million, or USD 0.84 per pound, in 2008.
• Pink landings reached 96 million fish worth USD 68.5 million, or USD 0.22 per pound, in 2009, compared to 84.1 million fish worth USD 103.4 million, or USD 0.35 per pound, in 2008.
• Chum landings totaled 17.9 million fish worth USD 57.4 million, or USD 0.44 per pound, in 2009, compared to 18.3 million fish worth USD 87.1 million, or USD 0.59 per pound, in 2008.
• Coho landings reached 4.1 million fish worth USD 23.6 million, or USD 0.86 per pound, in 2009, compared to 4.5 million fish worth USD 45.2 million, or USD 1.28 per pound, in 2008.
• Chinook landings totaled 359,000 fish worth USD 13.5 million, or USD 2.62 per pound, in 2009, compared to 376,000 fish worth USD 25.6 million, or USD 4.54 per pound, in 2008.
ADF&G will revise the preliminary figures and publish the final numbers early next year.

Hudson Valley Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day

Courtney & Justin picking local apples

Hudson Valley Restaurants that are open for Thanksgiving seems to be rare these days.

Aroma Thyme Bistro, Ellenville NY, is serving Thanksgiving Day from 1pm. The Menu will feature Murray’s Free-Range Turkey with traditional sides. Regular menu options will be available as well. “We also have great vegan options as well”, explains Marcus Guiliano chef/owner. “And of course we always have gluten-free patrons covered”. Expect to find a rice bread stuffing and plenty of desserts options that are gluten-free. And their regular stuffing is made from Bread Alone Whole Grain Miche with local apples.

With 300 wines the wine lovers are in heaven. In fact there are more half bottles here than most restaurants have full bottles on their list. Every price point is covered. And most regions are represented.

Beer geeks are not overlooked here. Aroma Thyme has over 150 beer selections. Just like their wine list, every price point is covered. The bistro has an amazing American list with just as an impressive import list. And if you are a trappist beer fan then you will be speechless.

Reservations can be made by calling (845)-647-3000.

Aroma Thyme is one of 150 restaurants nationwide to be certified Green from the Green Restaurant Association. They also boast a 26 from Zagat for food.

12 Twelve Sparkling Beverage at Aroma Thyme Bistro

click picture to enlarge

Twelve Beverage is the intelligent alternative for every occasion, featured in the NY Times, Today Show, Pregnancy Magazine, Modern Bride and dozens of other magazines. Twelve is a non-alcoholic drink meant to be a culinary beverage. Twelve is a sparkling blend of fruit juices, white, black, and green teas with a unique recipe of exotic spices, herbs and citrus essence, with traces of pepper, sea salt, juniper berry and fennel. Twelve’s delightful taste can be enjoyed as an independent beverage, or accompanied by your favorite gourmet meal.

“[Twelve] smells floral and peachy, and tastes slightly astringent and salty; its finish is refreshingly clean and pleasantly thought-provoking. The astringency and tartness of tea is balanced with light carbonation and the gentle, moderating influences of herbs and fruit. Yes, Twelve is something you can serve at an upscale gathering with a straight face, no designated driver required.”

- James Norton, www.chow.com

NO CONFUSION Italian Wine Dinner & Class

$47 per person
Four Course Dinner & lots of wine!!!

As most of you know we had the privilege of visiting Italy in October. Friends of ours were getting married in Tuscany. So we decided to book an extra week and visit wineries. We had to have an Italian wine event at Aroma Thyme. Every winery we visited are wineries and that we currently do business with. Of course, we don't do direct business with them but we do buy these wines from a New York State wholesale company. We had a jam packed schedule and visited Lazio, Umbria, Tuscany and Abruzzo. Sounds a little confusing to some people. Even someone asked us why didn't you visit Chianti? I said we did, it is in Tuscany. They were really confused until I explained a bit more.

What is all of the confusion?
When talking Italian wine there can be lots of confusion. Between all the regions, sub regions, communes, inner districts and lots of different grape varietals the confusion mounts. And that is not to even mention the levels of gov't certifications that can apply to each region. So since we debunked the confusion firsthand we want to pass this simple knowledge on to you.

Our next wine dinner is going to be confusion free. We are going to cover the wineries that we personally visited. Of course we can't do them all in one seating. But do keep in mind all the wineries we visited are represented our wine list.

So why is this they are so different?
As we mentioned before this dinner is going to be confusion free. We have had lots of patrons say to us I'd love to drink wine but I don't know anything about it so coming to your wine dinner would make me feel uncomfortable. So we are to raise everyone's comfort level from the novice to the wine Pro, It's that simple. After this wine event/dinner you will be able to order Italian wine with confidence when you are dining out. And once again we can't cover all Italian wine, but you'll have a much better understanding, in fact, at some restaurants you'll look like a pro. This event is for everyone who enjoys wine.

Things you won't be confused on when it comes with Italian wine anymore
1. Learn certain regions of Italian wine.
2. Learn the different Italian government certifications.
3. Learn where the good values are.
4. Learn how to ask intelligent questions on wine
5. Know which wine you are serving for Thanksgiving

And do all of this in the leisure of one of our beautifully presented wine dinner and pairings.


We like to limit our wine dinners to the small back dining room and of course that means limited seats. It is usually kept to an intimate 20 seats. Of course, we hate saying no so it always squeeze a couple extra. But you must act right away to reserve your spot at this no confusion Italian wine dinner.

This NO CONFUSION Italian dinner class is priced at an incredible $47 per person. This is one of our best priced wine events of the year. That is another reason to RSVP right away. To RSVP call 845-647- 3000.