Walking into the Blue House Cafe in Haydenville is one of the most genuine (well, except for the free wi-fi) old New England experiences one can have in the Valley. It has a vibe somewhere between that of a Vermont sugarhouse and the legendary Alice's Restaurant, though instead of Alice, you get to meet co-owners Katy Eiseman and Corydon Woodard. The cafe offers a variety of vegetarian and many vegan dishes (all made from the finest local and organic ingredients available), a broad selection of hot beverages, delicious pastries and other baked goods (including a few gluten-free options), and an atmosphere that's 100 percent Yankee.
The owners immediately strike one as staunch supporters of local arts—area visual artists' work hang on the walls, and there's an occasional poetry reading and a diverse mix of music on Friday nights. Upcoming Friday performances include jazz saxophone and piano by Steve Kurtz and Dan Belmont on Nov. 17 and original singer/songwriters Daniel Hales and Michael Griffin on Dec. 5. Friday night music begins at 6:30 p.m., and patrons are welcome to bring their own beer or wine.
One of the most charming facets of the Blue House is the "String Band," (pictured) a cast of local gents who perform on Sundays, accompanying the all-day (till 4 p.m., anyway) brunch. Playing songs from 1900 through at least 1950, these fellows are a terribly sincere bunch whose performances leave you with the tingly feeling that you've just entered an extremely warm and fuzzy time warp. With instruments including guitar, stand-up bass, fiddle, banjo, mandolin and the occasional harmonica, their presence only enhances the friendly air of honest, sometimes ornery Yankee authenticity. When pressed to come up with a better name than just "the string band," the autoharp player (a perhaps 50-something gentleman whom the others called "the young guy") joked, "Oh, I don't know… the Over the Hill Gang?" When asked where she found these wastrels, Eiseman replied, "They just walked in the door one day." If they find out you have any musical talent, they will require that you sit in for a song or two.
Blue House Cafe, 147 Main St., Haydenville, (413) 268-7441, www.bluehousecafe.info.
