Maria's Bazar... A Woodstock Institution
Maria’s launched a trend that has completely taken over Woodstock. The designer deli has triumphed over all the good old boy businesses that dominated when I arrived in town. Maria’s is half Zabar’s and half Italian home cooking.
The shelves are stuffed with incredibly overpriced upscale imported foods. The Karaoke Queen took one look at the prices and has not returned. Maria and Vinnie also own La Bella Pasta on Route 28 en route to Kingston. This shop produces a wide variety of fresh Italian pastas. Maria produces beautiful soups and a buffet of entrees and side dishes every day. Pastries and cakes are also available.
A little dining area off to one side serves as a BS lounge for the local commies. The same characters have been sitting in the same chairs for over a decade. If you’re not an extreme leftist, you might not want to listen to the griping or the general condemnation of Republicans that is everyday fare. Best in that case to truck your food to one of the outdoor tables where you can create some distance from the loonies.
Maria is a happy, plump Italian momma who always remembers my name, and always remembers to ask me how my children are doing. Even if I have been absent from Woodstock for a year, which has happened, she will greet me like an old friend. She loves her work and she’s thrilled with her success.
