To the Editor:

This is not about Knox.

Last weekend, we returned once more to the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs for another winter weekend escape.  Snow and sleet discouraged us from touring downtown so we stayed close to the hotel.

There is nothing better when it’s windy, freezing, and wet outside than to be inside relaxing in front of a fireplace that’s “turned on” as my father used to say. And I’m talking about a real warming fireplace that needs a lot of attention.

A constant supply of seasoned wood must be brought in and provided for. The fire has to be started and maintained and kept an eye on — unlike some gas-fired gadget turned on by a click of a switch and never cleaned.

The only thing better than a fireplace is two as the spacious lobby of the hotel definitely has along with leather couches and a dozen comfortable chairs just right for quiet reading or conversation with ample room for the others.

Our room this time had a king-size bed but only one TV.  Since we were on the second floor directly across the hall and above the dining room, we, for the first time, used stairs hidden behind an access door rather than the elevator.

To our surprise, the staircase and the single-piece stone landings were all Vermont marble. Not as elegant as the magnificent circular marble staircase of The Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs but “not too shabby” as we say in the stone business.

Interestingly, I noticed the gray stone baseboards in our room were made of Greige, our own New York State marble few people outside of the business know of. Alex, the knowledgeable gentleman at the front desk, is one of those few.

The dining-room folks were as happy to see us as we them. On entering, there was only one other diner at 6:30 p.m. The room includes a fine wood bar, soft lighting, and generous spacing for mostly tables of four, which suited us fine.

All windows and the French doors look out over a stone patio and view the park’s forest with no other buildings, cars, or roads in sight and no outside noise other than mature trees chatting with one another.  Inside, background music from bands of the fifties plays just right and sets a relaxing tone for intimate dining.

Veralee, our server, introduced herself as we began. (Personally, I do not care for that gender-neutral term.) Looking at the menu, I noticed Saratoga lager was featured. By coincidence, I had just bought the same for the first time in a six-bottle pack last week.

My mom, all of 91 years and not many more pounds, had insisted I buy her Guinness for the holiday.  A bit heavy for me; I prefer a black-and-tan blend traditionally with Harp lager.  The beverage center on Carman Road in Guilderland had only half cases of Harp, which was more than I needed, so I had asked the owner for a substitute recommendation.

Before blending, I first tasted the lager.  It was exceptional!  Lively and effervescent, the label reads it was made with “German hops and imported Munich malt” in an Oktoberfest style.  Kudos to the brewmaster and folks at 131 Excelsior Ave. in Saratoga.

Complementary Saratoga chips made in-house are also featured at the Putnam, served stylishly in paper-lined conical wire baskets — best though with sandwiches and beer. Being in more of a wine-with-dinner mode, we passed on the chips preferring just bread and butter.

Ashley, the restaurant manager, soon appeared with a basket of toasted rolls fresh from the oven. She confided to us she was more of a “bread person” herself.

Dining adventures are best apolitical so I left my MAGA hat in the room but we did follow our new president’s lead and ordered his favorite dinner: meatloaf, as was my Dad’s favorite with baked potatoes and a salad.

Before he moved into the White House, Donald Trump preferred fast food because, “It was fast!”  KFC and McDonald’s will miss him as he says the White House food “is just so good.”

As we always do when dining out, my wife and I only order one entrée, which some restaurants frown upon, charging for extra plates or ignoring the need to provide the obvious. This is especially true in France, most notably in Paris with over 50,000 choices, where dining is the national pastime, pleasure, and sport.

I drive them crazy over there. After pleasantries, I announce in my best personal version of French, “Ma femme et moi partenaires!” (My wife and I are partners!) And, if that isn’t enough, I hit them with, “Je regrette que je suis sur un régime!” (I regret I am on a diet!)

Then we try all sorts of things on the menu, including aperitifs, usually kirs; wine, and dessert so they always end up with a check they are happy with and welcome our return.

In Venice, I remember we went out only for lunch as dinner other than pizza was far too expensive.  Despite ordering only one appetizer and one pasta dish, I still have these fabulous 200,000 Lira invoices, over over $100. But it was Venice at Hotel Monaco & Grand Hotel.

In March, we sat outside on the hotel’s sunny terrace next to the gondola station adjacent to Harry’s, one of the world’s most renowned bars. We went there every day.  The maître de adored us and with fanfare seated us always at the “lovers’ table” way in the back. It was great theater and a lot of fun as dining should always be.

Veralee, a charming waitress, took our single salad and entrée order in stride.  We even shared one glass of 14 Hands Chardonnay selected from a reasonably priced, well represented, worthwhile wine list. My preference for white wine is from the Pacific Northwest. And for red we made do with a bottle of a Gnarly Head red blend from California.

The dining room was nearly full now but we hardly noticed. Our dinners arrived — a Caesar salad, meatloaf, gravy, mashed potatoes, and Irish green beans on plates as identical as Xerox color copies. We dined and lingered as long as we could in such a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere.  Our thoughtful waitress was much appreciated and well taken care of. I’m usually not so generous.

As April approaches and the Saratoga summer season begins, the Gideon Putnam will be much busier after a restful, quiet winter. As bookings increase, so will the rates to prices I can’t afford so it’s farewell until next year.  Either my wife or I will now have to take over cooking the meatloaf but the dining experience won’t be the same not being at the Putnam.

Last night, I was wide awake thinking about meatloaf, the recent election, and the bitterness that divides our country. The Republicans are in as much shock their candidate won as the Democrats are their candidate lost. The Republicans are ecstatic in victory. The Democrats are lost in misery and disbelief.  They want nothing to do with Trump and can’t seem to find a reason to work with him on anything.  This is sad and a shame as so much needs to be done.

Well, I say, if President Trump really loves meatloaf, he can’t be all bad. Maybe that could be a good enough reason for all parties to begin to compromise and work together to solve our nation’s problems.  I know my father would think so.

Ed Cowley

Altamont