Google Maps makes the choice to arrive at Athens an interesting one – the straightest is on Schoharie Turnpike but the alternative is equal in time with Rts 23 & 386. Having hitched a ride with the Karneses, I, and my stomach, were glad Deb K picked the latter.

We had forgotten the Monteverds, whose pick this was, had never dined here. Past notes indicated that they were in Florida in November 2022 when DP8 dined here.

The dining space has not drastically changed since Rive Gauche days (before that – Cameo’s), even though the current owners have done a quality job for ambiance and seating. A raised platform of two-chair tables line the front glass windows, with the main floor holding nearly twenty tables.

We recognized the menu – it had to be Salah and Denise, both we have known for twenty years or more at Freehold Country Inn, Friends and Family II, 394 Main, and/or Mountain View Brasserie. And Seconds proved a worthy mid-upper level of nice dining.

The menu skews Mediterranean.

---Starters include: a special soup, Salah’s lobster bisque, whipped goat cheese, falafel, three salads, crab cake, and shrimp.

---Entrées: Moroccan salmon, Spanish style shrimp, beef stroganoff, chicken schnitzel, rack of lamb, pork flat iron steak, eggplant parm, strip steak, crab cakes, umami brisket burger, veggie burger, and two pastas.

We enjoyed our choices, washed down with a bottle of red or beer or soda.

The dessert list was several items long but we had waited long enough that any dessert urge had been quashed.

Our server was a familiar face – Barbara, a long-time favorite at MVB. Barbara, as always, was excellent, especially remembering to fill Ken’s coffee cup. And it was a busy, busy Friday evening.

The bill, per couple, could have ranged as low at 75 (add a salad, no drinks) or $125-ish with a bottle of wine in the mix.

All of this was typical, except… it wasn’t.

            The Friday night highlight at Seconds was a four piece band playing in front of one of the sets of windows from 6 to 8. And we were seated 20 feet away from 6:30 to beyond 8 pm. The band was good but, needless to say, it took an effort to be heard while music was playing. So, we waited for that short inter-song break, and the mid-session fifteen minute break to talk across the table. If only we had known...

And meals were dreadfully slow. We have been at Seconds before when meal prep time is ordinary but an hour-forty-five was bordering on agonizing. Even the bread basket was looking appetizing.  And that length of time affected the choice to stay for dessert. Food was delicious but the wait, and the loud music, made the evening less than stellar.

In those short breaks, and after 8 pm, we had a chance to catch up on news.

            The big topic, of course, was Ken and health. Kriss & Ken had been up since 5-something for a trip to Albany for a biopsy. No news yet but chemo is having some effect, and we all fret and worry. Ken, here’s to a speedy and complete cure and recovery.

            Otherwise, topics ran the gamut: Hurricanes Helene and Milton; people we know in Florida and how they fared (including the Notar and Monteverd properties); the shocking images of the NC and GA mountain areas; memories of Irene in 2011; the stretch of seven weeks of wonderful but very dry, weather; mediocre foliage color, generally; weekend festivals and fairs; an abundance of deer; Chay’s lawn mower shaft repair; dwindling days for the gardens; an upcoming Notar cruise; an upcoming Teator cruise; the doings of our children; Halloween lurking around the corner, and for the past several weeks on some people’s lawns; dealings with Dad; walks and bike rides; closing of the backyard pools; shortening days; and more that were lost in the blare of the music.