HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Ever Ready Diner in Rhinebeck: Sleek counter, big salads, shakes & friendly service

In September I had a great lunch at the shiny new Ever Ready Diner in Rhinebeck. It replaces the former Double O Grill. I have tried all 3 Ever Ready Diners now. (The others are in Hyde Park and Brewster).  I like the one in Rhinebeck the best for decor and the atmosphere. The food and service is just as good in Hyde Park though. The diner in Hyde Park has more of old fashioned decor.  Look at the beautiful counter! This diner would be a great place for a first date, I think.

I went to the Ever Ready diner in Brewster once, but I found that the food wasn't as good as the other 2 locations. I will be heading to Brewster again soon for a doctor's appointment so I may give them the Ever Ready diner there a second chance. For more information on the Ever Ready Diners, check out the Ever Ready website. 

Love Bites Cafe in Saugerties: Yummy Breakfast with European Flare!

I always feel like I'm having breakfast somewhere in Europe when I eat at Love Bites in Saugerties, maybe it's the strong coffee?  The menu is short and you can pretty much smell your breakfast as it is being cooked by one of the two chefs in the kitchen. As a side note, the Yelp Reviews are hysterical. I didn't realize how popular their bathroom is! Love Cafe doesn't have a website.

Wild Hive Farm Store, Bakery & Cafe in Clinton Corners: Country Cool Farm to Table Menu & Maybe a Celebrity!

The Wild Hive Farm Store is a very cheery organic cafe in Clinton Corners, the only place to eat in this little town. I could tell by the fancy organic take-home food that the menu was going to be farm to table healthy. They serve breakfast all day, but I was in the mood for lunch so I ordered a grass-fed burger with local cheddar cheese and a side salad. My husband had the veggie burger. We started with the soup. The vegan broccolie rabe and cheddar for me. He had the potato bacon. Both were served piping hot and yummy! For dessert I couldn't resist Erika's Chocolate Oatmeal Bar. It was very good, and not overly sugary, which leads me to believe it was probably healthy (gasp!)  

A staff member there tells me that celebrities come to Wild Hive Farm often, especially during the spring and summer months. (Naomi Watts has visited before). While I was there I saw two tall blonde women sporting sunglasses who certainly looked and acted like celebrities, but I could not recognize them. Anyway, with its understated vibe, I can see how it would be a fun place to relax and people watch. They also do catering. I enjoyed eavesdropping on a catering meeting going on at the table next to me. Wild Hive Farm, 2411 Salt Point Turnpike, Clinton Corners, NY. (845) 266-5863.

Fez Cafe: Yummy Moroccan and Mediterranean Cuisine in Saugerties!

Please note: 1/05/2012---Fez is only open for dinner. No lunch.

I had a delicious lunch at Fez Cafe, a restaurant that serves Moroccan and Mediterranean in Saugerties. I haven't found any other restaurants in the area that serve Moroccan food so I was very happy when they opened over a year ago. It has a cozy eclectic ambiance. There was a couple with two tween daughters were enjoying a lunch when I was there. A local couple sat at the table next to mine. The woman boasted that chef owner Neils Nelson really has a finesse with the way he prepares the food. I have to agree. It is definitely cooked with love! (My husband raves about the curry chicken salad at Fez Cafe). 

I started with the falafel fritter starter, which was very filling. The falafels were very crunchy and the tahini sauce was perfect. For my entree I had the signature Fez salad, with a lamb kebob. The over-sized salad had a little bit of everything, cured olives, goat cheese, stuffed grape leaves, artichoke hearts, homemade hummus, pita bread over greens. For dessert I had the cardamom creme brulee.

(Tip: If you go there mention the Hudson Valley Good Stuff ad on the blog and you can get a free cardamom creme brulee with your entree!)  

I'm very excited to have Fez Cafe as a sponsor for the blog because they really have good stuff! Fez Cafe serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Credit cards are not accepted but there is an ATM across the street. They have daily specials as well as a wine list. See website for hours. Closed Tuesdays. Fez Cafe, 71 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY (845) 247-7198.

Fez Restaurant: Moroccan & Mediterranean Cuisine in the Hudson Valley!

Falafel in Pita at Fez

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Chicken Kebob Wrap at Fez

Please note: Fez is only open for dinner now. No lunch in 2012. 

 

Fez Restaurant at 71 Partition Street serves Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. I  so rarely get to eat a Moroccan meal! I've never been to Morocco, but I've always loved the cuisine.  My French mom used to make couscous all the time.  

My husband had the sausage and bean soup which was very tasty. For the entree I ordered the Falafel in pita with tahini ($7)  which was very good, but the portion was huge so I didn't finish it. My husband had the Chicken Kabob wrapped in moroccan flat bread which was even tastier. If you go here, make sure you try the sweet Moroccan mint tea. A nice place for a lunch date. They don't take credit cards.  Fez "Mediteroccan" cuisine. 71 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY. (845) 247-7198.  Follow Fez Cafe on Facebook here.

Celebrating Father's Day in the Hudson Valley: Where to take Dad

 Here are a few fun ideas if you are celebrating Father's Day in the Hudson Valley this weekend. 

Skytop Steakhouse & Brewing Company, 237 Forest Hill Drive, Kingston, NY (845) 340-4277 Brunch Buffet- I went here 3 years ago. They always have a great spread with smoked salmon and an omelet station. You can also order off the menu. It's always a good place for beer lovers!

Hickory BBQ Smokehouse--743 Route 28, Kingston, NY (845) 338-2424. If your Dad is more of BBQ ribs kind of guy, take him to Hickory BBQ. Everything is pretty damn good here, even the salads! http://www.hickoryrestaurant.com/index.html

Big Healthy Breakfast--Sweet Sue's Phoenicia, 49 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY (845) 688-7852--It's one of the best breakfast places around.  The only thing you will not like about this place is the line outside to get in on weekends! Over-sized organic pancakes are their specialty.  They have a zillion different pancakes. Try their pancake sundae!

Dad would also like other Restaurants that I Love that I've mentioned in the blog as well.

Starting at 11 am on Sunday, June 19th the Rhinebeck Farmers Market will be offering Dads free strawberry shortcake. Where will you go to celebrate Father's Day?

 

Mom wants a Yummy Hudson Valley Brunch! Where to Go?

There are too many Hudson Valley restaurants to choose from this Mother's Day! My favorites are The Rhinecliff Hotel in Rhinecliff, Skytop Steakhouse in Kingston, Oriole 9 in Woodstock, Deising's Bakery and Cafe in Kingston, Reservoir Inn in West Hurley, and Bistro Z in Tarrytown. For other ideas, just click on Restaurants I Love or Hudson Valley Good Places to Eat on the sidebar. Where are you going? Any new places worth checking out? If your mom is more of the motorcycling type then remind her about Women's Day Ride happening at Woodstock Harley Davidson on May 14th. Happy Mother's Day!

Historic Village Diner in Red Hook: Yummy Greasy Spoon Breakfast

If you are looking for an old fashioned 1920's diner experience, then get your hungry belly over to the historic Village Diner in Red Hook!  We had a perfect rainy day late lunch here, but we ordered breakfast as you can see from the photo. My husband had the angus burger and eggs, and requested mashed potatos instead of the variety of deep fried homefries they offer. I had the veggie omelet, which was hearty and good. The toast was soaked in butter, just the way I like it. Service was super friendly. The folks next to us ordered club sandwiches, which looked really good. For more info visit the Diner's website
 

Hudson Valley Green Drinks: Eco-curious network with the Eco-serious

 I attended my first Hudson Valley Green Drinks eco-schmooze event at The Rhinecliff Hotel. The Rhinecliff is a really beautiful historic railroad hotel right next to the Rhinecliff Amtrak train station. It recently became an offical "green certified" hotel. Before the live webcast ("The State of Local Food"), one of the owners gave a group of us a tour of the hotel, noting all the green remodeling that took over five years to complete. We also got to see a cozy romantic standard room there (one of the 9 rooms). Ear plugs are available in every room for those guests who might be bothered by the train whistles though that is definitely part of this hotel's charm. It was nice to meet a few green drinkers. I fall into the "accidental vegan" category, but I'm trying to be greener these days. It's good to know where the eco-serious folks go. The next Hudson Valley Green Drinks event will take place at The Would Restaurant in Highland on June 9th. 

Mother's Day Weekend Fun in the Hudson Valley

There are plenty of things to do to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend in the Hudson Valley. Here are a few ideas for you.

Cupcake Fanatic Mom

The Gardiner Cupcake Festival bills itself as a large "old fashioned block party." Not to be missed if your mom has a sweet tooth.

Brunch for Mom

There are great brunch ideas on Hudson Valley Metromix  and HV Echo. Oriole 9 in Woodstock is offering a fancy brunch on Mother's Day (How about lobster salad, avocado, arugula and tarragon?). Reservoir Inn is a delicious bet especially if your mom likes seafood and/or Italian food. If you are looking for something more casual and kid friendly, there is Ninety-Nine Restaurant in Kingston. There is something about it that just makes kids behave there. Maybe it is 80s music and the cheery service that always seems to be playing there. They also have a Gluten Free kids menu.

Wine Lovers

Milbrook Vineyards & Winery Mother's Day Tasting event is sure to relax mom. Here's the info:

Sunday May 9th 1:00 - 4:30. Come join the staff at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery Sunday May 9th or a very special Mother's Day Wine Tasting where guests will enjoy the music of classical guitarists, sip and savor Millbrook Reserve wines and have the option to sign up for mini chair massages throughout the afternoon. It's $20 per person for the wine tasting, and $40 for a Wine Tasting and a Mini-Chair Massage. Call 1-800-662-WINE x 20 for reservations.