HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Four Brothers Pizza in Rhinebeck: Delicious Greek Salad & Personal Pizzas!

We took the kids to Four Brothers Pizza in Rhinebeck for the first time last week, and had a very delicious experience. The exterior of the restaurant is a bit non-descript, which might be why I have never been inspired to stop here, but inside it is spacious, clean, and has plenty of family friendly booths--always a big plus for us. 

I wanted to order pepperoni slices for the kids, but the server told us they don't serve slices. Instead they have personal pizzas. That was only $4.95 though so not a big difference in price. We ordered that, and they really gobbled it up! The crust was very thick. I ordered the Greek Salad since that is one of their specialties. I love how it came with its own bottle of homemade salad dressing. It was very fresh, and much better than your average diner salad. The waitress was really sweet, and the food came out pretty fast. I will definitely come back here! Four Brothers Pizza,  3803 Route 9G, Rhinebeck, NY 845-876-3131

Pineview Bakery in Shokan: Cute bakery with home cooked breakfast & decadent pastries!

My Valentine of 16 years and I decided to have a late breakfast at the Pineview Bakery in Shokan today because we hadn't been there since 2009. Every time we pass by it on Route 28, I think about all the decadent danishes for sale.

Today I had the strawberry banana waffles. Tom had the Greek omelet. It was delicious, of course. I love the extra butter on the fresh baked muffin. Our server was awesome and must have refilled our big coffee cups 4 times.  I'm very wired!  

The owner was very sweet and gave us a bunch of pastries to take home as a thank you for blogging about the bakery awhile back. All this to say that I had fun Valentines Day and the diet might start tomorrow or March. They also make wedding cakes. Pineview Bakery, 3374 State Route 28, Shokan, NY. (845) 657-8925.

Where to watch Superbowl 46 while you eat yummy food in the Hudson Valley!

 

Though I love Superbowl snacks, I've never been interested in the game.  If I did love Superbowl Sunday, I would spend it at one of these Hudson Valley restaurants:

Main Street Restaurant at 244 Main Street in Saugerties has 4 TV's, 2 HDTV's, free snacks at the bar, and half price appetizers during the game, draft specials and more!

Hurley Mountain Inn in Hurley--Besides eating very yummy bar food, one fan will win $10,000.00 just for showing up at the Hurley Mountain Inn according to their Facebook page and website. Read my blog post about this place here.

Hickory BBQ Smokehouse on Route 28 in Kingston has 4 TVs at the bar and there are a few nice wooden booths near it. Read my blog post here to see my favorite foods here.

Superbowl Party at Aroma Thyme will have championship prices for the championship game. There will also be vegan dishes too. Call early and reserve because there are very limited seats at the bar.

 Go Giants! Yes, "Go Giants!"  I love this Suggestion Box clip from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a native of Saugerties by the way.

Don't forget to tell them you heard it from Hudson Valley Good Stuff!

 

 

Table for One at the Monday Night Vegan Buffet at Garden Cafe in Woodstock

I finally went to the Monday Night Buffet at the Garden Cafe, a vegan restaurant in Woodstock. I have blogged about the Garden Cafe before so I knew the food would be delicious. I made the reservation for one, and was told it would be best for me to arrive at 6pm to beat the mad rush. Hmmm. There are only 5-6 tables there so I figured they just don't want a solo diner taking up too much space before it gets packed. I can understand. I eat quick anyway.

The food was delicious! I started with the creamy coconut soup, which had a hint of banana. The soup was very sweet, and kind of reminded of porridge I once had in India. It was incredible. I had 2 bowls. I wonder if Pam, the owner, would give me the recipe. Every Monday nigh, the Garden Cafe serves a different menu. You can also order a la carte off the menu if you prefer.  The buffet included filo quinoa turnovers, tandoori vegetables, sauteed kale, curried chick peas, ginger peanut tofu salad, mesclun salad, and for dessert pear cobbler. All for $17. I think I ate too much, but since the food is so good for you, I don't feel that guilty.

Sign up for the weekly newsletter at the Garden Cafe website to get updates on the Monday Night Buffet menu. Be sure to make a reservation too. Garden Cafe, 6 Old Forge Road, Woodstock, NY. (845)  679-3600. I am going to try to stick to my Meatless Mondays resolutions this year. 

Healthy & delicious dinner at Fez Cafe in Saugerties on a quiet Winter night

My husband and I had a very delicious and healthy dinner at Fez Cafe in Saugerties last Sunday night. I hadn't eaten there since August. After our yummy Mediterranean/Moroccan meal, we decided that we should try and come here more often. I wish they were still open for lunch. Saugerties was very quiet last Sunday night, but that never stops us from enjoying date night. 

Tom started with the Mezze special. I had the cream of cauliflower soup. I'm usually not crazy about cauliflower, but this soup was really good. It was very rich and spicy. I think it was the dash of roasted paprika oil that made it extra good. For my main course I ordered the veggie sampler with an extra side of couscous. Everything on the vegetable platter was really fresh and tasty. He ordered the Fez Salad with a chicken and lamb kabob since he was very hungry.  They really cook with love here. I think it is one of the best kept secrets in Saugerties. You can follow Fez Cafe on Facebook or visit their website. Fez Cafe, 71 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY (845) 247-7198.

7 Date Ideas for Celebrating Valentine's Day in the Hudson Valley

 

Looking for something fun to do on Valentine's Day in the Hudson Valley? 

1. Music lovers: Check out Blind Pilot with special guests The Barr Brothers at the Bearsville Theater performing on February 14th. 

2. Ice Skating date: Try the Kiwanis Ice Skate Rating rink in Saugerties. Kiwanis Ice Arena is the perfect place for an afternoon or morning date, especially if you are on a budget.

3. Valentines Dinner: For $65 splurge you can enjoy a special 5-course dinner at Depuy Canal in Stone Ridge  on February 14th from 5 pm - 9 pm.

4. Chocolate Lovers: Diamond Mills is having a Chocolate Lovers brunch on February 12th, the Sunday before Valentine's Day. 

5. Free & easy: Grab a thermos of hot cocoa and take a romantic walk along Poets Walk in Rhinebeck.

6. Don't have a date? Surprise someone you love with cupcakes! JJ's Rockin Cupcakes in Kingston sells them by the dozen.

7. Get your heart going with a yoga class at the newly named Woodstock Yoga/Downtown Shakti studio.

If you are looking for restaurant ideas, check out my "Restaurants I Love" category.  

The Tavern at Diamond Mills: A delicious flatbread, gourmet burger & a Manhattan vibe in Saugerties

My husband surprised me by taking me to Diamond Mills, the new luxury hotel in Saugerties for our wedding anniversary. I have seen Diamond Mills in all phases of construction over the past few years. My first impression when I set foot in the Tavern at the hotel was, "Wow! Where the heck am I? Where did all these people come from?" My husband told a staff member that he felt like he was in the Twilight Zone. "You're not the first person who has said that," she said with a smile.  I think she knew that he meant that in a good way. You feel like you are in a chic Manhattan steak house, without all the pretention that goes along with eating in a fancy Manhattan steakhouse.  

To start I had a small plate seared scallops. They melted in my mouth. I also ordered a small plate of crab cake. The crab cake was small, but very tasty. Tom ordered the Tavern Salad. I ordered the flatbread with potato and asparagus as my entree. It was very filling! Tom had the Burger, which he was very impressed with. He kept oohing and ahhing about the burger sauce. For dessert, we shared the Hudson Valley sampler. It felt like everyone knew it was our anniversary which made the meal extra special.  

Our server Victoria was very friendly and patient with our questions.  A few of the food runners seemed a little stressed out, but first week jitters are to be expected at any new restaurant or hotel, especially an ambitious one like Diamond Mills.

As we were leaving, I spotted a local politician entering the bar there. By summer time, the Tavern plans on offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Right now, they are only serving dinner. For more information visit the Diamond Mills website.  

 

The Hudson Valley Good Stuff Wish-list for 2012 Or 12 fun things you can do in the Hudson Valley

 

Here is a short list of things to do in the Hudson Valley that I haven't done yet, but would like to do in 2012.  

Monday night buffet at Garden Cafe in Woodstock. You need to make a reservation for this sought-after weekly vegan event. I'm not a vegetarian, but if I could eat here every day, I could be.

Dine at Peek-a-moose Restaurant on Route 28 in Big Indian. I have passed by it many times over the years, and it has always intrigued me. 

Walkway over the Hudson--I'm embarrased to say that I still haven't done this. I'm putting this on the HVGS to-do list for the Spring.

 Check out Chalet Fondue in Windham before the end of winter. It looks like a very cozy spot for German specialties. I only see one fondue dish on their menu though.

Go to a TMI Project at Rosendale. I love the idea of personal monologues detailing embarrasing situations. If I don't have the courage to be on stage, I can at least support these amazing women by buying a ticket to their show.

One of my resolutions is to lose weight this year. Another one is to eat more cupcakes. I definitely want to try one of JJ's Rockin Cupcakes, a new cupcake bar in Kingston. I'd also like to visit Moxie Cupcakes in New Paltz too.

Eat a cheap breakfast special at the revamped Village Diner in Saugerties.

Visit the Zen Monastery in Mt. Tremper. Well, this requires a bit of planning and focus, but it has been on my wish-list for 2 years now. I hope 2012 is the year!

Be a food judge at a local fair. I'm still badgering a few contacts about this.

Take a yoga class or an African dance class at Lalita Healing Collective in Chichester.

Go to the Good Stuff Cafe in West Shokan on one of their Thursday night BBQ nights during the summer if they are having them.

Visit more bakeries.

Go to The Castle Fun Center in Chester. 

Become a volunteer Weather Spotter through my local Skywarn program. (Check out my essay Snow Day in the digital edition of Green Door magazine Winter 2012 to read more about my weather obsession)

Find more Hudson Valley Good Stuff sponsors.

What is on your wish-list?

 

 

 

Best of Hudson Valley Good Stuff: Memorable events, meals & moments of 2011

Cupcakes galore at the Cupcake Festival at Gardiner

Post-Irene tree climbing 

The Midtwon Margarita at Boitson's in Kingston

The Lake at Belleayre Mountain, Pine Hill

REO Speedwagon at the Dutchess County Fair

Our new family member at Animal Kind in Hudson, NY

 

American Red Cross in Kingston--CPR class

Brasserie 292

Bell's Christmas Tree Farm


Another year of blogging about Hudson Valley Good Stuff. Put it in the books! My blog turns 3 today. As I look back on 2011, here is list of my top memorable events, meals, and moments that I blogged about. 

January:  About two hours after our romantic anniversary dinner at Violette's in Woodstock, my daughter fell very ill and we had an emergency at the house. This prompted me to sign up for a Red Cross CPR training class in Kingston. Thankfully my daughter got better the following week, and the year got better. 

 In February, I signed up for a Partner Yoga workshop at Shakti Yoga on Valentine's Day weekend in Woodstock, and the poses Linda taught us that day, have stuck, at the end of a stressful day, in addition to bringing out the potato chips, we practice partner yoga.

In March there was Hudson Valley's Restaurant Week.  I discovered The Village Tea Room in New Paltz. I wrote a review for LoHud's Small Bites Blog here.

April: The Woodstock Writers Festival is only in its 2nd year, and already very successful. I only made it to one lecture, but hopefully in 2012 I will make it to at least 2 lectures and workshop, who knows. Check out the Woodstock Writers website to see what Martha Frankel and her staff are planning this year.

May: On Mother's Day, I went to the Cupcake Festival in Gardiner and had a very sweet time. I will definitely be back there this year if the festival takes place again. It is a foodie's dream!

June: I wish I could have spent more time at Pine Hill Lake at Belleayre this Summer. It is truly a slice of Hudson Valley paradise.

July: While we really got a cat to take care of the mice situation we have totally fallen in love with her. We adopted a senior cat at Animal Kind in Hudson. The staff are very helpful and the adoption was a breeze.  If you need to surrender your cat for whatever reason, give them a call. 

August--I will never forget the angst in the air at the Dutchess County Fair the night we saw REO Speedwagon in concert, the day before T.S. Irene arrived. Being a weather junkie, I was excited about a potential hurricane. After the first intense 20 minutes though, our power went out and that is when the fun abruptly stopped. Later when I saw the down-trees and wires, flooding, my excitement turned to panic, then to gratitude. We only lost our power for 5 days, and we stayed one night at the Hampton Inn, and the rest of the time with family in Long Island. Hudson Valley Weather's Facebook Fan Page and The Watershed Post proved to be  very valuable resources for victims of Irene.

September--Celebrating my husband's birthday at Boitson's in Uptown Kingston. I tried devils on horseback for the first time and had the best margarita of the year!

October--My favorite week in Woodstock continues to be the Woodstock Film Festival week where thousands of filmmakers come to town to screen their indie movies. The concerts are not to be missed. In 2009, I became a ukelele fan and now  Melvern Taylor is on my iPod. Last year, I saw Simi Stone in concert at the Colony Cafe and I bought her new CD from her at the concert in November.  

I cannot forget walking into Rock Star Rodeo in Saugerties and hearing a guy sing "Happy Birthday" on my actual birthday, only to find out it was the store owner Billy Yosh's birthday too!

On November 11th, 2001, I saw the amazing Simi Stone again in concert at Vivo Art Gallery in Woodstock. Later that month, Brasserie 292 in Poughkeepsie invited us for lunch. It was delicious!

December--While I had fun with the family at Sinterklaas in Rhinebeck, I have to say that my favorite adventure was chopping down the Christmas Tree at Bell's Christmas Tree Farm.

 In December, we put our Hudson Valley Good Stuff billboard up. A huge thank you to our current sponsors Fez Cafe in Saugerties, Taft Street Realty, IXL Health & Fitness, Fun-e Farm Bouncy House Fun center in Kingston, and River Rock Health Spa in Woodstock, and our future sponsors (you know who you are) for your support! 

What will the 2012 hold for the Hudson Valley and HVGS? I am working on HVGS wish-list. First thing on my list is snow!   Wishing you all a Happy New Year & please keep sharing this blog. 

Where to eat Christmas Eve Dinner & Christmas Day Brunch & New Year's Eve in the Hudson Valley

Planning on dining out in the Hudson Valley this Christmas? Looking for a place to celebrate New Year's Eve? Consider one of these delicious restaurants:

Fez Cafe in Saugerties will be open for Christmas Even dinner. To read about my amazing Mediterranean/Moroccan lunch I had here, see this blog post I wrote. Fez Cafe, (845) 247-7198 (As Fez is a HVGS sponsor, you can get a free creme brulee if you mention the blog.

Terrapin in Rhinebeck will be serving a Holiday Beer Dinner from December 20th-22nd, Christmas Eve dinner, and New Year's Eve dinner.

The Local in Rhinebeck will be serving Christmas Eve dinner, as well as a 4-course dinner on New Year's Eve.

Cucina in Woodstock will be open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.

Brasserie 292 in Poughkeepsie has a special holiday menu and will be open Christmas Eve from 2-8pm, and New Year's Eve. They have spiked egg-nog!

Pan-Zur in Tivoli will be serving a family style "Christmas in Madrid" feast on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve dinner. I have never dined here. (It is on my wish-list though). A food snob I know says it the best place to eat in Tivoli.

Wishing you a yummy Christmas & a Happy New Year!

And, please don't forget to tell them that Hudson Valley Good Stuff sent you!