HudsonValleyGoodStuff

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.  

 

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!

Date Night: Arielle's in Rhinebeck: Chicken tagine, crispy artichoke hearts & eavesdropping heaven!

My husband and I had a delicious dinner at Arielle's in Rhinebeck this past weekend. I had been curious about this place since it opened in 2008.. The place was packed on Friday night. I made a reservation for two, and the hostess sat us at a small table next to a mirror.  (I took a photo of the comfy booths that were empty for a few minutes.) The tables are close together so it is a real treat for eavesdroppers. It was a little bit like being in a Woody Allen movie. Unfortunately, the man sitting next to me talked about baseball and his hypertension woes non-stop so I didn't get any good gossip.    

For an appetizer, I ordered the crispy artichoke hearts. My husband had the country salad.  For the main entree I had the chicken tagine served with couscous, dried apricots, black olives, and harrisa. The sauce was amazing. I gobbled it up and ran out of it quickly so I dumped the rest of the olive oil dipping sauce from the bread on to the chicken breast. I'm glad the chef didn't see that. The presentation was triumphant. The chicken arrived piping hot in a ceramic pyramid platter. I begged my husband to get anything, but the burger. He got the Bistro Burger, which he said was excellent. 

We couldn't agree on a dessert to share so we decided to be indulgent and each have our own. The caramel crepes were delicious though I couldn't taste the rum in them.  My husband enjoyed the floating island. The service was very friendly and unpretentious. I'd definitely recommend this place if you like mediterranean cuisine with a little European flare.  Share the food with your date, but not your secrets. It is better to whisper if you don't want the party next to you to eavesdrop. Arielle's in Rhinebeck, 51 Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY. (845) 8876-5666

Brasserie 292 in Poughkeepsie: Delicious classic French cuisine, beautiful high ceilings & happy fussy customers!

In late June, Chris Crocco, co-owner of Brasserie 292 invited me to sample the menu of French cuisine offerings and check out the new restaurant in Poughkeepsie. I finally took him up on his offer yesterday for lunch.

For the appetizer I ordered the soup a l'ognion, and my husband ordered the warm Camembert wrapped in phyllo. After taking the first bite, he said, "I just went to France!" So, I had to try it, and it was very gooey and good. I know what he meant. (Later found out that the Camembert is none other than Old Chatham Sheepherding Company Cheese made here in the Hudson Valley!) For my entree, I had the tuna nicoise. It is served rare, but I asked for it medium and it was perfect. My husband ordered the Bistro Burger with Gruyere cheese. 

Our handsome server Anthony tolerated my husband and I arguing over whether he resembled a young Robert Duvall or young Rudy Guliani. He also answered exhausting questions from the high-maintenance food know-it-all at the table next to us with total grace--not one smirk! (This foodie nerd wanted to know the exact size and species of the lobster on the menu). The service was excellent. Thanks Anthony!

For dessert, we shared the dessert special: carrot cake bread pudding with pumpkin gelato and caramel sauce. (As you can tell from the photo, it was very good!)  

It's a beautiful space. Their private event room can seat 20 people and their dining room can seat 80. They haven't hosted a wedding there yet, but I can imagine it would be a great setting for a rehearsal dinner or a small intimate wedding party. It is also a great place for a business lunch. Brasserie 292, 292 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY. (845) 473-0292.

The Local Restaurant in Rhinebeck: Worth the splurge!

My husband and I had something to celebrate on Friday night so we ate at The Local Restaurant in Rhinebeck. It has been open for a little over a year now, but this was my first time there. I have walked past it many times without even noticing it. The exterior is very non-descript. It just looks like a quaint Rhinebeck house. Once inside though, you'll see the stylish minimalist decor and candle lit dining area.  There were many people eating upstairs, but we were seated in the downstairs which was empty.

It took us a while to place our order. We were indesicive. The cuisine is American eclectic. I find it always takes time to choose my meal when the food is this eclectic because the menu is full of things I rarely eat. 

Finally, we ordered a B.L.T. Frisee Caesar salad, Sepascot Farm Grass Fed Beef Sliders for our "Small Plates." My husband ordered the Beer Battered Fish and Chips special for his entree.  I was first going to order the Grilled Sea Scallops. But then I asked our server what was the most popular dish, and she said the duck was a real signature dish and really good. I rarely eat duck because it is a splurge dish, and besides it is hard to get duck right. I have eaten too many tough ducks! Well, I took a leap of faith, and ordered the Hudson Valley Duck "Two Ways" entree.

The salad came with fried olives, very yummy homemade cheese crackers, and really delicious dressing. The sliders were served with home-cooked potato chips. Another nice retro touch was the TAB soda that I offered instead of Diet Coke. I swear I had a 1980s flashback when I took a sip! 

The service was excellent. I could see the chefs prepping my dish from where I sat. I noticed one of them making a fuss about how the french fries were being placed on the fish and chips. (Maybe one was out of place?) Anyway, it made me feel like I was one of the judges and one of those Top Chef shows, except in this situation, the chefs knew what they were doing. The presentation was beautiful, and the food was really delicious.

The duck was cooked medium rare, and was very tender. The stuff that the duck was served with was also very tasty. (Turns out the duck was cooked with oven-dried tomatoes, oyster mushrooms,rosemary spaetzel, and sweet sopressata.)  I couldn't even see what it was because the room was dark, but trust me, it was good!

For dessert we had the chocolate torte with coconut ice cream, which was yummy, but had we splurged on two desserts we would have tasted the local apple crisp special too.

Expect to pay at least $100 for dinner for two here, but it is worth the splurge for that special celebration. The Local also serves brunch on the weekends, which is less expensive, and probably just as yummy. For more information visit The Local Restaurant's website. 38 West Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY (845) 876-2214

Where to eat Thanksgiving Dinner in the Hudson Valley? 6 ideas to get you started

If you are heading to the Hudson Valley for Thanksgiving, here are a few places to have Thanksgiving Dinner: 

The Rhinecliff Hotel in Rhinecliff will be offering Thanksgiving Lunch & Dinner by the river for $42.95 plus tax and service from 12 noon - 6pm.

Aroma Thyme in Ellenville will be offering yummy traditional dinner along with vegan and gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner options as well.

The Mid-Hudson Vegetarian Society will be hosting a vegan Thanksgiving dinner at the Reformed Church in Rhinebeck. Bring a vegetarian dish to share. $25 if you don't have a dish to share.

Mohonk Mountain House will be offering a Thanksgiving Grand Buffet from 11:30 to 3 pm. See their website for more details.

American Glory--Take Out--If you are not in a cooking mood, but want to eat in. Take-out delicious comfort food from American Glory in Hudson NY. 

 Looking for a fun Turkey Trot race? Check out the Thanksgiving Day race in New Paltz.

Don't forget to a chocolate turkey for the chef or whoever else you are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Oliver Kita in Rhinebeck sells very pretty ones! (See photo). 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Date Night in Uptown Kingston: Boitson's got hearty dishes, romantic back patio & devils on horseback!

 

 

I took my husband out to Boitson's restaurant at 47 North Front Street in Uptown Kingston for his birthday last week.  

The bar was crowded when we arrived around 7:30pm, and I we bumped into an old friend there who suggested we sit outside on the patio. The outdoor patio was candle lit and very warm and inviting. I looked around and saw a mix of friend gatherings and couples on dates. I also spotted a young family with a very well-behaved tot in a high chair.

I started with their Midtown Margarita which was very good! I really liked the salt and chili powder on the rim. Nice touch with the grapefruit juice. (I ended up having 2 which is usually too much for me!) Anyway, on to the delicious appetizers. We shared an order of deviled eggs, devils on horseback, and a charcuterie plate. I've never tried devils on horseback, but they were very tasty. (Dates stuffed with blue-cheese and wrapped in bacon).  

For the main dish, I decided to go light and had the zucchini fritters, which were very good. My husband ordered the pork schnitzel which he heartily enjoyed.  For dessert we had a vanilla pudding dessert. I can't remember what it was called, but it tasted a bit like a light creme caramel. The dessert was small, which was fine with me. Check came out to about $100 for 2, which is a splurge, but pretty good value considering we had 3 appetizers, 2 main dishes, 2 margaritas, a soda, dessert, 2 coffees, and a very good time. The service was super too! For more info on Boitson's check out the Boitson's website.

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.

Viiolette Restaurant: French fare with a flair in Woodstock, NY.

Violette Restaurant in Woodstock was the scene of my anniversary dinner date last week. My husband and I got married in January so every year it seems like we are battling a bad blizzard on our special day, and it is a challenge finding a place that is open for business.  When we walked into Violette's, the waitress looked stunned to have customers. I later found out they were teetering on closing early, but toughened it out. (I was happy when another couple came in!) 

Anyway, the waitress cheered up after the initial shock of seeing us, and we felt like celebrities as we had this beautiful restaurant all to ourselves! The food was very good, even though certain items were not available due to a chef being snowbound somewhere.

I started with the escargots, and my husband had the vegetarian spring rolls with plum and peanut sauce. He had the perfectly cooked Violette Cheeseburger with gruyere cheese, and I had the Eggplant Napoleon. I loved the presentation! The eggplant was very tasty too, but since I filled up on the bread, I couldn't finish it all myself.

We split the apple crepe dessert, which was very yummy.  For more information, check out  Violette Restaurant & Wine Bar's website.

Le Petit Bistro: Romantic, Warm, and Cozy French Restaurant in Rhinebeck

 
 
 

 

 

Le Petit Bistro is a very cozy and intimate French restaurant in Rhinebeck, that I had never been too until last week. A friend of mine who grew up in Rhinebeck recommended it as the best French restaurant around. Since I just returned from a 10 day vacation in France recently, I had high expectations. I also know that even the best French restaurant here can't compare to a home cooked meal at my cousin's house in France. The delicious dinner I had at Le Petit Bistro came very close though. The service was outstanding. (Don't be intimidated by the knowledgeable staff there! They are eager to answer any questions you have about any dish on the menu.

We had the pate and the escargots to start. Both appetizers were delicious. The bread wasn't French bread, but it was yummy. I had the duck, which was perfectly cooked. My husband ordered the skirt steak which was a special. Though I really enjoyed the duck, if I go there again, I will order the lamb as it comes with mashed potato, and the woman seated next to me, raved about them. I don't know why they served plain old white rice with such a magnificent duck. 

Dessert was totally over-the-top! I got the eggnog creme brule. (I'm sure there was a bit of alcohol in there!) My husband had the apple crisp. I would definitely recommend Le Petit Bistro as a perfect place to splurge a little on date night. Be sure to make a reservation, especially on a weekend. For more information, go to Le Petit Bistro, 8 East Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY.