HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Le Canard Enchaine in uptown Kingston: French cuisine prix fixe, le burger & cafe au lait in bowls!

Le Canard Enchaine is a French restaurant in uptown Kingston that my husband insists we dined at over 10 years ago when we were weekenders. I have no recollection of this.  To my knowledge, I have never dined here.  (News: We won 10 gift certificates to Hudson Valley restaurants in a silent auction at a fundraiser recently and I was excited that Le Canard was one of the restaurants that donated a gift certificate because I love French food, and I like trying out new-to-me restaurants so I can blog about them if the food is really good).  It was crowded when we stepped in around 12 noon on a rainy weekday.  It is warm and inviting, and decorated with many French artifacts, posters and Eiffel Towers. 

I had the 2-course Lunch prix-fixe which was $14.95, and added the French Onion soup for an extra $2. The soup was delicious. I loved the extra cruchy layer of cheese on top. For my entree I chose the poisson du jour, pan-seared scallops. There were only 3 scallops, but they were perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth.  Tom had the soup du jour pea soup, and for his entree he had the Le Burger. He said the burger was up there with his Top 5 burgers in the Hudson Valley. I tasted the fries, and they were very Frenchy, skinny and crsipy.

With the french baguette and butter, the hearty onion soup, and the scallops over rice, I didn't have any room for dessert. Instead, we ordered two cafe au laits. I'm so glad I did!  I was excited to see the cafe au lait served in bowls, just like in France! Made me nostalgic for my Uncle Bernard's farm. This was the perfect way to end the meal. The service was great. I would definitely come back for their 2- course prix-fixe and their cafe au lait.  Next time I will make room for dessert. It's great value for delicous French cuisine. Le Carnard Enchaine, 276 Fair Street, Kingston, NY (845) 339-2003

Stella's Italian Restaurant in Kingston is the Real Deal: Warm, friendly, huge portions & delicious!

Sometimes we are so excited about date night that we don't make plans, and we just decide where we are going to eat the night of. (Since starting the blog, I have to confess that I usually try and steer the night towards a restaurant we haven't tried yet, one that we haven't been to in a long time). Last Friday, we thought we'd go to Boitson's, but since we didn't have a reservation we were told we could come back and eat at 8:30pm or squeeze in at the bar and eat. (This brought back memories of our Manhattan dating days, but it's great to see restaurants in uptown Kingston packed on Friday night!)

I looked across the street and remembered how a few people have told me to check out Stella's and for some reason, I have never  been there. The exterior never attracted me. Stella's was also very crowded, but they found room for us at a tiny table in the back. It was a tight squeeze, but romantic.

The ambiance is very warm and friendly, and it kind of reminded me of an Italian restaurant we used to go to in Brooklyn when we were dating. It was the only Italian restaurant I liked in Brooklyn. Adam our server had a great sense of humor, and was over-the-top friendly and helpful. I started with a stuffed artichoke, which was soaked with buttery bread crumbs. Tom really enjoyed the antipasto plate with meat. I tried the cheese on the plate, which was divine! Our entrees came with a family style salad--very fresh romaine lettuce tossed with oil, vinegar, and gorgonzola cheese. I'm not a blue cheese lover, but I still loved the salad.

For our entrees, Tom had the chicken francese, and I had the grilled salmon. I couldn't believe the size of the salmon. (This was the first time I ever had to take a salmon dish home with me because I couldn't finish it). For dessert we shared a yummy flour-less chocolate cake. The cappuccino was so good I forgot to take a photo of it. I would definitely recommend Stella's if you are looking for a really good Italian restaurant in the Hudson Valley to go to with friends or family. A few readers have suggested the stuffed green peppers and the lasagna at Stella's too. I can't wait to go back and try a pasta dish. Stella's Italian Restaurant, 44 North Front Street, Kingston, NY (845) 331-2210

 

Where to have Easter Brunch in the Hudson Valley: 7 ideas from HVGoodStuff.com

 

Carving Station at Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern in Saugerties. Photo credit: Michael Nelson Photography

 It is hard to believe Easter is almsot here. Here are 7 restaurants that will be serving Easter Brunch in the Hudson Valley. With any luck by the time you get to enjoy your Easter brunch, you will be able to see the grass again.

1) Gunk Haus in Highland. If you love German food, you will love the Easter menu specials at Gunk Haus: Wiener Schnitzel, Lamb Sausage, Fresh Roast Turkey, Weisswurst, and Loaded Waffles. Leave your diet behind!

2) Peekamoose Restaurant in Big Indian will be open from 3pm to 8pm on Easter Sunday, and lamb will be on the menu.

3) Duo Bistro in uptown Kingston. My love for Duo Bistro is no secret. They will be open for Easter Brunch from 10 am through 3:30pm, and open for dinner from 5:30 pm-10pm. Follow them on Facebook for menu/event updates.

4) Phoenicia Diner on Route 28 in Phoenicia will be open for Easter Brunch, but they don't have their specials up yet. I love their big breakfast skillets, omelets, and soup! The portions are very generous, and the atmospher is casual mountain diner chic!

5) Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern is Saugerties will be serving a "bountiful Easter Brunch" on Sunday, March 31st. $39 for adults, $18 for children 12 and under. Children under 4 are free. (They have kids buffet too, fyi).  If you are looking for a fancy buffet with carving stations, made to order omelet station, and a pasta station, this is the place!

6) Garden Cafe in Woodstock is a perfect place for vegans to go on Easter Sunday. They will be open until 2pm for a yummy vegan lunch.

7) The Village Tea Room & Bake Shop in New Paltz will be fixing Southern Style Easter Ham (from Northwind Farm Tivoli NY) with collard greens, biscuits and gravy. They will be open at 8am Easter Sunday. You can also order from their regular menu that day. (I wrote a review for LoHud's food blog about The Village Tea Room in March 2011).

Wishing everyone a happy and delicious holiday!