HudsonValleyGoodStuff

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.

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!

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.

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.

Mario's Pizza in Port Ewen: Old-school Brooklyn style hot subs, gluten-free pizza & hearty slices!

 

 

We ate at Mario's Pizza in Port Ewen after we went apple picking at Dubois Farm. Wow, what a great find! We ordered a "hot gondola" sub. A hot gondola is a huge sub with Italian deli meats--salami, ham, melted mozzarrella cheese, and dressing on a crusty white bread roll. (The photo I took of the hot gondola only shows half because the other half had been bitten into by a hungry savage)

Yum! I had the spinach white cheese slice which was very fresh and tasty. They cook with love here! My husband who grew up in Brooklyn said that Mario's Pizza reminded him of the pizza places they used to have on every corner in the 1960s. We will definitely be back when we get a craving for a hot gondola. They also make Gluten-Free Pizza. Mario's Pizza, 186 Broadway, Port Ewen, NY. 845-338-1157

CJ's Italian Restaurant in Rhinebeck: Amazing whole wheat pizza with fancy toppings!

I went to CJ's Italian Restaurant at 353 Old Post Road in Rhinebeck last week, and had really delicious whole wheat crust pizza. It is hard to find a pizza place that makes whole wheat pizza so this was my first tasting of whole pizza in the Hudson Valley. It was delicious! The best part was that I didn't feel guilty eating it! My diabetic-pizza-snob husband was happy too!  

We ordered the CJ special which includes 5 toppings. I picked pesto, spinach, broccoli, black olives, mushrooms. Vegetarian and yummy! For more info visit CJ's Rhinebeck

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?