During our New York City tour, we had an awesome time eating and seeing so many great things. I love cities more than anything. However, after a while Matt gets a little tired of the concrete jungle. So we decided to take a mini-break to the Hudson River Valley.
I've been dying to visit this area since I first started studying early American Art and the Hudson River School. I could stare at a Thomas Cole painting for hours. So off we ventured in the rainy weather and our Mini-Cooper (car rental win!) along the winding roads of the Hudson River Valley. We began our journey in Madison, New Jersey and drove Northeast on I-87 to Beacon.
Once in Beacon, we stopped at the Beacon Falls Cafe to stretch our legs and have some lunch. I feasted on some deliciously gluttonous Grown Up Mac n Cheese, think gnocchi served in a creamy three cheese sauce, drizzled with truffle oil, and topped with crispy bacon. It's vacation after all, right? We filled up on coffee to help avoid a food coma before conquering DIA: Beacon, a collection of modern and contemporary museum works. The museum, which is house in a former Nabisco box-printing facility, is enormous. However, it is designed in a clear format that lays out galleries by artist rather than theme. When we visited, the collection was primarily a mix of sculptural minimalist works perfectly presented in this massive space. The Richard Serra gallery, with his Torqued Ellipses, was the largest collection of Serra works I have ever.
On the way to or adorable B&B (The Stone House Bed & Breakfast in Hurley) we stopped by the Walkway over the Hudson. Admittedly, the weather was a bit too chilly and foggy to enjoy the great view. However, I imagine this is a great place to visit in the summer and fall, once the trees are turning all those wonderful orange shades.
We finally got to our accommodations and met our host, Sam, who was. After a quick nap (Matt spent the time wandering about the property), we headed off to dinner in Phoenicia at Tavern 214. We heard about this gourmet town from some friends who came here and mentioned that it had a great Farm to Table, organic vibe. They were right! Taver 214 is a self-described Farm to Table Gastropub. The menu changes weekly according to produce and product availability. It was fairly quiet the night we dined there, which made it more enjoyable since it was date night we had on this trip. We started with the Line Caught Yellowfin Tuna Poke, garnished with Apple-Ginger-Sesame Ponzu, Cucumber, Apple Wasabi Crema and served with Crispy Taro. Next we shared Thyme Basted New Bedford Diver Scallops with a
Goat Cheese Polenta, Broccolini, Truffle Mushrooms Ragout, and Crispy Leeks as well as Chipotle Braised Grass Fed Beef Short Ribs served with Cheddar-Scallion Mash, Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas and a Chipotle BBQ Gravy. It all came together with Flourless Chocolate Cake. Perfect end to a day jaunting around the Hudson River Valley.
We decided to spend the most of the day driving up to Woodstock and wandering around the little town in the Catskill Mountains. After stopping in at most of the little stores in the main square, we stopped for lunch at Joshua's Cafe, where we enjoyed a Mediterranean feast of Moussaka, the Super Falafel, and the most delicious London Fog I have had this side of the Atlantic. After walking around a bit more, we stopped into Bread Alone to grab some coffee for the road and headed back towards Kingston where we found a great little record shop called Rhino Records along the main square as well as Ester's Wine and Spirits.
A quick stop back at the B&B to change and we were off to the other side of the Hudson for more sightseeing and dinner. First stop- the Vanderbilt Mansion, where we sauntered around the expansive ground and got some really gorgeous views of the Hudson River at sunset. Then it was off to my favorite stop, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. After wandering a bit around campus we headed straight to American Bounty Restaurant, another farm to table choice. Dinner at any of the student-run restaurants at the CIA is a treat. Each culinary student goes through a rigorous training in each position at the restaurant, from hostess/host to bartender to waiter to kitchen staff. I was eager to see those efforts at play.
We were early for our reservation, so we enjoyed a whiskey flight and some cocktails at the bar and discovered Hudson Whiskey. I am not a whiskey connoisseur, but I definitely enjoyed tasting these. Once we were seated, our waiters described the menu and the dining process at American Bounty. We enjoyed a three course meal thanks to the fact that we also happened to visit the restaurant during the Hudson River Valley Restaurant Week. While all the courses were amazing, we were blown away by the Crispy Arctic Char that was topped with a flavorful foam and served with black quinoa. After dinner we were invited to tour the kitchen and ask any remaining questions we might have. This was by far one of the most informative and delicious meals we had in New York!
The next day we had just enough time to enjoy one more of our delicious homemade three course meals at the B&B before setting off for Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow to return the car and catch the train down to the city. All in all, this trip only whet my appetite for the Hudson River Valley and I can't wait to return!
SEE:
- Dia: Beacon
- Walkway over the Hudson
- Catskill Mountains
- Vanderbilt Mansion
- Culinary Institute of America
Dine:
- Beacon Falls Cafe in Beacon
- Joshua's Cafe in Woodstock
- Bread Alone in Woodstock
- Tavern 214 in Phoenicia
Stay:
- The Stone House Bed & Breakfast in Hurley
We passed so many cute little B & B's in this area that you can't go wrong. Forego the hotel and hostel for these.