Times Herald Record
Best fare
Best
Appetizers
There were a lot of creative and interesting
dishes in this category, but my personal favorite was the Tuna
Tartare served at Downtown Cafe; it was outstanding. Also
in the running were the Crabcakes at Catherine's of Goshen, the
Rock Shrimp Rolls at Nikola's, and the Shrimp ras al Hanout at
The Blue Mountain Bistro.
Best Salads
Ship to Shore demonstrated simple perfection
in a salad of Beefsteak Tomatoes and Arugula. Close behind was a
Roast Pecan and Cherry Salad at Winding Hills Restaurant, a
creative and sophisticated combination. The munificent Salad
with Bacon and Egg at Auberge Canard was an entire meal
masquerading as a salad, a huge plate of goodness.
Pizza and Sandwiches
Cosimo's knows its pizza and the Chicken,
Bacon and Pesto Pizza we tried here was perfect, everything
pizza should be. Painter's Tavern served a terrific Summer
Foccacia, a thick and hearty version of a traditional pizza that
is delicious and innovative. Hands down the best burger I had
all year was served at Raccoon Saloon. Its Grilled Burger is a
monstrous, fresh and delicious hunk of excellent ground beef
grilled perfectly and served with homemade ketchup to amp up the
flavor.
Pasta
Probably one of the best pasta dishes I've
ever encountered was this year at Ristorante Locust Tree. The
Almond Gnocchi Souffle is a sophisticated and simple preparation
where the gnocchi are baked instead of boiled and the light,
melt-in-your-mouth texture, combined with a simple Taleggio
cheese sauce, is something I still dream of. No other pasta dish
came close. However, the Polenta con Funghi at Cena 2000 was
Italian comfort food taken to a new height and deserves a round
of applause, as does the Chicken Penne at Main Course.
Seafood
Strangely enough, one of the best seafood
dishes I encountered this year was at Schlesinger's, which
specializes in steak. The Chilean Sea Bass there, served with a
simple glaze of soy and hoisin, was wonderful. Our Semolina
Crusted Red Snapper at Ship to Shore was simple perfection and
the Diver's Scallops with Pinot Noir Sauce at The Inn at Stone
Ridge were also excellent. Honorable mention goes to the
wonderful Wild Sockeye Salmon at Ristorante Locust Tree and the
Mediterranean Salmon at nearby Harvest Cafe.
Meats
The Duck a la Orange at Auberge Canard,
appropriately enough, was simple and delicious, as was the Black
Angus Sirloin Steak at Joyous Lake. Two other winners were the
Hanger Steak at The Blue Mountain Bistro and the Rack of Lamb at
The Owen Murphy Inn. My favorite protein bonanza, however, was a
perfect, aged, Black Angus Rib Eye steak I enjoyed at The Inn at
Stone Ridge – outstanding.
Desserts
The Blueberry Creme Brulee at Ugly Gus was
very good, as was the uncomplicated Carrot Cake at Bacchus. Also
up there was the decadent Chocolate Ganache Cake at Beebs, and the
Banana and Blackberry Pie at Downtown Cafe was unique and
wonderful. Worth mentioning are the Chocolate
Profiteroles at Catherine's of Goshen.
Best Decor and Ambience
You have to love the funky Armadillo Cafe,
which is weirdness defined, and The Egg's Nest also comes from
the eccentric school of restaurant design. Gasho of Japan is
impressive and Joyous Lake in Woodstock is a design sensation.
For over-the-top, throw-money-at-it design, the winner has to be
Torches of Newburgh with its huge aquarium and soaring room.
Best Outdoor Dining
It's too cold to think of it now, but when
warm weather comes around it is hard to beat Mariner's on the
Hudson and its spectacular views of the river.
Harvest Cafe is a great spot, as is Cafe
Tamayo's inviting garden area and people watching at Landau
Grill in Woodstock is always interesting.
Best Service
The service at Nikola's, Ship to Shore and
Ristorante Locust Tree was all very good. Worth mentioning are
The Owen Murphy Inn and La Stazione.
Family Dining
You have to enjoy Carmine's of Kingston for
large groups and hefty portions to share, but beware of the
noise level. Coyote Cafe remains one of my daughter's favorites,
along with The Golden Ginza, which features hibachi tables for
family style dining. The Eggs Nest, Outback Steakhouse and
Cosimo's in Middletown are also cheery spots with menus to suit
everyone.
Most Romantic
The Inn at Stone Ridge is a beautiful way to
step into the past and dine in historic splendor. Marcel's is
simple and cozy, especially on a winter night.
The Egg's Nest has some wonderful nooks and
crannies. Joyous Lake, Auberge Canard and Locust Tree Ristorante
are all appealing in different ways.
Wine List
There are some impressive wine lists in the
area, but my favorites are Beebs American Bistro, Catherine's of
Goshen, Joyous Lake, Cosimos in Middletown, Cafe Tamayo and
Chianti.
Best Restaurant for Singles
It is difficult to argue with The Blue Martini
as the hot and sticky leader in this category. Torches,
Painter's Tavern and The Gilded Otter all deserve runner-up
status.
Overall Best for 2002
It's hard to pick an overall favorite, but
Ship to Shore really impressed me with its combination of food
and service. The Owen Murphy Inn was a pleasant surprise for
good food in a very large space. Nikola's at The Newburgh Yacht
Club provided a great meal and service to match, Ristorante
Locust Tree brings elegant Italian cuisine to a historic
location and finally, Auberge Canard for authentic, classic
French cuisine in a country setting.
Restaurant critic Bill Guilfoyle has more
than 25 years' experience in the restaurant industry as a
sommelier, manager, and chef/owner. He is an assistant professor
at a local college. He welcomes readers' comments; e-mail him at
poptopics@th-record.com.
Armadillo Cafe: 97 Abeel St., Kingston,
339-1550
Auberge Canard: Route 28, Big Indian, 254-4646
Bacchus: 4 S. Chestnut St., New Paltz,
255-8636
Beebs American Bistro: 18 N. Plank Road,
Newburgh, 568-6102
Blue Martini: 50 Front St., Suite 102,
Newburgh, 562-7111
Blue Mountain Bistro : Route 212 and Glasco
Turnpike (between Woodstock and Saugerties, 679-8519
Cafe Tamayo: 89 Partition St., Saugerties,
246-9371
Carmine's of Kingston: 14 Thomas St.,
Kingston, 334-9383
Catherine's of Goshen: 153 W. Main St.,
Goshen, 294-8707
Cena 2000: 50 Front St., Newburgh, 561-7676
Chianti: 362 Broadway, Newburgh, 561-3103
Cosimo's: Route 211 East, Town of Wallkill,
692-3242, and 1217 Route 300 (Union Avenue), Newburgh, 567-1556
Coyote Cafe and American Grill: Hudson Valley
Mall, Kingston, 382-2233
Downtown
Cafe: 1 West Strand St., Kingston, 331-5904
Egg's Nest Restaurant and Saloon: Route 213,
High Falls, 687-7255
Gasho of Japan: Route 32, Central Valley,
928-2277
Gilded Otter Brewing Co.: 3 Main St., New
Paltz, 256-1700
Golden Ginza : 24-28 Broadway, Kingston,
339-8132
Harvest Cafe: 10 Main St., New Paltz, 255-4205
Inn at Stone Ridge: Route 209, Stone Ridge,
687-0736
Joyous Lake: 42 Mill Road, Woodstock, 679-1107
La Stazione: 5 Main St., New Paltz, 256-9447
Landau Grill: 17 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock,
679-8937
Main Course: 232 Main St., New Paltz, 255-2600
Marcel's: Route 9W, West Park, 384-6700
Mariner's on the Hudson: 46 River Road,
Highland, 691-6011
Nikola's at The Newburgh Yacht Club: 1 Park
Place, Newburgh, 561-5255
Outback Steakhouse: 25 Crystal Run Crossing,
Town of Wallkill, 695-1913
Owen Murphy Inn: 1700 Route 17M, Goshen,
294-0182
Painter's Tavern: 266 Hudson St., Cornwall on
Hudson, 534:2109
Raccoon Saloon & Restaurant Inc.: 1330
Route 9W, Marlboro, 236-7872
Ristorante Locust Tree: 215 Huguenot St., New
Paltz, 255-7888
Schlesinger's: 475 Temple Hill Road, New
Windsor, 561-1762
Ship To Shore: 15 W. Strand, Kingston,
334-8887
Torches on the Hudson: 120 Front St.,
Newburgh, 568-0100
Ugly Gus Cafe: 11 Main St., Kingston,
845-334-UGLY (8459)
Winding Hills Restaurant: 1847 Route 17K,
Montgomery, 457-8133
Downtown Cafe
One West Strand
Kingston, NY 12401
Phone: (845) 331-5904
Email: downtowncafefood@aol.com
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