Photograph by Tè Cachè Photography
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It’s been quite a year for the Cosimo’s Restaurant Group. To kick things off, they’ve been celebrating not one, but two big anniversaries. Yes, it’s been 20 years since the very first Cosimo’s Restaurant opened its doors in Newburgh, and 10 years since the Poughkeepsie eatery got started. Now this family business runs four beloved Italian restaurants in the Valley (including spots in Middletown and Woodbury), as well as Torches on the Hudson in Newburgh.
As if that is not impressive enough, this summer Cosimo’s was voted to have the very best burger at this magazine’s inaugural Burger & Beer Bash. The competition was stiff: More than a dozen high-end eateries presented their very best patties, and hundreds voted. But Cosimo’s veggie mushroom burger topped with Gouda and Sriracha (pictured) won by a landslide. “We ran it as a small-plate special for about a month after the contest,” says Poughkeepsie General Manager Jay Kooperman. “People just loved it.”
So what’s the secret to their long-term success? “The menu is approachable, and it’s perfectly priced,” says Kooperman. “It’s also a casual but warm environment. So whether you are going all-out or want a casual family dinner, there is something for everyone here.” While the chefs constantly mix things up with fresh finds from local farms, Kooperman says that the grilled chicken penne and the famous wood-fired oven pizzas remain signature standouts.
But we’re particularly excited about the new Family Dinner Tuesdays. Check this out: For $24.95, you get a tray of their special pasta (it switches each week) that serves up to six people, plus a warm baguette and a half tray of salad. Do the math: That’s less than $5 per person. You must order and pick it up yourself, but this deal makes us eager to see what Cosimo’s cooks up over the next 20 years.
» Read about Cosimo’s Best of Hudson Valley awards
» Get directions to Cosimo’s Trattoria in Poughkeepsie, NY
» Go to www.cosimospoughkeepsie.com
» Go to the Hudson Valley Restaurants Guide
» Go to the Hudson Valley Food & Drink Guide