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When Hudson Valley chefs want to kick back and grab a great meal, where do they go? That’s just the question we asked 10 local talents to answer.
Sure, there are plenty of great places to eat in the Hudson Valley. But here’s a little insider intel about the best of the best. We asked 10 of our region’s top restaurant chefs where they love to dine, because that’s pretty much the highest compliment out there—to be the place gourmets go when they step away from their own stoves.
Jesse Frederick
Executive Chef
Butterfield at Hasbrouck House
Stone Ridge
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Ollie’s Pizza, High Falls. “It’s close to Butterfield, so I can get takeout on my way home if I get out early enough,” he says. “I love their Grandma pie with Parmesan and pepperoni ‘cups,’ and I don’t even usually like thick pizza! Their white pizza with sesame seeds always hits the spot, too.”
Sushi Makio, Kingston. “Makio has the absolute best fish. The uni is flawless, and their hand rolls have the perfect crunch when you bite into them.”
Le Petit Bistro, Rhinebeck. “There’s something about this place that reminds me of my family’s old restaurant (Guidetti’s in Wingdale), probably the classic dishes like clams casino, escargot, and roast duck. Their service is always spot on.”
Scott Rosenberg
Chef/Owner
Il Figlio Enoteca
Fishkill
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Red Line Diner, Fishkill. “I’ve never had a bad meal here ever. It’s the benchmark for all diners. Try the banana walnut pancakes.”
McKinney & Doyle, Pawling. “Andrew, the owner, is a friend of mine, and what he has created over there is just amazing. Go for the cocktails, stay for the solid, solid food! And you can stop in the bakery and bring goodies home with you.”
Cosimo’s, Newburgh. “Possibly the most consistent restaurant ever. Every meal I have there is great. I love going for lunch and convincing my guest to split a pizza and a salad with me, so we don’t feel so guilty about eating all those carbs.”
Chapala Grill, New Windsor. “This family-owned Mexican restaurant has amazing margaritas, ceviche, and fajitas. It’s so good, I had my holiday party there! Go in the summer and sit on their patio.”
Allyson Merritt
Chef/Owner
Gracie’s Luncheonette
Leeds
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HER
Twisted Soul, Poughkeepsie. “It’s one of my all-time favorite restaurants in the whole Hudson Valley. It’s an unassuming little spot near the Vassar campus with an eclectic street-food-inspired menu and tons of plant-based options. Their food is just so crave-able! I’ll have Korean grilled tofu steamed buns, chickpea fries, and a basil seed lemonade. And then maybe order a bubble tea or one of their vegan dessert specials for the road.”
David DiBari
Chef/Owner
The Cookery, The Parlor, and DoughNation
Dobbs Ferry
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
ODO, Tuckahoe. “This is my new favorite spot. Chef Nick Odoardi curates a clean, sophisticated, yet playful Abruzzese style of cooking redolent of his childhood. I can’t get enough of his lamb speducc—tender pieces of lamb on a stick, slowly cooked over wood and fire, then served in a terracotta pot. His pillowy gnocchi pomodoro bathe in a perfectly balanced light tomato sauce, adorned with fresh basil, just as they should be. This is a great cook making great food.”
Josh Kroner
Executive Chef/Owner
Terrapin
Rhinebeck
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Le Petit Bistro, Rhinebeck. “I love the oysters there.”
Cinnamon, Rhinebeck. “I try new things whenever I am there. The flavors are so delicate; it’s one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve eaten at.”
Rossi & Sons, Poughkeepsie. “My mom lives near there, and I’ll get one of their sandwiches to split. I had the broccoli rabe one recently—it was great.”
Constantine Kalandranis
Executive Chef/Owner
The Greekish
Harrison, Nyack
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Little Vietnam, Nyack. “For lunch, it is almost always some kind of brothy ramen from here.”
L’Inizio, Ardsley. “I really think L’Inizio is second-to-none for Italian. I love their chicken liver crostini and ricotta gnudi Bolognese.”
MP Taverna, Irvington. “The chef here and at L’Inizio are visionaries in terms of what they do with their kind of cuisine. At MP Taverna, I love the lamb burger, the Greek paella—and all the dips are amazing!”
Related: 11 Hudson Valley Bakeries for Gluten-Free Delights
Nick Citera
Owner
Cosimo’s
Multiple locations
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Café Les Baux, Millbrook. “I love the intimacy of this restaurant, and host Daphne (wife of chef Hervé Bochard) is always so warm and welcoming. The food is exceptional—I love the lamb chops. It’s not often that all the desserts at a restaurant are good, but they are. The crêpes, the tarte tatin—all fantastic.”
Kelly’s, Poughkeepsie. “My favorite for breakfast. I’m their landlord, but trust me, everything is excellent. Great coffee, and the monkey bread is worth waiting in line for.”
Peter Kelly
Chef/Owner
Xaviar’s Restaurant Group
Multiple locations
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Il Cena’Colo, Newburgh. “The owner, Salle, offers true hospitality and a Tuscan menu that is flawless.”
The Cookery, Dobbs Ferry. “Dave DiBari brings a hip vibe and a personal take on Italian cuisine. His cauliflower ravioli is amazing.”
Rivermarket, Tarrytown. “Glenn Vogt’s contemporary American menu always has something new and delicious. The wine is expertly selected; there’s always something fun to discover.”
Michael Kelly
Executive Chef/Owner
Liberty Street Bistro
Newburgh
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM
Mountain Brauhaus, Gardiner. “In my spare time, I enjoy exploring the area around Minnewaska. I especially love stopping at Mountain Brauhaus for their delicious, authentic schnitzels and house-made sausages. Their pretzels are absolute perfection.”
Fuchsia Tiki Bar, New Paltz. “For cocktails, you have to stop here. It’s a hidden gem serving up the best tiki cocktails north of New York City.”
A magical place. The décor, ambience, service, and rustic food makes us feel like we are far from home although it’s less than a 30-minute drive from Woodstock.
—Doris Choi on Foxfire Mountain House
Doris Choi
Chef/Co-owner
Silvia and Good Night
Woodstock
WHERE YOU’LL FIND HER
Tinker Taco Lab, Woodstock. “Niall—my husband and business partner—and I like to sneak away and have a cheeky beer and tacos whenever we can before our dinner service. We always get the vegetarian option, plus any type of fish taco they might have at the moment. Their tortillas are handmade and a real labor of love.”
Foxfire Mountain House, Mt. Tremper. “A magical place. The décor, ambience, service, and rustic food makes us feel like we are far from home although it’s less than a 30-minute drive from Woodstock. We’ve had several staff parties with them and love their three-course dinner menu—it’s always changing. Last time we went, they were doing some fun Creole dishes!”
