Brewery Bites
Elizaville’s Vosburgh Brewing Company is beefing up its food program with Blue Bird, a burger-centric eatery that will be on-site this season with bar classics that are locally sourced and responsibly produced. “The mission of Blue Bird is to provide an alternative to ultra-processed food while still keeping it approachable and familiar, which we already do with our beer,” says co-owner Kieran Farrell. In addition to a good, old-fashioned burger, Blue Bird will serve an array of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, as well as sandwich specials such as a Banh mi, cheesesteak, and house-made pastrami. And, in true farm-brewery fashion, Vosburgh plans to grow some of the vegetables on the menu, in addition to the apples and hops they already tend to for ales and ciders.
Meals in the Mountains
Poughkeepsie’s Mill House Brewing Company (MHBC) has just expanded across the river. In Highland, the former site of the Gunk Haus has been transformed into The Ridge by Mill House, a cabin-esque eatery offering elevated American cuisine and gorgeous views of the nearby Shawangunk Ridge.
The menu changes frequently but expect to see entrées such as chicken & dumplings gnocchi and swordfish Veracruzana with stewed tomatoes, olives, capers, artichokes, a saffron rice cake, and aioli. Wash it all down with a signature Desperado cocktail (peach tea-infused bourbon, lemon, and peach bitters) or one of the many MHBC brews on tap. Get there early on a Sunday for brunch—go sweet with the chocolate babka French toast or tuck into something savory like the brisket croque madame.
Just Desserts
You probably know about Fruition Chocolate Works from their award-winning line of bars, bonbons, and candied nuts that are sold around the Valley—but they also have a café and gift shop on Route 28 in Shokan that has even more offerings, plus unique desserts. This summer, head to the storefront to enjoy seasonal creations such as the Key lime pie and root beer float sundaes. Both are made with vanilla ice cream from Del’s Farmhouse Creamery in Red Hook and sprinkled with house-made toppings and syrups.
Before you leave, stop into the shop and purchase some of Fruition’s latest creations to bring home. Owners Dahlia and Bryan Graham source and roast cacao beans for their handcrafted sweet bars like mint milk chocolate, passion fruit dark milk chocolate, and spicy red-chili dark chocolate.
Related: Callie’s Coffee Café Is a Sweet Addition to Otisville
