It was only a matter of time before someone capitalized on the thousands of hungry pedestrians who use the Walkway Over the Hudson. Milton couple Ann Marie Corso and Gerard McCluskey pooled their culinary skills — Corso owned a cafe in Saugerties for 10 years and McCluskey was a chef in the Navy — and opened the Walkway CafeÌ and Catering Company (left) in January on the Highland side of the famous bridge. The eatery serves a multitude of breakfast and lunch items — Corso sites egg sandwiches, huevos rancheros, banana breads, roast beef, chicken cordon bleu, chili (which won the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Winterfest Chili Cookoff), fritters, and pies as a few items that have already emerged as fan favorites — at affordable rates. Nothing listed on the menu costs over $10. Patrons can either take the goods to go or snag one of the 40 indoor seats as well as take advantage of the outdoor patio in good weather; there is even a shaded area for dogs to rest and rehydrate while their owners eat (845-834-3777).
Pair up local history and great food, and you’ve got a winning recipe. The Huguenot is the newest addition to New Paltz’s Main Street — so named for the European settlers who laid the town’s foundation in the 1600s. Powerhouse couple Nathan and Bonnie Snow (the chefs behind New Paltz’s other staple, A Tavola) teamed up with Karl Family Farm (which produces free-range, grass-fed meats and poultry), and opened the eatery in February. The majority of the ingredients on the American bistro-style menu are sourced directly from the farm. Menu highlights include the Huguenot Burger with NY cheddar, caramelized onions, and a house-made brioche bun; the lamb Reuben with gruyereÌ, napa cabbage, apple slaw, tarragon aïoli, on house-made rye bread; and bacon-wrapped pork loin — a description we think pretty much speaks for itself — served with curried local apples and sweet potato pureÌe (845-255-5558; www.thehuguenot.com).
