Brunch in the Hudson Valley is a mouthwatering experience. It’s one filled with local ingredients, farm-to-table flavors, and, more than likely, a handcrafted cocktail or two. That’s why, when we heard River Pavilion is reopening for the season and dishing up brunch (and dinner) in Kingston, we were more than a little excited.
With a grand reopening on May 10, River Pavilion is ready to welcome guests for seasonal, waterfront dining along the Hudson River. The restaurant will be bringing back brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., after debuting it with much success last year. With Mother’s Day this weekend, it just so happens to be the perfect occasion to treat mom to a special meal along the banks of the Hudson River.
Perhaps even more exciting than the return of dining at River Pavilion, which also includes bar bites on Wednesdays from 5-9:30 p.m. and dinner on Thursdays through Saturdays from 5-9:30 p.m., is the fact that the restaurant welcomes a new culinary team. This year, the Ulster County kitchen is led by executive chef Mark Woinoski, a Hudson Valley native with strong ties to the region.
“Growing up by the Rondout Creek instilled a love for fresh, local food,” Woinoski shares. “My family’s roots run deep here – my grandparents lived practically next-door to Hutton Brickyards. I ran a restaurant in the Hudson Valley for years allowing me to build strong relationships with local farms and truly understand the nuances of seasonal ingredients.”
Joining Woinoski in his quest to serve wood-fired dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients is sous chef Edward Harder, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with 15 years of experience under his belt, and restaurant manager Petra Frank.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome Mark, Ed, and Petra to the Hutton Brickyards family,” says Brendan Dwyer, the general manager at Hutton Brickyards. “This new team can deliver exceptional service across all dining experiences, from large events to relaxed open-air brunches and dinners on the riverfront. Their strong ties in the community align with our values of supporting local farmers and utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients.”
As for what the menu entails, it’s a true celebration of seasonal flavors. Diners can delight their palates with wood-fired pizzas like the bacon, egg, and cheese with farm-fresh eggs or the breakfast pie with fried eggs, rosemary, and caciocavallo. For mains, the smoked salmon bagel features Catsmo smoked salmon, while Karl’s burger tempts with a patty made from Meiller Farm beef atop a Deising’s Bakery roll.
On the libations front, the brunch cocktails delight with all the classics, including mimosas, Bellinis, and bloody Marys. For those who want to dip into the dinner cocktails menu, offerings range from the refreshing Empire State (Hendrick’s gin, St. Germain, and cucumber) to the zippy Brooklyn Bridge (Casamigos Blanco tequila, blood orange juice, lime, Cointreau).
And don’t forget the beer and wine offerings! Local favorites like Kingston Standard, West Kill Brewing, Catskill Brewery, and Seminary Hill Cidery are standbys on River Pavilion’s beer and cider lineup. On the wine list, offerings lean European, with a number of pours from France, Italy, and Spain.
While the brunch spread is tempting on its own, the dinner menu is worth a browse, too. Diners can start with tantalizing bites like fried oysters with a warm bacon vinaigrette or crostini with fig jam and feta. Just like with the brunch menu, wood-fired pizzas are a big deal, so good luck choosing just one. Lovers of the classics won’t want to skip on the meatball pie, which pairs Meiller Farm beef meatballs with mozzarella di bufala, while veggie aficionados will devour the funghi pizza, crafted with a mix of fontina and taleggio cheeses and topped with wild shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms.
For those who crave something a little heartier, main courses like Hudson Valley steelhead trout, vegetable risotto, and char-grilled Meiller Farm grass-fed ribeye delight for any occasion. As for dessert, it’s impossible to go wrong with the flourless chocolate torte or the spumoni gelato bomba, both of which are highly delicious and conveniently gluten-free.
For more information about River Pavilion or to book a table for brunch or dinner, visit the website. To make an occasion of it, visitors can book a stay at Hutton Brickyards, a delightful destination in its own right, and one that boasts 43 rooms with luxury cabins, an elegant hilltop mansion with its own restaurant, and an abundance of amenities.
River Pavilion at Hutton Brickyards
132 Lindsley Ave, Kingston
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