Where to Eat: October Edition

Communal Kitchen

As the name implies, this cozy, 50-seat Nyack standout serves as an ideal community hangout for locals and out-of-towners alike. Owner and Chef Jed Gidaly uses the seasons as his guide to create menu items that are shareable, comfortable, and consistently delicious. You’ll find a variety of inventive options, including updated classics (like duck rillettes that are served in glass jars), globally influenced dishes (like pork belly with miso and kimchi), and plates that play up vegetables in an interesting way (like the orecchiette carbonara, with charred Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, pancetta, and Parmesan). Open for dinner Tues-Sun. • $$$
162 Main St., Nyack
845.535.3133

Cave Mountain Brewing Company

This comfortable brewery-restaurant combines a family-friendly feeling with a casual pub atmosphere. Traditional American favorites — burgers, pulled-pork sandwiches, and Southern-style fried chicken — dominate the menu, but they also offer one of our favorite things to eat in the Hudson Valley: a giant, hot salted pretzel. Beer-wise, they offer a host of brews made on-site, but also feature a handful of rotating taps and bottles. Live entertainment energizes the room regularly. Closed on Tues & Wed. • $-$$
5359 Rt 23., ​Windham
518.734.9222

Newburgh Brewing Company

Inviting, inventive, and — let’s face it — just plain cool, the taproom at this Orange County brewery is serving a locally sourced menu alongside a selection of their award-winning brews (many of which have rather witty names). A customer favorite is the house-made bratwurst, served on a club roll with Hawthorne Valley caraway sauerkraut and Dijon mustard; but in our eyes, an order of the rosemary-garlic fries is more-or-less a necessity. Open for dinner Thurs-Sun, also serving lunch on weekends and “snacks” on Wednesdays. • $$
88 Colden St., Newburgh
845.569.2337

Blue Plate

This New American bistro exudes comfort. Classic dishes are reimagined for the modern-day diner, incorporating local ingredients and global flavor into highly favored offerings. Locals rave about their famed Blue Plate Meat Loaf, topped with bacon and served with whipped potatoes and chili-glazed carrots, and curried chickpea stew with organic brown rice, but the crazy-addicting tempura haricots verts had us sold instantly. Pro tip: save room for dessert — you’ll be sorry if you don’t. Dinner Tues–Sun. • $$–$$$
1 Kinderhook St., Chatham
518.392.7711

Rosticceria Rossi & Sons

A Poughkeepsie staple since 1979, this family-owned deli brings customers authentic flavors of Italy through homemade mozzarella and imported meats and cheeses. Earning prime spots on the menu are the roast pork shoulder panini on focaccia, gnocchi bolognese, and prime rib roast with sautéed onions. Lunch and dinner Mon–Sat. • $$
45 S. Clover St., Poughkeepsie
845.471.0654

Trattoria San Giorgio

This centrally located local favorite is known for its pizzas for good reason: owner Joe Comizio is an International Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana-certified Neapolitan pizza maker (yes, really), and he’s cranking out traditional soft and chewy crusts covered in distinctive and bliss-inducing, authentic Italian toppings. The warm and welcoming little eatery also features delicate pastas, salads, and entrees that make use of the best the region has to offer. Closed on Mondays. • $$
3279 Franklin Ave., Millbrook
845.677.4566