kforkelly's Profile
Hudson Valley Brunch Spots?
Anyone know of any great brunch spots within a 20 mile radius of Poughkeepsie?
ISO: Ridiculously Good Chinese (Poughkeepsie)
Yes! Thats the news I was looking to hear :) I must have driven by just a few days before they opened.
I'm totally going for their small plates dinner next week!!!
ISO: Ridiculously Good Chinese (Poughkeepsie)
Does anyone know if Twisted Soul is open yet? Drove by last week and still seemed like they were working on it.
Taste of Rhinebeck
Has anyone been, or is anyone going to the Taste of Rhinebeck this year (Tuesday, April 21st)?
The media blurb states:
"The concept is very different from other food festivals in that participants travel on foot around the Village of Rhinebeck, stopping to sample gourmet delights from restaurants and spirit shops along the route. "The great thing with this event is that you get to go inside the restaurants and shops and experience the ambiance and individual charm of each. It allows folks to sample not only the food and spirits, but also, the atmosphere," says Deborah Breen, Executive Director of the Foundation. "There are not many villages that have such a vast array of incredible restaurants within a few blocks of each other. And, to have all of them working together for a common cause that night really highlights their community spirit!"
The "People's Choice Awards" will also return this year, giving attendees the opportunity to vote on their favorites in each category - last year's winners included: Petit Bistro, taking top honors for Best Overall, Best Appetizer, Best Main Course and Best Dessert, along with Old Mill Wine & Spirit Shop, taking the Best Beverage Award.
This year, event participants include: Arielle, Aroi Thai Restaurant, The Beekman Arms, Bread Alone, Calico Restaurant, Gigi Trattoria, Le Petit Bistro, Leonardo's Italian Market, Old Mill Wine and Spirits, Pete's Famous Restaurant, Rhinebeck Bagels and Café, Rhinebeck Deli hosted by Gazen Gallery, Rhinebeck Health Foods, Rhinebeck Wine and Liquor, Sabroso, Samuel's of Rhinebeck, The Rhinecliff hosted by Rhinebeck Department Store and Village Pizza of Rhinebeck."
Would love to hear anyones experiences from the past! Do you get a bite at each place, or a small portion of food/ beverage?? Tickets are $75. Seems like a great fundraiser, but I'm just curious about what you actually get from each place?
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week 2009
I went to Sabroso last night with some friends for RW. The place was EMPTY. It was pretty scary. Service was great - but I hope that is to be expected when there is only two tables full at the restaurant! The RW menu had about 5 or 6 options per course - with plenty of vegetarian options.
For my starter I had a fried cuban steak (which was portioned into morsel size pieces) with olive and lime mojo. It was alright. While the meat was delicious, tender and cooked perfectly - the fry killed a bit of the flavor, and I wish there had been more sauce with some extra uumph. It was blander than I had anticipated. The other people in my party had the shrimp & seaweed fritter with miso dipping sauce (they said it was ok) and a stuffed pepper (which was great).
Entrees were the big hit of the evening. I had seared scallops with mandarin risotto and avocado. It ROCKED. Scallops were cooked perfectly, the risotto was killer, and the avocado was a nice finishing touch. The other entree that was tried at the table was an onion encrusted salmon. (They enjoyed it - I didnt try it)
For dessert I had an orange & cinnamon flan. It was too thick for my taste, but the flavors were good. My friend had a chocolate torte with banana ice cream. The ice cream definitely made the dessert!
Overall it was a good meal - but not as great as I was hoping. Had I just eaten the entree, I probably would have said it was amazing. But the starter and dessert, while good - certainly were not great.
ISO: Ridiculously Good Chinese (Poughkeepsie)
Sadly, this is the response I was expecting - good chinese just isn't available!
A lot of my family goes to First Wok in Wappingers, and honestly I do not like them. In the past they had been better (or maybe I wasnt always so picky?), but the past few years whenever I get something I always wondering why I even bothered. Their dumplings especially are a huge disappointment and are VERY dough-ey.
Mill St is better, and has a few dishes that I enjoy - but was still hoping for something more.
I've heard Chen Young on 9 is decent. Has anyone tried Chans Peking in Red Oaks Mill? Any feedback greatly appreciated!
Muscoot Inn pizza any good?
As a side note, if your ever in the area The Muscoot Restaurant North in Hopewell Junction right off the Taconic makes FABULOUS pizza. My favorite in the area, hands down (Especially the shrimp & garlic...yum!). Their linguine with clam sauce is also amazing.
Overall its just a great under-rated spot. A true family restaurant where everybody knows your name and lots of regular diners have been going for years.
IMHO, it doesn't get the credit it deserves, and probably doesn't get as much business as it should because of the awkward location on Taconic North. But its highly recommended!
http://www.muscoot.com/
ISO: Ridiculously Good Chinese (Poughkeepsie)
Does anyone know of any great (takeout) chinese restaurants in Dutchess? Preferably in the Poughkeepsie / Wappingers / Fishkill area? Bonus points if they deliver within the city of Poughkeepsie.
I'm especially looking for some place that has great dumplings. And yes I know Twisted Soul makes great dumplings - but I'm looking for a chinese joint where I can get other chinese stuff as well.
Thanks!!
twisted soul - poughkeepsie - yum (asian/argentinian)
I *finally* went this afternoon on my day off, and I'm kicking myself that it took me so long to visit!
Had the pulled pork arepa, sweet potato empanada, and ginger lemonade with basil seeds.I was completely indecisive about what to order and they were so patient with me offering up recommendations and telling me a bit about each dish (I wanted it all!). Everything as delicious - the arepa was incredible!
I will definitely be going back, and frequently. Delicious, filling & affordable. Looking forward to some dumplings next time around.
Oh, They also confirmed that they will be in the new space by April 1st.
cooking classes
A few weeks ago I did a Saturday class at Home Cooking NY. http://homecookingny.com/hudsonvalley.htm
It's a pretty intimate set up - I think max of like 6 people (?) at the chef/teachers kitchen in her home in Beacon. Its not totally hands on - you do some of the prep work, and then basically gather around to watch her do most of the cooking. Or atleast that was how it was when I went there. But, I also went for a "One Skilled Supper" course, where most of the cooking was very fast, and not very difficult!
The recipes were DELICIOUS - and easy to follow. It was great and laid back. And at $50 bucks a pop, a great way to spend your evening/ afternoon. Plus, you get to eat everything you make! (Obviously!) Not very technique focused - so it depends what you want - but if you just want to learn how to make a few good meals - highly recommended!
Thai Palace, Fishkill?
I finally went the other day for take out. Had the chicken kra - pow... It was ok. Nothing to write home about.
Asked for it extra thai spicy (What can I say - I love it when Im practically crying its so hot) -and it was only mildly spicy. Portions were good. Service was fast & friendly. I'll go back - for the convenience and perhaps to try something else on the menu. Overall I preferred Sukothai in Beacon - but its a bit more out of my way.
Still haven't been completely sold on any of the Hudson Valley thai places...yet.
babalu bob's- cuban in wappinger/ fishkill area
Went here a few weeks ago with a friend. It was like a Wednesday night and the place was dead. I think there was one other table being served.
Regardless - it was DELICIOUS! I don't really know alot about Cuban food, so I can't comment on its authenticity. But I will absolutley be returning. When we sat we were served complimentary plantain chips w/ a lime type dipping sauce.
I had the Habanero Mango Pollo with yellow rice and black beans. The chicken was juicy as all hell, and the sauce was AWESOME, with a bit of heat (not too much though). They make it as a sandwhich, too which I hope to get during a lunch break sometime.
My friend had the Mariscos con Coco - which was scallops and shrimp in a coconut sauce with rice and beans. Didn't try it but looked (and smelled) great. She said it was really good.
Service was nice - wish I had known in was BYOB. To thumbs up! I will def go back. Just hope it doesnt close, as it never really looks super crowded and its location is a bit weird.
Thai Palace, Fishkill?
Has anyone been to this place?
http://thaipalaceny.com/5601.html
Its in the little strip mall across from the Golds Gym Plaza in Fishkill where Captain Cliff's used to be. I've been meaning to stop by to check it out, but havent gotten around to it. Would love to hear any feedback!!!
