Savor the delicious farm-to-table fare of this major food growing and food producing region. Plan on a minimum of 4 days to truly taste your way around the Hudson Valley.
Start your tour at the renowned Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, a unique farm, dining and educational center in Sleepy Hollow celebrating community-based food production and enjoyment. Stone Barns includes gardens, greenhouses, café, walking trails and the upscale Blue Hill Restaurant, bringing field and pasture to the plate. www.stonebarnscenter.org; (914) 366-6200
Take in a spectacular sunset when you dine at Harvest-on-Hudson’s scenic waterfront location in Hastings-on-Hudson. This Tuscan farmhouse restaurant features Mediterranean inspired cuisine made with heirloom vegetables fresh from their beautifully-landscaped organic garden. Indoor and outdoor seating. www.harvest2000.com;
(914) 478-2800
Just across the Tappan Zee Bridge, arrive at the charming Hudson River village of Piermont where the Freelance Café and Wine Bar offers an extensive wine list including a variety of Hudson Valley wines to complement their sumptuous dishes prepared with the freshest local fare. www.xaviars.com/freelance; (845) 365-3250
If international cuisine tickles your palate, Union Restaurant, located in historic Haverstraw, showcases diverse, yet classic Latin fusion dishes and a great wine list. This river town, once nicknamed the brickmaking capital of the world, is situated on the widest point of the Hudson River. www.unionrestaurant.net; (845) 429-4354
Travel the scenic Bear Mountain Bridge to The Valley Restaurant at The Garrison’s beautiful river view location. Their farm to table cuisine showcases products from their own farm as well as other farms in the region. www.thegarrison.com; (845) 424-3604
Right next door, the quaint and picturesque village of Cold Spring is a source of exceptional dining and shopping experiences. A walk down Main Street will lead you right to the Hudson River. www.coldspringchamber.com; (845) 265-3200
With one more pass across the Bear Mountain Bridge, head west to explore Warwick’s fertile “Black Dirt” region where 14,000 acres of vegetable farms offer local produce. Stop at the “certified naturally grown” W. Rogowski Farm for a farm-fresh weekend breakfast by the pot belly stove or stock up on some gourmet specialties to-go for a Hudson Valley picnic. www.rogowskifarm.com; (845) 258-4574
If you’re looking for a true culinary gem, reserve a table at the intimate Back Yard Bistro in historic Montgomery. The talented chef-owners have earned stellar reviews for their creative spin on seasonal local produce. The ever-changing menu will keep you coming back for more. www.holbertscatering.com; 845-457-9901
A short, scenic drive away is the village of High Falls where the renowned DePuy Canal House is located. A National Historic Property, the restaurant has a 4-star rating from the New York Times (among others). Downstairs in the wine cellar, enjoy the more casual bistro and bakery, Chefs on Fire, or stop in at The Last Bite Café next door for take-out service. www.depuycanalhouse.net; (845) 687-7700
Vegans and meat eaters alike will delight in the organic, wholesome menu at the green-certified Aroma Thyme Bistro in Ellenville. Their locally sourced, creative cuisine has earned top ratings from Zagat. They also feature locally produced wines, beer and spirits and have been recognized by Wine Spectator for their extensive wine list. www.aromathymebistro.com; (845) 647-3000
Back across the river, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park has provided chefs to restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley for decades. Five student-staffed restaurants and a café offer extraordinary dining experiences at the beautiful riverside campus. Novice or even experienced cooks will enjoy taking one of the many “Boot Camp” or Saturday courses from a CIA chef-instructor. www.ciachef.edu; 845-471-6608
Artisan cheeses made with milk from their own grass fed cows and goats are the stars at nearby, Sprout Creek Farm in La Grange. In addition to the cheese store and cheese-making workshops, this working farm offers year-round educational programs and a rental cottage on the premises for authentic Hudson Valley farm experiences. www.sproutcreekfarm.org; (845)485-8438
Just a little bit north, taste the award-winning vintage at Hudson-Chatham Winery while enjoying spectacular mountain views from the Catskills to the Berkshires. They also produce their own line of maple syrups and promote a wide range of Hudson Valley artisianl cheeses and products. www.hudson-chathamwinery.com; (518) 392-WINE
In neighboring Chatham, visit the famous Old Chatham Sheepherding Company, a nationally-known producer of handcrafted sheep’s milk cheeses and yogurt. After viewing the farm and sheep, you can stock up on their cheeses at the Shaker Barn down the farm lane. www.blacksheepcheese.com; (888) 743-3760
Crossing the Hudson River once more, indulge in the native harvest cuisine at Damon Baehrel at the Basement Bistro in Earlton. This 20-seat, one-of-a-kind restaurant is sustained year round by the on-site organic gardens and with other ingredients foraged on the property by the talented executive chef/owner. www.damonbaehrel.com; (518) 634-2338
Not far away in Purling, sample the wonderful cuisine and old world charm at the Bavarian Manor Country Inn & Restaurant. The restaurant, an extern teaching kitchen for the Culinary Arts of America, is open to the public from Thursday through Sunday. www.bavarianmanor.com; (518) 622-3261
A bit farther north, find a great one-stop-shopping destination for a wide selection of local products at the Harmony House Marketplace in historic, downtown Cohoes. Iirresistable fresh breads, muffins, cookies as well as homemade soups and spreads will tempt you in the Bake Shop. Dwonstairs, the Wine Seller features the best of New York State wines. www.harmonyhousemarketplace.com; (518) 238-2232
As you explore Albany, make sure you try the contemporary American market fresh cuisine at Marché. The use of regional seasonal ingredients is a top priority at this award-winning restaurant at 74 State Street just minutes from the State Capitol, this property also houses a boutique hotel. www.74state.com/dining/farm-to-marche-fresh (518) 434-7410
Take one more jaunt across the river for the freshest of the fresh at the year round Troy Waterfront Farmers Market on the banks of the Hudson. Over 50 local farmers and food producers come together to provide the region with their homegrown bounty every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. www.troymarket.org (518) 708-4216
Complete your regional culinary tour with a “world tour” at Holmes & Watson, Ltd., a classic pub and eatery in historic downtown Troy that offers over 60 beers from around the world. This restaurant is known far and wide for its generous portions. (518) 273-8526
There are literally hundreds of places to go to experience the Hudson Valley’s fresh cuisine. Topnotch restaurants, inventive farmer’s markets, wineries and scenic farms blend the sophisticated with the pastoral. It’s a gourmet delight. Come taste the bounty.
