This time of year, it’s always a challenge to eat right, but Veggie Go-Go has you covered. Owners, Lynn and Gregg Miller’s restaurant, located on Route 9 in Wappingers, offers you a fast food option that is both nutritious and delicious. Inspired by other healthy quick-serve concepts that they saw while traveling, the couple decided to fill a void that was currently missing from the Hudson Valley food scene. Featuring a mostly vegetarian, menu the food is all natural with m

Willow is the new Charlie Palmer restaurant at Rhinebeck’s Mirbeau Inn and Spa. It’s always a bit risky (and some might say unfair) to hit up a restaurant in the first week. And doubly so on a Friday night. But we were looking forward to trying it--friends had “previewed” it at brunch on the opening weekend and wanted to go for dinner. Unlike recent, much anticipated openings that were hugely disappointing, Willow came through with delicious food. The room is much more formal

I have grown to appreciate and love dining out by myself. One random half day of work came along and I knew exactly where I was headed for lunch. The Table is a new American restaurant that has high end cuisine. It’s located in the Mid Hudson Valley region, right in the heart of the Village of Montgomery, within walking distance of the other eateries, park, and shops. They feature brunch, lunch and dinner, as well as a showcase full of handmade pastries and chocolates. They e

Poll any weekender turned local about what they miss from the big city and the answers will be pretty similar. Walking instead of driving. Easy access to cultural events. Ethnic food. When I heard there was a new noodle place—Yum Yum Noodle Bar in Red Hook, I jumped at the chance to check it out. It’s the latest in a mini-chain that started in 2010 in Woodstock, added a Kingston location and jumped across the river to land on the corner of Routes 9 and 199 in Red Hook. The me

How do you feel about hard cider? While local distilleries have been getting a lot of notice lately, what’s been trending is the move to local cideries. Cider makers and drinkers will tell you that cider is a preferred beverage because, like wine, it has infinite possibilities, depending on the type of apples used, the fermenting and aging processes, but with a lower alcohol content (allowing you to drink more of it). The more I get exposed to the great cider that is being ma

If your dream summer evening includes fabulous food, breathtaking views, and music under the stars, make reservations for the CIA’s Charity Dining Events. The CIA’s senior class in Food Service Management will host three summer Charity Dining Events. The first celebration, “A Taste of Europe”, will highlight food and drink from Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal. The evening begins with an outdoor reception and silent auction overlooking the Hudson River. Signature cocktails a

Mohonk Mountain House is one of the Hudson Valley’s iconic hotels and has been a favorite place to stay for almost 150 years. There’s plenty to do to build up an appetite and a massive dining room to enjoy a meal. But everyone knows that. What you don’t know is that there’s a secret staircase in the back of the dining room leading to the massive kitchen that regularly puts out 500-600 meals every evening. In the middle of that is the space that only puts out 10 very special m

Have you been looking for an unpretentious place with really good food and good people? Then you need to head over to County Fare in Wappingers Falls. --a gastropub with a bar and grill feel and a menu focused on great ingredients with options for all. It’s been almost a year now since, owners Adam Lauricella, his wife Keely and Branden McAlpine opened up County Fare in the space previously occupied by the Quiet Man Pub. The menu has plenty to choose from including their cust

You would have to be living under a rock for the last 10 years if you have not heard of the farm-to-table movement, but John Lekic, owner of Le Express Bistro & Bar, is taking this concept to a whole new level. Lekic’s menu at Le Express has always been centered around a vast majority of the ingredients being sourced from local farms and food producers, but Lekic is looking at the bigger picture and he is on a mission to help put the Hudson Valley on the map for food, wine a

This slow roasted duck is the Accidental Locavore's favorite way to roast a duck. If you've got an afternoon, and need an excuse to binge watch ______, this is your meal. The fact that it couldn't be easier, or more delicious, are just bennies. A V-shaped roasting rack helps, but you can do it with a regular rack and roasting pan. Clean-up is much easier if you lightly oil the rack. Slow Roasted Duck: 1 whole duck Salt & pepper Garlic cloves, peeled (optional) A lemon or oran