“STAY NICE!” “MATCHBOX ON FIRE!” “COMFORT FOOD & COOKIES!” These are some of the signs along Route 9 in Rhinebeck that greeted Janet and me as we approached the aptly named Matchbox Cafe. From the outside the stone-walled cottage looks like a hobbit’s hut, but once inside the true magic begins. Your eyes will hungrily settle on a wide counter chock-full of humongous chocolate chip cookies, gargantuan fudgy brownies, and Marshmallow Krispie treats which a little kid descr

The Apple Pie Bakery Café was always one my favorites at the Culinary Institute of America or CIA as it’s affectionately known in these parts. I wasn’t the only one, and recently they decided to close for a few months to renovate the space. Luckily, during that time, croissants, bread and pastries were still available to take out, so life could go on. Now, there’s a whole separate area for take-out, with grab-and-go sandwiches, perfect pastries, breads and more. It’s probably

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

7,000 BOTTLES OF WINE & A PRIEST-STRANGLER PASTA Their stone wine cellar has 7,000 bottles of wine! The servers remember what you eat and drink! The restaurant’s owner sincerely asks about your children! Where is this place, and do I need a reservation?!? My husband and I recently discovered this Fishkill gem, Il Barilotto Enoteca, and no, you do not need a reservation. Zagat describes the restaurant as “sublime and romantic offering sophisticated, upscale Italian fare wit

Occasionally, I am lured to take one step over the line from Hudson Valley into CT to visit a border town like Kent, Danbury or Salisbury. Recently, I was obsessed to see the CT Housatonic River ice jam which had made the national news! In mid-January several families were evacuated and a section of Route 7 was closed after a mile-long ice jam in the Housatonic River caused excessive flooding in Kent. After hiking to the top of Kent Falls and taking lots of photos of the

Savona’s Trattoria has been a fixture on the Kingston waterfront for over 10 years. Recently they decided to hop to the other side of the river and bring their Italian cuisine to the former Max’s BBQ space in Red Hook. At Savonna's you will find classic Italian dishes, based on family recipes, alongside of dishes that offer a more contemporary, modern take on Italian cooking. Owner, Stephen Savona and his family have been serving the Hudson Valley for over 30 years and they g