Hudson Valley Bounty: Delicious Farm-to-Table Fare
The farm-to-table concept—in which chefs seek out ingredients for their dishes from local farmers—is becoming standard practice in the region with the words “grass fed” and “organic” showing up on more and more menus. Plan on a minimum of 4 days to truly taste your way around the Hudson Valley. Topnotch restaurants, inventive farmers' markets, wineries and scenic farms blend the sophisticated with the pastoral. It’s a gourmet delight. Come taste the bounty.
Aroma Thyme Bistro
Ulster County
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.
165 Canal St, Ellenville, NY
The Culinary Institute of America
Dutchess County
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.
1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, NY
Gracie's Luncheonette
Greene County
Known for their doughnuts and cheeseburgers, the couple is going brick-and-mortar with a modern diner. The locally sourced menu is focused on classic American comfort foods they make from scratch, from baking bread to curing and smoking bacon. All the condiments and fountain sodas are also created in-house. Doughnuts, pies and cakes are baked daily.
969 Route 23B, Leeds, NY
Honest Weight Food Co-Op
Albany County
Listing: Honest Weight Food Co-Op offers farm fresh foods to-go. Committed to providing affordable, high-quality natural foods, the kitchen at Honest Weight prepares all food from scratch using only natural and organic ingredients including fruits and vegetables from local farms.
100 Watervliet Ave, Albany, NY
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Columbia County
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 artisanal cheeses and products.
1900 Route 66, Ghent, NY
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
Westchester County
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.
630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY
Tenmile Distillery
Dutchess County
Tenmile’s small-batch spirits, including gin, vodka, and single malt whisky, are fermented and distilled on-site and are made with locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson Valley from the bluestone patio or tasting room. Located in the Oblong region of eastern Dutchess County, Tenmile is easily accessible by train on Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. Tenmile is one of the participating locations in the “Commander in Cheers” promotion. Local legend says that during his lengthy stays here, George Washington visited many taverns and pubs across the land as he led the fledgling nation to its independence. In the spirit of the legend himself, Commander in Cheers is an augmented reality experience that serves up a pint-sized George Washington to share a story about one of Dutchess County’s revolutionary endeavors. Simply scan the code found on specially-marked coasters in participating pubs, restaurants, and other locations all over the county to activate each of the six tales told by Tiny George.
78 Sinpatch Rd, Wassaic, NY
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
Rensselaer County
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 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
49 4th Street, Troy, NY
Wellington’s
Albany County
Located in the Renaissance Albany Hotel, Wellington’s offers a menu of small plates and high-end American fare with locally sourced ingredients from the waters, gardens, and farms in and surrounding Albany County. The restaurant can be found in the heart of downtown Albany and offers fantastic views of the Capitol Building.
144 State Street, Albany NY