By Hillary Brown
From hidden gems to longtime favorites, these are the spots our local experts can’t live without. From artisanal doughnuts and specialty meats to cozy coffee shops and secret dining experiences, each recommendation captures a bit of Dutchess County’s charm—and a taste of why locals love calling this region home.
Jason Karadus
Corcoran, Country Living Hudson Valley
Owner, Principal Broker
The Tasting Room, Chef Daniel’s funky 15-seat restaurant (it’s like having dinner at a friend’s) serves-up the best ramen and pork buns outside of Tokyo, on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Take-out or dine in. It’s not advertised and not on the menu, you just know if you know!
The Tasting Room Restaurant 3767 Rte. 9G, Rhinebeck, mytastings.com
Tammy Valentino, Massage Therapist
Driving across the Rhinecliff Bridge and seeing the Catskill Mountains rising majestically beyond the Hudson River will never get old.
Nina Embiricos
Riga Yoga, owner
I love The Corner Store at Hotel Tivoli. It features a beautiful curation of clothing and objects, many of which are made locally. The store at Chaseholm Farm is my favorite farm stand. They sell yogurt, meats, cheeses, and everything in between.
The Corner Store at Hotel Tivoli 53 Broadway, Tivoli
Evelyn Friedman
Rhinebeck Resident
Beekman Arms Antiques Market, a well-kept secret tucked behind Rhinebeck’s historic inn, is a treasure trove of jewelry, paintings, furniture, and vintage clothing.
Beekman Arms Antique Market & Gallery 28 W. Market St., Rhinebeck
beekmandelamaterinn.com
Eric Salzman, Finance Exec and High-Handicap Golfer
Red Hook Golf Club and the Grove Restaurant are my regular hangouts. The golf is great and the restaurant/bar is top notch.
Red Hook Golf Club 430, 650 Rte. 199, Red Hook, redhookgolfclub.com
Steve Bruman + Tom Ambler
BANGALLWORKS
Quattro’s is our go-to for specialty foods and butcher-cut meats, their wide selection of pasta, and excellent smoked goods—especially the smoked fontina cheese. Go, Joyce!
Quattro’s Farm Store 2251 Rte. 44, Pleasant Valley quattros.net
Cynthia Hochswender
Christie’s International Real Estate, Realtor
A don’t blink or you’ll miss it treat: Farmer Julie Schroeder sells asparagus in late May, grown and fresh-picked daily at Silamar Farm. Choose slender or fat stalks from the bin; the harvest depends on the weather, so call first if you’re coming from a long distance. If you’re lucky, there might also be freshly foraged morel mushrooms. Through the summer season, look for fresh berries, flowers, rhubarb, salad greens, and more.
Silamar Farm 5744 Rte. 22, Millerton
Chris Meyer, Savage Wonder
What kind of a crazy town has a store devoted only to marshmallows? Is there a better way to treat yourself after a walk down Main Street?
Hudson Valley Marshmallow Company 510 Main St., Beacon, hudsonvalleymarshmallow.com
Emma Davies, Upstate Pilates, Pilates Instructor
Mighty Donuts is one of my favorite spots. Their playlist is great, almost as great as the Brown Butter Donut, which is the bomb. Mighty Donuts 7265 S. Broadway, Red Hook, mightydonuts.com
Deborah Valchar, Stanford University, HR Director
JB Peel is a neighborhood gem. They offer a great variety of beans freshly ground to your liking, and the wonderful staff is so knowledgeable.
JB Peel Coffee & Tea 7361 S. Broadway, Red Hook, jbpeelcoffee.com
Bruce Brown, Clinton Corners Resident
I love grabbing tea and a croissant at Greig Farm’s cafe after picking up fresh produce. It’s a beautiful setting, and the farm workers and staff are so friendly.
Greig Farm Market & Cafe 227 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, thegreigfarm.com
Serine Hastings & Maureen Missner, Co-owners of Paper Trail
The Wayside Stand tops our list. The luscious, local produce is beautifully presented with inspiring origin stories and cooking tips. We eagerly await opening day in May.
Montgomery Place Orchards Market, 4283 Rte. 9G, Red Hook, montgomery-place-orchards.com
Byron Anderson
Hudson Valley Team at Compass, Real Estate
Broker, Principal
Stonewood Farm is one of my favorite places in the county. It’s a hugely responsible organization that provides locally grown produce and meal outreach to food insecure in our area. There are monthly dinners that are inspired by Chef Kristin and guest chefs, and there are also volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. A small farm that packs a big punch!
Stonewood Farm, 110 Bangall Rd., Millbrook, stonewoodny.org
Alexandra Mazza
Wassaic Resident
The Four Brothers Pizza locations across the Hudson Valley serve quality, handmade meals with great service. The Amenia location has a really cool, full-service drivein theater with double features every night in the summer, mini golf, and even oldschool car-hop service!
Four Brothers Drive-In, 4957 NY-22, Amenia, playeatdrink.com
Kathleen Davis, Poughkeepsie Resident
This cozy neighborhood Irish pub and restaurant is a favorite of mine. Small-town feel, delicious authentic Irish fare with reasonable prices, large portions, and friendly family-owned atmosphere (vegan meals, as well!). In summer, dine outside. The Hudson River is nearby; enjoy views of the Mid-Hudson Bridge.
Erin O’Neill’s Pub & Grill, 135 N. Water St., Poughkeepsie, oneills-pub.com
Kira Wizner, Merritt Bookstore, Proprietor
Sunday morning we figure out who is going to head over to Vitsky Bakery in Wassaic, to make sure we have sourdough for the week and something sweet for breakfast. If we make it on Friday, challah is our first choice! I also enjoy heading over to Canoe Hill in Millbrook at the end the day—whether to linger over a glass of wine and some olives, or watch a friend enjoy oysters, before we settle in for dinner.
Vitsky Bakery, 3 Main St., Wassaic, vitskybakery.com
Jared Rosenburg, Not Donuts Records, Proprietor
Golden Russet is my local go-to for a BEC or burger. But the real move is following up with a warm, crispy, buttery slice of griddled banana bread. Next level.
Golden Russet Cafe & Grocery, 835 Fiddlers Bridge Rd., Rhinebeck, goldenrussetcafe.com
