250742 Tue Aug 21 13:48:45 -0700 2001 14 20 Tristate Region 0 1332636 My wife and I will be taking Metro North tomorrow to Cold Spring. We'd like to have a very light lunch and a nice dinner there (not too expensive, about $100 for the two of us.) We are open to nearly any kind of food. Any recommendations? Any restaurants we should make sure to avoid? Do we need to make reservations? Also, what should we make sure we see while we're there? Obviously, we don't have a car. Thanks for all suggestions. Steve NYC Tue Aug 21 13:48:45 -0700 2001 0 Steve 1 1332638 Two words: pack food. there's nothing to eat. believe me. Xavier's is not far and great, but you can't get in last minute (and you need a car). The european diner (Perks Plaza on Rt 9, just north of Rt 301) is more than just a diner in terms of food (though the decor is dreary), but you'd need a car. also, they're only open for dinner a few nights a week. one suggestion: go see romeo and juliet at the hudson valley shakespeare festival and order a picnic dinner (the dinners are pretty ok, and the festival's a pleasure...takes place on a sumptuous lawn with view of west point across the hudson). They will come pick you up at the Cold Spring train station. DISCLAIMER: I have a very close association with the marketing director there (she's also the marketing director for Chowhound), so this is by no means an unbiased tip (though everything I'm saying is true). But I can counter that by suggesting you tell the box office that Chowhound sent you--you can mention my name, too--and if it's sold out (as it may well be), they may find seats for you if there's any slack at all. 845-265-9575. Tue Aug 21 13:56:01 -0700 2001 1332636 0 Jim Leff 2 1332639 just to be more hypey still, follow link for info on the festival (which I love, regardless of my insider relationship). Link: http://www.hvshakespeare.org/ Tue Aug 21 14:02:34 -0700 2001 1332638 0 Jim Leff 3 1332641 Jim, thanks for the info. Is the Hudson House in CS any good at all? One of my friends liked it. My wife would like to eat in a restaurant. Thanks, Steve Tue Aug 21 19:20:07 -0700 2001 1332639 0 steve 4 1332642 Steve--I've been trying all day to check on Hudson House for you, but have so far come up empty. I'm hoping to have a good answer for you by this afternoon. Please check back. While the Hudson House in Nyack has an excellent reputation, my gut feeling is the one in Cold Spring probably isn't much good, because if it were, it would contradict the prevailing wisdom of many savvy local friends that there's nothing good in Cold Spring. But, again, I'm double-checking. ciao Tue Aug 21 23:53:09 -0700 2001 1332641 0 Jim Leff 5 1332656 There are a couple of soul food places in Beacon, one on route 9D right next to the Hudson Valley Renegades ballpark called "Our Place", which can be good. At least I had killer bread pudding there once. Then there's the Cracker Barrel on Route 9 in Fishkill which at least has country ham and Goo-Goo Clusters. But Cold Spring? Another example of the quality of the food being inversely proportional to the charm of the town. Thu Aug 23 15:57:51 -0700 2001 1332642 0 Dale Weinstein 6 1332729 It's a bit pricier than the others mentioned - - wait a minute; way pricier - - but my wife & I had a very romantic weekend once staying at the Bird & Bottle Inn near Cold Spring & eating in the wonderful restaurant at the Inn. Probably better during those nippy fall nights, but wonderful atmosphere & food. And I think they have a Sunday brunch. Fri Aug 31 17:20:56 -0700 2001 1332656 0 jaybird 7 1336641 WHAT!!?? ONE FELLA' IS CONDEMNING HUDSON HOUSE AND THE COLD SPRING RESTURANT SCENE IN GENERAL, WHILE CONCURRENTLY RECOMENDING A CRACKER BARREL RESTURANT !!??? I DO BELIEVE I AM LOST FOR WORDS...WELL MAYBE NOT...... IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO RIVERVIEW AND/OR HUDSON HOUSE BEFORE, YOU SHOULD TRY THEM; IF YOU ARE WITH GOOD COMPANY, AND DINING OUTDOORS IT WILL BE VERY ENJOYABLE. THE WINE LIST AT HUDSON IS HALFWAY DECENT, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO BE SELECTIVE. DANIEL & LE BERNARDIN IT IS NOT, BUT THESE LOCATIONS TRULY DO NOT DESERVE THIS MAGNITUDE OF THRASHING..GOING TO RIVERVIEW BRING CASH OR CHECK, NO C/C'S..... Thu Sep 26 00:51:01 -0700 2002 1332729 0 COSTANZA 8 1336643 Well I am not sure its worth shouting about ;)! I think Riverview is really an underrated restaurant in the area . Their pizzas are terrific. First reaction "danger danger will robinson" red alert. When you reading those toppings , they read way too fussy . But they strike the right balance between being homey and daring . They have a terrific two for one night I think on Sundays. Hudson House in my opinion is dreadful its too bad cause the location and decor are beautiful. Just an aside I heard really good things about the new french restaurant on Main Street but haven't been yet. Thu Sep 26 08:58:02 -0700 2002 1336641 0 lw 9 1339168 Ok, I know this is an old thread, but I am sure with the hiking season getting underway there will be a few folks floundering for Cold Spring choices so here's my 2c. Riverview has so far not disappointed. I went hiking about a dozen times last summer and tried a few different places within town (since I train/walk--no car). I had a pasta dish with seafood in a light cream sauce that I still remember--it was pappardelle, I think, and succulent, not gloppy. I took half of it home and couldn't resist eating some cold once I got there. We've had pizzas there too, one of the few places I feel safe ordering pizza and it not turning into a bloat-fest. The French place (in the blue house with a porch) also was a pretty nice meal, but a little too nice$$ for a post-hike meal. Still, it put me in mind of the time I spent at a friend's house in the French Luberon, romping around the mountains all day then lounging on the terrace with our market dinner. I remember perfectly buttery haricot vert but not sure what else I ate...a trout appetizer maybe, definately a glass of rhone...I think that was the day of the 7-mile hike in 90 degree weather. It makes brain a little fuzzy. I thought the Tuscan place was decent only, but maybe I didn't order right. I seem to recall a wilty salad with too much dressing and ravioli that stuck all the way down but had nice flavor. Like tuscan food warped by suburban wealth. It's been so long since I've had really good ravis I'm not sure they exist. Another thing about Riverview--that blew me away, city dwelling cynic I am--when they told me they didn't take credit cards, they offered to send me the bill. In the MAIL. We avoid the place by the train station at all costs--crowded, generally lousy service, and bluh food--a shame as it's cozy and friendly inside. The cafe on the south side of the main street is interesting in an anthropoligical way--incomprehensible hours and indifferent service, unless you're a regular local in which case they seem to have your brew and eggs ready when you walk in. The chinese place was average, but we ordered average. I suppose there might be a tasty dish or two there. The other places we haven't tried because they didn't look promising. Perhaps this year... Mon Apr 28 19:18:06 -0700 2003 1336643 0 Susan J 4 1332645 Just got the word. I won't soft pedal the language: It "sucks big-time". Sorry. It's nice up there, though. Wed Aug 22 10:24:55 -0700 2001 1332641 0 Jim Leff 5 1332807 AHHHHHH. Just read your comments on Hudson House. We were planning to celebrate our 25th Anniversary by renting all the rooms there for a night and inviting friends for dinner and to stay over. The food's really bad????????? Fri Sep 07 11:30:28 -0700 2001 1332645 0 Linda 6 1332814 To reemphasize...I've not eaten there. But a friend whose food taste I completely trust has warned me strongly away from them. Sorry about that. I love Xavier's (as do many other hounds), if you want to switch. But then there's no overnightability.... Fri Sep 07 15:57:09 -0700 2001 1332807 0 Jim Leff 1 1332646 the tips are just rolling in. "not-terrible choices": Bob Browns at the golf course and Riverview. do give xavier's a try. though you'll need transport, it's a terrific restaurant with awesome service. There may be cancellations enabling you to sneak in. Wed Aug 22 13:49:55 -0700 2001 1332636 0 Jim Leff 1 1332838 Sorry not to have replied sooner... a GREAT restaurant in Cold Spring, walking distance from train station and Main Street, is Riverview. You can sit outside with a view of the river or inside. Wonderful fresh pizzas and pastas and salads, and very reasonably priced. My husband and I went recently and just had coffee and dessert and sat outside to watch the river and Hudson Highland mountainscape. We have ate there over last 3 years and never been disappointed. -- Karen Sun Sep 09 12:19:48 -0700 2001 1332636 0 Karen Brown