250832 Wed Oct 03 12:24:11 -0700 2001 3 20 Tristate Region 0 1333010 Heading to Dutchess County for the weekend, and the forecast calls for rain, so I expect we'll spend lots of time in restaurants. Have a special birthday dinner Sat night and, after much contemplation, finally settled on Old Drovers Inn in Dover Plains (if anyone has been there and wants to comment on how it is/what to order, would love to hear). But don't know where to go for brunch/lunch on Sunday. A friend recommended Cascade Mountain Winery--I like their wine, but have never eaten there. And I'm stumped for other lunch/brunch ideas. There's always the Beekman Arms, but I think it's overrated. Would prefer brunch to lunch--somewhere charming, fancy or casual, with great food, anywhere in the area. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Wed Oct 03 12:24:11 -0700 2001 0 Neeti 1 1333035 If you're willing to leave Rhinebeck for brunch, I'd consider heading north to Tivoli. It's a lot less crowded. I believe it's less than 10 miles, just north of the bridge to Kingston, off route 9 towards the river -- a left. There are several good restaurants in Tivoli, and not much else, so they're easy to find. Have a nice weekend. Fri Oct 05 14:44:16 -0700 2001 1333010 0 Jane 2 1333141 Neeti, Curious to hear your comments on the Old Drovers' Inn. I was there a while back and found it to be VERY dark (and I usually like a dim dining room) with odd service and extremely rich food. It did not live up to the standards of other Relais et Chateau joints I've been to. Also, I think the neighborhood there is dreary. Maybe an atypical night? Thu Oct 18 14:21:58 -0700 2001 1333035 0 lucia 3 1333389 There's a new Italian restaurant in Rhinebeck called Gigi's, opened by Gianni, the same guy who was the chef at Le Madri, Mad 61 and a few other places. The food is very good. I had a white bean soup there that had all kinds of different textures, with different size beans. My friend's homemade rigatoni with lamb sausage was very good. The room is beautiful, and the service is very good, if a little tentative. Sun Dec 02 15:06:14 -0800 2001 1333141 0 Peter Cuce