Sunday lunch near Vassar.

[junescook]

We're going to be attending a play at Vassar College at 2 pm this coming Sunday, July 3, 2011. We want to meet two other family members close by there to have lunch so we can get to the theater on campus comfortably by show time (the seats are not reserved). Do any CHers have suggestions for restaurants in Arlington or thereabouts that might be nice. Please, not too expensive and not sushi only.

Thanks in advance.

[jennbakes37]

Hi,

I live very close to Vassar - depending what time you are arriving, I would suggest Shadows on the Hudson's brunch if you can get to Poughkeepsie earlier - you could go and meet at 11:30 pm - make reservations! and eat outside and enjoy the brunch buffet. The brunch, in my opinion, is the best brunch buffet around for $14.95 - the service can be a bit slow at Shadows, but when you are serving yourself you don't have to worry about it too much. They have a big variety of food and desserts and will only really take you about 10 minutes from Vassar. If you have limited time, then I would suggest staying in the Arlington district. Even though I have lived close by all my life, I haven't really frequented too many restaurants in Arlington. I plan on going to Beechtree this week with a friend for dinner - word is they have a great burger and I believe a nice brunch as well. I have sampled a lot of the food at Pizzeria Baccio - always takeout but portions are generous, tasty and well priced. They do have seating inside. Babycakes is quite popular and I had brunch there once but was not completely blown away but to be fair, I need to go and try more menu items. Julie's Restaurant is an extremely casual place and seems to have down home fare. I am not really an adventurous eater (no thai, sushi, etc) so others could probably advise about the other restaurants close by. Oh also, Billy Joe's BBQ is on the corner (formally Dutch Cabin) - meaning to go try the food - anyone been? If you want to just have casual diner food - Pete's Famous is two minutes from Vassar on Hooker Avenue and they have a lot of tasty burgers, wraps and salads. We order take out from them a lot when we just want to have a quick meal.

I should add that people rave about Twisted Soul too but I have never been there - they are right next to Julie's and people have posted a lot of great things about it.

If you remember and have time - before or after the show - go to The Crafted Kup and buy one of the best cupcakes you will ever taste by Moxie Cupcakes (based in New Paltz)- best $3 you will ever spend! I have not been disappointed yet - my fave is the salted caramel. Moxie delivers the cupcakes on Friday afternoons (I love them so much I emailed Moxie and ask when they deliver!) and I don't think the Crafted Kup stays open that late on Fridays so hopefully they will still have them on Saturday.

If anyone is hungry after the show - I love the food at fresco tortilla - strictly takeout - I recently tried it and couldn't believe how good it was - I can't believe it too me so long to go there!

Enjoy the show!

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Dutch Cabin
34 Fairmont St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Pete's Famous Restaurant
618 Main St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Babycakes Cafe
1 Collegeview Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

[junescook]

Jenn, thank you for the great info. We're coming from CT and will be coming in on 55. So am I correct that to get to Shadows we'd just continue straight on the 55 expressway to the river? Is it near River Station -- or near the train station? That sounds nice, especially if the weather is going to be nice.

Btw, my wife grew up on Kingston Ave right next door to St. John's Church.

[applesauce23]

Here are directions to Shadows:
http://www.shadowsonthehudson.com/dir...

If you want to stay in the Arlington area, your best bet is Babycakes Cafe or Beech Tree Grill. Both are pretty good and very close to the theater (5 minute walk if you park on Collegeview. There's closer parking when you go on campus). Twisted Soul is closed on Sundays, but it is excellent. Thai Spice on Raymond Avenue opens at noon on Sundays. I thinks it's okay, but I know that many people do like it . For the most part, your choices are good. I would be hard pressed to say that you have excellent options for Sunday brunch/lunch, but the choices are pretty solid. I second the cupcake recommendation. Moxie Cupcakes are wonderful.

I'm assuming that you're going to a play at the Powerhouse Theatre. I have been to several performances over the past few years and have enjoyed them immensely. The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival also has some amazing plays this year. Let me stop now before I start to write a thread about local theater. I could go on forever. =) Have a wonderful time!

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Beech Tree Grill
1-3 Collegeview Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Thai Spice
28 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Babycakes Cafe
1 Collegeview Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

[junescook]

Thanks, applesauce, we're looking forward to seeing the play, especially since our nephew wrote it for Mario Cantone who is playing the lead. :))

[junescook]

Jenn, We took your advice and decided to meet at Shadows. It turned out to be the ideal place for us to get together. It turned out that Sunday was kind of warm but rainy and we had made reservations for inside at 11:30. We were in a booth in a nice quiet L. We could not believe the amount and variety of food that they have for $14.95. I can see why they draw the crowds they do. But in any case it turned out to be a nice, quiet place for us to have a nice lunch and visit prior to a really great show. Btw, my sister and family had gone out the night before with my nephew and the show cast to the Beech Tree. They used to frequent the place when he was a student at Vassar.

[jennbakes37]

Great! So glad it worked out for you and you enjoyed it! : - )