German Food in Lower Hudson Valley?

[legsdiamond12]

A childhood friend who likes German food is visiting, and we may hit the Hudson Valley. Any recommendations, as I'm not a big German food fan, and have never eaten German food in the Hudson Valley? On Rt. 17, a few miles below Newburgh, I've often passed an enormous German restaurant that I believe is called Black Forest (I should know the name of it by now, but in all the times I've passed it, I've never given it more than a cursory glance). Anyone familiar with this place?

As far as I can remember, that's the only German restaurant I've ever seen in the area, or the only one that made any sort of visual impression at all.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any recommendations.

[tonyv]

You will be fine at Black Forest better than average food. The Black Forest Mills is in Highland Mills not Highland Falls. On Rt 32

[brokerx7]

They have changed in the past 6 months, new owner/chef is from Germany and knows his stuff. The owners wife is Polish and they have a few Polish items on the menu now. I have been there three times since the change over and enjoyed it each time. On my last visit, Oct 9, it was a bit late on a Tuesday evening (we were the last people in the door) and I had a chance to speak with the chef for about 20 minutes as we finished up dinner.

[GIOny]

Which place has changed owners in the past 6 months? Do you mean Swiss Brasserie in Ossining? Because I thought I heard that was for sale.

[brokerx7]

The Black Forest Mill.

[DGresh]

If Swiss is not too far off, then I might recommend Swiss Brasserie in Ossining. The restaurant is kind of old-fashioned, but it may be what you're looking for.

[legsdiamond12]

Thanks, all. Will post on here when it's decided and will let you know how we do.

[bob gaj]

mountain brauhaus, new paltz area (gardiner):
http://www.mountainbrauhaus.com/

i haven't been....

[legsdiamond12]

Thanks, everybody. Will check 'em out.

[weedy]

Gus's in Harrison usually has a small menu of German specialties along with their seafood menu.

also: Jennifer's in Yorktown Heights?

[ktzap]

Jennifer's is wonderful, very kind and attentive staff, great specials. To me it feels like dinner at someone's house.

[Marge]

I was very underwhelmed by the food at Jennifer's and overwhelmed at the prices...the food for me was unmemorable, and way overpriced, not worth the drive from the Newburgh area, in my opinion.

[Marge]

The restaurant is the Black Forest Mill in Highland Falls--I haven't been in years, but I recall huge portions of good, not remarkable German food at reasonable prices. All the standard German entrees are offered, and complete dinners include soup, salad, starch (potato dumplings, spaetzle, etc) , vegetable (I do remember outstanding red cabbage) and dessert. Not bad, not great, but the only German restuarant in the area that I'm aware of.

[chowdom]

IMO Marge's assessment of Black Forest Mill is accurate, I also haven't been in at least 5 years maybe more.

Have you considered Bear Mountain's Oktoberfest ( go early)

The food, in the past has been surprsingly good

http://www.visitbearmountain.com/files/603/2012_Bear-Mountain_Oktoberfest_Flyer_Final.pdf

http://www.palisadesparksconservancy....

[JMF]

When was the last time you went to Bear Mountain Oktoberfest? Last time I was there was 2005 or 2006, and I don't remember anything about the food. I don't even remember seeing food. Where was it? I'm thinking about going with a group this or next week.

[chowdom]

Today and it was awful, I am rescinding my reccommendation.

[JMF]

Sorry it was so bad. I think I'll skip it. Thanks!

[chowdom]

Go for a walk / visit the zoo / check out the carousel or recently reopened Inn, just don't eat the Oktoberfest food. There is a restaurant located inside the Inn, it is nothing special and expensive for what it is. I think they are using a new caterer for the Oktoberfest. They used to serve a smoked pork chop with caraway sauerkraut and applesauce that was good enough that we looked forward to it, also a decent knocwurst and bratwurst. This year the knockwurst and bratwurst didn't look good and was served on what looked like really cheap crappy rolls, there was no vanilla ice cream for the belgian waffles, no pork chop. There was however frozen ff, frozen perogies, chicken nuggets that looked like they had potential to cause harm if ingested ...Sorry

[JMF]

I'll stay away from the crowds. I'm up in Harriman Park / Bear Mt. several times a month hiking and foraging for wild edibles and medicinal plants. I haven't been to the Inn in a few years, I heard that it had been renovated.

[chowdom]

Totally agree with your decision. It's not worth dealing with the crowd of mostly aggressive, mannerless, chain smoking foreign tourists. Can't understand why we always get a bad wrap!

[apples]

if you are willing to go out of the area, how about Traveler's Rest?!
www.thetravelersrest.com/

Also, I hvae not been, but Jennifers in Yorktown is supposed to be good