Summer Dining in the Hudson Valley

Cold Spring is tucked away on the shores of the Hudson River in New York north of Peekskill and south of Poughkeepsie, but it's far enough from both to occupy a little piece of heaven in the Hudson Valley. Among its most notable characteristics? It boasts some of the best dining experiences anywhere in New York outside of New York City.

Because of its relative isolation, Cold Spring stands out as a destination for visitors, both local and otherwise. The Village of Cold Spring is historic, established in 1846 and situated directly across the river from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Cold Spring became famous for the manufacture of the Parrott Cannon for the Union Army during the Civil War. On Main Street, which looks like the kind of road Disney World might re-imagine, there is a National Historic District that rests comfortably in the middle of the small town...unobtrusive, classic, and natural. Cold Spring is endlessly scenic. Beyond the romanticism and charm of the town with its antique stores and well-kept but generally small residences, the Hudson River and the Hudson Highlands beckon as you travel west. Towering over them on the other side of the river is Storm Kill Mountain, majestic and breathtaking.

It is this backdrop that sets the stage for extraordinary summer dining options:

Riverview Restaurant - There is no greater restaurant than Riverview. It provides the best of all dining options. You want a high-end gourmet dinner? Riverview Fish and Shellfish Stew with cod, scallops, shrimp, baby Bok Choy, lemongrass and Thai chili. That's just tonight. Every night brings a new delicacy. You want a low cost alternative? Unlike many premier restaurateurs who fear you might actually avoid the high-priced entrees (you'll know these establishments by the empty tables and the eventual "closed" sign on the door), Riverview makes available several low cost options, and one of them is pizza. But they don't simply offer it...they specialize in it. Brick ovens render great pies that you can even order by phone and pick up if you want. You want ambience? There's indoor and outdoor dining, all with a magnificent view of the Hudson River and the Storm Kill mountains. It's simply a pleasure.

Hours: Lunch: Noon-2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Noon-4 p.m. Saturday. Dinner: 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday. Noon-9 p.m. Sunday.

Cuisine: American

Meals Served: Dinner

Price Range: $16-$25

Cathryn's Tuscan Grill - Cathryn's is a restaurant that respects its name and lives up to its reputation. Located a bit east of the Hudson River, you can enter through a garden pathway that leads to the side door. Like Riverview, popularity has motivated Cathryn's to expand a number of times to accommodate patrons, some who travel great distances to visit this Northern Italian jewel on Main Street. In summer, you can settle in at one of the tables along that garden and feel very much like you've been whisked to a similar establishment in Tuscany. And that's just the atmosphere. The fare is nothing less than stunning. Try the Fresh Tagliolini Pasta with Half-Lobster, Mussels, and Clams, with choice of Red or White Sauce. Outstanding!

Hours: Noon-10:30 p.m. daily, Sunday Brunch: noon-3 p.m.

Cuisine: Italian

Meals Served: Dinner, Lunch, and Sunday Brunch

Price Range: $16-$25

The Foundry Café - A short walk west on Main Street from Cathryn's brings you to the next morning's breakfast option. The Foundry is an unadorned breakfast/lunch nook that conjures what a similar place might look like in Mayberry. It's relatively small...seven or eight tables inside and a couple more outside...with a counter that holds the muffins, cash register and other items. On one wall is a phalanx of shelves with local products such as preserves, old post cards and photos from a bygone Cold Spring era, local artist CD's, and reading material (newspapers, local magazines, etc). The breakfast food is quite good, the coffee wonderful with flavored choices available, and the price tag is attractively minimal. It's original, appetizing, and as summertime cozy as you can possibly find.

Hours: 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Closed Wednesday.

Cuisine: American

Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, and Sunday Brunch

Price Range: $9-$15

This, of course, is not all. In such a small hamlet, there are multiple dining options, all of which share a hint of summer with you. Le Bouchon is an excellent French restaurant located in what was, at one time, someone's residence on Main Street directly across from Cathryn's. Here, you can sit on the porch or in the back yard and eat an exquisite French meal. Hudson House River Inn has the best view in town. It has an outdoor patio dining area a hundred feet from the Hudson River. The restaurant is more historic than any other in Cold Spring. The house it inhabits has been operating since 1832. Whistling Willie's American Grill and the Cold Spring Depot are both popular bar food establishments, with the former occupying an historic building at the junction of Route D and Main Street.

Cold Spring is a hot summer place to eat.

Resources:

http://www.hudsonvalley.metromix.com

http://www.coldspring.com

http://www.riverdining.com

http://www.tuscangrill.com