Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Reservations: 845 454 4930
www.pcspaddockrestaurant.com
Dinner: Tuesday through Sunday
Lunch: Tuesday through Friday
Closed Monday
Continuing our quest for the perfect neighborhood eatery, we found ourselves out on Titusville Road last Wednesday, getting to know our new favorite bartender Jen, who works the stick on Wednesday. It had been many many years since any of us had been here. Our most recent visit predated the current owners, who have been running the restaurant for about three years. Bob wanted to give it a try, and the Ulster County contingent made the drive across the pond.
The bar area is most comfortable, with a cozy U-shaped bar seating a dozen or so people. Our Wednesday Boyz crew of six were joined by a like number of regulars. We assigned bar seating by height, to deal with the very low ceiling at the far end of the bar. I like to try and guess the "flavor" of an establishment based on its bar glassware. The quality of the wine glasses and the size of the cocktail glasses can tell you all you need to know about a place. The ratio of beer mugs to martini glasses speaks volumes, and can accurately predict whether the appetizer list will include chicken wings, (Yes - for $7.95), and whether the salad dressing comes on the side in a portion controlled cup. (Yes again.) If you think I'm crazy, start counting bar glasses. If they have more martini glasses than beer mugs the salad will come dressed. The predominant bar glass at Paddock was a margarita glass, which threw me completely . At least a dozen were piled up at the ready. Ready for what I have no idea, unless they get an early start on Cinco de Mayo.
I stole a peek at the menu while I was waiting for my cohorts to arrive, and was surprised by the sheer number of dishes listed. The family oriented menu includes plenty of steak choices including a strip ($18.95), london broil ($13.95), porterhouse ($22.95), in addition to a New Zealand rack of lamb ($19.95).
The chef wandered out to the bar, and spying six larger than average guys, made sure we were aware of the rib steak special, seasoned with a Cajun style "cowboy rub" of chili, salt, pepper, paprika, and coffee. The invitation worked; most of us ordered it for dinner. The steaks were offered with a choice of baked potato, fries, rice pilaf, and a salad of mixed greens with a choice of dressing. I ordered mine medium rare with a side of mixed sauteed vegetables instead of a starch, which I will do occasionally to delude myself into thinking I am "eating healthy".
We started with appetizers. Our waitress recommended the steamers ($10), which I very much enjoyed. A dozen too large cherry stone clams were coaxed open with steamed ale, and served with a basket of rolls for dunking. Clams steamed in white wine were also offered, and occasionally appear as a special for $8. A shrimp and portobello mushroom quesadilla ($8.50) was more of a lunch entree than an app, and could easily be shared by two people. Frank ordered the crab cake ($8), which too was a very large serving - bordering on a half pound.
A wild Alaska salmon steak ($17.95) was served with a spinach saute, which met with George's approval. The expansive menu includes ten different pasta dishes - tossed with your choice of chicken, shrimp, scallops, white clam sauce, or a New Orleans blend of chicken, adouille sausage, and mushrooms.
The restaurant's complete menu can be found here.
PC's Paddock is very much the family friendly neighborhood destination, offering your basic steak / chicken / pasta dishes, with generous portions, restrained seasonings, and very modest pricing. The focus is on value. Paddock provides entertainment during dinner on Wednesdays. Last week we found Tom Schoonmaker, a guitarist & keyboard player I remembered from his days at Brady's Publik House in the 80's, serenading patrons in the dining room.
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