19 West Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY
Phn: 845-876-7200
Open for Dinner ~ 7 Days
Lunch on Friday
Brunch ~ Saturday & Sunday
www.marketstrhinebeck.com
Fans of Gianni Scappin will be happy to hear that he is back in Rhinebeck. Gianni was one of the original co-owners at Gigi Trattoria, just around the corner from his newest location. He also runs Cucina Woodstock, and my sources tell me that a third location In Arlington - near Vassar College in the old Angelisa's space - will be opening this spring.
19 West Market Street is located just north of the Beekman Arms, and most recently housed the Mill House Panda. Locals with long memories will remember it as the location of Bob's Tavern.
Our Wednesday night dining crew stopped in last week for dinner. We were greeted at the door by the restaurant's manager, Luciano Valdivia, whose acquaintance we had made when he was working at Poughkeepsie's Bull and Buddha. We were in good hands.
Our preference is to dine at the bar if the setting lends itself to that endeavor, and Market Street's new layout was very accommodating. The bar and lounge area is separated from the main dining space, which winds through the building and ends at the wood fired brick ovens on the back wall.
We saddled up with our new favorite bartender, Alexandra, and started ordering what would turn into a procession of small plates and appetizers. We all ordered wine by the glass. The restaurant was featuring a Chardonnay / Sauvignon Blanc blend, Pico Maccario "Estrosa', for $10.
The menu at Market Street lends itself to grazing, which we like to do, with lots of small plates and sides, and a selection of personal size pizzas. There are a half dozen entree size platters and a like number of pastas and risottos available for those looking for an ala carte selection.
We sampled a classic Margherita pizza, with Gianni's crispy thin crust that will be familiar to Cucina and Gigi regulars. Always very nicely done. Cheese and salumi choices (3 / $10 or 5 / $18) include local Old Chatham ewes blue, Coach Farm goat cheese, pecorina or piave from Tuscany, or a Parmigiano Reggiano. Charcuterie choices included porchetta or coppa, Prosciutto di Parma, or Nostrano - a sweet pork salumi simply seasoned with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Throw in a plate of broccoli rabe ($7), and a basket of crusty Italian bread and color me happy.
There are dozens of choices for small plates and apps - baked pita with humus ($9), arancini (breaded and fried rice balls) served with a marinara ($8), crispy squid plated with an herb cornichon aioli ($12). We sampled a platter of grilled shrimp and white beans, drizzled with rosemary scented olive oil ($12). The beef meatballs were served with polenta and a classic tangy tomato sauce ($8). Very nice. You can view the complete menu here.
We will certainly add Market Street to our list of dining destinations, and I look forward to a return visit. Market Street is a very nice spot for a casual mix and match "small plate" dinner with friends, or for drinks and appetizers or a pizza at the bar.
If you do stop in please let our other readers know about your visit in the comments section.
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