Welcome to our list of favorite dining destinations in New York's Hudson Valley and Adirondack regions. We visit restaurants, wineries, barbecues, and a smattering of off the beaten path culinary destinations like maple sugar shacks and fromageries. My friends and I have been dining out together weekly for over twenty years. The locations we write about are our favorite destinations. We are not claiming they are the best, just our favorites. The posts are not "reviews" in the classic sense. - we offer only our picks, not pans. We will leave the criticism to others. We are a happy blog. We much prefer a good bistro to "haute cuisine", especially if they also have a nice bar. We prefer a crock of cassoulet and a bottle of Beaujolais to just about anything else. If you enjoy simple home style rustic cooking with a decent (but not too expensive) bottle of wine, then pull up a chair and join us.



This Month's "Well Said!"

"Remember that a very good sardine is always preferable to a not that good lobster."

Ferran Andria

Friday, April 6, 2012

Brunetto's, Warrensburg, NY

Brunetto's Restaurant
3579 Route 9 (@ Northway Exit 23)
Warrensburg, NY 12845
(518) 623 1041 (no reservations)
Dinner: Thursday through Saturday


The menu is printed at the bottom of the post.
The restaurant traditionally closes from mid-April through mid-May.


Brunetto's is located on Route 9, just south of the Rte 87 Northway exit 23. You will know if the place is open because the parking lot will be packed with LG vanity-plated Lexi from Lake George weekenders. Its popularity is tied directly to its reputation for out-sized (think Flintstone steak) portions of traditional American fare - steaks and chops and pastas and such, at very reasonable prices.  No heirloom tomatoes or spring pea shoots here; the focus will be on the slab of meat in the center of your plate. The format seems to be working; more often than not there is a line of patrons waiting for seats.We stopped in last night for dinner. It had been over a year since our last visit.  We saddled up into two seats at the bar with my new favorite bartender Liz.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Garnet Hill Lodge and Ski Center North River NY

Garnet Hill Lodge
39 Garnet Hill Road
North River, NY 12856
(Phone) 518.251.2444
www.garnet-hill.com
Hours of Operation
Winter ~  Friday through Monday for dinner. Friday through Sunday for lunch. 
Expanded Pub hours from May 1
Summer ~ Open 7 days for dinner 


The Garnet Hill Lodge and Cross Country Ski Center is hidden away three miles southwest (and uphill) of Route 28, near Thirteenth Lake on the edge of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness area. The access road is located between North Creek and Indian Lake. It is as picturesque a location as the Adirondacks has to offer, with mountain vistas and a sweeping lawn, complete with requisite Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake.  Its storied past goes back to 1936 but the lodge looks even older.  It has the look and feel of the Great Camps of yesteryear, complete with massive stone fireplace, log beam ceilings and one of the prettiest dining rooms in the Adirondacks. And my new favorite bar.