Hudson Valley: The Napa of the East Coast By Diane Hayden, PhD I


’m driving West on Rt. 44 past beautiful rolling hills in Salisbury and Lakeville on my way to Hudson Valley for a two month stay in Rhinebeck and High Falls. As I cross into New York and head


over Winchell Mountain Road to Rt. 199 which will take me into Rhinebeck, my jaw drops as I come to the top of the hill and gaze out over miles of some of the most breathtaking countryside I’ve seen on the east coast. It probably didn’t hurt that the sun was also setting behind the Catskill Mountains creating a stunning skyline as well. I can’t believe that it has taken me this long to explore this area when I’ve lived less than two hours away for most of my life.


When people say that Hudson Valley is the Napa of the east coast – I couldn’t agree more. And we’re not just talking about the wine. The list of things to do here is endless: outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, water sports; harvest festivals; pick your own farms or roadside stands; educational experiences; farmstays, farm dinners, and tasting events. The fact that Omega and the Culinary Institute of America are here within a few minutes of eachother is reason enough to come!


While there are so many towns and places to explore, I’m


concentrating on the following that I feel have the most to offer to really get the experience of living here – Hudson, Rhinebeck, and Kingston. However, there are so many little towns and hamlets, by no means is this an all-encompassing list.


Rhinebeck If I had to pick a favorite location to base myself in, it would


have to be Rhinebeck. First, the proximity to all of the other loca- tions is perfect – just a 20-30 minute drive to Hudson, Kingston and New Paltz. Plus, I love the vibe in Rhinebeck – it’s a little more sophisticated than the other towns and has a great variety of shops, restaurants and bars. Also – I have to admit my favorite restaurant in all of the areas of Hudson Valley that I explored is here – The Local. I liked it so much, in fact, that I went there three times!


The Village, referring to the downtown area, boasts tree lined streets that beckon you to meander for hours through unique specialty shops. You’ll fi nd men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry & lingerie, spa & beauty services, holistic practitioners, home fur- nishings, books, stationery, gifts, tabletop, kitchen gadgets, hiking & equestrian gear. I had a fantastic iced mocha at Samuel’s Sweet shop – almost coming close to rivaling my all-time favorite coffee shop – The Coffee Trade in Avon! From charming B&B’s to exqui- site hotels, there is a range of wonderful places to rest your head at


26 Essential Living Maine ~ November/December 2016


night. With its fi ne dining, casual bistros, and a thriving locavore movement, Rhinebeck has been touted as one of America’s best Gourmet towns.


Eat & Drink: There are many spectacular restaurants in Rhine- beck, but my favorites are listed below:


The Local: www.thelocalrestau- rantandbar.com In a two-story bungalow, Chef


Wesley Dier whips up some amaz- ing creations and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. With his use of organic vegetables, homegrown herbs, local cheeses, grass-fed meats & artisanal poul- try he has garnered much critical


acclaim, including praise from Bon Appetit & Wine Spectator magazines. The menu changes weekly – which I love – but there are always a few staples that remain on it regularly. A few of the dishes we sampled were: Fried Oysters -‘TARTUFO’ black truffl e vinaigrette, shaved Brussel sprouts; Chinese Chicken Dumplings from North Wind Farm with savory poussin broth, Wiltbank Farm shiitake mushrooms, scallion; Cast Iron Roasted Monkfi sh from Connecticut with lobster bisque, sous vide - grilled leeks, saffron Carolina Gold rice. Grab a seat on the upper or lower deck in nice weather and you can even see the sunset.


Cinnamon: http://cinnamoncuisine.com An outstanding Indian restaurant in the Village, Cinnamon is rooted in age-old traditions, delivering taste sensations that take you beyond your expectations. They make their own spice mix


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