Small Bites

 After thinking long and hard, I’ve chosen my five favorite comments from more than 100 during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. Each of the five winners. Each of you receives a pair of tickets to the grand tasting at the Greater New York Wine & Food Festival. 

Number three goes to “Evy B,” who really got into the spirit of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. I loved how she was delighted at the simple pleasure of having your napking folded for you while you’re away from the table; how she empathized with the owner of Crabtree’s Kittle House, saying how friendly he was under trying circumstances; and, best of all, that she said HVRW whet her appetite for more fine dining. Congratulations Evy B!

If the purpose of Restaurant Week is to spark the interest (and pleasure) of fine dining in the area covered by the Journal News, then consider the mission accomplished.  I have been waiting until today to send my comments and until my entire experience of this special week was complete.

My husband and I chose three restaurants to try.  My favorite was Crabtree’s Kittle House.  My only regret is that I was not able to go back for a second visit.  But Restaurant Week or not, I will return for the next special occasion to celebrate!  The food was phenomenal, I loved the sweet potato gnocci and sirloin.  My husband thoroughly enjoyed the mushroom bisque and perch.  And when we finished our pear tartin, we were both looking for more.  Quite unusual for my husband, who usually passes on dessert!  But what impressed me the most was how comfortable the atmosphere was. The waitstaff was extremely accommodating, and while I was waiting for my husband in the foyer after the meal, John Crabtree was most friendly with everyone, which was especially difficult I’m sure for such a busy night.

Next was Equus.  We wanted to enjoy a special meal with our two sons who were home on spring break from college.  Again a superb meal with outstanding service—as soon as one of my sons left the table momentarily, a server quickly appeared to fancily refold his napkin!  The rest of us looked at each other and smiled, and when my son returned, he was quite surprised at the gesture.  Our table was located in the Garden Room, and we truly experienced an unforgettable meal.  We all tried the salmon appetizer, a nice surprise was the caviar garnish.  The boys really enjoyed the oxtail main course (quite different) and the tilapia was prepared perfectly with pearl pasta underneath in a delicious sauce.  My husband asked me to make that kind of pasta sometime.  I know it won’t be the same…but I’ll give it a try!  Dessert was exceptional.  Three of us ordered the chocolate panna cotta.  The chocolate garnish literally melted in my mouth.  The presentation of the orange Bavarian c
ream dessert truly impressed us all and my one son enjoyed every bit of it.  He’s usually not a dessert eater either!

Ranked third place was Xaviar’s X2O.  Lunch was wonderful on a somewhat sunny day.  I asked for a window table as far out on the water as possible and was fulfilled with this request (what New Yorker is not craving sun and water this time of year?).  The view was fantastic looking down the Hudson at the GWB.  The food was delicious and the waitstaff attentive.  The experience certainly piqued our interest in trying  Xaviar’s other restaurants.

My family and I truly enjoyed the entire experience, and as you probably can conclude from the above, left me hungry for more.  Before Restaurant Week I wasn’t interested in dining out much, but this experience definitely whet my appetite for more fine dining.  The next time my husband asks “What’s for dinner?” I’m telling him a reservation!

Related posts:

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, March 9-21 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: Equus Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: Sonora Hudson Valley Restaurant Week: Relish