Savona’s Trattoria in Kingston: Decadent Italian Fare by the Roundout

Antipasto Salad at Savona's in Kingston

These garlic bread sticks should be illegal!

Eggplant Rollentini at Savona's

The Round-out area in Kingston is a nice place to walk around, and there a few lively night spots on the waterfront, but during the week, it is very quiet. There was hardly a soul walking around when my husband and I were trying to find a lunch spot on Monday. Savona’s was the only restaurant that appeared open . We even saw a two happy business people having lunch there. I got a good vibe from the place right away. It is elegant inside, but not stuffy. They had a special 3 course lunch for $11.95 that was tempting, but I didn’t want dessert.  We split an Antipasto Salad for an appetizer. I had the soup of the day (butternut squash) which was rich and tasty. For my main dish, I had the Eggplant Rollentini, which came with spaghetti. The portion wasn’t huge, but I was so full from the starters and the sinful garlic bread that I really couldn’t finish my plate anyway. Savona’s Restaurant, 11 Broadway on the Roundout, Kingston, NY. (845) 339-6800. http://www.savonas.com.

Double-O Grill: Tasty Steaks and Huge Salads–Rhinebeck, NY

The elegant Sunday Buffet Brunch at Double O Grill

Double O Grill in Rhinebeck, NY

I have always been curious about Double-O Grill, but the exterior looked kind of plain. I would never expect it to look as chic as it does inside. It really has a nice city bistro feel to it, but you are in Rhinebeck country!  This is a great place for a special event like a baby or bridal shower. There was a private party going on while we were there. It’s also a good spot for a business lunch or girls’ night out. The bar area is sleek and inviting. We arrived too late for the Sunday brunch buffet so we just ordered lunch off the menu. My husband had the filet mignon and I had the chicken tostada salad. The bread basket was quite delicious too and I made the mistake of filling up on the bread before my main dish arrived!   Double O Grill, Route 9, Rhinebeck, NY. (845) 876-0800. http://www.doubleogrill.com.

Update: Well, since I forgot a sweater here, it gave me an excuse to return on a Sunday afternoon. We ended up having the Sunday brunch buffet because we happened to be hungry. It was amazing! I would highly recommend it. It’s very good value for the excellent quality of food. There is smoked salmon, fancy cold salads, omelet station, hot entrees, and a delicious granola yogurt creation. It’s $14.99 for adults and children are $9.99.

Birthday Cakes for Kids and Grown-ups: Deising’s Bakery-Kingston, NY

Cupcakes on display...

Birthday Cakes for everyone!

Donuts, apple fritters, and other temptations..

The Fall is birthday season at my house so birthday cakes have been on mind lately. Yesterday I got to pick my own birthday cake after my husband treated me to a hearty breakfast at Deising’s Bakery and Coffee Shop in Kingston. The bakery is an institution in Kingston. As you can see the donuts, fritters, cupcakes are real old-school-no-skimping-on-the-good-stuff desserts!  I could eat this stuff all day if I let myself.  Deising’s has a catalog of specialty birthday cakes for kids too. There are also some really cute ones for baby showers. Of course, they also make wedding cakes though I have yet to taste one of their wedding cakes. My birthday cake was really good. I loved the vanilla custard they use in the layers.  Gluten-free cookies and other baked goods are also available. They sell homemade dog biscuits too. Deising’s Bakery. http://www.deisings.com

Saturday Night Dance: Wine, Cheese & Tango @ Space 360–Hudson, NY.

Wine & Tango @ Space 360

Thought this would be of interest to Hudson Valley Good Stuff readers (and dancers!)  Space 360 is a meeting space for meetings, gourmet affairs, weddings, and special events in Hudson. This Saturday night, September 20th they are hosting a Wine, Cheese, and Tango party. From 4-5pm, Casey Biggs will be offering Tango instruction for $10. (You don’t need special gear or even a cooperative date to join in the dancing lesson. Singles are welcome! ) From 5-7pm a selection of Spanish wines provided by East Chatham Wine & Spirits and tapas created by Chef and culinary expert, Gustav Ericson. ($50 per person). Composer/pianist Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius and her group “Heard” together will be performing live at the event as well.  For more info on this event, visit Space 360. (http://www.360warren.com) or call (518) 697-3360.

Birthday Dinner: Mohonk Mountain House–New Paltz, NY

Cowboy Steak at Mohonk Mountain House

Birthday Cake with very rich icing!

Since my husband made me promise him I wouldn’t throw a big surprise party or plan anything too crazy for his 50th birthday, I decided to make a reservation for dinner for 4 at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. I under-estimated how long it takes to get there from the Kingston area. There is a long and winding uphill road that you must drive up to reach it, which took at least 10 minutes to climb. But once you get there, the Victorian castle is really magical.  (There is also an indoor pool and spa resort here that I would love to try one day).  We had gift certificates that we won, but the cost of a 4-course dinner for adults is $67, and for children 12 and under it is $34.  The dinner includes 2 appetizers, a main course, and a choice of desserts.  (Tax and tip is included in the meal price).

We both started with the Hudson Valley cheese plate, which was a thick slice of Camembert-style cheese on a cracker.  I had the artichoke fritter, which was also bite-size, but delicious.  My Tasmanian Salmon with onions melted in my mouth, and was cooked to perfection. My husband’s Cowboy Steak was “hungry man size” and he had no complaints! The children had their usual grilled cheese and chicken strips, and ice cream for dessert.  I noticed that mainly couples had choice tables with the amazing views, but you can really see the glorious panorama from wherever you’re sitting..though if you really want a romantic dinner, request a table by the window in advance.  The dining room also bakes cakes for special occasions. (They even will create a cake for 2-4 people). I chose the 4-10 serving cake, which ended up looking bigger than I expected. The service was very fast, which is always a huge help when you are dining with children. The staff pulled off the surprise cake with effortless finesse!  For more information on the Mohonk Mountain House, visit http://www.mohonk.com.  They also have a Sunday buffet brunch.  Check their programs. There are a zillion activities to choose from, and they are offering special weeknight packages.

Pineview Bakery–Shokan, NY–Big & Tasty Low Budget Breakfast

Strawberry and Banana Shortcake French Toast

Pineview Bakery & Cafe, Route 28, Shokan

Homemade pastries @ Pineview Bakery

I am feeling stuffed right now. I hadn’t been to the Pine View Bakery in Shokan on Route 28 in ages. Today we had an errand to run in Boiceville so it was the perfect excuse to stop. They make homemade cookies, danishes, cakes, and muffins. (They also make birthday and wedding cakes). There is outdoor and indoor seating. I had the breakfast special, which was strawberry and banana shortcake French toast, which included a large coffee for $7. This was the most expensive thing on the breakfast menu. The prices are very reasonable. My husband had the sausage and cheese omelet with home fries, which he devoured.  The French toast was really good. I finished my plate. The bakery has a loyal local crowd and weekenders. I even saw a couple cops eating here. I have a friend who says, “If cops eat there, you know it’s good!”–I haven’t tried the lunch here yet, but if the breakfast is any indication, it’s probably delicious. Pineview Bakery & Cafe, Route 28, Shokan, NY. (845) 657-8925. Open Tuesday thru Sunday: 6 am – 4pm.

11 Cool Places to Stay in the Hudson Valley this Summer

The Forest Suite at Pike Lane B & B in Woodstock

This groovy room at the Roxbury Motel may bring about some sweet 1970s dreams!

Before becoming full-time residents up here, my husband and I were renters, and before that we were weekend hotel hoppers! Here is a list of different Escape needs & lodging choices to accomodate them.

Need a Splurge Escape– The Lodge at Emerson– The Lodge welcomes kids, but the Emerson Resort & Spa is not. The room was huge and very “elegantly rustic” . The kids loved the whirlpool bath! Get on the email list because they do have specials.  http://www.emersonresort.com/thelodge.php

Sweet & Simple Escape–Woodstock Twin Gables–Cute and friendly bed & breakfast. We lucked out and got the last room available during Woodstock Film Festival weekend several years ago. Shabby chic and cool vibes, but what else would you expect in the center of Woodstock?  It is close to all the shops so if you take the Trailways bus from NYC, you don’t need a car to get around.
http://www.twingableswoodstockny.com/rooms.html

Active Family Escape–Rocking Horse Ranch–An all-inclusive family resort. I won a free day pass for four and a free-night stay here a few years ago. Insane indoor pool and tons of indoor/outdoor activities.  http://www.rhranch.com

Homecooked Food Escape–Riedelbauer Resort–Perfect place for a low-key weekend family vacation. German meals like Bratwurst and Schnitzel are served family style. The food is scrumptous. Kids love the German entertainers! Nice playground, sandbox, swimming pool (indoor/outdoor), and lovely grounds. Get on their mailing list because they have seasonal specials throughout the year. No TVs in the rooms so a good opportunity to totally unplug the family.  http://www.riedlbauersresort.com

Hotels I haven’t stayed at, but heard great things about:

Yogi Escape–Pike Lane B & B, Woodstock, NY–Laura Weiss, yoga intructor at Bliss Yoga Center runs this bed and breakfast. My friend’s sister stayed here and had an amazing time. Laura also leads yoga retreats in Costa Rica.http://www.pikebb.com/

Groovy Couple/Singles Escape–Roxbury Motel, Roxbury, NY –If you are looking for retro sleek hide-away in the Hudson Valley, come to the Roxbury.   http://www.theroxburymotel.com

Couples, Singles & Train Buff Escape:  The Rhinecliff–New hotel that has generated some buzz. See this New York Times review.  Right near Rhinecliff Amtrak train station. http://www.therhinecliff.com/

Civilized Pampering Escape:  Beakman Arms Inn-Rhinebeck, NY. If you prefer sleeping in a more formal historic setting, try the Beekman Arms Inn in the center of Rhinebeck. http://www.beekmandelamaterinn.com/

King & Queen for the Weekend Escape:  The Emerson Inn–I visited a couple rooms last year while on assignment for Planning magazine. The spa is over-the-top! This is where the Clinton’s stayed during their Hudson Valley vacation last August. http://www.emersonresort.com

Green Escape:  The Fullmoon Resort–I saw Suzanne Vega play here, but I didn’t get to see the rooms. The grounds are beautiful and it’s a popular place for weddings.http://www.fullmoonresort.com/

Re-charge my Spirit Escape:  Omega Institute–If you are looking for more of an ashram-style getaway, you’ll be among a bevy of life-coaches, yoga teachers, and gurus at this beautiful oasis in Rhinebeck Campus. The Rest & Rejuvination Retreat packages are good deals starting at $25/weekday and $38/weekend night! Check out http://wwww.eomega.org  for more info.

Have you been to any of these places? What were your experiences there? What other places are worth staying at?

Deising’s Bakery, Kingston, NY–Wicked breakfast wraps and wedding cakes

Deising's Bakery

You can’t miss the huge “Deising’s” sign as you enter Kingston via Washington Avenue.  If you eat here on a weekday, you’ll see business people enjoying power breakfasts and lunches.  I ate breakfast here recently, and realized I should come here more often. It’s just not on my regular errand route. My breakfast wrap was overstuffed the way a wrap should be. (You get to pick 3 stuffings) and it is hard to resist all the delectable home made pastries Deising’s offers. Waitresses are very professional and friendly. Deising’s also offers off-site and on-site catering.  Two locations in Kingston: Deising’s Bakery, 111 North Front Street,  Kingston, NY. 845-338-1327. Or 584 Broadway, the one I go to, (845) 338-1580. Deisings.com