New York Upstate Of Mind

Posted by Shira, Editorial Assistant, Art

In our "100 Reasons to Hit the Road" story, we could only include so many hot spots across the country. Recently, after spending a weekend in upstate New York and revisiting an old haunt (that’d be #88, the Rhinebeck Grille & Cantina -- a.k.a. The Starr Bar) I feel inclined to pay tribute to my wonderful trip by sharing some highlights.

Traces of the Rhinebeck Grille and Cantina’s origins.

The bar’s current exterior.

The actual bar (in the middle of a gorgeously sunny day, thus the empty barstools).

Said weekend involved six of my dearest friends, many of whom I’ve known since the age of eight. We spent our youths together at a summer camp in the Hudson Valley and later instituted a tradition of making a pilgrimage there each summer. This year, we booked rooms at The Grand Dutchess, a bed and breakfast in a Victorian house lovingly restored by its owner, and former Brooklynite, Elizabeth. Located in Red Hook, across from our favorite pizza place (that’d be Salvatore’s -- try the Grandma’s pizza), we’d driven by this boldly painted building for years and finally got to check out its interiors.

The Grand Dutchess features six guest rooms on the second and third floors.

Saturday was spent ambling around Rhinebeck, which (along with many towns in the area) has seen a resurgence over the last decade. All of us fell in love with the Carreras store and its co-owner, Dallas. The colorful wares (candles, soaps, pillows, and glassware by artist Margarita Carreras) popped alongside magnificent orchids and gerberas in corresponding colors. Most of us purchased the votive candle quartet, as we couldn’t decide on a favorite scent (but mango, guava, and plum did rate highest).

Mid-afternoon we squeezed in a Holy Cow trip. The ice cream is scrumptious and you can’t beat the prices (I’m pretty sure we didn’t spend more than $10 as a group). The place has been around for more than two decades and hasn’t changed much, as far as I can tell. They still sell the mouth-watering ice cream cakes we’d get at camp every time a bunkmate turned a year older.

Heaven on earth. Or at least on a sugar cone.

We then hit our culinary go-to spot: Terrapin. This converted church is a dining destination, with a main dining room as well as a more casual café. If I could offer you one piece of advice, it’d be to order the tuna. Or the duck quesadillas. Or the goat cheese wontons. Better yet, go with a large group, order as many different items as possible, and taste them all!

Terrapin, with its former church façade.

We’ll start planning next year’s weekend at the beginning of 2008, as some of us fly in and hotels fill up fast. We’re planning on trying out the highly-recommended Mercato and fitting in another round of blueberry picking. If you’re interested in an early-autumn road trip, the sixth annual Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest is scheduled for September 8th and 9th at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.

Comments

[Carol B. Neiley]

You forgot the best thing in that area...Basic French, the chic French store in Red Hook, NY. There’s nothing else like it in the US, so if you are traveling up that way, go to Red Hook and buy French!!! You can also go to the website, www.basicfrenchonline.com

[Katie]

I love this piece! I too grew up in Hyde Park, and now my parents live right down the road from Terrapin. That place has the best mojitos ever!

[Susan]

Great feature for Rhinebeck - it makes me want to spend more of my time around that area :-) There's so much to do - and eat! I can't wait to hear about more of your adventures in that area.

[eye4style]

oh my goodness, thank you SOO much for this post. I grew up in Hyde Park and your picks made me SO nostalgic for home. I think I may have to hit the Dutchess County Fair this weekend!