American Bounty at Culinary Institute of America
Taking the lead from top eateries in New York City and expanding the concept to cover seven upstate counties, more than 125 restaurants will participate in a culinary extravaganza this month that rivals all others of its kind. Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is set for March 15 through the 28th, a celebration of the fine wining and dining for which our region has come to be known. And for two weeks, participating eateries will be offering specialty menus of prix-fixe lunches and dinners to highlight the best food available north of the metropolis–or anywhere. That means the best in culinary terms, with world-class chefs creating meals of the best in local and artisanal ingredients. Area farms, dairies and wineries will be featured in many of these offerings that will include the cuisines of Nuevo Latino, Moroccan, Portuguese, Brazilian, Greek, French, Italian and Swiss traditions, as well as regional American fare done Hudson Valley-style.
Now in its fourth year, HVRW is expected to serve more than 150,000 people (better check your calendar and make reservations at your favorite picks now) and is covering weekends for the first time in its short-but-phenomenal history. Organizer Janet Crawshaw, publisher of The Valley Table, ascribes the enthusiasm that has caused such success to both restaurateurs, who take the opportunity to introduce new customers to their establishments, and to eager diners, who enjoy a veritable smorgasbord of choices, visiting many places at which they’ve never before dined. Not only do some restaurants experience a 20-to-50-percent increase in sales, but Crawshaw also points at the increase to food industry and hospitality businesses that the celebration brings, as people from outside the area make the Hudson Valley a culinary destination. In fact, nearly 40 participating restaurants are within walking distance of a Metro North station, making HVRW an attractive and accessible event for commuters from as far away as Philadelphia.
The reduced and simplified price-point enables people to try out some of the culinary bounty of the region and support local food suppliers and vendors at the same time. Crawshaw sums it up in one tasty remark: “Restaurant Week generates a lot of goodwill and a lot of good times.”
Don’t miss the great experience of dining out in the Hudson River Valley. During the 14-day celebration, participating restaurants serve three-course prix-fixe lunches for $20 and three-course dinners for $28 (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Nearby eateries include: 36 Main Restaurant & Wine Bar, the American Bounty, Amici’s, the Artist’s Palate, Babycakes Cafe, the Bear Cafe, Beech Tree Grill, Beso, Cosimo’s Poughkeepsie, Crave Restaurant & Lounge, Crew Restaurant & Bar, the DePuy Canal House, the Derby, Hyde Park Brewing Company, La Stazione, Portofino Ristorante, Starr Place, the Stissing House, Terrapin Restaurant, Twist and the Village Tea Room Restaurant & Bake Shop. For a complete listing of participating establishments, visit www.hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com.