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thoughts on Hudson Valley for Oct weekend?

post #1 of 28
8/27/10 at 8:48pm
Thread Starter 
I'm looking to go to Rhinebeck, NY or nearby for a weekend with the wife, in early October. It should be Fall Color time.

I was hoping some of you Manhattan/tri-state folks might have personal recommendations for bnbs or small hotels? I've checked a number of the guides but would love to hear any first hand feedback or secret hideaways.

Thanks in advance for any help.
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post #2 of 28
8/28/10 at 5:20pm
I just spent the past weekend in Rhinebeck and had a fantastic time. Unfortunately, we decided to go away at the last minute and were unable to get a BnB in Rhinebeck and had to settle for Hyde Park (Inn the Woods was the name of the BnB we stayed at). Tripadvisor has some great reviews on BnBs in Rhinebeck so that should definitely point you in the right direction. If you are looking for restaurant recommendations I'll be happy to help.
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post #3 of 28
8/30/10 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Johnny. I've been all over the web and come back with mixed blessings. Right now tops on my list is either the Olde Rhinebeck Inn or maybe the Rhinecliff Lodge if i go with someplace official. I'm also looking at weekend rentals which might be better for us.

Fwiw, I'm a huge fan of the Belvedere Mansion if you go back again. They are booked for the weekend we are going which is why i'm fishing for alternates.

I'd love to hear any restaurant feedback.
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post #4 of 28
8/30/10 at 11:31am
As for restaurants, the Culinary Institute of America (in Hyde Park next to Rhinebeck) has five restaurants...and three of them really warrant consideration: L'Escoffier, American Bounty, and Catherina de Medici. The school itself is worth touring -- it's a lovely spot on the Hudson, it is a unique educational experience, and the restaurants serve some of -- if not the -- best food in the region. Keep in mind these are teaching restaurants, where both the front and back of the house are students (though well-along in their culinary education). This shows up more on the service side than the food side but you do need to be mindful of this.
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post #5 of 28
8/31/10 at 9:12am
Thread Starter 
Good reminder about CIA. I'd tried to visit a few times in the past but it got away from me. Recently, I'd read some bad reviews about service there.

Since we'll be driving up on Friday, maybe it'd be a good idea to check into it for a lunch though.

Noted!
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post #6 of 28
8/31/10 at 9:36am
Yes, I fear that service can be a bit of a wild card. That's probably a natural consequence of an entire wait staff made up of students, whose focus tends to be on cooking rather than the front of the house, and who are only assigned to these responsibilities for a few short weeks. That said, the restaurants are lovely, the food generally first rate, and whatever the failings, the service quite earnest.

So here are two other nearby -- rather cozy -- restaurants for your consideration: Calico and Le Petit Bistro.
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post #7 of 28
8/31/10 at 10:46am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by medwards View Post
Calico and Le Petit Bistro.

Thanks for this. Calico was on my radar but i haven't tried either. I've only been to Cripple Creek and the dining room at the Belvedere.

...

It looks like we'll be staying in a private 450sq. cabin on a 3.5 acre lake about 15 min. SE of Rhinebeck. Should be a little rustic but the privacy coupled with vista should be great for Fall Color. The prices are comparable to upper-mid tier BnBs.
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post #8 of 28
8/31/10 at 11:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by etl View Post
Thanks Johnny. I've been all over the web and come back with mixed blessings. Right now tops on my list is either the Olde Rhinebeck Inn or maybe the Rhinecliff Lodge if i go with someplace official. I'm also looking at weekend rentals which might be better for us.

Fwiw, I'm a huge fan of the Belvedere Mansion if you go back again. They are booked for the weekend we are going which is why i'm fishing for alternates.

I'd love to hear any restaurant feedback.

My two favorite restaurants in Rhinebeck are Le Petit Bistro and Terrapin. Le Petit Bistro is a small and intimate little place with about 20 tables and simple mostly traditional French good, but excellent nonetheless. My girlfriend and I stumbled across it last year and had a very memorable meal there and came back exactly a year later two weekends ago it was just as good. If they have the fried oysters with wasabi mayo, tobiko, and shaved cucumber do not pass on them.

Terrapin is contemporary food that has a good winelist with some good values. The braised short ribs are fantastic.
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post #9 of 28
8/31/10 at 12:04pm
If you happen to go closer to Tarrytown, Blue Hill at Stone Barns is great. Dinner or lunch (I think lunch may only be on Sundays...?)
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post #10 of 28
8/31/10 at 4:06pm
you should visit Olana while you're there:
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post #11 of 28
8/31/10 at 11:10pm
Thread Starter 
Olana is the only mansion i haven't hit yet. I'd like to get to it this time but between the political estates and Dia Beacon... i'm already getting time crunched.

Thanks for the addl food options. I think we'll be driving back via Tarrytown.
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post #12 of 28
9/29/10 at 1:07pm
Make any decisions yet? Have to go to NYC next month. Thinking of making the drive up the Hudson Valley if you think it's worth it. Figure the leaves should be turning (something I miss alot).
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post #13 of 28
9/29/10 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarquisMagic View Post
Make any decisions yet? Have to go to NYC next month. Thinking of making the drive up the Hudson Valley if you think it's worth it. Figure the leaves should be turning (something I miss alot).

I believe the Upstate leaves are already turning and will likely be peaking by the 2nd week of October.
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post #14 of 28
9/30/10 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by whiteslashasian View Post
I believe the Upstate leaves are already turning and will likely be peaking by the 2nd week of October.

That should be perfect!
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post #15 of 28
9/30/10 at 11:31am
we're going to rhinebeck next weekend too.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny_5 View Post
I just spent the past weekend in Rhinebeck and had a fantastic time. Unfortunately, we decided to go away at the last minute and were unable to get a BnB in Rhinebeck and had to settle for Hyde Park (Inn the Woods was the name of the BnB we stayed at). Tripadvisor has some great reviews on BnBs in Rhinebeck so that should definitely point you in the right direction. If you are looking for restaurant recommendations I'll be happy to help.
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