The Circle

Issue date: 3/11/10 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Ryan Hutton Indulge on a feast for the eyes and stomach at the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week.

Are you getting tired of the food in the cafeteria, or just don't feel like cooking dinner for yourself tonight? Does the idea of going out to eat suddenly sound like an awesome idea? Well get ready: Restaurant Week is coming to Poughkeepsie. From March 15-28, over 125 restaurants in the Hudson Valley area will be offering a three-course prix-fixe lunch menu for $20 and a prix-fixe three-course dinner menu for $28 (prices exclude beverages, tax and gratuity). Many chefs will be utilizing seasonal, locally grown products from farms in the Hudson Valley. In addition, the restaurants will also be featuring locally produced wines, beverages and spirits that pair well with the meal. Many eateries in the Marist area that will be taking part in the event:

Crave is a new restaurant and lounge located on Washington St. situated next to Lola's Café and Catering, which was opened by the same owner. It offers contemporary food with a modern twist that reflects the seasonal ingredients of the surrounding area. The chefs at Crave, who are all graduates of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, aspire to create excitement through their impressive menu and an overall dining "experience" with exceptional hospitality.

Twist is a casual American restaurant in Hyde Park. The décor is unique with brightly colored walls and abstract art that create a hip and friendly ambiance. Because Twist features an open kitchen, diners can enjoy seeing their food being made while the chefs can see the customer's enjoyment. When first seated, a plate of puff pastry dough twisted with olive oil, salt, pepper and Asiago cheese greets you. These are Twist's signature cheese twists that the restaurant describes as "light, flavorful and delectable" and will provoke you "to anticipate the possibility of a fine meal to come."

Babycakes Café, located in the Vassar College area, offers a funky take on European-style eating. This casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, all prepared from scratch and using quality ingredients. Here you can enjoy everything from hand-made butter croissants to house-made pasta. Additionally, every Friday and Saturday night, the café features live entertainment for its customers to enjoy.

If you're looking for a quick eat, why not try Crew Restaurant & Bar on South Rd. in Poughkeepsie, voted best in the Hudson Valley in 2004 and 2005? Offered here are delicious soups, salads, wraps and sandwiches for lunch and a diverse menu of quality meat, fish and pasta dishes for dinner cooked by graduates and current students of the CIA. Crew Restaurant & Bar has an open kitchen and an outstanding bar that offers some of the finest microbrewery draughts, a first-class wine list and custom made martinis.

At Terrapin in Rhinebeck, the dishes "delight both body and soul." This restaurant serves lunch in its Red Bistro/Bar and dinner in its dining room seven days a week. Its mission is to provide its customers with the freshest and highest-quality food in an inviting and personalized environment. According to the restaurant website, the head chef at Terrapin boasts a "unique style of New American cooking, blending a classical French approach with the influences of Asia, Italy, and the American South West."

More than 150,000 people are expected to dine out during this time. With this in mind, reservations are strongly recommended and, for some, they are required. If you would like to learn more about Restaurant Week, you can always visit
http://www.hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com.

Besides the general information, the website also lists all the participants, and has a tool to help search for the best restaurant for you by cuisine and location. For select restaurants, reservations can be made through OpenTable.com. You can also follow The Valley Table on Twitter or Facebook for updated details.

Upon arrival back on campus from spring break, keep the party going and explore the culinary creations from a variety of restaurants in the Marist community. So convince your housemates to skip the dining hall or the grocery store and enjoy a satisfying and delicious meal for a great price!

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools