My Totally Biased List of Restaurants I Love when the Weather Turns Cold

Posted By: Deb K. Nov 15, 2011 @ 01:33 AM | Comment (9)

From Thanksgiving until the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, I love to spend time catching up with loved ones and friends while enjoying the bounty of great restaurants located Ulster County.

During these cold winter months, I tend to frequent places that are able to warm my heart as well as satisfy my hunger, so ambiance plays an important role in my dining choices. This list is biased for two very different reasons:

1. I am not a professional foodie, so I have no expert criteria upon which to base my opinion.
2. My criteria changes depending on the people with whom I'm sharing the meal.

So without further ado, here is the list of places that help me enjoy the warmth, peace and festivity of this wonderful time of year:

Suruchi - New Paltz

Tell the truth, this might be my all-time favorite restaurant. There's a shoeless sitting booth right by the front window that my husband and I always reserve. For me, there's something about the combination of relaxation and yummy food full of aromatic spices. We sit for hours enjoying the fresh food, wonderful music, warm, peachy colors and gracious hospitality.

Aroma Thyme Bistro - Ellenville

My parents have a weekend house on Yankee Lake in Wurstboro and this is our favorite meet-in-the-middle place. Husband and wife owners are friendly and always willing to talk about their healthy, sustainable, local & real food. They have a really good beer and wine list too. I'm not a vegetarian, but always like the great vegetarian dishes they serve.

Miss Lucy's Kitchen - Saugerties

When I spend my annual afternoon in Saugerties holiday shopping in the wonderful array of stores here, I inevitably wind up in Miss Lucy's Kitchen for lunch. You'll find great sandwiches and astounding desserts here. I find this place so quaint. I love the apron window curtains. It's like sitting in your own kitchen only better!

Raccoon Saloon - Marlboro

You need to get a window table here to enjoy the stunning view of the river and waterfall from inside the inn. With attentive but unobtrusive service, this is a great, casual place to linger and laugh over a great burger. The bar gets busy and lively, while the dining room is quieter and cozy.

Ship Lantern Inn - Milton

This is a more formal dining experience. The food is excellent; the service is impeccable.
The waiters are dressed in tuxes, but customer dress is much more casual. Decorated like a ship, there's lots of rich wood and a crackling fireplace. From stem to stern, this place is romantically from a past era.

Ricciardellas - Phoenecia

This is the place to stop on the way back from a day of skiing at Belleayre Mountain. This is by far the best Italian restaurant I've ever eaten in. The sauces are so good, you'll want to scoop it up with your bread so you don't miss a drop. This restaurant is just an unexpected delight - white tablecloths, warm bread, friendly service and great homemade food.

P&Gs - New Paltz

P&Gs is just soooo New Paltz. I go here with a group of girlfriends to have a good, noisy time - but only during the week. On the weekend, the place is filled with bikers and college students. This is a very casual place with a diverse menu.

36 Main - New Paltz

Lobster Home Fries - need I say more to grab your attention? This is a very friendly, relaxed and relaxed place. The bar is warm and inviting and there are couches in the rear. I always run into people I know there.

Hickory BBQ and Smokehouse - Kingston

This is a place for true carnivores. Homey and relaxed with huge servings - everything is wonderful - pulled pork, ribs, potato salad, cornbread, fries, wings....

Hurley Mountain Inn - Hurley

This is a great family place. You have to go on Peanut Night when you can through all your peanut shells on the floor. I don't know why, but my kids just love this concept. The bar scene in Tootsie was shot here.

I love to discover new favorite places in Ulster County. Have one you'd like to introduce me to? Please post!