There have been many destinations that have compelled us to board a train or bus to the Hudson Valley over the years, Breakneck Ridge, Bannerman Castle, the Rockefeller Estate, Stone Barns, Dia: Beacon, Shakespeare at Boscobel, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Storm King Art Center, but knowing each car-free adventure will lead to a delicious locally-sourced meal is the ultimate reason we keep coming back.
Normally held in early spring, Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is now a bi-annual affair with the addition of this year’s fall event on November 5-18. Over 150 participants will offer three course dinner menus for $29.95, with many places also serving a prix-fixe lunch menu for $20.95. From Italian trattorias to French bistros to American grills and cafés, there is something to suit every palate.
Here are 11 of our favorite restaurants—all serving the best produce, cheese, meat and wine from the Hudson Valley—that you can easily get to without a car from the city.
Harvest on Hudson | 1 River St. | Hastings on Hudson | 914.478.2800 | www.harvest2000.com
An organic vegetable and herb garden, planted on the restaurant’s grounds, provides Harvest on Hudson’s kitchen with fresh organic produce. If it’s warm enough, take advantage of the outdoor seating—some tables are situated right in the garden—that offers striking views of the Palisades across the river. In addition to the seasonal core menu, Executive Chef Vincent Barcelona prepares a variety of specials each month based on a different region of Italy. Right now the spotlight is on Venice, but for Restaurant Week Barcelona anticipates special dishes inspired by the Piedmont region in the northwest. How to get there: Take the Metro-North Line from Grand Central to the Hastings-on-Hudson stop. The restaurant is one block from the station on the river side.
Bistro Rollin | 142 Fifth Ave. | Pelham | 914.633.0780 | www.bistrorollin.com
Bistro Rollin has teamed up with nearby Lieb’s Organic Farm to present diners with fresh, locally farmed produce. All their seafood comes from the North Atlantic region including their rotating selection of oysters—on offer right now are Wiley Points from Rhode Island in addition to other varieties. While you’re there check out R Bar, the newly expanded bar space that’s separate from the main dining room. With ample seating and it’s own unique menu with items like the House-made Tuna Burger, you can make a night of it right at the bar. How to get there: Take the Metro-North New Haven Line from Grand Central to the Pelham, NY stop. The restaurant is approximately two blocks from the train station.
The Cookery Restaurant | 39 Chestnut St. | Dobbs Ferry | 914.305.2336 | www.thecookeryrestaurant.com
The menu focuses on Italian comfort food and changes seasonally as much of the produce is purchased at regional farmers markets. Of particular note is the pig dinner consisting of an appetizer, whole pig and three side dishes for $65.00 per person. The whole pig is brought to the table and patrons watch as the chef cuts the pork away from the bone. For an extra charge, you can have each course paired with draught beer or wine. Pig dinners will be available during restaurant week, however reservations must be made in advance. Call or visit the restaurant’s website for further details. How to get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central to the Dobbs Ferry stop. The restaurant is approximately two blocks up the hill from the train station.
X2O Xavier’s on the Hudson | 71 Water Grant St. | Yonkers | 914.965.1111 | www.xaviars.com
Built atop a pier, X2O’s upscale main dining area is suspended over the water. With glass walls on three sides, diners can enjoy stellar views while savoring dishes like Heritage Pork served Two Ways and Whole Roast Duckling for two. The adjoining Dylan Lounge serves small plates and sushi in a lively, casual setting. Efforts are made to use local and regional suppliers whenever possible (right now the skate is from Montauk and the trout from the Catskills).
How to get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central to the Yonkers stop. The restaurant is approximately one block south of the train station.
Dolphin | 1 Van Der Donck St. | Yonkers | 914.751.8170 | www.dolphinrbl.com
Seafood is the main draw at this waterfront venue with an ultra modern bar and lounge area featuring geometric leather couches and large flat-screen TVs. In an effort to conserve energy, LED and halogen lighting is used throughout the interior of the restaurant. Dolphin offers raw bar selections like oysters, shrimp and clams and the full dinner menu includes pasta, chicken and steak in addition to other seafood-based dishes. General Manager Jimmy Rugova says the pri-fixe, three-course restaurant week menu will feature wine pairings. How to get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central to the Yonkers stop. The restaurant is across the street from the train station near the waterfront.
A Sneak Peek:
A former food writer for Ladies Home Journal, Leslie Lampert is now a successful restaurateur with two popular Mount Kisco establishments: Ladle of Love, a gourmet food shop, and Café of Love, a farm-to-table eatery. “We try really hard to support all the community growers,” Lampert says of the dozen or so local farms she works with. Alongside talented chefs Hector Coronel and Mike Donnelly, Lampert designs the seasonal menus, like this autumn-inspired sampling below. Appetizer Entrees • Double Cut Pork Chop with Warm Apple Cabbage Slaw and Acorn Squash seasoned with Taram and Brown Butter • Beef Burger with Crispy Apple Ring, Cheddar Cheese and House-made Cinnamon Ketchup Dessert Note: Every table also gets Café of Love’s signature Rosemary and Garlic White Bean Dip served with a selection of artisan breads and house pickled radishes. |
Hudson House River Inn | 2 Main St. | Cold Spring | 845.265.9355 | www.hudsonhouseinn.com
Built in 1832, the Hudson House River Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The River Room restaurant has an extensive wine list that includes Hudson Valley wines like the popular Millbrook Chardonnay and the kitchen uses local cheeses such as Coach Farm Goat Cheese. If you’re thinking about an overnight stay, Restaurant Week might be the best time to make the trip as the Inn plans to offer special accommodation rates and package deals with other area attractions. Check the Inn’s website for further details.
How to get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central to the Cold Spring stop. The restaurant is approximately one block away near the riverfront.
McGrath’s Tavern | 146 East Main St. | Pawling | 845.855.0800 | www.mcgrathstavern.com
The atmosphere here is casual and relaxed. The main dining room has a stone fireplace that’s often ablaze during fall and winter. House specialties are distinguished on the menu with the tavern’s logo and include the McGrath Burger topped with gorgonzola, bacon and horseradish sauce and the Pub Fried Chicken served with mashed potatoes and pepper cream gravy.
How to get there: Take the Metro-North Harlem Line from Grand Central to the Pawling stop. The restaurant is approximately a ten minute walk down East Main St.
Tarry Lodge | 18 Mill St. | Port Chester | 914.939.3111 | www.tarrylodge.com
Chef and TV personality Mario Batali is part of the executive team behind Tarry Lodge, a casual Italian trattoria in Port Chester. As a Certified Green Restaurant, Tarry Lodge has taken steps to reduce waste and promote sustainability such as installing a water filtration system that eliminates the need for bottled water and using 100% recycled paper products. In keeping with the trattoria aesthetic, the menu features a variety of pizzas and pastas as well as main course options like Game Hen with Chanterelles and Truffle Vinaigrette and Grilled Tuna with Spicy Sicilian Pepperonata.
How to get there: Take the Metro-North New Haven Line from Grand Central to the Port Chester stop. The restaurant is approximately three blocks from the train station.
Café of Love | 38 East Main St. | Mount Kisco | 914.242.1002 | www.cafeofloveny.com
If you’re wondering how the restaurant’s name came about, Café of Love is an offshoot of its sister establishment Ladle of Love, a gourmet food shop serving prepared soups and stews. The décor exudes rustic elegance with mismatched, antique-looking tables and chairs and a dramatic wrought iron chandelier in the center of the dining room. Owner Leslie Lampert is committed to farm-to-table dining and sources as many ingredients as possible from local farmers and growers. A chalkboard at the back of the dining room lists the foods currently in season. How to get there: Take the Metro-North Harlem Line from Grand Central to the Mount Kisco stop. The restaurant is approximately a five minute walk from the train station.
Chat American Grill | 1 Christie Place | Scarsdale | 914.722.4000 | www.chatamericangrill.com
As the name suggests, you’ll find hearty American fare here such as steak, fish, pastas, meatloaf and entrée size salads. Get cozy next to the fireplace with a martini from the bar’s award winning list—order the Cappuccino Martini made with real espresso for a pick-me-up or try the refreshing Lemon Basiltini with lemonade and muddled basil leaf. An enclosed patio with heaters means outdoor dining is possible for the majority of the fall season. How to get there: Take the Metro-North Harlem Line from Grand Central to the Scarsdale stop. The restaurant is approximately a five minute walk from the train station.
Red Hat on the River | 1 Bridge St. | Irvington | 914.591.5888 | www.redhatbistro.com
Enjoy French standards like Moules Frites, Short Rib Bourguignon, Onion Soup and House-made Rillettes (all meats are grass-fed and the chicken is organic) in a charming bistro setting. Red Hat serves beer from nearby Captain Lawrence Brewing Company as well as regional liquor brands Finger Lakes Distilling and Tuthilltown Spirits. Umbrella adorned tables line the outdoor patio where, when weather permits, diners take in the lovely riverfront views. Wednesday night is Jazz Night, so if you like a little music with dinner be sure to plan a mid-week visit. How to get there: Take the Metro-North Hudson line from Grand Central to the Irvington stop. The restaurant is across the street from the train station.
*Reservations are recommended for restaurant week and menu items are subject to change. Visit hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com for more information.
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Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram