b.overly_delicious @fromthegroundup.cafe_ Highland, NY: Had…read morethe pleasure of dining at From The Ground Up Cafe, in Highland this week. One of the most unique cafes I've been to in recent memories. From the Ground Up, is located deep inside a 55+ senior living townhouse community. It was a little tricky to find driving through the different buildings in the complex. Once we figured it out, we were greated with a very large dining area that was super clean with big windows and plenty of natural light. They have a few cases of baked goods and coffee, as well as weekly specials. One look at the menu and I knew my order. Shakshuka (traditionally African or Middle Eastern) is a dish of eggs poached in a spiced tomato sauce with onions, peppers, garlic, chickpeas, and kale served with bread to soak up that wonderful red sauce and egg yolk. At $14, this was a steal. The Rueben and fries were pretty standard and my iced latte was decent. Finished things off with a chocolate chip cookie skillet topped with vanilla ice cream. Had plenty of leftovers to bring home. They do a lot of catering and use the cafe as a home base for their 2 food trucks. The chef is a CIA grad. Seems with the 100s of townhouses, they have a built in customer base. They offer some pretty standard stuff like paninis, waffles, omelettes, and burgers. Next time, I want to try the shepherds pie, fish and chips, or chicken and waffles. #highland #fromthegroundupcafe #shakshuka #coffee #reuben #hveats #hvfoodies #eater #igeats #ulster #hudsonvalley #ulstereateriesunited #cookieskillet #ulstereateriesunfiltered #cafe #townhouses @above_weddings

The epitome of comfort food!…read more Sweet charming spot in, I believe Highland. Feeling like my German Grand made me a favorite dinner.

Stopped in for hot chocolate on a cold day. Service was good. They gave me hot chocolate with…read morealmond milk--happy to have that option. I had a BLT with French fries. Food was good. It was a little chilly inside, that was the only drawback. Ambiance was good, it's a cute small place with lots of good offerings. I chose to stop in because of the variety in the menu.

I wish I'd written this review sooner...I came a few months ago while interviewing for a job. The…read morereviews were great, so I thought it a good idea to stop in for a coffee and a meal. I don't remember now what I ordered, but what I do remember is that I made a mental note to become a regular should I accept a job offer. Well, I did accept an offer and will be back in short order! The food was delicious and the service is quick and friendly. Great spot for a coffee and breakfast. I parked around the corner and walked a minute to get in...parking was tight right in front.

Food was hit and miss. Hummus app was very well executed. Lamb meatballs overcooked. Vegan Shepards…read morepie was too much lentil not enough mash. Descent burger, great fries. Modern ambiance. Comfortable. Service: needs improvement. Recommend but with caveats.

So far not so good. The staff appeared to be very overwhelmed and there were only 5 tables seated…read more Our waiter was running around doing god knows what sAfter about 20 minutes I finally waived down another waiter and asked to be served.

A no-frills diner that has great customer service and fairly good coffee. My girlfriend and I split…read morethe gluten free French toast and were a bit underwhelmed as the toast was not thick but to be fair, I did enjoy the meal and the total cost for the gf French toast, side of eggs, and a coffee came in at about twenty total for the two of us to dine here. The menu has many options, and I would definitely come back if I was in the area to try more of their dining options. I recommend you give it a try if you are in the town of Poughkeepsie. As always people SYOY!!!

With a name like Alex, I had very high standards and expectations for it!…read more Solid breakfast spot in downtown Poughkeepsie and easy to get to from the Amtrak. My partner and I got the cheddar omelet and the house made corned beef hash with eggs (over easy). Both delicious and fueled our journey across the Empire State Trail Hudson walking bridge (which is about a 15 min walk from Alex's). Service was friendly and attentive and the space itself was spacious and hometown diner-like. I'd return back to try some of their lunch options too!

I visited for lunch on a weekday and enjoyed dining outdoors on a sunny day. The restaurant was…read morebusy during lunch hours, but the service was good. I appreciated the comfortable and cozy atmosphere, making it a great spot to catch up with friends. Our meal was remarkably fresh and served promptly. Their gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free pancakes are the best I've ever had--fluffy, flavorful, and topped with pure maple syrup that added the perfect touch of sweetness. They offer a cappuccino that is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free--smooth, creamy, and surprisingly satisfying. It's uncommon to find a breakfast place that excels in both food quality and allergen safety like this one. Highly recommended for anyone with dietary restrictions or anyone who just loves pancakes done right.

Breakfast on a weekday morning. Big portions, speedy efficient happy service. A bit cold by the…read morewindow, but they had a space heater running. The sausage links were great. The blueberry pancakes were huge, but tasted ... old? Not great. Solid 3, don't need go come here again.

Kelly's Bakery is one of those places where the line out the door actually feels like part of the…read morecharm--and trust me, it moves quickly thanks to their incredibly friendly and efficient staff!! Everyone behind the counter greets you with genuine warmth during the morning rush. The pastries are always fresh and worth the wait, but the real star of the show? Their wonderfully large cup of coffee. It's the kind that wakes you up, comforts you, and pairs perfectly with anything you grab from the bakery case. Whether you're stopping by before work or treating yourself on a slow weekend morning, Kelly's delivers every time. Great service, great coffee, and a neighborhood feel that makes you want to return again and again.

Last Wed April 22, 2026, I was introduced to Kelly's through the CIA. I visited with friends…read morebetween events at FDR and enjoyed sandwiches, pastries, and bread to take home. It was a memorable experience, with excellent staff and service. However, my visit today was very disappointing. I stopped in to pick up sunflower bread, as previously recommended. At the counter, a staff member told me only garlic-onion bread was available today and that sunflower bread would be available tomorrow. I agreed to take the garlic-onion loaf and asked if it could be sliced, also mentioning that I planned to return the next day for sunflower bread. As I was completing the purchase, another staff member passing by stated that the bread was in fact sunflower. The first employee then changed course and asked how many I wanted. I requested one loaf and again asked if it could be sliced. He responded that they do not slice bread. I explained that during my visit last Wed., the breads have been sliced for us, and I also shared that I am a senior with a disability, specifically severe arthritis in both hands, which makes slicing difficult. A second staff member then interjected, stating that the bread should not have been sliced for me previously and that only sourdough is sliced, and only after 10 a.m. This interaction left me feeling uncomfortable and discouraged. The contrast between the welcoming, accommodating staff I encountered last Wednesday and today's experience was striking. Unfortunately, this visit significantly impacted my impression of Kelly's.

Cute spot but the food is comparable to Panera. The…read moresandwiches and wraps are missing something to set them apart from competitors. Baked goods are giving size over quality. Order at the counter. Find a table, display your number on the table and the staff will deliver your food. Simple but missing something magical. Don't get me wrong you can get a solid meal here, it just won't hit the spot if you know what I mean. Cheers, The Mocktail Madam

I visited Sugar and Spice the other day while we were upstate and the ambiance was giving cozy…read morecafé. The service was pretty fast and friendly. You ordered with the cashier and they come out with your food but you don't have a proper server! Now onto the food. We tried the french toast. which tasted very good. The texture was good, the portion size was pretty average and overall I'd give it 7/10. Price-wise, the meal felt reasonable. I'd rate it as a good visit for a quick breakfast to start your day.

So, a MexItalian restaurant, sure a little weird, but they do both really well! We arrived here by…read moreaccident when my dad saw a Spanish word on the sign and insisted I turn around so he could read it, finding it odd that there'd be a Mexican restaurant in Poughkeepsie, NY. I had a spicy pasta & chicken dish that was really good & a huge portion of food- I finished just over half, and I'm not one to leave food on the plate (as my ever expanding waistline can attest). The pasta wasn't overdone and the spicy cream sauce was awesome with plenty of chicken for all you "protein bro" bros. Dad got the enchiladas, but he refuses to eat chicken (it's a long story & you don't wanna hear it), so they accommodated him and filled them with cheese instead. Now I think the cheese would have worked better if it had been grated first (and they'd have saved $ too), but they used large slabs of cheese which didn't quite melt too well and were too much for him (yeah, he's difficult), so he pulled about 1/2 the cheese out & I ate it. The refried beans were damn good & the Mexican rice was solid too. I ordered the piña agua fresca & he drank about 1/3 of that, while his jamaica agua fresca was not nearly as good- but for jamaica it was better than I expected (in my opinion, jamaica starts off as bad and usually gets worse). Will I make the 2+ hour drive from my brother-in-law's place a regular thing when we visit Connecticut...? The Mid-Hudson River valley is beautiful and with the food here waiting, it's a solid probably, maybe.

I visited for the first time with my son. While the staff was very friendly, the experience was…read moredisappointing given the $80.00 total. I understand food prices are up, but for a deli meal, the quality simply did not justify the cost. The Issues: * Overpriced: The steak sopes were delicious, but $19.00 for three is way too expensive for a deli. The spinach and egg drop soup ($8.50) was also overpriced and extremely salty. * Incorrect Prep: I ordered a "grilled" veggie sub ($12.50), but the vegetables weren't even grilled. I also asked for mozzarella, but they used Oaxaca cheese without telling me. * Hidden Fees: We were charged a $5 "suprema" fee for nachos without any warning. I also wasn't asked if I wanted to add fries ($3.25), so they were left off. * Health Concerns: I have diabetes, so the lack of calorie/nutritional info made it very frustrating to order safely. * Wait Time: The wait was ridiculously long for this type of establishment. The Highlights: The Aguas Frescas ($6.50) were excellent and highly recommended, and the girl behind the counter was very sweet. Overall: 5/10. The flavors are okay, but for these prices, I expected much better communication and execution. Why this works: * It highlights that you are a reasonable customer (you liked the staff and the drinks). * It makes it clear that the "Deli" setting doesn't match the high-end prices they are charging. * It warns other customers about the hidden $5 fee, which is usually what people appreciate most in a review

If you're in the Eastdale area, might want to stop in for a smoothie here. I'm a little on the…read morefence about this place since it's super expensive but it's very cute and a great place to sit with a friend. My order was receiving mixed reviews: the salad I got was very small and the bowl did not allow for mixing, so a messy endeavor at best. The staff is really friendly, so the service hits a five. Loss of stars is for the price and the inconsistent quality of the ingredients.

After indulging in way too many fried and heavy foods during my trip, I was really craving…read moresomething light and refreshing before heading back to the city. I'm so glad I found this spot--it was exactly what I needed to reset. Food: 4/5 I ordered an ahi tuna poke bowl and a smoothie, and overall, it hit the mark. The tuna wasn't the best I've ever had, but it was still solid--fresh enough and well-balanced with the toppings. The smoothie, though, was delicious. I'd honestly come back just for that alone--it was cooling, clean, and packed with flavor. Atmosphere: 5/5 The interior design here is beautiful--very calm, airy, and just a peaceful place to sit for a bit. It felt like the kind of space where you could relax, journal, or just quietly enjoy a meal without the bustle of a typical café. Really appreciated that. Service & Price: This is more of a counter-service place--order at the front and grab a seat. No complaints there; everything came out pretty quickly and the staff was kind. As far as price goes: yes, it's on the higher end. A bowl + smoothie can easily run you over $30 which feels like a lot when compared to, say, a hearty Italian sandwich around the corner. But I get it--healthy food often just costs more. For me, it was worth it this time around. Overall: If you're in the area and looking to take a break from heavier meals, this is a lovely spot. It's not a cheap bite, but it's fresh, clean, and satisfying. I'll definitely be back for a smoothie if I'm nearby.