Title: Exceptional Tour and Truly World-Class Spirits…read more My visit to the Hudson House Distillery was an outstanding experience, elevated by a personal tour with the founder, Charles. The location itself is breathtaking, set in a beautifully restored historic mansion right on the Hudson River. However, the real highlight was getting a behind-the-scenes look at their distillation process. Charles was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate as he walked us through their production of rye, bourbon, gin, and vodka. A must-try is their vodka, which Charles proudly explained is distilled a remarkable 12 times. I can confidently say it is the best vodka I have ever sampled--exceptionally smooth. I was also impressed by their other spirits: Northwest Passage Gin: This gin stands out because it uses naturally soft water sourced directly from their artesian wells. Black Creek Bourbon: I was fortunate enough to sample a limited Founder's Batch of this bourbon. It is truly hand-crafted, made using limestone-softened natural artesian well water. The depth of care and quality put into every bottle is evident, and the personal details shared by the founder made the spirits taste even better. If you have the chance, I highly recommend asking for the tour--it provides an incredible appreciation for the craftsmanship at Hudson House Distillery.

Very cool distillery and restaurant in the Hudson Valley. I can't really speak to the service…read morebecause I was there with a large group of college alumni (nearly one hundred folks). But the food was so well prepared that it should be recognized. We started with a very tasty pork belly bao with hoisin sauce. Their house salad was a very well presented and interesting salad. But they knocked it out of the park with their entrees: roasted branzino with asparagus in a beurre blanc sauce and a strip steak served on a bed of caramelized onions and mushrooms in a bordelaise sauce. In particular, the steak, ordered medium rare, came out tender and perfectly cooked, and was of very high quality. Finally the sticky toffee pudding cake was served warm and was delicious. I would highly recommend the food here. Kudos to the chef!

Awesome winery with delicious wine!…read more When you walk into the back area with the gorgeous views it feels like you're somewhere in Europe. It doesn't feel like New York and it is the most beautiful place to celebrate, come out with your girls or spend a sunny day in the outdoors. We came here on a Thursday afternoon and it was super quiet and peaceful with not a lot of people, the perfect place to come to while family was out of town. Fun fact: 8 different wines are grown, harvested, fermented and bottled in their winery. They also have different flavored sangrias! Loved ordering the mix and match flight where we got to taste the sangrias and wines. My ooooonlyyyyyyy thing would be I wish the pours were a bit fuller since they're more of a sample size (or at least it felt like it). Can't wait to be back and enjoy more of their menu and gorgeous views!

Had a really chill and beautiful experience at this winery/ restaurant. Came here with a couple…read morefriends for an upstate day trip. We got here around lunch time and had pasta and steak sandwiches along with the wine flight. Their wine selections are all pretty solid, we all enjoyed the flight. They also have happy hour, so we enjoyed that as well as the early dinner crowd started coming in. Service was still attentive and helpful.

This venue is absolutely gorgeous! We went to the Shadows restaurant for dinner the night before…read morethe wedding - not knowing that the venue was attached and that they provided the catering to weddings at the Grandview. We had an incredible dining experience so we knew the next day, the wedding day, that the food would be delicious. First and foremost, the venue itself is stunning - featuring gorgeous marbling and chandeliers, in addition to a beautiful balcony type area outside - where the reception was held, in addition to ample seating and great photo ops with the bridge over the water. The food at cocktail hour was exceptional. Our bride and groom had a carving station, pasha station and crudite in addition to passed hors d'oeuvres. My favorites were the mini tacos - so fresh - with a margarita shot, the coconut shrimp, the penne vodka and the sushi! The venue where the reception was, was stunning! It was connected to the same room we had the cocktail hour, featuring a beautiful stone backdrop wall, a huge marble dance floor and gorgeous oval tables. The venue was stunning, the servers and wait staff were so incredibly friendly, hospital and accommodating and the food was delicious! Thank you Grandview for our friends and their amazing wedding party!

I was attending an event at The Grandview on a very pleasant early spring afternoon. It had been a…read morecoup of years since my last visit and, WOW; The updates to the spaces was well thought out and executed. Toning down the color scheme and upgrading the finishes lends the space to a multitude of tastes and purposes from corporate gatherings to private social affairs. The staff was attentive, but would benefit from a team briefing about the menu and ingredients. I spent decades in hospitality management and understand the benefit of staff tastings before serving. That practice elevates the experience for attendees by assuring that the staff is well-versed on the ingredients and preparation before they interact with guests. For example, readers of my reviews understand that I have food, allergies. It's important for me to be discreet about asking what ingredients are used in the preparation at a past hors d'oeuvres event. On two occasions within the same half hour, I asked the server if there were any alliums used in the preparation. They did not know what alliums were so I explained that garlic and onion family is something I was not able to eat safely. Both times, the server did not know what ingredients were used and offered to check with the kitchen. That's a great back up plan but unfortunately, that server never returned to me, presumably he was intercepted along the way by other guest who wanted to sample what was on his tray Preparing the staff in advance of an event is crucial. This was the only failure that I could see. My experience would have been elevated to four stars had the servers been better trained. The view and tasteful renovations resulted in the additional star for a total of four stars.

Came here the day before a wedding at the Grand View, not knowing that the restaurant is the…read morerestaurant attached to the venue and that would cater the restaurant. After dining at Shadows on the Hudson, we were elated because we had a beautiful dining experience and were ready for the next day. Came here for dinner on a Friday night and the place was lively and busy. I loved how there were different vibes throughout the restaurant. There was the main dining room that over looked the water, where we dined, a more chill lounge type area as well as a private room - all stunning in their own right. Our server was Nico and he was great - giving us his honest recommendations - from my mocktail to my friends choice of port wine. I had the ginger mule mocktail which was 10/10. To eat, I opened for the classic Caesar salad with crispy chicken which was soooo good and the portion was absolutely massive. A bunch of my friends got the filet in addition to the salmon. We all loved our meals and were the last ones in the place - as the place closed relatively early for a Friday, at 9. All in all, we had a beautiful experience - I only wished it was day time for a view of the bridge - but we were lucky enough to see it next day for the wedding next door. Thanks to Shadows on the Hudson for an amazing dinner!

Oh WOW this place is beautiful. We came for lunch on a post-snowstorm Tuesday afternoon. After…read morewalking in, we were greeted by the host and the manager - both incredibly nice and helpful. Once we were seated at the bar (always our preference), I noticed that both the bar and dining areas are beautifully appointed. The bar's lounge area was very welcoming and the chairs looked like we could stay there for hours. We just might when we come back!! Our bartender greeted us with a smile and menus - from there, we ordered a Juice Bomb (IPA), and the Martini Rinaldi (vodka-gin martini). Let's just say I'm ruined for martinis forever and will ALWAYS want this martini. It's a perfect martini ... and I will fight anyone who tries to convince me otherwise. As far as food goes, we shared the Zucchini & Eggplant Chips. SO much food for just an appetizer (highly encourage sharing). Really flavorful chips, served with smooth tzatziki (nicely done!). Husband had the Bourbon Burger (lunch special). Properly cooked burger (med rare), juicy burger, good flavor, great ratio of burger to sauces/toppings, not overly messy but just right, and the fries were double-fried so they had that perfect crunch quality. I had the Crispy Chicken Sandwich (also a lunch special), and I have to say (again), the BEST chicken sandwich I've ever had. Beautifully crisped chicken, cabbage slaw, homemade pickles, chipotle mayo were perfectly flavored, seasoned, and balanced. It's like the perfect bite in an entire sandwich and doesn't leave your hands super messy. The sandwich is typically served with fries but I chose the house salad and it was a nice burst of freshness from a rich sandwich. That dressing is delish!! Overall... this was the kind of lunch that's WELL worth the 90 minute drive (because that's exactly what we did... haha). The Executive Chef (John Malone) is a talented individual and this place is a true Diamond on the Hudson. As a side note ... the real show-stopper is the views of the Hudson River. I couldn't get a proper picture - you'll just have to trust me. Can't wait to come back!!

Denning's has been a part of the Beacon scene for years. Over time, the quality of the stuff coming…read moreoff their stills has improved measurably - the Beacon Bourbon is, in fact, pretty righteous and there is usually a turquoise-topped bottle of the stuff front and center on my home bar. A real bourbon aficianado friend of mine from out of town, after tasting it, looked at me shocked and wanted to know where the heck it came from!!! Also, the Friday Happy Hour at Denning's is a real treat. The prices are very, very Happy Hour-esque and even if you hang for a while after you're not going to get murdered like you would other places in town. Alana (their amazing bartender) mixes great drinks, all featuring Denning's booze. Amy, the hostess (who mans the tasting room) is as welcoming and nice as they come. The room has its charms! It is a distillery, not a super high style bar though. So set your expectations accordingly. But I am a big fan and you will find me here with regularity as I roam the streets of town. Worth a quick detour off Main if you are an out of towner for sure.

The perfect stop after a walk around town! The cocktails are handcrafted and delicious, the…read morebartender was great and gave me a few tips about the liquor I was interested in buying! So praise to the bartender!! At first the lady in the tasting room was kind of rude, maybe she was busy with a group or something but didn't like how she didn't invite people in. The place was empty at one point and would have been nice to have a welcoming face when come in into the Tasting room. Later on I wanted to purchase something and taste some of the liquor which she offered very nicely! I think is important for them to show that the tasting IS NOT FREE, you get 3 shots of your choice for $5 (which is a pretty's reasonable price in my opinion) if you buy something the tasting is free tho. So keep that in mind before purchasing a bottle or the tasting experience!

Excellent food, nicely presented and prepared. Attentive waiters. Lots of great choices. I look…read moreforward to a future visit. One issue - a 3.5% cost of operations fee. This isn't the credit card fee. This fee is ridiculous and akin to restaurants in California and elsewhere with a benefits fee. Just be honest and raise the menu prices.

We had a wonderful meal here! The staff were extremely attentive and gave great suggestions on menu…read moreitems. Their complimentary bread, zucchini dipping oil and cheese were such a wonderful start to the evening. We tried the meatballs and the stuffed fig special which were so delightful. I had a shrimp pasta and my husband the strip steak. Everything was cooked to perfection. We ended with the crème brûlée and cannolis. The whole space had good vibes. We will definitely be back.

I wasn't really hungry and I thought nobody could ruin a Caesar salad. It was horrific. 10" plate…read more$20. Has to go back and ask if I had to order and pay for dressing. The romaine was bitter. The 12 sour dough croutons were tiny crumbs impossible to see. I was still struggling to get it down when they took my dish. Mumbled sorry and kept walking. It is very cold in here.

Found this gem nearby during restaurant week. Was surprised to see that they have locations in…read moredifferent big cities and Hudson Valley is lucky to have one. They had live music, the food was pretty good, especially if the kids liked it as well. They have different events offered on different days so can't wait to be back. The only thing we didn't like was the tap water.

I booked a one-night staycation during spring break while we explored the Catskills area. The…read moreproperty is beautiful and inviting. The communal lodge area is especially welcoming, featuring a cozy fireplace, billiards, board games, and multiple seating options. Amenities include a sauna and a pool, both of which were not in service at the time. The ice rink was available, and we did enjoy the s'mores on the west deck in the evening. Our room was simple but very cozy, with mountain views and a balcony. However, the room did not have a fridge or microwave. I also appreciated that the hotel is dog-friendly and offers a Pupstar package. There is a restaurant and bar on site, but prices were high. Dining options in the area were limited during the off-season weekdays, which made this a bit challenging for us. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and the amenities we were able to experience. Carlos at the front desk provided outstanding customer service every interaction and was extremely helpful. Even though a few things were unavailable, the property itself is lovely, and we would consider returning when all amenities are open and the local area is more lively.

If you're searching for the ultimate mountain getaway, look no further than Scribner's Catskill…read moreLodge! My husband and I have stayed here twice in the past five months, and it's easily my absolute favorite spot in the area. One of the best features: it's located right across the street from Hunter Mountain, making it a perfect option for any skiers hoping for convenient and comfortable lodging. The lodge's common area is warm and inviting, centered around a large fireplace. Whether you're relaxing with a drink from the downstairs bar, enjoying a pool game, or sitting at the bigger tables for some takeout or board games with friends, the atmosphere is always lively and fun. Downstairs, the Prospect restaurant is top-notch. We've enjoyed both breakfast and dinner there, and honestly, everything on the breakfast menu is fantastic. If you want excitement, comfort, and amazing food on your mountain escape, Scribner's Catskill Lodge is the place to be!

We were looking for an all inclusive to take my mom for a girls weekend and I just stumbled upon…read morethis place not knowing that it was insanely popular and also not aware that there was a mystery weekend. Once I booked it and asked around I realized that Mohonk has a huge following especially for the mystery weekend. I was excited to also learn that there was an Edward Gorey art exhibit! 2&1/2 hours from my house, not a bad drive! Check in time was at 4:00 but we got there early so they stored our luggage and said that they would deliver it to our room and call us when it was ready. We got a quick bite in the bar area which was not included in the weekend but we were starving! Then we looked around and went to a healing bowl meditation in the spa area. It was so relaxing, a great start to the weekend. They called us to come get our key and we went up to the room. It was Victorian looking with a balcony that had rocking chairs and 2 beds. Very pretty. The bathroom was big and had a walk in shower. It think it was a handicapped room. I didn't request one but when I called to make the reservation I inquired about how difficult it would be for a person to get around with a walker so perhaps they took the hint. The resort was massive!! And also beautiful to look at inside and out. It was also extremely clean with fresh flowers all over the place and little nooks to sit in to look outside and take in the views. The mystery weekend was so much fun. It was a play in 4 parts and by Sunday at 10 am you had to submit your guess as to "whodunnit". Just like a real life game of clue. There was also a thick packet of puzzles and games to try to solve by looking all over the hotel at the artwork to solve them. We ended up skipping that packet because we wanted a more relaxing experience. We did participate in the tabletop escape room which was really fun. We also skipped an afternoon tea on Saturday that let you interact with the characters and ask them questions to help try to solve the murder mystery. Instead we went to the spa for 2 different meditation classes. We repeated the sound bowl from the day before and also took another one which was part lecture and part meditation. I think we were supposed to choose between the mystery weekend and the regular stay which included the classes because there was so much to do besides participating in the mystery activities that we couldn't get to any other resort activities without skipping the mystery activities. We loved the mystery activities but decided that next time we would go for a relaxing spa type of stay. As far as the food, it was delicious and a lot of it! There was breakfast, brunch/lunch and dinner. We opted out of the breakfast and went to brunch both days which was a buffet with breakfast and lunch options. There were also stations to get freshly made food such as pasta, waffles, carving stations and a whole dessert area. The food was definitely upscale. For dinner it was a sit down with a waiter and a 3 course meal. The dinners took forever! First came the bread which was freshly baked and amazing, then we ordered the appetizer and the entire. The appetizers took a long time to come out but the entree took at least 45 min to arrive both nights. On Friday night we had to be at the first installment of the murder mystery play at 9:00 and our dinner came at 8:50! We took a few bites and had to leave. They were nice enough to tell us to stop back later to pick up our dessert to eat in the room. I enjoyed the brunch more than the dinners to be honest, the fish dish I had one night was extremely bland. Second night, same snafu but we did not have to be anywhere at 9pm so we stuck it out. If there were 1/2 stars this place would rate a 4&1/2 in my book. The 1/2 being taken because of the dinners and the price of the weekend. Now that I am on the mailing list, they are sending me some better deals and specials. I'll definitely be back to take advantage of those!

Mohonk Mountain House is truly a magical place. Yes, it's a bit on the pricey side, but honestly…read more.. it's kind of worth selling a kidney for the peace, views, and sheer joy it brings (kidding! ...mostly). It's one of those rare spots where you can actually hear yourself relax while soaking in the beauty of nature. The meals? Sublime. I'm still thinking about them. The activities and staff? Absolutely fantastic. We did archery today, and Dylan, the director, made me feel like a slightly clumsy but very enthusiastic woodland hero. So much fun! And of course, the labyrinth rock scramble--with the iconic Fat Man's Misery and Lemon Squeeze--was an adventure I'll be bragging about until someone makes me stop. Truly a blast. All in all, it's worth every penny of the splurge. Cheers to everyone who treats themselves--you deserve it!

Everything from start to finish was FANTASTIC! The Sisters are so easy to deal with, every question…read moreanswered. It is the best place to hold an event in the area. The food is extremely good, clean and beautifully decorated. Grounds are so pretty and picture perfect. Staff-we can't say enough about them. Thank you from the JOHN JAY class of 1976!

We were able to try this place during Hudson Valley's restaurant week. Unfortunately, the pork chop…read moreand chicken were a little dry for our taste. The server was excellent and seemed like he was the only one serving the two sections of the place. We had one round of drinks and we usually have more, but since he was busy sitting, taking orders and bringing out the food, he was too busy to check on us and offer more drinks. He did an excellent job and we could have flagged him down, maybe it was better for us to only have one round. But he could have gotten a larger tip and the place a higher margin. Overall, we were expecting more from the food.