<p>My daughter and mom and I will be in Red Hook in a couple of weeks so D can visit Bard. We’re staying at the Red Hook Inn, which sounds great. Any advice for a good place for dinner that night? Nice enough for my mom and I do get a good glass of wine, but casual enough to wear jeans and local enough to give a prospective Bard girl a sense of the town.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>If you can get in, go to Mercato. It’s only open a few nights a week. It’s an Italian wine bar with interesting, home-cooked food.</p>
<p>[MERCATO</a> - OSTERIA & ENOTECA, Italian Restaurant, Red Hook NY](<a href=“http://www.mercatoredhook.com/]MERCATO”>http://www.mercatoredhook.com/)</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip-- it sounds great! Unfortunately we’re in town on a Monday night, and they’re closed. If D ends up at Bard we’ll be back.</p>
<p>Sounds like it might be the most fun to drive 15 minutes south to eat at one of the CIA restaurants, maybe the Italian one. But if anyone else has ideas???</p>
<p>There are a number of very good restaurants in Rhinebeck. And some in Tivoli. I’ve only eaten at a few and don’t feel qualified to give recommendations - but try checking out Yelp for those two towns. I’ve only eaten at the diner in Red Hook, which would be great for breakfast for your family. (Btw. the drive to Hyde Park is a bit longer than 15 minutes unless you’re a very fast driver.)</p>
<p>If you don’t mind driving 15-20 minutes, I recommend Arielle, a French restaurant in Rhinebeck. My parents take my brother and me there almost every time they come to visit us.</p>
<p>Or if you’re looking for something more low-key, CJ’s has good pizza and other Italian dishes (though not great. It’s cheap and gets the job done and tastes good) and it’s on the way to Rhinebeck on 9G.</p>
<p>Less upscale - D has enjoyed brunch at the diner, and I’ve lunched at Taste Budd’s, which is a great little coffeeshop. The bakery with the funky whirligigs outside has some nice offerings.</p>
<p>Tivoli, just up the road from Bard, also has several nice restaurants.</p>
<p>On our recent visit to Bard we wound up grabbing a quick lunch at the Manor House Cafe on campus. Very fresh salads and wraps. My family raved about their tofu wraps and I had a delicious salad. Also gave us a chance to check out the students.</p>
<p>Enjoy your visit. Bard is beautiful and we were really impressed.</p>