<p>Here are a couple in the area that our family likes – I’ve concentrated on those that had good cadet-sized portions (there are some “fine” restaurants that believe in food as decoration; these are not them!):
Fiddlestix at 319 Main Street in Cornwall is a great spot for informal breakfast/brunch/lunch – laidback and eclectic, with really fresh and interesting food. The chef/owner, Patrick Mercurio, has given this cafe a really welcoming feel, and the locals are friendly and chatty – you might find yourself invited over! The coffee (my judge of a great breakfast place) was great, and the hip young servers even know to ask whether you want milk or cream; but it’s the food from scratch that will hook you – a regular breakfast and lunch menu is augmented by daily specials on the chalkboards. Everything we’ve had there was good, but especially great were the eggs benedict, “Strawberry Fields” stuffed french toast, Ezra’s Omelette (a daily special), and portobello mushroom burger with sweet potato fries. Arrive before 9:30/10 a.m. if you want to avoid waiting on weekends, though. Seating on the patio is available when weather allows. Mon-Fri: 7a-3p, Sa 8a-4p, Su 8a-2p ([Home](<a href=“http://www.fiddlestixcafe.com%5DHome%5B/url%5D”>http://www.fiddlestixcafe.com)</a>)</p>
<p>2 Alices coffee lounge – 311 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson. Decent place to grab an unhurried cup of coffee and a hearty snack. In addition to the usual coffees and teas, they serve smoothies, juices, baked goods and light lunches. A decent locally-owned (as opposed to Starbucks) coffee shop with free wireless Internet, for those who need it on the road. Again, friendly locals who are not shy about answering questions or inviting you to join what they are up to. M-Th 7a-7p, Fr/Sa 7a-9p, Su 9a-5p ([2</a> Alices Coffee Lounge](<a href=“http://www.2alicescoffee.com%5D2”>http://www.2alicescoffee.com))</p>
<p>Hearty second for the River Bank and Canterbury Brook Inn! Similar in feel to Canterbury Brook Inn, although less varied in fare (and no stream-side patio dining, but with a clever BMW mini on display) is the Black Forest Mill German Restaurant at 719 Route 32 in Highland Mills. REALLY excellent traditional German food – if you are missing the Old Country, go here! Great for boisterous, happy outings – entrees come with soup (the mushroom is great, but all are good), salad and vegetables served family style (potato salad, red cabbage, coleslaw, sliced German breads, all the good stuff), plus dessert and coffee – excellent choices included potato pancakes, crisp pork shank, Sauerbraten, the Jaegerschnitzel, Maultaschen, roast pork, and of course, spaetzle and bread dumplings are a must… Closed Monday and Tuesday, they are open Wed-Sun for dinner.</p>
<p>Loughran’s Irish Pub, Route 94 at Schoolhouse Road, in Salisbury Mills – these folks do catering for events on post, which is always very good, but their warm and cheery little restaurant out in the middle of nowhere is quaint and right out of the Irish countryside. They have a menu that you could spend all evening reading, with top billing for their prime rib (they have a special M-Th), but their burgers and seafood are also top notch. Fish and chips, seafood cakes, stuffed clams, baked salmon, Pasta Gregory, peppercorn pork, as well as the veal and lamb have all been thoroughly enjoyable. Sometimes daily specials, and always friendly, hometown service ([WELCOME</a> TO LOUGHRAN’S IRISH PUB](<a href=“http://www.loughransirishpub.com%5DWELCOME”>http://www.loughransirishpub.com)) M11:30-5, T-Th 11:30-9p, Fr/Sa 11:30-10p, Su noon-9p.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to stay at Loughran’s for their dessert, you can always hit the local excellent dairy bar just up the road – Weir’s, a local ice cream stand, is a little further towards Washingtonville at 2159 Rte 94. A decent array of ice creams (both soft and hard, as well as frozen joghurt) along with all the things you can do with ice cream – floats, shakes, malts, etc.-- served from the little windows in the building with the giant cone out front; they are open daily from April through September, 11:30a - 9 p. ([Weir’s</a> Ice Cream](<a href=“http://www.weirsicecream.com%5DWeir’s”>http://www.weirsicecream.com)) A fun, different outing.</p>
<p>Riverfront dining experiences can be had in Newburgh – Gully’s, The River Grill, etc., but if you get the chance, and can stand a bit of adventure in finding the place, Pamela’s on the Hudson, located at 1 Park Place, Newburgh (the Newburgh Yacht Club), has great food, extremely cordial atmosphere and a stunning view. Closed M&T, W/Th 3p-9p, Fr/Sa noon-10p, Su noon-9p, reservations 845-562-4505 or 877-223-4505 or online at ([Pamelas</a> Traveling Feast Hudson Valley Caterers and Catering](<a href=“http://www.pamelastravelingfeast.com/index.php?id=54]Pamelas”>http://www.pamelastravelingfeast.com/index.php?id=54)) Private parties may be arranged, and they also cater. Everything eaten here has been exceptional – Thai lemongrass soup, Boston salad, filet mignon, tequila-lime chicken, roast lamb, veal short ribs, roast pork… all excellent. Get good directions for finding the place (it can be a little tricky, and you think you’ve gone the wrong way – but perservere!). This is a perfect place for a very special dinner out.</p>
<p>And, finally, if you need a reliable 24-hour New York diner experience, the Alexis (formerly Lexus until they were forced to change their name by the car company!) Diner in Newburgh at 411 Route 9W where it intersects with I-84 was tasty, efficient, and had a startlingly broad menu. Their stuffed salmon was great, as were the crab cakes, the gyro, steak salad, and meatloaf were all well received, too. The matzo-ball soup was great, and the desserts were pretty overwhelming – great cheesecakes! All the baking is done on the premises. They have a dinner option that includes soup or salad, dessert, and drink (also a glass of wine if one is of age), very reasonable. Quick service, very clean, and much better atmosphere than you would think from a diner. Be warned, the portions are very large for a diner – splitting the entrees is not out of the question here, if you are not a hungry cadet.</p>
<p>More as we find them – happy visiting!</p>