Liz Cook, Jude Roberts, Jeff McCoy at Market Market in Rosendale.
Market Market
It wasn’t just an ordinary avocado sandwich. It was so huge and savory that I uttered an expletive. The creative, diverse menu at the Brooklyn-esque Market Market is small, but for good reason—the goal is to provide the freshest ingredients possible. Meat and produce are
local, organic and free-range, and daily specials change according to
season. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or carnivore, there’s amazing food for all—Vietnamese Bahn Mi hero, Korean style BiBimBop, turkey cobb salad, fried batterless jalapenos, and huevos rancheros are just a start. The eatery is also a venue for eclectic performances, from music to kiddie programs to the popular karaoke “Tribution” series—Michael Jackson is the tributee on May 5. 1 Madeline Lane on Route 32N, Rosendale. Marketmarketcafe.com
—Sharon Nichols
Duo Bistro/Bar
The former Gabriel’s Café space on John Street in Uptown Kingston is the site of a dynamic pairing via Saugerties: Juan Romero, former chef at Love Bites, and Niels Nielson, chef/owner of Fez Café, opened their breakfast and lunch spot in mid-April. Call it dressed-up comfort food: steak and eggs with “smashies” (an elevation of humble home fries), and turkey confit hash for breakfast; sausage and brie sandwich (prepared with house-made chicken and fig sausage) and Cullen Skink (from Scotland: smoked cod and potato chowder) for lunch. The Chronogram staff favorite thus far (Duo is around the corner from our office) is the vegetarian bahn mi, a well-executed take on the Vietnamese sandwich. With marinated tofu and spicy pickles and greens, it almost approximates the texture of the original, made with pâté. The menu is small, but done well. Duo is expected to open for dinner this summer once they receive their liquor license. (845) 383-1198.
—Brian K. Mahoney
Holy Cow
The weather is warmer. The days are longer. Get out of my way, I’m going to Holy Cow. It’s the Ice Cream Mecca of Red Hook—always crowded with familiar faces—in soccer jerseys and work clothes. Kids walk out wide-eyed and giddy, their tongues tracing brightly colored flavor burst gel that clings to the mountain of soft-serve. Crisp cookie sandwiches. Fantastic floats. For me, vanilla with gooey hot fudge is perfection in a cup. It’s a simple place. A simple pleasure. And one you can afford just by digging change out from under the seat of your car. (845) 758.5959.
—Holly Tarson
Gomen Kudasai
Youko Yamamoto’s Japanese noodle house, which shuttered suddenly last summer, has been back up and running for a couple months. Now established in the former Main Course space in New Paltz, Gomen Kudasai is back to setting exacting standards for Japanese fare in the Hudson Valley. By all means go for the noodles—authentic soba and udon in nourishing broth chockfull of fresh veggies—but don’t skip the silken, ethereal madofu tofu topped with minced scallion, ginger, and dried shrimp and dressed with soy sauce and roasted sesame oil. Or the katsu-don for that matter—breaded pork cutlet delicately fried and served with egg over rice. A host of hard-to-find sakes have also been added to the menu. Forget California rolls for an evening and treat yourself to some other wonders of Japanese cuisine. Gomenkudasainy.com.
—Brian K. Mahoney
