Pillow & Oats
385 Main Street, Beacon
Husband-and-wife duo Maria and Max Headley have opened Beacon’s latest brewery, Pillow and Oats, right in the heart of town. Sandwiched between Peaceful Provisions and Big Mouth Coffee Roasters, Pillow & Oats specializes in small batch Hazy IPAs and hoppy, but not bitter, offerings. In time, the now-Spartan space, a long rectangle that radiates beer hall vibes, and the industrial interior is soon to be spruced up with murals. All the brewing equipment is out in the open and, in addition to the rows of communal tables and benches, there are a dozen or so round tables flanked by comfy bar stools.
La Barbirria Tacos
389 Main Street, Beacon
At Beacon’s newest taqueria, La Barbirria, skip the guac and start with a more adventurous appetizer like the aguacate relleno—a half avocado stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat, red pepper, cilantro, onions, and chile de arbol ($16) or the aguachile, a refreshing dish of lime, cucumber, jalapeños, and your choice of shrimp or scallops ($16, $21). Aside from the street tacos (a dozen varieties to serve every taste and diet restriction), there are also classic Mexican soups and salads, and sides like fried yucca and beans and rice.
Day June Luncheonette
387 Route 296, Hensonville
Following a trend of ski towns activating all-year round with hip new businesses and restaurants, Day June Luncheonette opened its doors in early May in the Windham hamlet of Hensonville. Think all-American, short-order diner fare like eggs any way served with hash browns or home fries ($11) and sausage, bacon, chorizo, or avocado for an additional $4; the Hunter omelet with roast mushrooms, bacon, and onion ($14); or the corned beef hash ($17). For those with a sweet tooth, the buttermilk pancakes are always a safe bet ($11), though the lemon ricotta pancakes ($15) may be more exciting. Burgers and sandwich classics like BLT ($14), club sandwich ($15), and chicken parm ($15) reign supreme on the lunch menu.
Nat’s Mountain House
6589 Route 23A, Tannersville
Following an increasing number of hospitality veterans, Manhattan restaurateur Natalie Freihon (The Fat Radish, Nat’s on Bank) has made the jump upstate. June saw the opening of Nat’s Mountain House in the c.1970s former Chateau Belleview with double-story windows and mountain views adjacent to the recently reinvented Hotel Lilien. With its colorful, geometric, painted-brick wall, coral booths, seafoam stools, and playful floor tiles, Nat’s is a refreshing change up from demure design. The new spot brings the legendary Nat’s burger upstate plus other summery pics like corn ribs and fish tacos; and an array of hot-weather cocktails like spicy margs, strawberry sangria, and a frozen piña colada.
Tanner’s Boathouse
27 Lake Road, Tannersville
The red-and-white exterior of the Boathouse, opened in 2021, smacks of summer vacation spots on the Atlantic coast, but it’s surprisingly at home among the hills of Greene County and back another season. There’s loaded hot dogs ($4), cups of clam chowder ($7), fish and chips ($19), and fried shrimp platters ($20) The signature lobster roll, a product of market price hikes, is a hefty $39 this year and comes either hot with melted butter or cold with mayo. If frutti di mare ain’t your thing, there’s also a fried buttermilk chicken sandwich, served with chipotle mayo, lettuce, and tomato ($14); a vegan quinoa bowl served with seasonal veg and coconut curry ($16); and a cold corn salad with cucumber, tomato, avocado, basil, and citrus dressing ($15). Kid-friendly options include a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich ($6), mac and cheese ($7), and chicken fingers with fries ($13).
This article appears in July 2023.
