Thai Baan
78 Sinpatch Road, Wassaic
After a series of well-received pop-ups, Thai Baan has officially opened inside Tenmile Distillery in Wassaic. Run by chef Arunee “Runie” Pakaraphag and Jason Jeffords III, the Thai kitchen draws from Pakaraphag’s upbringing on a rice farm in northeastern Thailand and her global culinary experience. The couple relocated from New York City to bring thoughtfully prepared, home-style Thai cuisine to rural Dutchess County. Highlights include a rich Massaman short rib curry ($34), fiery pork stir-fry ($22), and vegetarian-friendly green curry ($20). Tenmile’s cocktails—like the jalapeño vodka-based Regina George—pair perfectly with the Southeast Asian menu.
Shorties
81 North Chestnut Street, New Paltz
Shorties has recently revived the beloved Village Pizza building on North Chestnut Street in New Paltz, reimagining the space as a playful “hot dog tiki bar.” Opened by the team behind Huckleberry and Darling’s, the new daytime destination offers retro diner charm. Specializing in all-beef hot dogs—including an indulgent tower of mini-dogs, sides, and exotic condiments like grilled pineapple salsa, hoisin BBQ, and kimchi—is Shorties’ main draw, though vegetarian Impossible dogs are also available. (Ask about the hot dog punch card.) Guests can sip on $15 tiki-style cocktails, such as the Shorties Saturn, with gin, lemon, passionfruit, velvet falernum, and vanilla soft serve; or the Jungle Bird with rum, Amermelade, lime, and pineapple Dole Whip. With patio seating, Shorties brings a fun, flavorful twist to the New Paltz food scene, repurposing a local landmark into a sunlit stop for hot dogs, drinks, and high-brow, low-brow fun.
Rae’s
814 Main Street, Margaretville
Located on Margaretville’s quaint main drag, Rae’s is a fresh addition to the Catskills dining scene with a focus on bold flavors and shared plates. Opened by Alexandra Rosenberg and James Bailey, Rae’s pays tribute to Rosenberg’s great-grandmother through a menu of elevated comfort food with playful, regional touches in a grandma-chic interior (think tin ceilings and mismatched vintage dinnerware). Dishes like chopped liver with crisp chicken-skin “chips” ($15), tuna melt on rye ($19), and chile en nogada ($20) reflect both Jewish and Southwest influences. The cocktail menu riffs on classics with nods to family, and the wine list favors minimal-intervention selections. Housed in a former dive bar, Rae’s balances nostalgia and creativity in both its food and inviting atmosphere.
Medo
83 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock
Fans of Woodstock sushi spot Medo were devastated when the restaurant announced its closure in April. But co-owner David Fletcher sought out new partners in Cheese Louise owner Ari Alonso-Lubell and sushi chef Kevin Lin to revive Medo and infuse it with fresh energy. Reopened in June, Medo preserves its original charm while expanding its menu. Nobu-trained, Lin is curating standout omakase dinners that rotate weekly based on the freshest seasonal fish. Favorites like the Woodstock Roll ($20) and local mushroom tempura ($16) return, while Chef Peter Kerwin is cooking up new dishes—including expanded vegetarian and vegan options. The restaurant also debuts a thoughtful N/A cocktail list, offering bold, flavorful drinks without alcohol (till their license is approved).
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Woodstock Restaurateurs Ari Alonso-Lubell and David Fletcher Team Up to Revive Medo
Hudson Diner
717 Warren Street, Hudson
The 80-year-old stainless steel shell of Hudson’s historic diner—formerly the Diamond Street, then Grazin’—gleams again with new life. Now called, simply, Hudson Diner, the space has been revived by two popular industry pros and friends: Ashley Berman, co-owner of Mel the Bakery, and Brent Young, famed butcher behind The Meat Hook. The duo, friends from Brooklyn’s food scene, jumped at the chance to breathe new life into the historic spot. With a mission rooted in local sourcing, the menu blends comforting diner classics with elevated ingredients—think chopped steak ($25), spaghetti pie ($18), burgers on Mel’s breads (418), and seasonal pies. A newly added bar serves accessible cocktails like martinis and piña coladas ($13). Berman, running the kitchen, aims for a warm, all-day neighborhood hub—low in pretension, high on flavor.
This article appears in August 2025.
