Nestled between the winding Hudson River and surrounding mountains in the small town of Cold Spring, Cozy Corner Cafe occupies the former space of Hudson Hil’s American bistro. Opened in mid-May by Jessika Martinez and Ramiro Prolo, the cafe offers a break from the fast-paced mass-produced options that dominate today’s food scene: a connection to people, place, and the artistry of food. It’s a refuge from city life, a celebration of home-cooked comfort, and a labor of love from two people who have become part of the town’s heartbeat.
The cafe greets visitors with an immediate sense of warmth—the once house with its rocking chair front porch feelings inviting and lived-in. The atmosphere blends comfort with simplicity, offering a quiet space to linger over coffee or a sizzling dish of melted provoleta and crusty bread.
Martinez, with her background in interior design, has crafted a setting that shifts subtly with the seasons. Lush greenery and summer florals give way to the deep reds and oranges of autumn, accented by dry flowers and seasonal art. “It’s all about creating an environment that reflects the season,” she says. Every detail, from lighting to decor, is thoughtfully chosen to make the space feel familiar and unpretentious. Though the cafe retains the essence of the former Hudson Hil’s, the owners’ updates—fresh paint, new lighting, and thorough cleaning—have given the space a new beginning.
Food as Family, Food as Love
But for all Martinez’s efforts with the setting, the real artistry lies on the plate. The ingredients are simple, but each dish reflects a deeper ethos of quality and care, inflected with traditions and flavors of the owners’ neighboring home countries of Argentina and Uruguay. Take their empanadas, for example. “We hand-cut the meat in small pieces so it retains the full flavor,” Martinez explains. “It takes more time, but it’s worth it. People notice the difference.” This attention to detail extends to their fish, prepared with minimal fuss—grilled with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. “It’s as simple as that,” Prolo says.
“Everything is homemade,” Martinez adds. “We use fresh products—no frozen meat, no frozen fish. We get everything from local farms and make our empanadas, desserts, aioli—all from scratch. Sometimes less is more. If you have really good quality meat with just a pinch of salt, you have an amazing dish everyone would kill to have.”
To compliment the food, Cozer Corner recently introduced a signature cocktail and wine menu. With her bartending background, Martinez crafts seasonal drinks. This winter, she plans to introduce a hot toddy and a drink with brandy and grenadine. The wine list is thoughtfully curated, with recommendations that pair perfectly with the food: a Malbec with the steak, a Bucha with bolognese pasta, and Albarinos for the fish.
Martinez and Prolo believe food should connect people to their roots, memories, and family. “We want people to eat here and think about our grandmothers’ and grandfathers’ recipes,” Prolo says. “When they leave Cozy Corner, we want them to think about traveling to Argentina to try more food.”
A Cafe Rooted in Community
The couple, who moved to the Hudson Valley from New York City, bring a distinct fusion of their Latin heritage and experiences to the table. Martinez, born in Argentina, and Prolo, from Uruguay, have spent years honing their craft. Prolo began his career as a waiter in Miami Beach in 2007, working his way up to manager, while Martinez worked as a barista, bartender, manager of an ice cream shop, and interior designer in Miami and New York City. “We have the perfect mix of knowledge and experience,” Martinez says.
Prolo’s years of experience in hospitality have taught him how to create a dining experience where customers feel like family. “People love to have the owners around,” he says. “They feel safe when we’re here, talking to them, explaining where the food comes from, how it’s made. It’s important to us that people feel connected to the food and to us.”
The dream of opening a cafe in Cold Spring has always been in the back of their minds, a town they knew well since Prolo’s family lives in the area. “One day, we were just walking around with family when we saw a sign that the restaurant was for sale,” Prolo remembers. “We knew it was a sign. We had to do it.”
“When we first came to Cold Spring, it felt like a different world,” Martinez says. “The air was purer. The people were kinder. It was a huge change, and we wanted to bring that sense of purity and community into the restaurant.”
The sense of family permeates everything at Cozy Corner. “We want people to feel like they’re part of something,” Martinez says. Prolo echoes her sentiment, adding, “When people come in here, they’re not just customers. They’re part of the family.” Their family business is just that—Prolo’s sisters help make the empanadas, desserts, and weekend hostessing, while the couple’s nieces and nephews work as servers. “Our concept is family,” Prolo says. “It’s just a beautiful thing—having everyone come together and support each other.”
The cafe’s focus on family extends to its ingredients, which are sourced locally from farms and businesses in the area, including Tiny Greens Farm for microgreens, Kilcoyne Farms for meat, Trax Coffee, and Cold Spring Fish. “We try to help each other out,” Martinez says of neighboring businesses.
Cozy Corner has also forged relationships with nearby businesses, creating a network of mutual support. “If Cold Spring Hotel across the street ever runs out of coffee, we’ll send them some,” Prolo says. “They’re always sending us people, and whenever a customer asks where they should spend a few nights, we send them there.” It’s a small-town give-and-take, where everyone tries to lend a hand.
And it’s clear the community has responded. From the regulars who pop in for a morning coffee to the tourists who stumble upon the cafe by chance, Cozy Corner has become a welcoming melting pot. Martinez and Prolo are always there, working side by side, greeting newcomers with the warmth of familiarity. Their story of building a family-run, Hispanic-owned business, is woven into every interaction.
As the cafe continues to grow, Martinez and Prolo have big plans for the future, including expanding their offerings to include dinner service. “We want to offer an experience,” says Prolo. He envisions whole fish served on the table, a cheese wheel used to mix pasta in front of the guests, and explanations of the origins of the wine and food.
The essence of Cozy Corner Cafe is about creating a space where people can reconnect—not just with each other but with the simplicity and beauty of life itself. It is a small, delicious reprieve. “When people walk through that door, I want them to feel like they’re walking home,” Martinez says.
Cozy Corner Cafe
129-131 Main St, Cold Spring, NY 10516
