Date night splurge: The Local restaurant in Rhinebeck | Chronogram Magazine

Date night splurge: The Local restaurant in Rhinebeck

Sweet potato ravioli at The Local

Barbecued Salmon for me & Meatloaf for him

IMG_1174.jpg
  • Hudson Valley Good Stuff/Vanessa Ahern

My husband and I had a delicious dinner at The Local Restaurant on West Market Street in Rhinebeck last Friday. The exterior is very non-descript. It looks like a quaint Rhinebeck house. Once inside though, you'll see the stylish minimalist decor and candle lit dining area. The cuisine is American eclectic. I ordered the sweet potato ravioli appetizer to start. Tom had the Caesar salad. The sweet potato ravioli was just as sweet and savory as I expected it, with brown butter and toasted pine nuts. Tom was very happy with the Caesar salad which came with juicy anchovies.

Tom ordered the meatloaf special which came with red potatoes and barbecue sauce. Our server tried to warn him that the portion is large. He wasn't kidding. The meatloaf was about the size of a small Bundt cake. I had to help him finish it. I ordered the barbecued wild salmon, which was (thankfully) lighter, and a smaller sized portion. The salmon was cooked medium, and very silky and soft.

The service was excellent. I could see the chefs prepping my dish from where I sat, and I marvel at how organized they appear. For dessert we shared the Belgian Chocolate Ganache Tartlet torte with peanut butter ice cream and dulce de leche. The dessert was really good, but the meal was very filling so we overdid it a bit with dessert.

Visit Vanessa Ahern's blog Hudson Valley Good Stuff for where to eat, play & recharge your spirit in the Hudson Valley.