Where to dine on Valentine's Day in the mid-Hudson Valley
For local restaurants working through the slow winter months, Valentine's Day serves as the "light at the end of the tunnel," said Chris Avenius, general manager at Shadows on the Hudson.
A Friday night during the cold season might bring about 200 people to the riverside restaurant in Poughkeepsie, but the boost from Valentine's Day could bring an average of 450 guests.
"Our staff relishes the high-volume season where they can really show their creativity to a larger crowd," Avenius said.
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More than just a romantic night out, Valentine's Day is a crucial opportunity for local restaurants as the second busiest day of the year, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. It's this boost that serves as a turning point from the stagnant winter into a blooming spring for restaurants.
On Valentine's Day, 34 percent of consumers plan to eat out whether or not they're single, Entrepreneur Magazine reported.
Shadows typically sees a mixed crowd on Valentine's Day — both young and old, regulars and fresh faces.
"We run the whole gamut, from 18-year-old couples celebrating their first Valentine's Day to elderly couples enjoying their fiftieth," Avenius said.
This year offers a different impact, with the Tuesday holiday expanding the number of days people will be celebrating, according to Avenius.
"Since many people will be celebrating either the weekend before or after Valentine's Day, we expect to see a moderate boost there as well," he said.
The impact is greater for small, local businesses. Bing.com reported a 9 percent increase in local searched from 2015 to 2016, totaling 88 million searches, according to Entrepreneur Magazine.
And local options abound for couples or friends seeking a casual or more elegant evening.
Dutchess and Ulster counties provide a variety of choices for diners seeking the perfect menu or just the right ambiance.
Here are some options:
Shadows on the Hudson
Couples looking to enjoy a romantic, riverside meal can try Shadows on the Hudson's prix-fixe menu Feb. 10, 11, 12 and Valentine's Day. For $54.95 per person, guests can enjoy a salad, an appetizer, an entree and a dessert off the special menu. Seafood dishes include corn and crab chowder, pan-roasted salmon and the char-grilled swordfish. Couples who prefer turf over surf can enjoy options such as the 12-ounce New York strip steak or the french breast of chicken. Call for reservations. Go: 176 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie, 845-486-9500, shadowsonthehudson.com.
Café Amarcord
The Beacon restaurant features new American fare in an intimate setting. The dinner menu offers starters such as beet and goat cheese gateau, and soft polenta and mushroom fricassee topped with a sunnyside duck egg; entrees are equally as fresh and creative: pasta with sauces made of short ribs or cockle clams; beef, chicken and seafood entrees feature locally sourced main dishes and innovative sides. Check the website for details on Valentine's menu. Reservations by phone or online. Go: 276 Main St., Beacon, 845-440-0050, cafeamarcord.com.
The Bocuse Restaurant
The Culinary Institute of America's French restaurant focuses on "deep flavor, unique preparation and enticing presentation," according to its website, making it an ideal choice for guests looking for something outside the area's usual culinary offerings. Bocuse offers a rotating menu with a choice of à la carte or prix-fixe. Appetizers include black truffle soup, crab rillettes and foie gras; entrees include innovative preparations of seafood, lamb, quail and venison, along with vegetarian selections. Reservations by phone or online. Go: 1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, 845-451-1012, bocuserestaurant.com.
The Tavern at the Beekman Arms
The Tavern at the Beekman Arms, opened in 1766, is in the oldest operating inn in America. Guests can explore the historic property, or check out charming Rhinebeck, before settling into the cozy tavern, with a fireplace, overhead beams and charming bar. The Tavern offers a traditional menu, with appetizers such as French onion soup, clam chowder and shrimp cocktail; and entrees such as steak, prime rib, seafood, chicken, pork and pasta dishes. A special Valentine's menu will be posted online. Call for reservations. Go: 6387 Mill St., Rhinebeck, 845-876-1766, beekmandelamaterinn.com.
The Blue Fountain
Fresh, classic Italian fare, including housemade pasta, is the hallmark of The Blue Fountain, which is also known for its house-baked bread that comes with dinner, and its homemade desserts — be sure to save room for both! Vegetarians, seafood-lovers, hearty meat-eaters and everyone else will be satisfied with its extensive menu. A special, à la carte Valentine's Day menu will be posted online. Call for reservations. Go: 826 Route 376, Hopewell Junction, 845-226-3570, thebluefountain.com.
Monte's Local Kitchen & Tap Room
Monte's is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so you cannot go on the actual Feb. 14 holiday, but the farm-to-table menu at this charming and rustic restaurant in the heart of Amenia makes it a great choice for discerning food lovers who'd rather celebrate on the weekend. The menu features rotating specials from chef Dafna Mizrahi along with standbys that range from creative salads to comfort-food classics and meat, chicken and seafood entrees accompanied by fresh and sophisticated vegetables and other sides. Go: 3330 NY-343, Amenia, 845-789-1818, monteskitchen.com.
The Parish Restaurant
The New Orleans-style restaurant will serve its standard menu, with options such as jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and blackened catfish, alongside a few specials for Valentine's night. It also features a robust selection of cocktails, such as The Parishioner, composed of gin, lime, simple syrup and green chartreuse. The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, with small chandeliers above the bar. Go: 10 Main St. #327, New Paltz, 845-255-4205, theparishrestaurant.com.
Huckleberry
Huckleberry provides a more casual spot for Valentine's Day diners. The cocktail bar serves well-crafted drinks and draft beers, as well as small plates (wings, deviled eggs, mac 'n' cheese) and big plates (fish tacos, fried chicken, burgers). But the real draw is the outdoor seating, complete with fire pits, where, weather permitting, guests can sip a drink. Go: 21 Church St., New Paltz, 845-633-8443, huckleberrynewpaltz.com.
Aurelia Restaurant
Fans of Mediterranean cuisine can enjoy a Valentine's Day dinner at Aurelia Restaurant, which prides itself on seafood fresh from the Fulton Fish Market, and meat and poultry sourced, whenever possible, from the Hudson Valley. Aurelia's well-rounded menu also features pasta, vegetarian dishes and a lovely selection of sides. Expect specials and specialty cocktails for Valentine's dining. The intimate dining room, complete with a fireplace, sets the perfect mood for couples seeking a romantic spot. Go: 3299 Franklin Ave., Millbrook, 845-677-4720, aureliarestaurant.com.
Geoffrey Wilson: gwilson@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4882, Twitter: Geoff_LW