DUTCHESS MAGAZINE
summer 2025
Eat, Explore, Enjoy Summer!
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W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N T H E H I L L S // D u t c h e s s M a g a z i n e . c o m
In the
HILLS
Summer in Dutchess W E L C O M E T O O U R S U M M E R I S S U E of Dutchess Magazine! In this issue we speak with Jeffrey Palfini and Cindy Heslin, co-founders of the nonprofit pop-up Boondocks Film Society, a series featuring acclaimed, thought-provoking films—complete with live music, craft cocktails, and custom menus. Project Runway winner Gretchen Jones, founder of Weird Specialty in Tivoli, shares insights on building creative businesses through collaborative salon events, while Linda and James Quella’s new nonprofit, Tri Corner F.E.E.D. in Millerton, champions food equity with sliding-scale markets. And for insider tips on where to eat, shop, and play, follow Rachella—the Hudson Valley Girl influencer— whose curated recommendations keep you in the know. Brothers Paul and John Stefanopoulos invite you to the long-awaited House of Stefas in Millbrook, where bold Greek flavors are served with a cosmopolitan slant. Just down the road, don’t miss our feature on the very special historic Lithgow Garden. And horse enthusiasts can saddle up for the Millbrook Horse Trials in July, a thrilling showcase of equestrian skill and countryside charm. Over in Rhinebeck, we are excited about the beautiful new restaurant Little Goat, and visiting C. Cassis’s comfy eclectic space for a glass of local cassis and treats. In Poughkeepsie, Canvas + Clothiers brings American-made bespoke style to Garden Street. In Sharon, Conn., we share a Danish-inspired Cape Cod renovation. Here’s to a summer filled with discovery, connection, and the unique spirit that makes Dutchess County home.
Mary Beth Lawlor 2 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
DUTCHESS
Contents / Summer / 2025
19
WEIRD WORKS
Gretchen Jones—Project Runway winner and former fashion director—earned an MBA, then founded Weird Specialty to holistically guide creative entrepreneurs toward sustainable, valuesdriven business growth. By Christopher Stella
28
FARM-TO-F.E.E.D
Linda and James Quella founded Tri Corner F.E.E.D. to connect farmers to consumers via sliding-scale markets improving food access and sustainability.
House of Stefas
58
Brothers Paul and John Stefanopoulos bring their family’s 14th Hudson Valley venture—House of Stefas—to Millbrook, honoring their Greek heritage. Offering “free-
style Greek” dishes from Chef Roel Alcudia—like Aegean omakase— alongside their mother’s classic recipes, the restaurant’s Tiger Bar,
Veranda Room, and rooftop lounge evoke cosmopolitan flair. O N T H E C O V E R / Brooke Kennan for Kinderbrook / Photo by G L Y N I S C A R P E N T E R
4 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
By Tara Kelly
48
MODERN CAPE
The Wismers reconfigured their 1940s Sharon, Conn., Cape Cod, blending Danish minimalism with bold patterns and smart flow—adding forever-home functionality. By Cynthia hochswender
LITCHFIELD
36 2 EDITOR’S NOTE
Dive into summer’s stories: community, culture, and celebrations with editor-in-chief Mary Beth Lawlor
12 Q & A
The Morse Estate and Frederick Douglass
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19 O N O U R R A D A R
Gretchen Jones, C. Cassis, Millbrook Horse Trials, Canvas + Clothier, Tri Corner F.E.E.D.
32 C O N V E R S A T I O N S
We speak with Jeff Palfini and Cindy Heslin, co-founders of Boondocks Film Society
36 G A R D E N
Lithgow Garden in Millbrook
46 F A V E S
Instagram tastemaker Hudson_valleygirl showcases the best of area eats, shops, and adventures
48 H O U S E
Danish-inspired Cape Cod renovation marries bold style with functional elegance
DUTCHESS
58 E A T S
MAGAZINE / SPRING 202 5
House of Stefas opens in Millbrook
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64 A R T N E W S
Painter Alexis England at Troutbeck in Amenia
Who
WE ARE
C Y N T H I A H O C H S W E N D E R / writer
Celebrate The Summer!
Get Grilling with our prime steaks and chops!
FRESH FROM OUR FARM Chickens • Pheasants Ducks • Geese • Venison Turkeys • Wild Turkeys Heritage Turkeys
Cynthia Hochswender’s tastebuds popped with joy when they tasted the delicious currant liqueur at C. Cassis in Rhinebeck. She writes about the cassis tasting room and the history of currants in Dutchess County for this issue. Cynthia is also a Realtor with Christie’s International Real Estate.
T A R A K E L L Y / writer
In this issue, author and self-taught gardener Tara Kelly, tours the historic and inspiring gardens at Lithgow in Millbrook. She also discusses food sovereignty with Blake Myers, the force behind Tri-Corner F.E.E.D., a new community-focused market in Millerton.
CUSTOM-CUT PRIME MEATS Steaks • Chops Tomahawks • Cowboy Ribeyes Boneless Leg of Lamb Fresh or Smoked Meats & Sausages
FARM STORE & GOURMET MARKET Our own Smokehouse Bacon Large collection of Craft Beer Italian Specialties: Cheeses • Pastas Olive Oil • Vinegars Also LOCAL: Breads • Vegetables Honey • Jams Grains & More! ROUTE 44 PLEASANT VALLEY, NY 12569 (845) 635-2018 QUATTROS.NET 8 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
R Y A N L A V I N E / photographer
Ryan Lavine spent the majority of his photography career in Philadelphia and New York, but now lives with his wife and two daughters in Litchfield County, CT. In this issue, he photographs Gretchen Jones of Weird Specialty and Hudson Valley Girl influencer Rachel La Bella.
M L B A L L / writer
Riding since the age of four, ML Ball puts readers in the saddle with her as she describes the thrills, challenges, and hard work that go into competing in the sport of eventing. Her horse, Smurf (show name: Diamond Cruise), like her, loves to go really fast and jump things.
C H R I S T O P H E R S T E L L A / writer
Christopher Stella is a writer, photographer, woodworker, and marketer. In this issue, he covers how retailer Canvas + Clothier is building community around American-made goods, and how Gretchen Jones nurtures an emerging class of entrepreneurs through her consultancy and salon, Weird Specialty.
DUTCHESS Summer 2025
THE POWER OF
LIGHT
MARY BETH LAWLOR Pub li sh er / Editor
DEBORAH HAYN Crea t ive Director
VANESSA HAMMOND Op era t i o ns Manag er
CYNTHIA HOCHSWENDER Co p y Editor
ZANDRIA OLIVER
Pro duc t i o n As s is tant
SHARON PECK Pro duc t i o n Manag er
GEORGIA LOPRESTI Event Manag er C o nt r i but i ng Writers ML Ball, Tara Kelly, Cynthia Hochswender, Lydia Kennedy, AJ Schenkman, Christopher Stella
Co n t r ib ut ing P hotog raphers Sabrina Eberhard, Rana Faure Ryan Lavine, Jiatong Lu
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&A
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A Telegraph Built It? M O S T A M E R I C A N S L E A R N E D I N S C H O O L that Samuel F.B. Morse invented the telegraph, and Morse code, but they probably didn’t learn that these and other inventions generated enough income to allow him to purchase a large estate overlooking the Hudson River, in Poughkeepsie. Morse called the property Locust Grove, because of the many black locust trees that grew there. The Morse family primarily lived in New York City; but in the mid 19th century, it was customary for the wealthy to have a home in the country, where they could escape the city’s heat and periodic epidemics. Morse purchased the property in 1847, three years after he sent the first coded message on his invention from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. He designed the house with his friend, the renowned architect Alexander Jackson Davis, according to Kenneth Silverman in his book Lightning Man. Construction was completed in 1852. In addition to his contributions to communications, Morse was also an artist. He had traveled often to the Hudson River Valley and was considered part of the Hudson River School. When it came time to build his new home, he chose to make Locust Grove an Italianate villa, inspired in part by painting trips he had made to the Italian countryside. After Morse died in 1872, Locust Grove was rented by the Young family, who eventually purchased the estate in 1901, and continued to expand and beautify it. The estate now measures 200 acres; it was opened to the public in 1979. —lgny.org —AJ Schenkman
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12 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
LOCUSTGROVE ESTATE
ss i
interior d
oje
ement
The American Paradox? A M E R I C A I N 1 8 5 8 was steadily veering toward civil war. The Republican Party had been founded, Kansas was in flames, and the Dred Scott decision had deepened the national divide. Slavery was at the forefront of every American’s mind—especially Frederick Douglass. By then, Douglass had already published his powerful narrative detailing the cruelty of slavery and his own experiences in bondage. When he arrived in Poughkeepsie in 1858, Douglass spoke for hours, forcefully challenging the legitimacy of slavery in a nation founded on liberty. He pointed out that neither the Declaration of Independence nor the Constitution mentions color—an omission he used to highlight the hypocrisy of a country that claimed to stand for freedom while enslaving millions. “Slavery has bewitched us,” Douglass said, arguing that it had become deeply woven into the fabric of the nation. He echoed ideas from his famous speech, ‘What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?’, condemning the injustice of celebrating freedom while denying it to others. In Poughkeepsie, Douglass declared that liberty is a natural law—something all humans are born with—not a social experiment. Slavery, he argued, was the true experiment: one where white men sought to live without working, consuming the fruits of others’ labor. For Douglass, this system revealed a nation of low moral standing, fundamentally flawed without freedom and equality for all. He envisioned an America rooted in natural rights, equality, progress, and humanity—ideals we continue to pursue more than 165 years later. —Lydia Kennedy
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On Our
RADAR
No. 11
Summer 2025
WEIRD WORKS BY
CHR ISTOPHER
STELLA
photographs by R Y A N
LAVINE
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 19
On Our
RADAR
Gretchen Jones builds a creative community in Tivoli
›
“The creative class is what drives societal progress,” says Gretchen Jones, founder of Weird Specialty. “There is a responsibility in their existence; I want them to realize their job is not just to bring beauty into the world, but to demonstrate how to be in the world.” In this respect, Jones is more than an advisor to creative entrepreneurs. She’s a model. Jones’s path to founding Weird Specialty—an advisory practice and creative salon—is as unique as her customer base. Raised in Colorado, she pursued a career in apparel design in Portland, Oregon–a decision that ultimately led her to compete on Season 8 of reality show Project Runway. She won. Following her victory, Jones landed in NYC and established her own apparel line, then returned to Portland to take on the role of fashion director of Women’s Wear at Pendleton Woolen Mills. There, her path took a turn. “I was spending so much time in the boardroom defending design direction against executives. New ideas can’t be
20 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
quantified before they go to market,” Jones recounts. “I wanted to pursue my MBA so I could ultimately come back and be better at fighting for creativity.” She resigned from Pendleton, and earned her MBA at the University of London College of Fashion, writing her thesis on holistic sustainability and intuitive creativity’s necessary intersection with Big Data’s impact on business. This led her on a lecture circuit, and a calling toward creative consultation. Jones recognized that creatives have few resources to understand how to grow their companies. She founded Weird Specialty in 2018 to fill that gap, providing a holistic approach to managing businesses—from identifying a niche, to building revenue, and ensuring alignment with personal values. Success, she notes, is about accountability.“Creative people often go from one idea to the next,” says Jones. “To stay in business, they need to focus, taking ownership not just of an idea, but its execution.” Jones wants entrepreneurs to learn
from one another as well. Inspired by the salons of writer Gertrude Stein, she created a members-only event series for women in business that meets monthly at the Weird Specialty studio in Tivoli. Jones believes that communing entrepreneurs of different backgrounds is essential to fostering collective growth. “The individualism of creative people can be limiting and lonely; they often believe their challenges are unique,” Jones explains. “Aspens may look like individual trees, but they share the same root system. In community, ideas get deeper, stronger, and output becomes more meaningful. Gathering people in different stages of business building and different industries gives them opportunities to gain new perspectives.” The Weird Specialty studio is a reflection of Jones: welcoming, expressive, and multi-dimensional. The parlor combines contemporary and vintage furniture, objects from local artists, and artwork by independent designers (some of whom are salon members). It’s eclectic, but clear that every object is intentionally placed. “I wanted a space that exposes guests to all forms of creativity, and represents the people I work with,” Jones notes. “It needs to be comfortable, inspiring, and fun.” In the future, she hopes to partner with others in the community to host programming in the studio. Jones believes that at the heart of what she does is helping entrepreneurs ground their businesses in what they’re best at—their own weird specialties. “One of my super powers is not being everyone’s cup of tea. It’s important to stay grounded in a unique identity.” For Jones (and those she advises) “weird” can work wonders. —weirdspecialty.com
On Our
RADAR NEW RESTAURANT
Little Goat There’s a new spot in Rhinebeck that we’re already swooning over. Little Goat is a charming all-day café, bakery, and pantry tucked into a beautifully restored 18th-century townhouse right on Mill Street. The team behind it—Taavo Somer and Erin Winters—have created a space that feels like a cozy escape, full of character, with dreamy interiors that channel Degas ballerinas and a little Nancy Meyers magic. The shelves are stocked with treasures—French ceramics, vintage pottery, beautiful linens, and thoughtfully sourced pantry items—while the café serves up Mediterranean-inspired dishes using top-notch local ingredients. Chef Brian Paragas (he’s worked at Blackberry Farm and Zahav) is behind the menu, which includes house-made pastas like bucatini with guanciale and rigatoni with pork sausage ragu, as well as standout mains like grilled Hudson Valley steelhead trout with charred turnips. Whether you stop in for a casual bite, a glass of wine, or a full dinner, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled onto something special. For now, they’re open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday (later hours on the weekends), with lunch coming soon. Reservations are on Resy—and trust us, you’ll want to grab one.
—littlegoatny.com
CURRANT EVENTS Redefining the Taste of Cassis BY
CYNTHIA
HOCHSW END ER
›
Like many young women, Rachael Petach first experienced currant berries in France, when she tasted the classic Kir Royale Champagne cocktail. Even though she was only 19 at the time, she remembers being impressed by how the sweet, currant-based Crème de Cassis liqueur “transformed the taste of the Champagne.” Years later, while living in Spain, she tasted actual currant berries, and was “taken aback: so dynamic, so much flavor, so not sweet.” C. Cassis has Fast forward, and Petach is living in New York, working made the French in boutique hospitality, and indulging a passion for cooking. liqueur sophisticatShe wants to create a product of her own, and decides to ed once again. photographs by C O L E
W ILSON
AND
W INONA
BAR TON
On Our
RADAR enough that she needed a larger workspace. She and her husband, graphic designer Steve Quested, moved with their young child to upstate New York, and in 2022 built a distillery on a farm in Rhinebeck. Their aperitif is called C. Cassis, with logo and graphics created by Petach and Quested. Quinn’s currants form the base, which is then layered with wild honey from Clermont beekeeper Ray Tousey, and a hybrid rosé from Hudson Chatham Wine. There are also botanicals such as citrus, verbena, and bay “to add bite,” Petach explains. C. Cassis now sells 8,000 bottles a year (about $28 for a 375mL bottle) in New York and 18 other states. Petach and Quested have added a small tasting room next to the distillery; it’s open on weekends in
spring, summer, and fall. When you arrive at the tasting room, it feels as though you’ve stumbled upon a café in the south of France. The decor is both understated and fabulous; it feels languorous and sun baked. Friendly servers pour out tastings of the company’s rich, sweet cassis elixirs. There are snacks (roasted squash with shiso dressing; medicinal mushroom broth). A loaf of gorgeous, dark wheat bread studded with currants sits on a wooden cutting board beside a small mountain of homemade butter. There are snappy and exciting currant crackers with sea salt. All the baked goods come deliciously from Mel the Bakery in Hudson.The tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. —ccassis.com
WINONA BARTON
experiment with making an allAmerican cassis liqueur, one with more depth, one that does honor to the taste of those amazing berries— which had been banned from American farms in the 1900s. The currants, it was discovered, were carrying a fungus that killed the white pine trees used extensively in building. The federal ban was lifted in the 1960s, but in most states growing currants continued to be illegal. New York state ended its ban in 2003—and botanist Greg Quinn immediately began growing currants on a farm in Staatsburg. As Petach was experimenting with her cassis aperitif, she connected with Quinn, and began using him as a source and resource. By 2020, she had perfected her recipe, and it was selling briskly
22 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
On Our
RADAR
The cassis processing plant is right beside the chic tasting room.
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 23
On Our
RADAR
A DEEP SEAT AND A LONG HOLD Competing at the Millbrook Horse Trials BY
›
“5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … Have a great ride!” And you’re off. You and your horse burst out of the start box, and in a few strides are galloping at 15 mph across the Millbrook Horse Trials cross-country course, laserfocused on the first obstacle. But wait, back up. How did you get here? As the saying goes, the same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice. In eventing, the
ML
BALL
jumping (requires accuracy, agility, equestrian version of a triathlon, it all and athleticism), often all in one starts with dressage. day. Some event riders love dressage, Originally a way to test cavalry others loathe it. Either way, it’s the horses for their suitability for battle, necessary first step. the sport of eventing consists of To the casual observer, a dressage three phases: dressage (tests a horse’s test looks like a horse and obedience, suppleness, and This year’s Millbrook rider executing a sequence harmony with the rider), Horse Trials will be of geometric shapes: straight cross-country (demands held from July 24 to lines, circles, serpentines. boldness, speed, and 27 at Riga Meadow Farm in Amenia. What’s so hard about endurance), and show
photographs by C H R I S T I N E
24 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
QUINN
PHOTOGRA P H Y
On Our
RADAR that? What the judge is looking for, however, is much more subtle, and exacting. Is your horse balanced or falling onto one shoulder; is your horse moving through its back; are your transitions between gaits smooth, and did you adequately prepare for them? Most important, did you remember your test or blank out halfway through (which happened to me recently), all the while trying to look serene, confident, and poised? Nearly impossible! Mercifully, in a little over four minutes, dressage is done and it’s time to take off your jacket and stock tie, un-tack and cool out your horse, and
trailer home. The next day, you’re back for phase two: cross-country. For most event riders, this is why we do this sport. You go fast, you jump scary stuff (tables, benches, rolltops, ditches), and for five minutes and change, you and your horse are a ferocious pair who can conquer the world. All too soon it’s over. You jumped all the things, you love your horse, you love yourself, you love this crazy sport. Again, you un-tack and cool out your horse, and trailer home. Day three dawns and you’re back in Millbrook for the final phase: show jumping. (Most one-day horse trials hold show jumping and then
cross-country, but Millbrook takes place over three days and holds show jumping last). You’ve walked the course, memorized (hopefully) the order of the jumps, counted the strides in between, and plotted your strategy. Into the warm-up ring you go, waiting your turn. Butterflies? You ignore, and keep riding the course in your head. The ring steward calls your number, you enter the ring, the judge blows a whistle, and it’s time to remember all those things you’ve worked on for weeks and months and years. Hopefully it goes well, the rails stay up, and you come out with a ribbon. If not, well, there’s always next time.
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 25
On Our
RADAR
CANVAS + CLOTHIER Quality and Community Converge BY
›
“The loss of brick-andmortar stores is tragic,” says MaryVaughn Williams, co-owner of Canvas + Clothier. “They’re a way for people to convene and communicate.” Thanks to Williams and her business partner, Jillian Kaufman Grano, Poughkeepsie is now gaining one, in Canvas + Clothier—a micro department store featuring
CH R ISTOPHER
STELLA
American-made clothing, home brand on Warren Street. She goods, and accessories, in the city’s later moved to Hudson, opening Business Improvement District. Hudson Clothier in 2014, a The cofounders are veterans of boutique purveyor of Americanretail and production. Williams made clothing and accessories. spent more than 20 years as founder Through this endeavor, she met and owner of New York City and Kaufman Grano, the designer and Bali-based clothing manufacturer of New YorkCanvas + Clothier label White Rice, based, American-made, globally founders Mary Vaughn running a retail distributed lifestyle brand Utility Williams and Jillian Kaufman Grano. location for the Canvas. Their mutual passion photographs by J O H N
26 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
V ERN ER
On Our
RADAR for domestically produced products inspired them to open Canvas + Clothier in 2023, a 5,000-square-foot retail space with a mission to support the local—and national—economy. The concept is a natural fit for a city that serves as a gateway to the upper Hudson Valley. “In the same way farmers markets support local agriculture, we aim to support local manufacturing,” notes Kaufman Grano. While Williams and Kaufman Grano initially considered a Brooklyn location, they were drawn to Poughkeepsie’s rich manufacturing history, and to the building at 27 Garden St. Formerly a social club, restaurant, furrier, retail space, and most recently, law office,
it serves as a reflection next to a small elevator of the diverse history of offers wayfinding to the Poughkeepsie. store’s inventory: first Williams and Kaufman floor, women’s and men’s Grano hope to recreate clothing, outerwear, the intimacy and accessories and jewelry; possibility of a seemingly second floor, home, bed, bygone shopping bath, body, tabletop, experience. and gallery. Each level is “Jillian and I both stocked with well-curated, grew up shopping well-made wares from in Manhattan, and producers nationwide had fond memories (including Utility Canvas). of Bendel’s,” recalls The second-floor gallery Williams. “Everything serves as a flexible space, there felt special; it was to host installations from experiential.” local artists and classes Upon entering Canvas on embroidery, weaving, + Clothier, visitors upcycling clothing, and encounter a light-filled other handiwork. cafe where they can Williams and Kaufman order fresh sandwiches, Grano’s work to build and coffee from a community Canvas + Clothier Sweetleaf, a New of creators offers items that York City-based expands outside have a muscular roaster. Just the store’s four glamour including beyond, stenciling walls: Last year, special treats.
they founded the Garden Street Farm Market, hosted on Sundays from May to October in the parking lot adjacent to their building. “Buying Americanmade and local goods isn’t about politics,” Kaufman Grano says. “It’s about quality and durability—in the products we make, and the communities they sustain.” In the ground-floor stairwell of the store, stenciled lettering on the wall reads: “Hard-working clothing for women and men. Hard-working interiors for creative living.” Clearly, Kaufman Grano and Williams don’t shy away from hard work; the community will surely benefit from it. —canvasandclothier.com
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On Our
RADAR
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Tri Corner F.E.E.D. Market Opens in Millerton BY
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The Hudson Valley is known for its diversity of abundant, high-quality fresh food. Smallacreage meat producers, dairies, and vegetable farmers flourish in the countryside—and yet the economics of farm-to-table often hit a snag in the middle ground, where sellers and buyers meet. For farmers, sustainable agriculture often does not equate to a sustainable business.
TAR A
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Linda and James Quella know this Greenmarkets, where customers can firsthand. Linda has a background generally afford the higher prices. in finance and worked in the city But what about low- and middlefor many years, while also running income residents of the communities Q Farms in Sharon, where she where the food is grown? For some and James raised chickens, pork, customers, having access to good and beef. She sold the meat from a food and being able to afford it are small farmstand on the not the same thing. The Linda and James property. When she found Quellas decided to close Quella and Blake that local buyers were not their farm, and redirect Myers’ Tri Corner consistent shoppers, she their energies to solving F.E.E.D. offers lowstarted selling in the NYC this basic conundrum. cost, local food.
photograph by J O H N
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They founded Tri Corner F.E.E.D., a nonprofit focused on food sovereignty, community advocacy, and their biggest initiative, Tri Corner F.E.E.D.— which has just opened this summer. Blake Myers, director of food programs for Tri Corner F.E.E.D., says, “The goal is to create more markets for farmers, and make locally grown food more accessible through community support.” It’s an issue that’s close to her heart. Myers grew up on a family farm north of Springfield, Ill., that produced corn and soybeans. After a career in modeling that took her around the world, she met her partner in New York City and, just before the pandemic, they bought a
house in Amenia, near where her partner was raised. “Farming in the Midwest is very much a family business, but big agriculture tends to take over,” she says. Working with Tri Corner F.E.E.D. gives her a chance to have an impact at the grass-roots level. “Last summer, we ran a pilot program at Millerton’s North East Community Center, selling some grains and staples, meat, dairy, and veggies, on a sliding scale. Customers who can afford to pay full price compensate the farmer with a fair price, while allowing more community members to afford healthy, home-grown food, which is often out of reach.”
The scale is based on a simple registration form, Myers says. “What is their food budget? What do they usually pay? What works best for them? It’s not an automated system, it’s a personal system. It’s not intrusive. We want to make food affordable.” Tri Corner F.E.E.D. Market will be supporting more than 30 farms across the Tristate area, including Dutchess County-based farms Full Circus, Chaseholm, Rock Steady and Little Forest; in Litchfield County, farms include Tory Hill in Salisbury and ADAMAH in Falls Village. Located at 56 South Center St. in Millerton, NY. —tricornerfeed.org
Millbrook Mag 10.24.qxp_Layout 1 10/15/24 2:08 PM Page 1
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Beacon’s Main Street has a bold new creative presence. The Savage Wonder Art Center, located at 141 Main St., is an artist-led nonprofit founded by veterans Christopher Paul Meyer and Jeremy Plyburn. Its mission: to spotlight the voices of military veterans, first responders, and their families through theater, visual art, music, and more. Before its transformation, the building was home to the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, a historically significant Black congregation that occupied the space for over 60 years. After the church relocated, the 12,000-square-foot structure—originally built as a bank—stood waiting for a new chapter. In 2024, Meyer and his team signed a lease-to-own agreement and began renovations. Today, the space houses an immersive gallery, The Parlor Theater, and a moody vault-bar known as The Grape Rebellion. Now through July 6, the gallery features Radical Fun, a bold show of veteran artists, with a new exhibition opening in late July. Weekly live music, storytelling, and theatrical events continue through August. Downstairs, The Grape Rebellion hosts jazz-filled wine nights and ambient performances in a tucked-away setting. With its mix of veteran-made art, offbeat programming, and layered history, Savage Wonder is helping reshape Beacon’s cultural landscape—one surprising evening at a time. —savagewonder.org
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CONVERSATIONS
Where Cinema Meets Community We spoke with Boondocks Film Society co-founders Cindy Heslin and Jeff Palfini about their unique pop-up film event series, created with collaborators David Ruchman, Rufus de Rham, and Alix Diaconis. Boondocks hosts monthly film events across northwest Connecticut, the Hudson Valley, and the Berkshires, often in unexpected venues. Each screening is carefully themed around a chosen film to create an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience. San Francisco called Midnites for Maniacs. It showed unexpected double or triple features that took on new meaning with an audience. That experience really stuck with us. JP: Our personalities were shaped by rep-house programming. We’ve spent countless nights fueled by popcorn and Sprite, discovering what aged well—and what didn’t. CH: Boondocks was born the moment we stepped into the Colonial Theatre in North Canaan in early 2017.
1. What kind of film events do you produce?
Jeff Palfini: We build themed events around rep-house films. Each screening includes a happy hour, with music by local musicians, film-inspired food from area chefs, themed cocktails, and sometimes a Q&A with someone connected to the film. Plus, guests can take home an artist-designed commemorative poster. 2. What inspired you to start Boondocks?
Cindy Heslin: We used to attend a curated film series at the Castro Theatre in
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3. Do you come from film backgrounds?
JP: Not professionally, but we’ve spent so much time in theaters. Soundtracks introduced us to some of our favorite bands. Movies have shaped our sense of humor, style, and creativity. CH: Boondocks is about more than film. The happy hour builds community. People discover new venues, bands, chefs, bartenders, and artists— all tied together by a movie we love. 4. How do you choose your films and themes?
CH: Sometimes the venue drives the choice. When we screened Porco Rosso at the Great Barrington Airport, we
had real planes on-site. Other times, we start with a chef or band we want to work with, and find a film that suits their vibe. JP: We tend to highlight underappreciated movies, especially from the 90s, and stories about people on the fringes. 5. What’s the most rewarding part?
JP: Those unexpected magic moments—like a moving Q&A, or when the moon rises during an outdoor screening. CH: We’ve met so many interesting and creative people through Boondocks. Some have become dear friends. 6. Since this is our food issue, what are your favorite food-related film scenes?
CH: Tampopo—especially the surreal scenes between the gangster and his girlfriend. They’re sexy, funny, and utterly strange. And of course, the food in every Studio Ghibli movie is unforgettable. JP: The scene in Daisies where the girls dance across a feast table. It’s rebellious and chaotic—a punk rock kind of decadence. CH: The breakfast scene in Big Night is quietly profound. No dialogue, just the act of feeding someone you love. When we screened it, the flipping of the timpano pan was a moment of pure joy. JP: Honorable mentions: the opening of American Psycho and the mozzarella in carrozza in Bicycle Thieves. 7. Dream film event?
CH: We’d love to screen something on a lake, or in this overgrown abandoned pool near Jeff’s house. We’re always up for making things beautifully complicated. Keep an eye on boondocksfilmsociety.org and their socials to see what’s planned for this summer and fall. n
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support daily life and reflect a deep understanding of architecture, flow, and purpose. 5. Who are your typical clients, and what are they usually looking for? We serve a wide range of residential, commercial, and hospitality clients in the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas. Whether locals or weekenders, they’re typically looking for thoughtful design solutions and someone they can trust to manage the entire process.
Steilish by Design Stefan Steil Brings Refined Interiors to Red Hook STEFAN STEIL, originally from Germany, began his design career in fashion and is an awardwinning master tailor. In 1999, he moved to New York to pursue interior design, earning an MFA from the New York School of Interior Design. After working for several high-end architectural and design firms, he founded Steilish Interior Design in 2012. Stefan currently serves as a faculty member at his alma mater, combining professional practice with a passion for education. 1. What inspired you to start Steilish in Red Hook, NY? What began as a weekend escape turned into full-time living during Covid. The Hudson Valley—its stunning landscape, historic architecture, and vibrant
community of creative professionals—quickly felt like home. I saw tremendous potential in bringing accessible interior design services to the area, regardless of a project’s size or scope. 2. What types of design services does Steilish offer? Steilish provides interior design and renovation services across residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. Services include kitchen and bath design, project management, space planning, custom furniture, lighting and textile design, DIY consulting, color consultation, real estate staging, and styling for both homes and businesses. 3. How would you describe your design style or aesthetic?
6. Can you share a favorite recent project and what made it special? A recent favorite project involved updating a traditional farmhouse with a modern addition, designing a pool house, and converting a barn into a guest apartment and gym. At Steilish, collaboration is key—we partnered with artisans, craftspeople, and engineers to bring every detail, from the kitchen to landscaping, to life.
My personal aesthetic leans minimal, but my work is never about imposing that. Teaching has taught me to be objective and deeply curious about my clients’ tastes. I’m equally comfortable working in styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. A home should be comfortable, functional, and a true reflection of its owner.
7. How do you approach working with a new client? When working with a new client, I start by meeting on-site to listen and understand their goals, ideas, and how they live. I ask about their budget early on—it’s essential for guiding the process, ensuring expectations are realistic, and creating a design that’s both thoughtful and achievable.
4. What makes Steilish different from other design firms in the area? Steilish goes beyond decorating—we offer true interior design. Our approach prioritizes how spaces function and feel, balancing beauty with practicality while honoring each building’s character. We create cohesive, livable environments that
8. What’s next for Steilish—any upcoming projects or plans you’re excited about? I’m considering opening a retail space to create a local presence and share a curated selection of décor items—such as fabrics, wallpaper, furniture, and lighting—many of which are typically available only to the trade. —steilish.com
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The Enduring Magic of Lithgow A Garden of Historic Importance Blooms Again B Y
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The gardens at Lithgow unfold across many acres, taking advantage of expansive views. Sculptures, including many of fallow deer, provide focal points. The Folly and the Asian-inspired temple are spots to gather. New owners Karen Bechtel and Will Osborne have wholeheartedly embraced stewardship of this historic property.
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Gardens are by their very nature ephemeral. But the best of them are imbued with a kind of magic—holding within themselves their evolution; and with that, they endure. Lithgow in Millbrook is one such garden. Lithgow is the name of an estate that dates to 1685, and the Nine Partners Patent. The original grantee— a Bible-burning renegade from Lithgow, Scotland—hightailed it to America. His grandson built the Dutch Colonial house in 1758 that still stands, though it’s been much expanded and renovated over the years. Part of the magic of Lithgow is that in nearly three-and-a-half centuries, the property has only changed hands four times. The constancy speaks to the natural beauty of the setting, and to the commitment of people who have seen themselves as caretakers as much as owners. The garden that exists today was the creative obsession of Eliot and Susie Clarke. Eliot bought the property in the 1960s and immediately set to work. World travelers, Eliot and Susie found inspiration everywhere they went. The arcing footbridge over
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 39
Intimate spaces such as the grotto and rose garden give way to a wider landscape. The statue of Hermes, also known as Mercury, came from a shop in Florence. A new pergola, and a new location for the rose garden, were among the few changes Bechtel made to the garden.
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“We didn’t change the footprint... But there was work to be done.” the pond, the red gate, the pagoda built on the pier jutting into the lake were all inspired by gardens they visited in Asia. The Folly, a temple that sits on one of the highest points of the property with a view over a vast landscape of countryside, is reminiscent of ones they saw in England—English gardens being famous for follies. The current owners, Karen Bechtel and Will Osborne, were good friends of the Clarkes. Eliot died in the spring of 2019, and Susie put the property on the market the following year. “We had been gardening buddies,” Bechtel says. “We shared plants and info.” Their commitment to Lithgow’s historical value, their love of the garden, and their respect for their friends’ creation guided the renovation. “We didn’t change the footprint of the house, barn, carriage house, or garden. But there was work to be done.” Bechtel turned to floral designer and gardener Felicity Banford, a mutual friend of hers and the Clarkes, to help bring it into its newest phase. Bechtel says, “We had a great time, just had a ball! We worked every day for two years. We started by thinning out the plantings, and we moved the rose garden. And created two new rooms.” It’s not just one garden: It’s allees of trees leading to a pond, or a pergola; it’s
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 41
“When you walk around the grounds there is always something in flower.” hidden grottos; it’s room after room punctuated by statuary or massive urns; it’s an inviting swath of lawn drawing you down to the water’s edge; it’s a rose garden, an orchard, and masses of ferns. Then too, there is Will Ryman’s oversized rose sculpture of painted metal, which Bechtel and Osborne bought as a whimsical tribute to Eliot. Bechtel was guided by a requirement of her own. “Something had to be in bloom at all times, from early summer through mid-fall. When you walk around the grounds there is always something in flower.” For many years, Lithgow was also a deer park. The Clarkes raised fallow deer for meat, selling the venison to restaurants in New York City. In an homage to the deer, lifelike statues of stags abound, peeking out from the woods and shrubbery, and standing guard near the entrance. Both Bechtel and Osborne have a high regard for the history of the property and the beauty of the land. “We wanted to have a legacy asset to leave to our children and grandchildren and their heirs,” Bechtel says. With their care and attention to detail, Lithgow’s magic will endure into the next century. n
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An ingenious feature is a network of eight gravity-fed ponds, each one connecting to the next. The pool is the site of the old rose garden, as it’s closer to the house. The Will Ryman rose statue sits, always in bloom, just above the orchard. Bechtel and Osborne renovated the Dutch Colonial house which dates to 1758.
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 43
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FAVE S
Hudson Valley Girl Approved Your Dutchess County Summer Bucket List Curated by @Hudson_ValleyGirl MEET RACHELLA, local Instagram legend @Hudson_ ValleyGirl, a digital tastemaker with a heart for the Hudson Valley. With over 65,000 followers and a feed of curated recs, she shares some of her fave summer things to do in Dutchess County.
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WHERE TO EAT: Waterfall views & Afghan street food
If you haven’t had a mocktail on the deck at Roundhouse in Beacon, hit up the group chat and make that rezzy! The waterfall views are so peaceful—it’s my go-to spot when
I want to slow down. After that, I walk over to Nansense (a total hidden, and newer, gem) for one of their Afghan burgers and fries. Most of the menu is made from scratch—even the ketchup. Trust me when I say you can totally taste the difference.
photograph by R Y A N
L AV IN E
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WHERE TO SHOP: Farmstand, flowers & feel-good vibes
Moo Moo’s Creamery in Cold Spring is legendary for a reason: The flavors are amazing, and the vibe is pure summer magic. My move is grabbing a double scoop (yes, always double), then heading across the street to sit on a bench by the Hudson. The river, the breeze, the mountains—it’s all just chef’s kiss. Total main character moment.
Barton Orchards in Poughquag has
become one of my favorite places— it’s more than just a farmstand. Between the petting zoo, the sunflower field, the live music, and the cider doughnuts, it’s the kind of place where you can spend hours without realizing it. I love going with friends, grabbing something from the farm market, and just taking in the fresh air and nature.
6
NOT-TO-MISS EVENT: Did you know the Hudson Valley has its very own annual Hot-Air Balloon Festival?
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WHERE TO SWEAT: Yoga with llamas —yes, really!
If you’ve never done yoga while a llama casually walks by, you’re missing out. Clover Brook Farm in Hyde Park offers the most peaceful and fun classes, with llamas and alpacas roaming around; it’s the definition of “feel-good movement.” Pro tip: Swing by the Vanderbilt Mansion nearby for some epic views and a dose of local history.
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WHERE TO CHILL: Scenic ice cream?
This festival is pure magic: Watch dozens of colorful hot air balloons lift off over the scenic countryside at sunrise and sunset. With live music, local vendors, food trucks, and tethered balloon rides, it’s a dreamy summer weekend that makes for incredible memories and photos. Check the weather before you go; balloons only launch in safe conditions, and some years they don’t go up at all! The 34th Annual
JPMorganChase Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival will be held 8/29 - 31
at Tymor Park in Union Vale. n
WHERE TO SIP: Rosé that changed my mind
I’m not usually a rosé girl … but Millbrook Vineyards & Winery totally changed that for me. I did their tasting flight, and was honestly shocked at how much I liked their rosé: super light, and perfect for summer. Their Hunt Country Red is also a fave. Bring a picnic, sit out on the lawn, and just take in those vineyard views. It’s dreamy.
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The Forever House A Stylish Aerie on a Quiet Country Road
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BY CYNTHIA HOCHSWENDER
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN ELLIS
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PORTRAIT BY THEO COULOMBE
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In the lively home shared by designer/architect Daniel Heighes Wismer, left, his husband Travis Wismer, and their daughter, many of the furnishings are vintage (such as the cabinet, photo left)—but even the custom pieces such as the bar cabinetry have a mellow mid-century feel.
IN GENERAL, THE IDEA OF DANISH DESIGN is understated, mellow, austere; it often creeps into mid century modern interiors, with their emphasis on space, light, and cool vibes. But in the hands of designer/architect Daniel Heighes Wismer—and especially at the home in Sharon, CT. that he shares with husband Travis Wismer and their young daughter—Danish becomes a neutral palette that allows for layers of pattern, texture, and attitude. If most Danish design is like toasted seed bread with a swipe of butter, the Wismer house is like a cherry Danish. “We’re not afraid of color,” says Daniel, who is a partner in the Manhattan-based firm Dufner Heighes. Fear is not, in fact, apparent anywhere in the mix of fabrics, patterns, artwork, wallpaper, floor coverings—all of which blend seamlessly. One of the triumphs of this mix is that the spouses found a way to take chances with their interiors without straining their relationship. Their method: They agree on a concept, then Daniel presents options. “I’m an estate manager, so I know what’s out there,” says Travis. “But Daniel has so many more resources.” Both share a strong sense of space and how to use it. And in fact, although the decor is what hits the eye first, the Wismers primarily like to talk about the spaces in their house, and the changes they have made to it. When they bought their 1940s Cape Cod in Sharon, the year was 2016, and the house was 1,000 square feet. They didn’t yet have a child. They were still using the property as a weekend escape from the city. Then 2020 came along, and brought with it COVID-19—and the birth of their daughter. “We sold our apartment in the city, and began a renovation up here,” says Daniel. “We added two bedrooms
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An Eero Saarinen Tulip Table from Knoll creates a cozy space for casual meals. Vintage pieces in the living room include an Edward Wormley sofa, and vintage lounge chairs purchased at auction in Denmark. The playroom gets a pink Arne Jacobsen chair.
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and two bathrooms, and put in a big playroom for our daughter, an office for Travis, and a gym.” They also adjusted the flow of movement through the house, by reorienting the entry so it faces the road (and by adding a foyer), and moving the kitchen to be close to the front door. “The house is now set up so that guests enter, come through the kitchen to get a drink, and say hello,” explains Travis. “Daniel makes elaborate dinners, so he’s always in the kitchen when people arrive. “Then we go to the dining room, and after dinner we end up in the study, sitting on this enormous sofa that Daniel designed.” The couple had furnished the house and made some adjustments when they first moved in, nine years ago. During this more recent and extensive renovation, the Wismers consciously chose strategies and products that they truly loved. “We’d think, ‘If we do this, then it’s a house we’d like to live in for five years,’” Daniel recalls. “Or if we do this other thing, then it becomes our forever house.” The tipping point: “When we moved the kitchen, it became our forever house.” —dufnerheighes.com
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Out About
PHOTOGRAPHS BY BARBARA BEATTY PHOTOGRAPHY AND ANNE DAY
&
›› Rally On On Saturday, May 17, spirited drivers and co-pilots took to the hills of Dutchess County for the Dutchess Land Conservancy’s Spring Road Rally, raising funds for land conservation. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the DLC showcased its impact—protecting over 450 properties and nearly 48,000 acres, including 52 working farms. Participants followed two scenic routes, co-chaired by Steven Benardete, Olivia Fussell, Ottavio Serena di Lapigio, John Teal, and Bob Wilder. The vintage route stopped at the Wassaic Project to view its latest exhibition, while the trivia route completed a custom quiz. Both groups gathered at Tenmile Distillery to enjoy lunch and craft cocktails, marking the start of the DLC’s anniversary year with a memorable day of community, conservation, and countryside charm.—dutchessland.org
Charlotte and Ottavio Serena di Lapigio and Florence Peyrelongue
Judy Benardete, Patricia Soussloff, Tim Mayhew
Fred Erker and Cory Gnazzo
54 LITCHFIELD JULY / AUGUST 2025
Leslie Farhangi and Brooke Schooley
Bobby Singh, JL Teal, Alex deVogel, Oliver Kennan
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FREESTYLE GREEK DINING BY
For brothers Paul and John Stefanopoulos, owners of the new Greek restaurant House of Stefas in Millbrook, hospitality isn’t just business–it’s personal. “In Greece, the tavernas have family names on them, so their reputation is at stake,” says John. “The decision to put our family name on the restaurant is a reflection of how much we care, what we put into it, and the accountability we’re taking.” The Stefanopoulos family’s roots
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CH R ISTOPHER
STELLA
in hospitality run deep, with 13 restaurants in the Hudson Valley (nine of which are the iconic Four Brothers Pizza Inns). House of Stefas is the family’s 14th venture, inspired by John and Paul’s parents: mother Katina, who embodied the spirit of hospitality, and father Vasili, who demonstrated the intrepidness required to manage a large family business. “We were born into an environment of hospitality,” says Paul. “It was always about creating
experience, having fun, and being welcoming to people.” The brothers describe House of Stefas as “freestyle Greek,” blending traditional dishes with international influences that celebrate the cosmopolitan spirit of Athens. Chef Roel Alcudia, with experience from Miami’s Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Komodo, and other renowned eateries, brings a unique flavor to the menu. His sushi experience inspired the Aegean omakase menu, with such offerings as
Photographs by S A B R I N A
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EBE RH A RD
marinated striped bass with red pepper vinaigrette, razor clams with salsa matcha, and raw langoustine. Traditional Greek favorites are also featured, many inspired by Katina’s own recipes. Local sourcing from the region plays a key role, anchoring international flavors in the Hudson Valley community—a place the Stefanopoulos family has called home since the 1970s. “We had a good feeling about Millbrook, and they’ve accepted us like we were their children,” says John. “We are doing something bold and different here, and hope the restaurant will become a destination for the town.” The restaurant’s ambience is meant to weave together the brothers’ best memories, combining diverse sounds, tastes, and visual experiences from their travels. When diners enter, they first see the Tiger Bar to the left—a sophisticated lounge with soft lighting and luxe seating. The smaller Veranda Room is on the right, a light-filled space for small plates and coffee or wine. Beyond the Tiger Bar is a four-seat counter, Poseidon’s Palace, where diners can have the Aegean Odyssey (the aforementioned multi-course omakase experience). Around the corner, the Apollo Room is the floor’s main dining area. Upstairs is the Dionysus Room, a second
dining area decked in rich, blue carpeting and velvet curtains; the Blue Room cocktail lounge; a rooftop garden; and a private dining area. The spaces feel equal parts cozy and breezy, each delivering unique textures and colors: terracotta, slate, and porcelain tile, marble countertops, rose-gold fixtures, oak-wood accents, with modern and classical art intertwined. Elements such as wall stenciling and cheeky plaques (one of which says, “Philosophy and Flash Photography Permitted”) show that there’s fun and spontaneity to be discovered around each corner. “We don’t want to be stiff, or transactional,” says John. “People go out to eat to feel taken care of; we want to provide that feeling in a space that lifts people up, enables conversation, and serves as a setting for the best parts of life to happen.” The restaurant is just the start. The brothers envision expanding House of Stefas into a lifestyle brand. There is already a House of Stefas single on Spotify, and a forthcoming jewelry line created in collaboration with designer Barry Kieselstein-Cord in the works. “We want to go all-in—in this experience, life, love, everything,” says Paul. “Ultimately, it just makes us happy to create something that makes other people happy.” 3299 Franklin Ave., Millbrook —houseofstefas.com
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 59
EATS Amenia AMENIA STEAK HOUSE
A quaint and cozy tavern-style steakhouse. A great spot for steak, charcoal burgers, and cheesecake. 4905 US-44, 845-789-1520 I
FOUR BROTHERS DRIVE-IN
Popular spot in Amenia. Enjoy their famous pizza “with a Grecian touch” and their Greek salads. 4957 NY-22 / 845-373-8178 fourbrothersrestaurants.com I
PANACEA
Everything from fresh pastas to smash burgers and oysters in a farmhouse setting. 6 Autumn Ln. / 845-373-9800 panaceany.com M
PEGGY’S SWEET & SAVORY
Cozy cafe serving breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, classic sandwiches, and bakery items such as chocolate coconut and hummingbird cakes. 3312 NY-343 /845-789-1444 peggyssweetandsavory.com I
SANTO PIZZERIA & RISTORANTE
A traditional pizza spot serving New York and Sicilian-style pizza. Try their Italian stuffed pizza or pasta fagioli soup. 5094 NY-22 / 845-373-8290 santopizzeriarestaurant.com I
TROUTBECK
A scenic hotel and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Exquisite food and fantastic cocktails. 515 Leedsville Rd.
845-789-1555 troutbeck.com E
Beacon BROTHER’S TRATTORIA
Authentic Italian restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and pizza. Try their chicken sorrentino or eggplant parmigiano. 465 Main St. / 845-838-3300 brotherstrattoria.com M
ISAMU JAPANESE & CHINESE RESTAURANT
Offers a wide variety of Japanese and Chinese food. Try their Isamu duck wrap and Ocean Chic roll. 240 Main St. / 845-440-0002 isamubeaconny.com I
LA BARBIRRIA MEXICAN CANTINA
An authentic Mexican restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A great spot for birria tacos and chorizo con huevos. 389 Main St. / 845-440-7508 labarbirria.com M
MAX’S ON MAIN
Popular restaurant serving a wide range of delicious foods, from pierogies to a BBQ chicken Caesar wrap. 246 Main St. / 845-838-6297 maxsonmain.com M
THE ROUNDHOUSE
Modern American cuisine inspired by Hudson Valley agriculture. A great spot for pan-roasted duck and a cocktail. 2 E. Main St. / 845-765-8369 roundhousebeacon.com E
ZIATUN
A Middle Eastern restaurant serving authentic Palestinian cuisine. Try their chicken shawarma wrap and falafel burger. 244 Main St. 845-765-8268 ziatun.com M
Dover Plains OLD DROVERS INN
A classic early-American bedand-breakfast fully restored and serving a variety of food. 196 E Duncan Hill Rd. 845-832-9311 M
ALL THAT JAVA
Coffee shop serving excellent coffee and light breakfast. 149 Church St./ 845-233-1976 allthatjava.net I
BABETTE’S
Popular coffee and lunch spot in town. Homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches. 3293 Franklin Ave. 845-677-8602 babetteskitchen.com M
BARBARO
A traditional Mexican restaurant using fresh and homemade ingredients. 3081 US-22 845-442-9341 I
Italian dining with a fabulous cocktail bar. Enjoy their handmade pizza al fresco on their porch. 3279 Franklin Ave. 845-677-4440 barbaromillbrook.com M
Hyde Park
CAFE LES BAUX
LA CAZUELA
CULINARY INSTITUTE
The half-dozen student-run restaurants at Hyde Park’s Culinary Institute offer creative menus at affordable prices. 1946 Campus Dr. 845-452-9600 M
LaGrange HANGARS CAFE
Watch the planes depart and land at this relaxing cafe serving breakfast and lunch. Outdoor dining. 32 Airway Dr. 845-605-1991 hangarscafe.com I
POUGHKEEPSIE
Cozy French restaurant in downtown Millbrook. Enjoy their escargot, steak frites, and French wine list. 152 Church St. 845-677-8166 cafelesbaux.com M
CANOE HILL
Bar and restaurant serving delicious drinks, tapas, and plates. Great place for oysters. 3264 Franklin Ave. 845-605-1570 canoehillny.com M
CHARLOTTE’S
A scenic country-style restaurant featuring locally sourced food with a Euro flare. 4258 US-44 845-677-5888 charlottesny.com M
HOUSE OF STEFAS
Mahoney’s Irish Pub & Steakhouse Over 20 years hosting events. Family owned with great staff, tasty food, great drinks, full dining room, and plenty of TVs. A spot everyone enjoys. Perfect for gatherings, game nights, or a casual meal with friends.. 35 Main St., Poughkeepsie 845-471-7026 mahoneysirishpub.com M
60 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
Millbrook
Ultra-hip Greek restaurant serving ceviche, zuchini fritters, salt-crusted fish, grilled lamb, and other delights. 3299 Franklin Ave. 845-677-4888 houseofstefas.com M
JULIEN’S
A quirky takeout eatery that serves from sushi to pizza; specials utilize local purveyors. Vegan and gluten-free options.
I= Inexpensive M= Moderate E= Expensive
5 Washington Ave. 845-677-2222 juliensmillbrook.com M
MILLBROOK
Charlotte’s Garden dining surrounded by blooming flowers, with the sunset painting the sky: pure magic. The food? Fresh, local, and all your favorites. Perfect for a romantic dinner or family gathering.
LA PUERTA AZUL
Traditional Mexican restaurant serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. Live music on weekends. 2510 US-44 845-677-2985 lapuertaazul.com M
4258 US-44, Millbrook 845-677-5888 charlottesny.com M
MILLBROOK CAFE
Cozy restaurant that uses a wood-fired brick oven to cook their dishes. Great spot for a steak. 3288 Franklin Ave. 845-677-6956 themillbrookcafe.com M
MILLBROOK DINER
Classic diner food and a Millbrook institution; enjoy classics such as BLT, Caesar salad, or the club sandwich. 3266 Franklin Ave. 845-677-5319 millbrookdiner.com I
THE VINTAGE AT THE MILLBROOK INN
American restaurant featuring locally sourced ingredients. Open for brunch and dinner. 3 Gifford Rd. / 845-605-1120 millbrookinn.com M
THE BIRD DOG CAFE
Cafe at Orvis Sandanona featuring local game. 3047 US-44 845-677-9701 orvis.com/sandanona-dining I
Millerton AVOCADO CAFE
Small cafe serving traditional and authentic Mexican food. 208 US-44 518-592-1181 avocadocafe.net I
FOUR BROTHERS PIZZA INN
Popular lunch and dinner spot in Millerton. Enjoy their pizza and Greek salads. 5952 N Elm Ave. 518-789-9434 fourbrothersrestaurants.com I
GOLDEN WOK
Authentic Chinese, Japanese,
and Thai cuisine with a friendly atmosphere. 3-7 Railroad Plaza 518-789-9236 goldenwokmillertonny.com I
HARNEY & SONS TEA
A cozy tea room with an extensive choice of worldclass blends, plus sandwiches, soups, and a terrace. 13 Main St. / 518-789-2121 harney.com M
IRVING FARM NEW YORK
Popular coffee house serving light eats, and drinks made from house-roasted beans. 44 Main St. / 212-206-0707 irvingfarm.com I
OAKHURST DINER
Imaginative fare in a retro-style setting with counter stools. 19 Main St. / 518-592-1313 oakhurst-diner.com I
TALLOW
Redefining fast food with clean, nutrient-dense meals made from local, regeneratively farmed ingredients. 130 Route 44 / 518-689-4090 tallow.menu I
TARO’S
A casual NYC-style pizza spot with delicious Italian options. 18 Main St. / 518-789-6630 I
THE MILLERTON INN
A quaint restaurant with a Mediterranean touch serving brunch, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy their baked moussaka or saffron orange chicken.
53 Main St. / 518-592-1900 themillertoninn.com M
WILLA
Farm-to-table restaurant serving fresh local ingredients. Try their smash burger made with Kinderhook Farm beef. Cozy atmosphere serving handcrafted cocktails. 52 Main St. / 518-789-0252 willabar.com M
Pine Plains CHAMPETRE
wood-burning oven featuring award-winning seasonal French-Italian meals in cozy rooms. 7801 S Main St. 518-771-3064 stissinghouse.com M
THE MOOSE ON THE LOOSE
An old-fashioned sandwich shop with great options for breakfast or lunch. 7711 S Main St. 518-398-5040 I
TOWER PIZZA
Cozy French restaurant in Pine Plains. Enjoy their escargot, steak, or fish dishes. 2938 Church St. 518-771-3350 M
A small-town spot serving pizza and Italian food. Enjoy their fried calamari or chicken parmigiana. 2947 Church St. 518-398-7800 I
EL GUACAMOLE
Poughkeepsie
A family-style Mexican restaurant with classic tacos, fajitas, fried plantains. 7795 S Main St. 518-771-3330 I
LIA’S MOUNTAIN VIEW
A cozy family-run Italian restaurant featuring homemade pasta, and meat and seafood dishes. 7685 NY-82 / 518-398-7311 liasmountainviewrest.com M
SPUD SHACK
Casual lunch spot for burgers, fries, dogs, wings. 2953 Church St. 518-771-3205 I
STISSING HOUSE
Colonial tavern with a
ALEX’S RESTAURANT
A fourth-generation owned restaurant with delicious options for breakfast and lunch. 1 Market St. / 845-452-1125 alexsrestaurant.org I
BRASSERIE 292
A timeless spot with an impressive menu, from a raw bar to the plat du jour. 292 Main St. 845-473-0292 brasserie292.com E
ESSIE’S RESTAURANT
Cozy but elegant American-style restaurant with an array of options. 14 Mount Carmel Pl. 845-452-7181
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 61
EATS essiesrestaurantpk.com M
MAHONEY’S IRISH PUB & STEAKHOUSE
A traditional Irish pub serving authentic cuisine. 35 Main St. / 845-471-7026 mahoneysirishpub.com M
SAVONA’S TRATTORIA AND BAR
Serving authentic homestyle Italian. 1 Collegeview Ave. 845-876-4505 savonas.com M
SHADOWS ON THE HUDSON
Waterfront restaurant with a raw bar, a variety of meal options, and an extensive beverage list. 176 Rinaldi Blvd. shadowsonthehudson.com E
SUSHI VILLAGE
Offers sushi, hibachi, createyour-own poke bowls. 8 Raymond Ave. 845-471-5245 sushivillagenyc.com M
TAVERN 23
Combines modern-creative and traditional cooking styles to create remarkable dishes. 23 Verrazano Blvd. 845-473-2323 tavern23.com M
THE ACADEMY
The Bar, Keepsake, and Cornerstone Cafe. 33 Academy St. 845-444-5269 theacademyhvny.com M
restaurant with a full bar and extensive menu. 23 E Market St. 845-758-2123 charlieosbarandgrill.com I
CIDER BROS. ROADHOUSE
Serving brunch, lunch, and dinner made with locally sourced ingredients to eat in or take out. Waffles, duck and bacon wontons, Southern Cuban sandwich. 1215 Route 199 845-758-2437 ciderbrosroadhouse.com I
FLATIRON RESTAURANT
American-style restaurant serving roasted cod, panseared duck breast, and more. 7488 S Broadway 845-758-8260 flatironsteakhouse.com E
THE GROVE
Elegant versions of beloved comfort foods. 650 NY-199 845-758-3006 thegroveatredhook.com M
THE HISTORIC VILLAGE DINER
A casual family friendly
62 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
Rhinebeck ABAS FALAFEL
Traditional Middle Eastern falafel, salads, Turkish coffee. 54 E Market St. 845-876-2324 abasfalafel.com I
AROI THAI
Casual restaurant offering traditional Thai dishes. Open for lunch, dinner. 55 E Market St. 845-876-1114 aroirestaurant.com M
A mix of cultures and cuisines, using local Hudson Valley ingredients in its food and catering service. 7466 S Broadway 845-835-8044 misto-eats.com M
SAVONA’S TRATTORIA & BAR
Traditional Italian meals made from family recipes and local ingredients. 7249 S Broadway 845-758-6400 savonas.com M
ed cheeses from around the world. Fresh cured meats, pasta, and prepared food. 6384 Mill St. 845-853-8207 cheeselouiseny.com M
CINNAMON INDIAN
Traditional dishes from various regions in India and Sri Lanka. Lunch and dinner daily. Extensive wine menu. 51 E Market St. 845-876-7510 cinnamoncuisine.com M
FOSTER’S COACH HOUSE TAVERN
A tavern offering a wide variety of food choices, from nachos to seafood dishes to the Thanksgiving sandwich. 6411 Montgomery St. 845-876-8052 M
GABY’S CAFE
An authentic Mexican restaurant known for its enchiladas, paella, and mariscada. 141 Canal St. / 845-210-1040 gabysrhinebeck.com M
GIGI TRATTORIA
A Hudson Valley interpretation of modern Irish cuisine. 22 Garden St. / 845-516-4044 bia-rbk.com M
Modern farm-to-table Italian fare in airy, stylish quarters with a patio. 6422 Montgomery St. 845-876-1007 gigihudsonvalley.com M
BUNS BURGERS
LE PETIT BISTRO
A new take on fresh, local family dining—burgers, fries, shakes, and more. 20 Garden St. / 845-516-5197 bunsburgersny.com I
MISTO EATS
CHARLIE O’S BAR AND GRILL
Dishes inspired by Japanese and Asian cuisines with vegan and vegetarian options. 7496 S Broadway 845-835-6383 yumyumnoodlebar.com M
LUCOLI
BRIGITTE BISTRO
Slow-cooked meats, vegan, and vegetarian options in downtown Red Hook. 19 W Market St. 845-758-8226 I
YUM YUM NOODLE BAR
BIA
Red Hook
BUBBY’S TAKE-AWAY KITCHEN
Chocolates, coffee, sandwiches, pastries, salads. Vegan options. Live music. 40 W Market St. 845-758-6500 tastebudds.com I
Open at 6 am, this streamlined metal railroad dining car is the focal point of local nostalgia. 7550 N Broadway 845-758-6232 historicvillagediner.com I Popular pizzeria hidden on a back street. Fresh ingredients, wood-fired pies. 7476 S Broadway 845-758-5600 i
A bistro serving French cuisine during brunch and dinner in a quaint setting. 61 E Market St. /845-835-6230 brigitte-bistro.com M
TASTE BUDD’S CAFE
BREAD ALONE
Beautiful cafe serving breakfast and lunch daily. Amazing breads, crackers, and treats. 45 E Market St. 845-876-3108 breadalone.com I
CAFE CON LECHE
A cafe offering authentic Puerto Rican cuisine using only fresh ingredients. 6384 Mill St. / 845-516-4315 nycafeconleche.com I
CHEESE LOUISE
Curated selection of import-
Bistro delivering classic French fare, with a smart wine list, in a quaint storefront. 2 E Market St. 845-876-7400 lepetitbistro.com E
LITTLE GOAT
Bakery, pantry, and cafe. Seasonal vegetables, house pastas, local meats, bold Mediterranean flavors, rustic desserts. 6380 Mill St. / 845-516-7273 lepetitbistro.com M
MARKET ST.
Italian restaurant serving Neapolitan-style pizza and specialty cocktails. 19 W Market St. 845-876-7200
I= Inexpensive M= Moderate E= Expensive
HYDE PARK
coyoteflacostanfordville.com I
Dassai Blue Sake Brewery & Sushi Discover world-renowned Dassai sake, brewed onsite, now paired with an elevated sushi menu; $20 for 10 pieces! Available Tuesday – Sunday. Enjoy fresh, artfully prepared selections in a sleek, modern tasting room. 5 St. Andrews Rd., Hyde Park 845-486-8777 dassai.com M
marketstrhinebeck.com M
OSAKA SUSHI
A family-run Japanese restaurant known for their incredible sushi and friendly staff. 22 Garden St. 845-876-7338 osakasushi.net M
PIZZERIA POSTO
Acclaimed pizzeria serving artisanal wood-fired pizza in the courtyard in Rhinebeck. 43 E Market St. 845-876-3500 postopizzeria.com I
{PRETTY TO THINK SO}
Utilizes locally grown ingredients for their farm-to-table fine dining and craft cocktails in a chic space. 6417 Montgomery St. 845-516-4556 prettytothink.so E
RHINEBECK BAGELS AND CAFE
Serving the area’s most artistic breakfast and lunch. Lemon caper cream cheese, grilled cheese with eggs, and chicken salad, avocado, bacon, and spicy mayo. 31 W Market St. 845-876-8025 rhinebeckbagels.com I
THE TAVERN AT THE BEEKMAN ARMS
Colonial tap room with a hearth and full bar, and a garden greenhouse. Sunday brunch. 6387 Mill St. 845-876-7077 beekmandelamaterinn.com M
TERRAPIN RESTAURANT
Former-church-turnedcontemporary-American restaurant serving diverse flavors from local farms. 6426 Montgomery St. 845-876-3330 terrapinrestaurant.com I
Rhinecliff KIPS TAVERN
Riverfront dining next to the train station, with feel-good American fare. The crabcakes and chicken paillard are customer faves. Sunday Brunch. 1 Shatzell Ave. / 845-516- 4737 kipstavern.com M
giobatta.com M
JAEGER HAUS TIVOLI
A modern German restaurant: potato pancakes, rahm schnitzel.
5084 NY-9G / 845-757-1011 jaegerhaustivoli.com M
OSAKA TIVOLI
An original menu with unique sushi creations along with standard Japanese dishes. 74 Broadway 845-757-5055 osakativolisushi.com M
SANTA FE HUDSON VALLEY
Staatsburg
A menu inspired by the rich flavors of Mexico. Lobster quesadillas, short rib tacos, and grilled salmon Veracruz. 52 Broadway 845-757-4100 santafehudsonvalley.com M
RIVER AND POST
TIVOLI GENERAL
Eclectic local fare and cocktails, celebrating its sleepy village in a cozy setting. 57 Old Post Rd. / 845-773-9373 riverandpost.co M
A cozy coffee shop offering breakfast, sandwiches, groceries, wine, and beer. 54a Broadway tivoli-general.com I
PEYOTE’S CAFE
Mexican restaurant serving paninis, wraps, and quesadillas. 5979 NY-82 845-868-3335 I
UNCLE SONNY’S CAFE AND PIZZERIA
Cafe and pizzeria. Burgers, meatballs, and more. 6270 Route 82 845-868-7121 I
Wassaic BLACK BIRD BISTRO
Casual family-owned bistro serving flat bread with sausage and ricotta, chicken with mac-and-cheese, and more. 3997 NY-22 845-789-1515 M
THE LANTERN INN
Wood-fired pizza and organic small-production wines, craft breweries, and cocktails. 10 Main St. 845-373-8389 wassaiclanterninn.com I
TENMILE DISTILLERY
Traditional spirits produced in a lovely distillery. Sophisticated and elegant tasting room. 78 Sinpatch Rd. 845-877-6399 tenmiledistillery.com M
THAI BAAN
Tivoli
Stanfordville
Upscale versions of family -style Thai favorites, in the lovely Tenmile Distillery. 78 Sinpatch Rd. 845-877-6399 tenmiledistillery.com M
THE CORNER
3 BROTHERS PIZZA
VITSKY BAKERY
A Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring fresh ingredients and a wide range of wines. 53 Broadway 845-757-2100 hoteltivoli.org/the-corner M
GIOBATTA ALIMENTARI
Chef Francesco Buitoni’s authentic Italian cuisine; pre-made meals available. 69 Broadway / 845-757-2567
Pizza shop offering a variety of delicious pizza and food. Gluten-free pizza too. 6270 NY-82 845-723-4139 3brotherspizzadeli.com I
COYOTE FLACO
Casual family-run Mexican restaurant that has authentic Mexican cuisine. 6063 NY-82 845-868-3360
Small-batch bakery using seasonal, hearty ingredients and nutrition-dense flours, sourced locally when possible. Cookies, breads, and more. 3 Main St. vitskybakery.com I
WESTERLY CANTEEN
Uniquely housed in a 1971 airstream, catering at events and pop-ups. westerlycanteen.com I n
DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025 63
ART news
NATURE IN PIECES M I L L E R T O N - B A S E D P A I N T E R A L E X I S E N G L A N D ’ S oeuvre always showcases her deep connection to nature; but with her current show—”Nature In Pieces,” now on view at Troutbeck in Amenia—the artist’s work reflects her personal struggle with the state of nature under constant threat from human practices. “The paintings in this series contain fractures, and feature odd bits, shards, and remnants, reflecting extinction and the profound worry most of us have—now more than ever—for the future of our natural world,” England explains. Purposely pale canvases juxtapose the harsh reality, yet evoke precariousness, and though dimmed, elements of nature remain there, pushing through the foggy color schemes, recognizable, damaged, yet still persistent, refusing to be fully silenced, communicating the artist’s cautious hope. England is a multidisciplinary artist: In addition to painting, in an early chapter of her varied career, she sang professionally, recording and performing with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Mavis Staples, Sergio Mendez, and others. For the last 30 years, England has resided in Millerton with her husband, neurologist Scott Small, where she’s created a flourishing practice painting portraits of canines, in addition to her more personal nature-focused canon. “Nature in Pieces,” at Troutbeck through August 31. —troutbeck.com
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64 DUTCHESS SUMMER / 2025
A NEW ERA
IN HEALTH CARE
ALL FOR YOU Nuvance Health is proudly joining Northwell, one of the largest health systems in the Northeast. With expanded support for our trusted hospitals and broader access to top-tier care and lifesaving innovations, this new chapter will bring everything you need to live your healthiest life. We’re raising health for New York. For Connecticut. For you.
Nuvancehealth.org/Northwell
Danbury Hospital ⚫ New Milford Hospital ⚫ Northern Dutchess Hospital ⚫ Norwalk Hospital Putnam Hospital ⚫ Sharon Hospital ⚫ Vassar Brothers Medical Center
The name you know and the name you trust
845-876-WOOD | www.williamslumber.com
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