Dinner @ The Rhinecliff in the Hudson Valley

Tonight we are staying at The Rhinecliff Hotel in Hudson Valley over looking the Hudson River.

A delightful hotel right on the riverfront, the view is just spectacular.

I've actually never been to the Hudson Valley before, but I thought it was high time I see where our greenmarket food is coming from!

After checking into the hotel - gorgeous by the way and they have a midweek special through August (2 nights, get 1 free), we headed down to the hotel's restaurant.

Now we usually never like to eat at the hotel restaurant, but at these country hotels and B&Bs I make an exception.

Sitting on the veranda, we started off with a beautiful sweet and spicy chilled watermelon and tomato soup.

Drizzled with some spice oil and topped off with a chilled prawn, the soup was a perfect start to the meal on a hot and humid evening. 

For our main course, I went with the summer vegetable ragout.

Now I never eat vegetables - I know it's terrible - but I thought what a good way to see what Hudson Valley has to offer.

Fresh peas, eggplant, asparagus, squash, zucchinis, perfect yellow and red tomatoes...you name it they've got it.

Layered on top of a polenta cake, it sure is a good way to get your veggies!

My boyfriend had the striped bass cooked in butter.  Yumm!  This was the winner of the night.

Served with a vegetable ratatouille of baby tomatoes, zucchini and olives, the fish was tender and slightly sweet with perfectly crisped skin.

Possibly one of the best striped bass we've had.

Add on a side of sweet creamed corn and shrimp (man was there a lot of butter in this one) and we didn't have any room for dessert.

What a pity.

Must budget the stomach better tomorrow night at Escoffier.

The Rhinecliff Hotel
4 Grinnell Street
Rhinecliff, NY 12574
845-876-0590