This place is niceeee. One step through the door and you understand why they're busy so early on a…read moreSaturday. The staff is kind and helpful. Inside and outside, it's clean and spacious - ample seating. Coffee and pastries were delicious!

What a lovely cafe! My husband and I came in first thing Saturday morning to grab breakfast and…read morecoffee while visiting Beacon. It's counter service and there was already a bit of a line when we arrived around 7:15am (why were so many people already up and about?! lol). We loved that they had a great variety of options, including many vegetarian options. I went with the egg & cheese sandwich and accidentally ordered it without the greens & sauce (whoops!). However, it was still delicious and satisfying. My husband got the avocado toast which was SUPER filling due to the hummus that was on it. He was only able to finish half of it. We also got a side order of fruit which, to my delight, was a bowl of berries! The fruit is seasonal so the combination might be different depending on what time of year you are visiting. Also, both of our coffees met our standards, which are a bit high these days. So kudos to them on that! The ambiance was absolutely incredible!!! Very well lit with a bright, welcoming atmosphere. We sat near the back of the restaurant (away from all windows), however we still felt like we were being flooded with sunlight. It was wonderful! Definitely recommend coming here to grab breakfast while visiting Beacon!

This is the best cafe I've had the pleasure of being introduced to in a while…read more My goodness, where to begin. Heavenly Garden Cafe is a small cafe in a nondescript aging strip mall. They've done a good job at sprucing up the exterior of their shop so you do have a bit of a hint of the goodness that lies within. Once you enter, the shop itself is pure cuteness. They have electronic ordering near the door, QR codes on each table so you can easily order from there, or you can order directly at the counter. On my first visit, I got one of their smoothie bowls. I got it with a coconut base (instead of acai) and ordered the crispy berry smoothie bowl. It came with tons of beautifully fresh berries, pecans, and almond butter. It was divine. For my beverage, I got their coconut latte made with almond milk. It came beautifully presented with coconut shavings on top and a small cookie for dipping (are you serious?!? So lovely). I think I literally exclaimed, 'So lovely!' when they brought it to my table. Everything also tasted amazing. The coconut latte was made with beautifully rich and smooth espresso. It was completely dreamy. So much so, that I ordered the same coffee on two additional visits while I was in the area. On my second visit, I got their turkey panini which was one of the best turkey sandwiches I've had in a while. Perfectly toasted and filled with spinach, cheese, and grape tomatoes--I loved every bite. One my third visit, I got their breakfast toast made with veggie spread. It came with an ample pile of veggies and herbs and a scrambled egg on top--amazing! Both the turkey panini and the breakfast toast also came with a side salad. Additionally, one morning I ordered a fruit bowl, which was filled with fresh berries, banana, and kiwi. The service is kind and the prices are reasonable. Seriously, what a gem! Get to it!

Heavenly Garden Cafe was a great find! I had the spinach and feta croissant, which was buttery,…read moreflaky, and packed with a delicious spinach and feta filling. I also tried the Coco Cream Smoothie with pineapple, mango, and coconut. It was creamy, refreshing, and the perfect tropical treat. The only reason I'm giving three stars is because the table next to us sat uncleared the entire time we were there after the previous guests had left. As someone who worked in restaurants for years, I know things get busy, but a clean dining area makes a big difference. The food was good, and I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.

We were just passing by this town on a long drive from Philadelphia to VT but we enjoyed our first…read morestop so much, we stopped here again on our way home! There is indoor and outdoor seating. All the outdoor tables have umbrellas. Dog friendly. You order and pay inside (tip: know your table number when you go to order). We tried two of their salads (Waldorf, southwest Cobb)... we enjoyed them all... very fresh, good sized. Got both of these on both trips in. The turkey BLT wrap was great! Parking - we parked in a lot behind the restaurant. Most people had to pay the meter but we had a handicap hangtag and the handicap spot was free. Would def recommend!

Boy, are there a lot of post-hike options in New Paltz. I stopped by here this past Saturday…read moreafternoon after an 8.7-mile hike in nearby Minnewaska State Park. The weather had been pretty mediocre throughout the day but that clearly hadn't stopped the tourists from invading the downtown area - the place was teeming with people when I came in around 3pmish. I didn't do a ton of research on potential eating spots (a lot of SE Asian eateries, which seemed kind of random?) but picked Lola's because it was a block or two from where I parked, and I immediately imprinted on the Short Rib Grilled Cheese when I saw it on the online menu. Decision made. Since it was starting to get a little nicer out, I would have liked a spot outside in the front patio. But the girl at the check-in (I feel like there's a much better term for that) asked me to go inside, which for sure was a bias against the fact that I was a solo diner. I get it in theory, but it's not fun to get treated like a second-class citizen because you don't have a posse with you in a tourist trap. Regardless, the interior was fine; looked like it had been redone within the last year or so; what it lacked in personality it made up for in terms of overall spiffiness (and the area where the personality DID come through was in the bathroom area, with tongue-in-check "Whatever" gender signs on the doors and edgy art by the sinks. Tell me you're a college town without telling me you're a college town.). The set-up in here is more casual than I assumed; I was told that my table was #10 (the numbers were clearly marked on each table, reminiscent of Smashburger), and that once I decided what I wanted, I needed to go up to the counter to order. Someone WOULD serve the food, but a big chunk of the experience is DIY. I ordered the aforementioned Short Rib Grilled Cheese w/ Fries, along with a Diet Pepsi, and waited. I thought this was pretty inefficient, as there were plenty of employees nearby who easily could have just taken my order at the table instead of having me sit down, then stand up and walk across the restaurant to order, and then sit back down. The wait was a little longer than I would have guessed, just given the straightforward order and casual, almost fast-food style to the business model; it took close to 20 minutes to get my sandwich, I'd guess. Not egregious, and there WERE a number of other customers on the premises as well. The Grilled Cheese was just okay - I tend to grade on a curve after a hike, but I thought it was really drippy/greasy, and I wasn't crazy about the tomato compote it came with (which is a personal palate preference and something that WAS specifically referenced on the menu and I didn't request its exclusion; easy to remove, regardless). The short ribs aspect was unsurprisingly the best part. The fries were decent; a little pale but cooked through. There was a pickle hidden underneath them that was a little emotionally upsetting but it is what it is. This was fine and could have been worse, but the next time I'm in town I'm going to keep walking down the street and trying one of the many other options nearby. The target demo for this feels a little more 2am college student than hungry hiker in the afternoon.

Pretty good butternut squash, cashew, jasmine rice soup! Creamy though, had a little too much cumin…read moreor some kind of spice. Probably wouldn't come back, but glad to try this place.

This place is an absolute gem and was a highlight of my recent trip to the area…read more I was staying in New Paltz and looking for a spot to grab some lunch and maybe get a little work done. I found Karma Road on Yelp--a vegan cafe? Yes, please. It's a small cafe with a few tables inside as well as a few outside. When I arrived, the outdoor seating was full but there was a few tables available inside that were perfect for my needs (dining and working). It's an order at the counter set up. I knew I wanted a sandwich and was leaning toward an avocado sandwich they had on menu. The worker was excessively kind and welcoming. Upon hearing it was my first time there, they asked if I might like a recommendation. I mentioned I was thinking of getting a sandwich. They shared that they're favorite sandwich was the baked tofu. I asked if I could get it with avocado added, they enthusiastically recommended I do so! I did, and my goodness--that sandwich was outta this world. It was absolutely divine. It came with some cucumbers that were seasoned and seemed to have maybe a squeeze of citrus as well? I truly don't know what they had on them but what a simple yet absolutely astoundingly fresh and fabulous side. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or simply like good food--seriously, give this gem a shot. It is well worth the stop. Get to it!

Norma's Wappingers has a great vibe with plenty of tables and space, plus outdoor seating. It's…read morealso very baby-friendly -- they have toys and even a changing table in the restroom. They may also have live music sometimes. Prices are good, although the portions are on the smaller side. They have a lot of bread options, so it's a nice place if you're a smaller eater. The food was generally good: Iced Matcha Latte -- 2/5 Iced Coffee -- 4/5 Classic Turkey -- 4/5 Yogurt -- 4/5 The B.E.A.S.T. -- 5/5 The place looks clean at first, but looking closer, I noticed quite a few flies and some dust on the floor, which took away from the experience. Drinks were okay overall. Still, the food, atmosphere, space, and baby-friendly setup make it a good spot.

LOCATION: on the tiniest Main Street I know Adorable…read more"downtown " Wappingers Falls, NY in the beautiful Hudson Valley, just 12 minutes from Metro North's New Hamburg station on the Hudson River ( green) line from Grand Central Station, NYC. I mentioned this cute little town because it's just one of the little niches along the Hudson river that makes a perfect little day trip. FIRST IMPRESSIONS: really quaint storefront, and first impression.Enter through the cafe door which also functions as a retail shop for handmade objects like soaps, etc. The gifts have an upscale vibe-worth a trip back. We had about 15 minutes to kill before attending a Yelp event across The Street so we opted to take the chill off by purchasing a hot beverage at Norma's. The staff is pretty laid-back, friendly, but laid-back. If you're in a hurry, I'm not sure if this would work. The hot and cold beverages are very straightforward and you can get some vegan options here. There were two behind the counter, but I felt they were a little engaged in their personal banter and we're not that attentive. Not a real sense of urgency or purpose. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but once they did give us their full attention, we let them know that we were waiting for an event across the street and didn't have a lot of time. They asked us if we'd like to sit down with our beverage and we opted to do so since it was pretty cold outside. We ordered two hot chocolate And two homemade biscuits. They gave us a table number stanchion for the table and let us know they would be bringing it to us. We did not need to wait. We took the three steps down to the main dining area, where we were pleasantly surprised that they were having a live event - in this case it was a storytelling event. There was a table available for the two of us so we sat down and quickly realized that the table was so off-balance that it post a potential safety hazard. When I placed my hot chocolate down and rested my wrist, the entire table tilted forward toward me. This is an easy thing to fix, but my guess is that it's been this way for a really long time. That's unfortunate. All that aside, the room was really cozy and had a lot of character - lots of two top and four top tables to provide a very intimate setting with each one having a good view of the small stage Minutes went by and there was no biscuit delivered. More minutes went by and we began to wonder if they had forgotten. I guess is that they weren't making the biscuits from scratch so most likely they did forget. Since we had already paid for everything with a pretty generous tip, we waited a a few more minutes. Time ran out when we noticed that the event attendees were lining up across the street. That's something we could see from the really great big windows that faced Main Street. Reluctantly, my sister and I got up from the table and headed to the counter where we had made the order. We let them know that we needed to go and asked if the biscuits were ready. They seemed perplexed at first and then a lightbulb moment. Yes. I suspect they did forget the order. I wouldn't bother so much but two biscuits and two hot chocolates. It was about $20 plus tip so when they recognized that the biscuits were still missing, they asked if we would like to take them to go. The lack of awareness was disappointing because they were clearly not busy with anything else A minute or two later, they emerged from the kitchen with a small bag, presumably containing the two biscuits. Service was definitely lacking, particularly for what is a bit of a higher priced venue. Maybe we caught them on an off night but my sense is that laid back attitude is built in to the business model. Would I return to Norma's? I'm not sure. The hot chocolate was good, not from a mix, but would it bring me back? I'll let you know.

Worth every dollar! This was such a gem to find on a work trip upstate. Customer service was great,…read moreand you can taste the love and care put into the food. It's in a small shopping plaza, so easy to miss but you don't want to miss this! My husband and I got 2 açaí bowls (very generous with toppings!), 2 paninis (flavors immaculate), a smoothie, lemonade and wheatgrass shots. It's very hard to find smoothie spots that carry wheatgrass so that was another major plus for us! We found a nearby boutique hotel that has become our new getaway from jersey city, and this will be our go to as well. Such a great foodie experience!!

I'm not one for smoothies but they have a huge selection at reasonable prices. The smoothies are…read moredelicious, healthy and filling. The spot is clean and service is attentive.

Update: We went back almost immediately because we couldn't stop talking about the first meal, and…read moresomehow it was every bit as amazing. The lamb shank was absurdly tender, the baba ganoush was smoky and rich, and yes, the ezme, beets, and pita remain mandatory ordering. But what really sets this place apart is the heart behind it. On a hard night for our family, a simple unexpected dessert brought genuine comfort and a smile when we needed it most. They don't just feed your stomach here. They feed your soul. I would go to war for this restaurant. An absolute gem, genuinely some of the best food I've had in the area!! I don't write glowing reviews lightly, but this place absolutely earned one. From the moment the food hit the table, it was obvious this was something special. Every single thing we ordered, from the mezze sampler to the drinks to dessert, felt like the best version of itself it could possibly be. Not one weak note. Even the pita bread was memorable. Warm, soft, fresh, lightly charred, and worthy of praise in a meal FULL of standout dishes. The mezze sampler was EXTRAORDINARY. The beet and goat cheese was one of those bites that makes you stop mid-conversation. The goat cheese was fresh, creamy, rich, and perfectly balanced by roasted beets that were unbelievably sweet and luscious. Honestly, they were almost candy-like. I don't know what they did to prepare them, but they were incredible. The spicy vegetable dip, Esme, was bright, vibrant, and bursting with flavor. Fresh, zippy, and balanced with just enough heat. The eggplant dip was equally impressive, with a silky texture, subtle tartness, mellow tomato notes, and that gentle pleasant bitterness that makes eggplant so satisfying when it's done well. The hummus was ridiculously creamy and rich with tahini, giving it a deep nutty flavor that made it one of the best hummus dishes I've personally had. We also ordered the Turkish manti, and they were fantastic. Little handmade parcels topped with cool yogurt and warm spiced oil that brought everything together beautifully. We didn't even manage to take a picture because by that point we were so completely absorbed in the meal that all manners disappeared and we just devoured them immediately. No photo. No pause. Just instinct. That might be the strongest endorsement I can give. The mint lemonade was perfect for a warm day. Bright, refreshing, tart, cooling, and mint-forward without being overly sweet. It tasted clean, balanced, and incredibly refreshing. Dessert completely sealed the deal. The Turkish revani was unbelievably soft, soaked through with milk, and had that luscious almost tres leches quality that makes every bite melt away. The fresh berries and raspberry sauce gave it just enough brightness and acidity to balance the sweetness beautifully. I had a cup of black tea with it, and the combination of cake, berries, and tea was one of those simple little moments that feels kind of magical. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Tasteful decor, warm atmosphere, and thoughtful design that feels welcoming without trying too hard. The service was friendly, attentive, and genuine. More than anything, the whole place feels like a labor of love. What blows my mind most is that this restaurant has apparently been here for over two years, and we somehow only just discovered it. We were legitimately mad at ourselves thinking about how many meals we could have had here already. Now we're just trying to make up for lost time!! For roughly $80 for two before tip, the value was outstanding. At first glance, the menu might look a little upscale, but once the food arrives, it makes perfect sense. The quality more than justifies the price. I've had good Mediterranean food before. This is operating on a completely different level. Without question, this is some of the best Mediterranean food I've had anywhere in the area, and I can't wait to go back.

Another amazing restaurant in Hudson Valley. This was unassuming from the outside. The stores next…read moreto them are either empty or closed and the location, it's next to the Home depot, that when you park in front of the place, you feel like you're the only one eating there.. not a good first impression for a good restaurant. We went for dinner at 6 pm on a Saturday, we thought we were the only ones there, again because of the empty parking lot. There were a few people already seated. We didn't have any reservations, and I thought - Why would we? We started with the appetizers, babaganoush and calamari. Both were good. My wife and I had the mixed platter for two. All the meats were tasty, seasoned well and weren't dry. For dessert, I tried the affogato, espresso over ice cream and that hit the spot. Overall, we were impressed. People did start coming in after 6 so it's best to reserve a table especially if you have more than 4 in your party. The don't serve liquor so it's BYOB!! For some, that might be the important thing to note .

It's been a while since the last time we were here, I always go for their pernil and salad. They…read moremake the best pernil (besides me). They are welcoming to their customers. We are welcomed with fresh, warm bread. They are well known for their cakes. Specially their tres leches cakes. We requested mojitos. (Oil. Vinegar and salt). I can't finish it all, so I take it home

Los Hornitos Bakery…read more Let me tell you ahead of time that this is a Sweet Treat Heaven! You will definitely want more than one dessert. Don't say I didn't warn you. Los Hornitos Bakery has plenty of parking right outside their door and it smells really nice as you walk in. Everything is perfectly displayed and I wanted to try one of everything! Their displays are filled with plenty of beautiful cakes, cheesecakes and cookies to choose from. You can get an entire cake or a slice or two.. or even three haha! They have a big refrigerator fully stocked with cold drinks as well. To start, I ordered the Churrasco sandwiches. Steak, cheese, avocado, tomato and mayo. It comes with a hot sauce and honestly, I don't like any kind of hot sauce. I was reluctant to try it at first and so glad I did because talk about a pleasant surprise! It has an amazing flavor that brings the sandwich to life and it's actually not hot & spicy! Food came out hot, tasted fresh and came out with perfect timing even though the bakery was quite busy. It's hard not to hear others conversations and it's obvious they have many happy customers. Ok, so now, let's get to the sweet treats. I got a meringue covered cookie with dulce de leche inside. I was excited for this as meringue is a favorite of mine but, unfortunately this treat was extremely dry & crumbly, difficult to eat and lacked in flavor. It's messy and would advise to steer completely clear of tasting it in your car. My second treat, a Bailey's Almond slice of cake. It was soft & creamy, light & fresh, excellent flavor and comes with a pipette of Bailey's Irish Crème. Almonds were crisp. It was so delicious I wish I had bought 2 slices! I recommend this as a Birthday Cake actually. It's impressive. Not overly sweet. You must try for yourself ! My third treat was a slice of Passion Fruit Cheesecake. Parcha is my #1 most favorite flavor and it did not disappoint. Classy. Flavorful. Balanced. Creamy. Decadent. Highly recommend. I'd even go as far as saying it's 'romantic'. It's a perfect dessert for the holidays and special celebrations. Excellent choice for dinner guests or date night. If you're looking to make a good impression, this is the dessert to have served! Last thing I ordered was a regular hot coffee with milk, to go, hot and flavorful just how I like it. It really hit the spot and made me smile! I truly appreciate a great cup of coffee. Looking forward to trying out their iced coffee and other flavor options on my next visits. Let's not forget another sandwich to try out !