Page 24 - Valley Table - Spring 2021

COLD SPRING CHEESE SHOP
COUNTRY KITCHEN
Cold Spring
Drawing on the wellspring of area farms, creameries, and artisan producers, the charming village of Cold Spring offers an eclectic collection of enticing spots for foodies. By Liz Susman Karp
At Cold Spring Coffeehouse, it’s not just the coffee, sourced from Stacks Roaster in Albany, that shines. Pastries, made fresh each day at 4 a.m. with Farmer Ground Flour and local ingredients, frequently sell out; fortunately, pre- orders are welcome. Try the everything bagel pretzel stuffed with cream cheese or a gluten-free roasted garlic and Gruyère biscuit. Vegan croissant Fridays — vanilla matcha, yum! — began in January.
Hudson Hils Café and Market is a bustling breakfast and lunch spot, originally planned as a prepared foods café with some seating, that has drawn crowds on Main Street since 2009. Owner and classically trained chef Bob Hayes and
his wife, Hilary, source much locally. The menu matches
the casual farmhouse feel, with all-day breakfast, including the popular shirred eggs, salads, sandwiches, and light fare. Hayes also bakes cakes, pies, and gluten-free bread in-house for pick-up or pre-order.
Mismatched wooden shelving houses hundreds of spices in eco-friendly packaging at Spice Revolution, a funky spice shop-cum-bakery owned by former sous and pastry
chef LJ Fastiggi. She sources near and far (thyme from the Berkshires, salt from Australia) from farms that are organic and fair-trade certified for small-batch, non-irradiated spices, coffees, and teas, which are cleaner and fresher. Delectable cookies, pies, and savory tarts are baked using local ingredients.
Jars of regionally made homespun condiments, including relishes, jams, honeys, hot sauces, pickles, and even pickled eggs, fill Country Kitchen at The Shoppes, a cozy room
in The Shoppes on Main Street. Pick up a jar of Annie’s Kitchen plum preserves, still made in two-gallon batches by the grandson of the company’s namesake, and check out Awesome Country’s marinades, mustards, and colorfully named salsas like Bottom of the Swamp Mud.
Across the street is Cold Spring Cheese Shop. Owner Timothy Haskell, a theatrical director, designed this appealing gourmet cheese, charcuterie, and provision shop as an immersive experience for cheese lovers. Open since July 2018, the shop emphasizes Hudson Valley and New York State products from both well- and little-known producers (think Churchtown Dairy and R&G Cheesemakers). Sandwiches and cheese boards are composed by helpful staff, who will even FaceTime with you to create a custom basket.
22 the valley table
april – may 2021
photos courtesy of country kitchen (left), by hudson valley happenings (top)