Page 38 - The Valley Table - Winter 2022

Zinnia’s Dinette
The idea to open a fish fry in a field in the middle of nowhere came to Amy Lawton when the zinnias she planted in her yard to stave off the Covid blues attracted a plethora of pollinators. “I wondered, if I had a place that was as pretty as a zinnia, would the human pollinators come?” she says. “So, I opened a restaurant.”
A Rhode Island native, Lawton,
who was in charge of the kitchen at the former Murray’s in Tivoli, knew she wanted to bring a fish-centric menu to the Hudson Valley, albeit one with affordable diner prices. Think oyster rolls, clam and chorizo stuffies, and steamers. (Not a fish fan? There are plenty of options for you too such as buttermilk fried chicken, a
fried mozzarella sandwich, and classic hush puppies).
Lawton created a brightly colored, charming eatery in a space that was once home to Dutch Treat, a local favorite
for years. While she places more of an emphasis on eating regionally rather than just locally (which she believes is more affordable and easier to accomplish),
she does source whatever produce
she doesn’t grow herself from local
farms such as Whistle Down and MX Morningstar in Hudson, and Honey Dog and Common Hands in Hillsdale. “I want to fill people up with delicious comfort food,” she says. “Watching people eat food that I’ve prepared gives me joy.” Craryville; 518.325.0342; zinniasdinette.com
36 the valley table
dec 2021 – feb 2022
PHOTO COURTESY OF ZINNIA'S DINETTE