I’ve heard that Mountain Brauhaus is great – but also that there are pretty much no vegan options. Maybe I’ll give it another look.

And I freely admit that Taco Shack is not good according to my personal qualifications of what makes food good. I totally own that. If I’m going to be honest, I could also admit that Taco Shack must have something to do with my childhood in the Southwest. I only eat there every couple of months, and it fills some sort of void I have for sloppy tacos.

And YES about Bacchus. It must be admitted that everything but the sweet potato fries is pretty bad – fairly decent ideas executed horribly. And even the sweet potato fries are often cold and soggy. But so many good beers! And inasmuch as I have a home bar that bar is Bacchus, so what can you do.

And double YES about The Gilded Otter! They have lots of vegan options, but none are particularly palatable. I can happily say I’ve still never been to P&Gs or McGillicuddy’s, so I can’t compare, but your comments are certainly food for thought.

I totally feel for your addiction to Mexicali burritos – my partner suffers from the same affliction, and wants to go there on the way home from the airport every time he comes home from traveling. A part of me does think their burritos are too big (I always eat half then take the other half home pretending I will eat it later, then I throw it in the compost pile in a few days), but I am also wary of any change in their magical formula – thanks for the tip!

Oh – my chef pal Natalie reported to me last night that the wine bar, 36 Main (what geniuses think of these ultra-descriptive restaurant names?), is quite nice, though it probably doesn’t have much in the way of vegan options. Has anyone else tried it?

One more thing: I continue to love Hokkaido, but I must report that the last time I was there I heard the waitress say to an inquisitive diner that udon noodles were made of rice! I almost butted in to correct her, but I’m not quite that annoying. I kept quiet, too intent on enjoying my spicy cold sesame noodles (not spicy at all, but quite nice), miso broiled eggplant, avocado rolls and sake.

Hooray for NP food friends!

Anywho – I think for the most part your reviews were spot-on (Amen on your Neko Sushi criticisms!), but I must weigh in on just a few points:

1. Taco Shack? Really?! Talk about shredded lettuce – the colorless, flavorless mexican mess that that place churns out is a trip down memory lane to school lunch at duzine for me. I’m not sure where your fondness comes from, but I’ll have to chalk it up to nostalgia.

2. Bacchus USED to be good. I remember a time when I thought their menu was divine — but something seems to have gone horribly wrong in their kitchen in the spring of ‘07 and now I just stick to the bar menu when I’ve got late night munchies. Way too little bang for way too much buck there, although they do have a really tasty mexican-italian salad dressing that I would buy by the bottle if they sold it separately from the terrible meal it typically accompanies.

3. I don’t know if the Otter even deserves to be classified as “not bad,” I would say that they (and Bacchus for that matter) are actually just P&G’s and McGillicuddy’s with wealthier patrons. As a matter of fact, I would put money down that in a blind taste test, P&G’s fare (the best of the worst) would beat Otter fare (the worst of the best) hands down. Granted, they both serve greasy, low quality, unhealthy, makes-you-want-to-take-a-nap-after-eating crap, but somebody’s got to do it and I would argue that in NP, P&G’s does it the best. Now, in terms of ambiance, Otter clearly wins and on a Friday night you’re about 100 times more likely to find me sitting there than at P&G’s, but in either case, I probably wouldn’t be eating anything.

4. Suruchi is a delight – although the family that runs the uptown Indian place are so pleasant that they can make it worthwhile to endure the higher prices, lower quality and less pleasing atmosphere.

5. The Mudd Puddle is by far the best coffee shop in town, but I must inform you that the Bakery also uses Silk (or at least did) – let’s be clear, however, that this by no means implies that anyone should anyone eat the desserts there unless you are feeling that you could use a little more crisco in your diet.

6. Cheese Plate, Tea Room, Main Course – Right on. All are at the top of the list of my NP favorites. They expensive, but so worth it.

7. Robins is a gem.

8. You ventured into the fringe of NP in a northen direction, but I wonder if you’ve ever experienced what may well be the finest area dining experience, just slightly to our west: the venerable Mountain Brauhaus. Chock full of standard, sticks-to-your-ribs fare, as well an impressive array of exotic, modern, healthful delights (and now featuring many Local Items on the menu!!), the Brahaus should never be overlooked when considering the area’s best culinary offerings.

9. I and many others have been suffering for few years now from a crippling addiction to Mexicali Burritos. They are indeed perfect, but let it be known that a sinister force has descended upon the town (I think they must be under new management), hell-bent on breaking our habits by making the burritos smaller, “fancier” and ultimately less appealing. Let it be known that the devoted following of Burrito lovers are wary of these new changes, and in the wake of too much tampering with our beloved rolls of joy, we are prepared to take our addictions elsewhere.

I didn’t know that about bees. Personally I can’t go vegan because I love animal products, including meat (though not as much red meat, plzkthx), so I feel terrible knowing that I’m supporting this whenever I eat honey mustard, but I’m too accustomed to my daily life to put a stop to it. I guess I feel like vegans have their purpose, and I have my own.

You’re right, I don’t get your humor or sensibilities, but reading your comments, I’m glad there are people who do.

When I go to a restaurant, I actually *don’t* expect a lot, because I know the places I’m dining at aren’t exactly 5-star restaurants. I don’t expect crap, but when there are people starving in the world, I can enjoy a second-rate meal without complaining.

Your problem with shredded lettuce, I shall never understand, but I know people who can’t eat celery because “it’s a textual thing,” so whatever. People have their quirks, I guess.

Top Chef is a reality TV show about the culinary world and those who strive to excel in it. Lots of big names are attached to it, and watching it always makes me wish I could cook for *real*.

So, yeah. New Paltz is a fun town. I’m wondering, though, if you can point out the apparent shortcomings of Naomi’s Cafe? I’m hoping to try that place out next. =)

“Stop expecting so much out of life and maybe you’ll actually enjoy yourself one of these days.”

The two aren’t mutually exclusive, you know. I expect a LOT out of a restaurant – good vegan options, no preshredded lettuce (seriously, that shit is wack), and so so much more. Why shouldn’t I? I appreciate quality. I appreciate hard work. I appreciate honesty and artisan care.

But in case you’re worried about me, you should know that I really enjoy myself in general, in New Paltz, and at even bad restaurants.

I really, really enjoyed writing this post, actually. You, on the other hand, don’t get my humor or my sensibilities. Which is cool too. Everyone’s different.

Not owning a TV, I do not know this “Top Chef” reference you use, but if it helps, I eat out in NYC whenever I’m there.

And yea, the poor bees. The fucking queen bees are raped in industrial honey production, yo. And they are burned alive at the end of the season. Google it. I don’t give a shit if you think I’m silly or not, but if I can die without a goddamn queen bee’s raping on my shoulders (and if all it means is that I live without one stupid salad dressing), I’m going to do that.

I gently shoo spiders out of my house too. I blow them kisses as I deposit them on the lawn.

I just moved here to New Paltz and I’m still getting acquainted with the town. However, I have to say that while I find your opinions helpful in many ways…some of your opinions on these restaurants are ridiculous.

You refuse to eat at Wrapsody’s (I haven’t been there yet) because you dislike the deliberate misspelling? Are you THAT anal about life? I haven’t tried their food but I think it’s a cute name. Furthermore, it’s one thing to say you don’t like wraps, but I just don’t get your reasons for disliking them. Rather than judging on taste, you’re acting petty over what the wrap itself is made out of and about the disorganization of the inner ingredients.

You seem to get so upset over the smallest things…can’t you just look at the whole picture? Furthermore, I understand people’s reasons for going vegetarian (I will never understand vegans, though…sorry), but I can’t help but feel that by doing so, you’re limiting your own options. Restaurants should not have to cater to your personal preferences on life itself. They only serve one or two vegan dishes because you guys should be happy enough eating lettuce (not pre-shredded of course, Heaven *forbid* it’s pre-shredded) for the rest of your lives.

That was rude, and I apologize, but I won’t go back and delete that statement.

I agree that Hokkaido is superior to Neko, but most of the places I’ve been to in town so far are good. The food is not that bad. New Paltz, in my opinion, isn’t exactly the food capital (capitol?) of the world. The food’s good and there’s variety. Stop expecting so much out of life and maybe you’ll actually enjoy yourself one of these days.

Or, you know, you can just be a judge on a Top Chef season finale and eat amazing food so you’ll be satisfied.

There is a difference between food that is terrible and food that isn’t necessarily golden, but still tasty and satisfying.

…..And this is just getting it out of my system: OH NOEZ you’ve ordered salad dressing with HONEY in it!!! The poor bees!

>_>; Sorry.

So basically, Valerie, sit down and shut the hell up. Come back when you shed this hippie dippy bullshit and grow a damn sense of humor.