Will be at Bard College in October and it will be our first time in the Hudson Valley area. Wondering whether it's worth it to go out of our way to reserve a dinner at CIA. Or are the restaurants in Rhinebeck, say, as good? Which ones? If CIA is really "worth a detour," are there are good accommodations in the area? Not a fan of B&B's. Anyone have any experience with the fairly new Residence Inn in Poughkeepsie? Will be staying at the Finberg House at Bard. Anyone know it? Thank you!!

bookmarking for later reply.

Short answer is yes, you should go ahead and book a dinner at the CIA for one night. It's not too far from Bard.

The R.I. in POK is a handy location for Marist and Vassar, but perhaps a little far from Bard. Marriot does a good job with these properties and it's brand new and quiet location.

Yes, book a dinner at the CIA. I might be a bit biased -- my daughter graduated last year with her bachelors in baking and pastry. We always stayed at the Marriott Courtyard which was fine.

We've eaten at all the restaurants at the CIA and liked the American Bounty and the Colavita (has another name which eludes me) best.

J62: Thanks for your reply. Hadn't intended to stay whole time in Poughkeepsie. Thought maybe we'd do 3 nights in the Bard/Rhinebeck area and then add another in the CIA area, in order to dine at CIA and not have to drive all the way back up. Don't know whether this makes sense or not, i.e. adding another day just in order to have dinner at CIA. E.g. I imagine that for seeing the mansions, etc. in the Hyde Park area, Bard/Rhinebeck isn't too far? Just don't like to drink and drive; that's why I thought maybe something closer to CIA for that one night? Does any of this make sense? By the way, if you know Rhinebeck well, do you have some favorite restaurants there? How do they compare with CIA? Many thanks!

poss,
no, sorry, I don't know rhinebeck at all. I'm in the southern part of the county, so normally CIA is as far north as I go, execpt for the county fare in the summer. I don't think Hyde park is too far - it's only about 10mi from Rhinebeck straight up rt 9. Maybe another few miles to Bard. My drive home from the CIA is much farther on back roads and never a problem.

I always prefer to stay put in one hotel rather than change for a night or two anyway.

Best places at CIA are #1 French and #2, Italian, followed by #3 American Bounty. Regardless of where you eat, request the Tiramisu for dessert. It's served at the Italian, but I've been able to get it at Amer. Bty (they had to run to the other place to get it tho!)

Thanks J6. And I agree with you abt staying put rather than hotel hopping. By the way, if you're a lover of Tiramisu-- the very best (light years better) T I've ever had was in a restaurant in Key West called La Ti Da (short for some Italian words, which I forget, but yes, it was run by a couple of terrific gay guys). Had the dessert long before Sleepless in Seattle, had never even heard of it in fact-- and will never forget it. Very different from any I've ever had (or made) since. Bon Appetit!