Caveat emptor: I’m not a gastronome, an epicure, or a foodie, although I’ve always assumed that the billions of us crawling about the planet Earth are “foodies” for the inescapable reason that we are all driven to consume sustenance in the effort to get on with this game of life.
Nossssirree, I’m the if-it-tastes-good-to-me-it’s-good chap who sticks close to what I’ve taken, in the effort to maintain truth in advertising, to calling eatin’ places. If this requires translation, it’s places where one might find something suitable for humans to eat, as opposed to the places where one gazes upon the menu only to look up at their companion(s) with a look of whaaaaaaa, and subsequently winds up with a stalk of asparagus and a half-ounce of salmon, delivered on an oversized plate that is quickly memorialized in photos and flung off to some social media site.
Yianni’s at the Chatham House – Chatham, NY
Special occasion at hand? Meeting out-of-town friends? Yianni’s at the Chatham House is well worthy of consideration if you like a place with top-notch vittles and a Sherlock Holmes-slept-here feel. Or maybe that’s Agatha Christie.
Advertised as the “New American Bistro,” the perpetual issue at Yianni’s for me, at least, is what to choose for that particular meal. While it wouldn’t do to jam the entire menu into this story, let’s throw out a few mighty fine choices that have landed on my plate over time: grilled ahi tuna, horseradish and panko-encrusted Atlantic salmon, filet mignon, beer-braised baby back ribs, four-cheese ravioli, and boathouse pasta. The restaurant also offers a full-service sushi bar where, it advertises, “authentic Japanese delicacies” are prepared fresh to order.
The coffee, a critical component of my life at this advanced stage, is reliably wicked good. While my barstool days are finito, I have it on good authority from a number of folks that the friendly atmosphere is conducive for a fine time chatting with your neighbors, contemplating your existence all by yourownself, or taking in a sporting event on the big screens.
Weddings and banquets are never a disappointment at Yianni’s at the Chatham House. Apropos of not a whole lot in particular, in the ’40s my mom and dad’s wedding reception was held at the Chatham House, at a time in the building’s life when its place in the village was held in high esteem, dating back to its days as a primo stop for railroad workers and travelers. It subsequently underwent a bit of a tough stretch (understatement!), falling into near-complete disrepair before being rescued from the wrecking ball in the early part of the 21st century.
White Stone Café – Ghent, NY
If I’m looking for an egg-based meal in the morning (or noon or evening), here’s my go-to: the Whitestone Café in Ghent. There’s something a bit different about the omelets here – I can’t identify what that something is, but there’s really no need. I’m always good for American cheese or Western but wouldn’t hesitate to order up any of the other choices. If I really feel like testing the arteries, I’ll add corned beef hash on the side.
When lunch rolls around, I am equally prepared to head to the White Stone to tuck into a club sandwich or a good old-fashioned burger, or head to the buffet, where on any given day you’ll find roast beef, ham, chicken, a fish selection, vegetables, mac and cheese, fresh fruit, and homemade desserts.
Apart from its dining room, the White Stone also features a good-sized banquet area, as well as counter service and a bar. There’s a welcoming, homey feel here that’s not easy to find anymore.
Chatham Grill – Chatham, NY
The Chatham Grill in, ah-ha!, the Village of Chatham, NY, sits directly across Hudson Avenue from the aforementioned Yianni’s and scant feet from the railroad tracks.
Meatloaf’s the go-to for yours truly here, regardless of whether it’s lunch or dinner.
However, there’s always the possibility that one of the day’s specials, which, I might add, never have the whiff of something that’s outlived its usefulness, might divert me from my going-in intention. If somehow I’ve had meatloaf in the recent past, there are always choices such the grilled Atlantic salmon, roast duck, house veggie burger, or maybe cheese ravioli to satisfy the dilemma.
For much of its life, the building in which the Chatham Grill resides served as a tavern. Ergo, there’s a certain attraction to pointing out to unaware tablemates that where they are seated partaking of a fine dining experience is where banshees gathered around the foosball table or where you’d find the pool table. Anyhoo, see about snagging yourself a window seat and watch the world outside fling itself hither and yon.