Local eateries participate in Hudson Valley Restaurant Week

Local foodies can rejoice as Hudson Valley Restaurant Week returns Nov. 4 to 17. This dining event features more than 150 restaurants across seven counties that will highlight local food from the region.

Promoting local food
Nick Citera, one of the owners and partners from Cosimo’s Restaurant Group, has sat on the board of Hudson Valley Restaurant since its inception in 2006. He particularly likes this dining event because it promotes local food.

"It's a great way to promote the Hudson Valley," Citera said.

Cosimo's has locations in Central Valley, Middletown and Newburgh, which will all be participating in HVRW and offering special menus that include food from local farms.

"We are very, very big on that," Citera said of promoting local farms. "We use local produce all year long."

Specifically, Cosimo's gets fresh food year round from Continental Organics in New Windsor — a large scale aquaponics facility — that allows them to grow vegetables all year long.

"I tell them what I want and 28 days later I have it," Citera said. "They offer basil, baby kale, bok choy, various qualities of swiss chard."

Cosimo's also gets fresh produce from Jones Farms in Cornwall and Hepworth Farms in Milton; peppers from farms in Middletown, goats milk from Edgwick Farm in Cornwall; and onions from a variety of farms in Pine Island.

Along with local produce, many places will feature local craft beer from Newburgh Brewery and some local wineries.

"It's kind of a way to show what the Hudson Valley is all about," said Citera. "Now with beer being so popular it all adds to the food scene."

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week
From Nov. 4 to 17, restaurants will highlight the bounty of the region with prix fixe menus such as three-course dinners for $29.95 and lunches for $20.95 (plus beverage, tax and tip).

Foodies can partake in a variety of cuisine including: Argentinean, French, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean and Mexican to New American.

"I encourage (other restaurants) to become involved in the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week because it makes people aware that the Hudson Valley is definitely a food destination," Citera said. "If restaurants are not taking advantage of this, they are missing out."

A complete list of participating restaurants is available at www.HudsonValleyRestaurantWeek.com.