It isn’t
often my family of four ventures out to a restaurant. Taking twin 3-year-olds out
to eat is usually more disastrous than a fine dining experience. But we were excited
to give the Dutch Ale House in Saugerties a try. We decided a lunch date with
our girls was safer than braving the dinner crowd.
When we
first entered the long narrow bar area I wondered, “How family friendly is this
place?” As we moved past the small tables and limited seating areas, we found a
side room that was brightly lit and had enough space for a family to settle in.
Appetizer: We started with the truffle parmesan frites and white bean hummus
with pitas. The french fries are tossed with tuscan herbs, parmesan cheese
and white truffle oil and served with roasted garlic aioli and balsamic drizzle
— a garlic lover’s dream! It’s a delightful mix of savory and mild sweetness.
My picky eaters devoured the creamy white bean hummus and pitas and enjoyed the
light kick of lemon zest.
Entrées: Our entrées
arrived in timely succession, meaning my kids had little time to fidget. Since
it was St. Patrick’s Day weekend, my husband selected the Bangers and Mash. The
Irish sausages were served over mashed potatoes, caramelized onions with a
Guinness demi-glace. The Guinness lends a smooth, nutty flavor to the dish and
it is actually lighter than one might expect. I selected a grilled sandwich
called, The Pilgrim. It is roasted turkey, stuffing and provolone cheese grilled
on rye bread. Cranberry sauce and gravy were served on the side for dipping. This
twist on a favorite traditional meal gives a plain grilled cheese a favorable
upgrade.
All the items
on the children’s menu were capped at $5.50 and include a small beverage. The typical
kid-friendly fair of macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers & fries and the
like are available. My girls enjoyed the mac and cheese and the cheese
quesadilla — each served with a carrot and celery stick.
Dessert: The kids and I went with apple crisp à la mode and my husband
chose the Bailey’s Irish Cream cheese cake. The apple crisp was sweet and tart
with just the right amount of crumbled topping. The cheesecake was as decadent
as it was creamy. Even the kids enjoyed stealing a bite!
While the
atmosphere in the main bar area might mislead one to believe they are in a
local tavern, the side room is inviting for families. In comparison to bigger
chain restaurants with a deluge of random objects on the walls, loud music and
little elbow room; the Dutch has beautiful local artwork, light music and plenty
of room to negotiate a stroller. The Dutch Ale House is family owned and operated
with a value for local ingredients. Portion sizes are just right — plenty to
eat with a little left to take home. Prices are comparable to what one might
find at a familiar chain restaurant, but with better quality food and an unexpected
wholesome atmosphere.
Roxanne Ferber lives in Saugerties with
her husband and twin 3-year-old girls.
Dutch Ale House
255 Main St., Saugerties
845-247-2337
845-247-2337
Perfect for
date night: YES
Perfect for
the kids: YES
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