Garden Cafe on the Green and Hudson Valley Restaurant Week

It's Hudson Valley Restaurant Week although that should be pluralized because the event lasts for 2 weeks. From March 18th through March 31st, almost 200 restaurants in the Hudson Valley, NY area will offer 3-course lunches at $20.95 and 3-course prix-fixe dinners at $29.95 (tax, tip and beverage not included).

Standing out from the sea of restaurants participating is the vegan gem Garden Cafe on the Green located in the heart of Woodstock. The first restaurant review I ever wrote on this blog was for Garden Cafe and it continues to be one of my favorite eateries.

Garden Cafe offers delicious organic, vegan dishes prepared by Chef, owner and extremely nice person, Pam Brown. There are incredible appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts on the menu with added special items offered everyday. My favorite choice is the Garden bowl that features a decadent trio of grains, tofu or tempeh and greens.

And nothing makes the weekend more special than a scruptious vegan brunch. My usual is the Italian Tofu Scramble with a side of sauteed greens and vegan sausage.

For Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, Garden Cafe has a special menu:

Lunch Menu

Appetizers

• Avocado Pea Soup with Mint - GF
• Indian Chickpea Blini with Cashew Date Chutney - GF
• Asian Spinach Salad-Spinach, slivered cabbage, carrots, scallions, sesame seeds, carrot ginger dressing - GF
• Mesclun Salad-Carrots, Red Onions, Roasted Beets, Shaved Fennel and Croutons - GF croutons available

Entrees 

• Roasted Portabella Mushroom Sandwich on our Homemade Foccacia with mesclun salad and Roasted Potatoes
• Grilled Tofu Sandwich with Apples, Horseradish Mustard and Caramelized Onions with Mesclun Salad and Roasted Potatoes (GF bread available on request)  
• Southwest Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burger with Roasted Potatoes and Caesar Salad (GF option: served over salad instead of bun)
•  Indian Vegetable and Chickpea Enchilada with Bombay Sauce, Sauteed Kale and Coconut Apple Salad

Desserts

• Apple Crisp - GF
• Almond Crumb Pear Raspberry Pie
• Brownie with Warm Chocolate Sauce and Whip Cream

Dinner Menu

Appetizers

• Asparagus Cashew Tart with Creamy Chardonnay Swirl - GF
• Spinach Avocado Salad with Red Grapefruit and Toasted Sunflower Seeds - GF
• Panko Crusted Green Pea Cake with Toasted Coconut Sauce
• Smokey Red Pepper Soup with Cilantro Cream - GF

Entrees

All dinner entrees are gluten free

• Cornmeal Crusted Tofu with Black Olive Roasted Pepper Fennel Relish, Quinoa and Spring Vegetables with Caramelized Oyster Mushrooms and Garlic Scallion Sauce, Sauteed Kale and Rosemary White Bean Sauté
• Stir Fried Coconut Ruby Red Rice and Vegetables, Pan Seared Tempeh with Ginger Orange Glaze, Sauteed Bok Choy with Peanut Sauce
• Black Bean and Polenta Triangle with Chipotle Coffee Glaze, Roasted Vegetables with Lime Crema, Sautéed Kale with toasted pumpkin seeds 

 Dessert

• Lemon Polenta Raspberry Cake
• Caramelized Pineapple and Coconut Shortcake with warm Caramel Sauce
• Gluten Free Apple Crisp

If you needed a reason to visit the Hudson Valley other than the beautiful sites, an exceptional, compassionate meal at Garden Cafe on the Green is more than reason enough. And with the beautiful weather, the garden is open so you can enjoy your meal outside. Call for reservations today!

Located at 6 Old Forge Road Woodstock, NY 12498 Phone: 845-679-3600 Closed Tues.
http://www.gardencafewoodstock.com/

The "V" Word: Say it. Eat it. Live it.