Dining in Style

     The Culinary Institute of America trains their students to become professionals.  That includes preparation, execution and of course, service.  And what better way to accomplish all this but by offering their best to the public?

     On each of the 3 CIA campuses there are restaurants open to the public that provide excellent meals in a variety of cuisines.  There are a total of 8 different dining experiences offered in San Antonio, TX, Greystone, CA and Hyde park, NY.  I had the good fortune to enjoy two meals while I was in the Hudson River Valley recently.



     The American Bounty Restaurant typifies the popular farm to table concept and highlights the seasons and products of the Hudson Valley with contemporary and regional fare.  The evening our group reviewed a dinner menu that offered some tantalizing dishes.  I began with an eye appealing coach farm goat cheese, caramelized onion and apple tart with house smoked bacon dressing.  It tasted as good as it looked!  Deciding on the entree proved to be a difficult choice.  There were so many good options from which to choose.  Sauteed wild salmon, moulard duck breast, roasted farm chicken and beef short ribs were just a few items I could have ordered.  But after some indecision I finally ordered the grilled rib eye of beef that was plated with smoked crushed cheddar potatoes and grilled romaine lettuce.  It did not disappoint!



     My only regret was about dining at the American Bounty was that I was unable to enjoy meals at the other CIA restaurants.  Bocuse provides a world class dining experience in classic French cuisine, casual yet sophisticated is the way they describe it.  Ristorante Caterina de'Medici is the dining facility within the Colavita Center for Italian Food & Wine, serving authentic regional Italian cuisine in a Tuscan style villa overlooking a herb and rose garden above the Hudson River.



     I was fortunate, however, to make a return trip for lunch to the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe located just inside the main entrance to Roth Hall.  Open daily from 7:30am to 5pm it showcases the talents of the students enrolled in bakery & pastry arts courses.  Unlike the other restaurants, Apple Pie does not take reservations and is more of a cafeteria style setting, offering a full menu to enjoy at tables or for take out.  I was delighted with my Dungeness crab cake and fries with home made aioli and tomato ketchup!