Cafe Mutton — Restaurant in City of Hudson

Had an errand that took us to Hudson, NY, around lunchtime on a Saturday. Checked the Google and this place popped up. Sounded like our vibe so we stopped in. As one would expect on a Saturday at noon, it was very busy. The hostess let us know it would be about a 40min wait, but that she could take a number and text us when our table was ready. Sounded cool, so we went to run our errand.

The text notifications are through Resy, and work super well. I got an update after a few min that our wait was now 30min, and another shortly thereafter that it was down to 15min. Finally, just a few min later, a notice that our table was ready, would be held for us for 10min, and we could tap 1 to confirm or 9 to cancel. Total wait was probably 20min. Perfect.

We quickly finished our other business, hightailed it back, and got in line to order. The way things work at Cafe Mutton is that you place your order at the register, then have a seat and wait for your food to magically arrive. We did that.

The menu is mercifully short (it's still hard to choose) and seasonal. I had the maitake and gruyere omelette with a bloody mary, and a sticky bun to go, and my partner had the pate sammitch with a poo driver cocktail. The drinks arrived quickly, and were very tasty and not too boozy. The bloody mary was very fresh and balanced well, though I personally would have liked a little more spice. The emphasis was on the fresh veggie flavor, this isn't a 'smack you in the face with spices' version. The poo driver (so named because it contains prune juice) was a very interesting sour, herby concoction. Not really my jam, but my partner likes sour stuff and enjoyed it very much.

My omelette looked beautiful and tasted beautiful-er. The 'shrooms were cooked but not overcooked and still had a nice bite, and there was just the right amount of cheese - not overwhelming. On the side were several well-buttered slices of the house sourdough, toasted. I could have eaten a whole lot more of that.

My partner's pate sandwich was also constructed with house-made bread, two thick slices of white. The hearty slab of pate looked delicious, with some thinly sliced pickles and a grainy mustard. It was so delicious, apparently, that I wasn't offered a taste!

The atmosphere is casual funky-cafe, with an eclectic assortment of art and some plants. The space is bright and cheerful. When it's full it's very loud, not a place for quiet conversation. There are a lot of seats (maybe 25?) crammed into the space, but we felt we had enough distance from our neighbors to be comfortable.

Despite the crush, service was friendly, prompt, and thoughtful. Don't expect long, lingering conversations with your server when it's busy - they simply don't have time and that's OK. That sticky bun I ordered to go? It arrived toward the end of the meal so I wouldn't have to juggle the box on the tiny table. Very nice. On the way out I remembered that I'd forgotten to bring water for my dog on this little day trip. At my request I was cheerfully provided with a cup of water to go for the pooch.

Yes, this place is pricey. Looking around Hudson, it's clearly one of those towns close enough to the orbit of NYC to be 'weekend house' territory, so I didn't expect low prices anywhere. Add the fact that nearly everything is made in house from premium ingredients, and yeah, you're going to pay. It's expensive, but not "over-priced" as a few whiny reviewers claim. If you aren't willing to spend ~$40 per head on brunch, go elsewhere. We can't splurge like this every weekend, but once in a while it's worth it.

I had the sticky bun for dinner. Yes, that was my entire dinner. The bun was huge and awesome, but I'm sure it would have been even better if I'd eaten it sooner.

Bottom line, if you're traveling through Hudson and want a fresh, tasty, filling breakfast/brunch/lunch, or even just a sticky bun for the road, make time to stop at Cafe Mutton. It's exactly the type of one-of-a-kind place I love to find when I'm traveling and I hope to get...

This establishment needs to update their website more regularly. And before, they tell me to “grow up”, maybe they should think about growing up into an actual business establishment that does the bare minimum of updating their website with the actual current menu?

We came and before we did, did our due diligence and checked the website as one of our party was vegetarian. There were seemingly dishes on the menu that would satisfy their needs and so we made a reservation and went.

Though we got there and the menu was different than advertised on the website. There were no vegetarian entrees except the bread and butter and some lettuce shards. We inquired as to if they could just make some pasta or something for our one party member. The chef was resolute that NO substitutions be made and she was simply out of options.

So, not making something off menu could be understood if just a flippant request. However, when the fault is yours due to your laziness about your website that’s a different story.

You as a restaurant owner, chef and basic human were going to let someone go hungry cause your ego deemed you too important to make a consideration and rectify your own mistake?

There seems to be a lot of accolades for the chef, and perhaps deservedly so, we wouldn’t know as we had to leave to ensure all of our party could eat dinner. But a chef that is supposedly so good, so creative should be able to make a simple pasta dish, no?

Furthermore, when explaining the situation, the server fully admitted they “weren’t good” about updating the website and also recommended our vegetarian guest eat a dish with anchovies. I think she genuinely did not understand why that could be a problem, which is somewhat concerning if one imagined dealing with allergies.

All in all, education seems needed here. On the staff end, business administration end and adequate customer service comprehension.

Though, judging from the responses to previous posts I doubt any humble pie is on the...

We've taken the train once (when it was order at the counter!) and driven up to Hudson from NYC another time recently just to eat here. The crepes are some of the best I've ever had, you have to try them to believe it. Other memorable dishes: mussels on toast with the best aioli in the world, grilled octopus, lumache with alpine cheese, mortadella sandwich. The desserts are also very good––caramel puffs in particular stand out. We love the simple yet pleasant atmosphere, the lovely staff, and the fact that the menu is creative and honest, and always so flavorful. We can't wait to go back soon.

When you dine out you make an agreement and you take a risk. On one of our visits we ordered a very stinky cheese that was too bitter for us, but would never in a million years have imagined that we could just ask for it for free. I can't imagine what kind of person you have to be to even entertain that idea. In this day and age there is no excuse to not look up what a restaurant serves before going (or the old: look at the menu before you sit down). CM is for diners who are curious about food and open to unexpected combinations. Avoid if...