Stissing House — Restaurant in Town of Pine Plains

We were welcomed by beautiful candlelit windows when we pulled up on a cold winter evening. The same warm and inviting sentiment continued as we entered the building. Upon being seated this feeling left us though. Our table was situated very closely to the table next to us and my husband's seat was a window sill with a cushion. We could hear the entire conversation from the table seated next to us (not favorable) and my husband had a cold draft at his back during the meal. The room with a fireplace (next to our dining area) would have been perfect as there was ample room between the tables and the room was cozy. Atmosphere is important to the overall experience when dining and our location did not add anything to the evening.

The staff was pleasant and questions were answered, but I would not qualify the service as attentive.

The snacks, appetizers, and dessert were fine, but nothing memorable. Entrees were extremely disappointing. The menu does not translate well to the plate, and flavors were flat. I ordered Pot-roasted winter vegetables with lentils and was served a very dry layer of lentils topped with a small floret of broccoli and cauliflower, single red pepper, wedge of onion, and larger piece of overcooked sweet potato. The only seasonings that I could discern were lime and salt, and heat from the pepper. I anticipated a flavorful winter vegetable stock with parsnips, turnips, beets, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, etc. My husband ordered spit-roasted rabbit and was served two small slices of roulade with sparse accompaniments. He noted that the fennel and pancetta were good, but the rabbit was lacking flavor and was an extremely small portion. We both anticipated that he would be served half of a whole roasted rabbit with or without bones, although he was hoping for the latter. There was no mention of roulade on the menu which seemed odd.

Maybe our expectations were too high based on our experiences dining in the area, but I at least expected a memorable meal. There are less and more expensive establishments that I would have rather dined at for $400 plus dollars for two people. I should note that only two cocktails, one non-alcoholic beverage, and a moderately priced glass of wine contributed to the cost of the meal. Nothing significant by any means. Hopefully, something will change in the near future as the building is spectacular and the menu reads well. Sadly, the food did not deliver a...

Stissing House, nestled in the picturesque Hudson Valley, offers an experience that transcends mere dining. It's a journey into a warm, inviting atmosphere paired with genuinely delicious food, making it a true standout in the Hudson Valley. We dined with my brother, sister-in-law and husband for a very belated birthday celebration and it did not disappoint.

We started with the house sourdough and butter with a range of small plates from ham, chips, pickles and Gouda cheese. The items were easily shareable and felt unique plus were mostly made with local ingredients from the area. For our appetizers we split the artichoke with mayonnaise which truly delectable; moist and flavorful with a little bit of crunch. We were also given the scallops which were literally out of this world. Do not sleep on those if you plan to attend. We tried 1 for each of us, they come in a shell of butter and garlic, it's definitely not an item to sleep on. For our mains the boys ordered the buvette, which they both devoured, no notes, clean plates. My sister in law ordered the chicken, which was recommended by the waiter and felt light but so filling. Really well done, juicy and simple yet really satisfying. I opted for the pork which was insanely good. The roasted apricot was such a nice touch and made it feel elevated from the traditional pork roast. We ended the night with the coconut cake (superb, almost like an angel food cake with a coconut flavor, very light and refreshing) and the brownie sundae because we are manics and love sweets. Service is attentive and friendly, striking a perfect balance between professional and personable.

The staff are knowledgeable about the menu and wine list, offering helpful recommendations without being intrusive. They contribute significantly to the overall relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Stissing House is more than just a restaurant; it's an institution that consistently delivers a memorable dining experience. It's the kind of place you want to return to, whether for a special occasion or simply to savor a well-crafted meal in a beautiful setting. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a taste of authentic Hudson Valley hospitality and cuisine....

Upon arriving it was a little confusing as to where the entrance is located. There’s a large front door which I assumed was the entrance, I quickly found out the entrance is through the muddy lot behind the building with no path to get there except through the mud. Once inside it reminded me of an upstate country home. It was warm, inviting and hostess was extremely attentive. I was seated at the bar and after 10 minutes i was greated by the bartender (who walked past me multiple times before saying a word) with a menu. He seemed almost annoyed by additions to the bar patrons and kept asking other staff to help take orders. At no point did he even ask if there was anything i needed. When i asked for something he didn’t respond but minutes later he brought what i asked for so that was good. He also needs to work on his attire. His representation of the bar was in line with his attitude towards the patrons, dry, messy and without character. I ordered the scallops appetizer and the Halibut entree. The scallops were cooked perfect and seasoned nicely…served on a scallop shell. The Halibut on the other hand was somewhat bland and served with dark mashed summer beans, potatoes and butter sauce, which was way too rich for a delicate fish. It overpowered the fish and ruined the dish. I would have preferred some type of seasonal squash purée and some other type of vegetable (fiddleheads maybe). The fish was also overcooked and under seared. So the top of the fish almost seemed they torched it to get some coloring and the inside was so overcooked it didn’t flake like Halibut should when cooked correctly. I think the dish could be a smash if prepared correctly.

I will return to the restaurant to give it another chance. I feel it takes two or three visits before I’m convinced it’s a place i want to put on my list of restaurants. I dine out a lot so when i find the right place I make it part of my home. Next time I’m going to try the Melon salad and dry aged ribeye…to be...