{pretty to think so} — Restaurant in Town of Rhinebeck

We heard about {pretty to think so} while in town visiting family, and made sure to stop in and see what all the excitement is about. Let me tell you, the hype is certainly justified. Everything about this place, from the atmosphere to the drinks, the food, and the staff, is first-rate.

The space is small but inviting, with decor that strikes a delicate balance between seemingly opposing aesthetics--it's classic Parisien café meets chic, sexy private club. That juxtaposition sounds funky and disjointed, but it somehow just works.

Their creativity extends to the cocktail menu, where more seemingly odd combinations come together to create some truly unique and surprisingly delicious libations. We sat at the bar, with a front row seat to watch the bartenders work their magic, and it felt like a performance we should have been charged admission for. There was smoke, and fire, and what looked like a mad scientist's chemistry set, and the end results were some of the best concoctions I've ever tasted. I especially enjoyed the Fire Ceremony, which had a spicy kick to it.

The food was also spectacular. My wife sampled a few different oysters from the raw bar, which she said were all fresh and delicious. We tried the bar nuts and the popcorn as well, which seem like pretty humble and ubiquitous menu items, but they managed to creatively elevate even those--the bar nuts were seasoned with rosemary and bay leaf, while the popcorn had nori and bonito flakes mixed in that gave it a surprising but pleasant ocean-y taste. We followed that up with entrees of crispy duck confit, red wine braised lamb shank, and nettle risotto, all of which were exquisite. The duck confit, in particular, was one of the best things I have ever eaten--I would eat that every night if I could. The lamb shank was a large portion and perfectly cooked, and the risotto was comfortingly creamy with a subtle flavor.

Throughout the entire meal, the bartender and the rest of the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making for a truly wonderful evening. If we lived in the area, we would be back weekly, but we will have to settle for adding {pretty to think so} to (the top of) our list of must-visit spots whenever we're in town. This restaurant, and the trio behind it, seem to be building quite a reputation for themselves, and...

Our experience at pretty was beautiful from start to finish. We went for my husband's birthday, and had a wonderful night. Decor is lush and well-appointed, yet cozy and comfortable. The service was thorough and professional. Maddy is a mixology savant, concocting layered, complex and intriguing cocktail experiences. And then there is the food! My husband is gluten free, and amazingly, so is the menu! We started with (gluten free!)fried cod croquettes with broccoli in bagna cauda. The cod was light, broccolini grilled just to the point of crisp freshness with the right char to provide richness of flavor, without ever tasting burnt. The slight anchovy(warm and Caesar-ish) sauce brought a lovely umami, and popped quinoa for texture. Even better was the beef tartare, served on a marrow bone. I'm not a huge fan of marrow in general, but this was bursting with juicy flavor, without feeling overly fatty. The smooth richness of the marrow was balanced by the acid of yummy pickled veg and fine beef. Cod and clam main course was pleasing and well balanced. The cod was cooked to perfection. Never dry, but firm, with crisp golden edges. Tender clams, with a broth that improved over the course of the meal, as the fennel flavor bloomed. The halibut main was lovely. Clearly, thought is given to flavor balance. A curated bite included the mild fish, in rich brown sauce with a fresh green, slightly acidic coulis to balance the flavors. Now dessert... Sometimes it's not worth messing with a great meal, but we took the chance and were so pleased. Persimmon marshmallow tart tasted like Christmas (nicely paired with the figgy "won't go until we get some"cocktail), and hibiscus blackberry tart was fruity and fresh flavored. Treat yourself to this amazing experience. You...

Loved this place! We came here from Massachusetts to celebrate our anniversary. We made a reservation online and were sat promptly. It's hard to find a dedicated gluten free restaurant, especially fine dining. We got the carrot bread, beet salad, duck for two and chocolate torte for dessert. The carrot bread came over an aioli with some sort of pickled veggie on the side-delicious combo. The beet salad was delicious but it would have been better if they had cut the lettuce. Also it was so dark in there I couldn't see the bottom of the bowl haha but I got it sorted. The duck was really good but the star of the show was the potato that came with it. It was a twice baked truffle potato and it was the best potato I've ever had in my entire life. They also had no problem making it dairy free for me even though it usually comes with dairy. I love how accommodating they are! The duck came with the potato and broccolini over a pan gravy. The gravy was also amazing. The chocolate torte we got for dessert was also delicious. It had some sort of fruit topping, maybe rhubarb? Whatever it was, it was delicious and complimented the chocolate perfectly. We also had some drinks from the cocktail menu. Their cocktails were unusual and complex and were expertly crafted by the bartender. The place is small, I think seven tables, but they also had outside seating with outdoor heaters. My only complaint is that it's very dark in there. I had to hold my menu up to the candle to read it. But that's part of the vibe. I enjoyed the music and very much enjoyed the food and drinks. We stayed at the Beekman Arms next door. We can't wait to come...