295 Tinker Street
Woodstock, NY 12498
*Disclaimer: We were not paid for this review. All opinions are our own and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Mike and I tried out The Bear Cafe one night while on a trip to New York's beautiful Catskill Mountains region. In the lobby of our hotel (Emerson Resort and Spa), we noticed a travel brochure with an ad for The Bear Cafe. The image of a couple dining next to a beautiful stream caught our attention. This is exactly what we had in mind for our relaxing mountain getaway. What a great date night idea! We enjoyed both the food and the incredible setting at this local gem.
The food was fantastic. I looked up the menu prior to our visit and already knew I was ordering the Pumpkin Ravioli! I was excited to find this on the menu as I can't seem to locate it at many restaurants. And it was organic too! Perfect! Be aware that this delicious entrée may or may not be available as the menu changes seasonally.
The Bear Cafe features plenty of organic options for the health conscious. Italian food doesn't always have to be unhealthy. If I am spending money to eat out, I'd appreciate the ability to eat organic like I do at home. Otherwise, I feel guilty for not cooking my own food at home.
Luckily, I didn't have to worry about this here. The cafe features a variety of dishes including traditional favorites, vegetarian friendly options, along with healthy, organic additions. The menu varies throughout the year due to the farm-to-table ingredients used in each dish. Recent selections have included Pan Seared Steelhead Trout, Mushroom Risotto, and Seared Tofu and Soba Noodles.
Our waitress was perfect. She always brought refills of drinks over right away, yet never seemed to interfere while we were eating or having a conversation, as is the case in too many restaurants.
The interior of the restaurant did not disappoint! I really enjoyed our beautiful window seat, complete with the amazing views of the stream. The dining room featured a rustic mountain theme, but somehow felt elegant at the same time: a winning combination in my book! There are only a handful of window seats available each night, so make a reservation to guarantee your spot. The elegant decor and pretty views make for a romantic dinner destination.
I would recommend making dinner plans here for the views alone! Add in prompt service, wonderful mountain decor, and a delicious menu. These attributes combined lead me to the following conclusion: The Bear Cafe is the winning restaurant for a romantic night out in the Catskills!
