Summer nights and good food go hand-and-hand during travel far, far away from home. Even if I’m only upstate, I crave fresh eats and relaxing moments. That’s what I discovered tucked away in Windham, NY located in the Catskills area at the Millrock Restaurant. This solo date night consisted of some of the best foods to pass my lips during my trip.
I arrived at the cozy restaurant as the hostess greeted me with a sincere smile. I told her table for one and she led me to the patio, decorated with lights and sounds of birds tweeting in the trees. I snuggled into my chair as my server came over with a cool glass of water. He introduced himself as Adam and placed a menu in front of me as he listed off the specials for the day – which ranged from scallops and mussels to delicious pastas. This extensive Italian menu had a little bit of everything: pizza, pasta, chicken, salmon, shrimp… so many choices for the evening. I settled on the arugula, raspberry, and goat cheese salad and calamari for my appetizer. To have something to sip on, I decided to go for a classic Aperol Spritz to start.
After he took my order and dropped off some warm and crusty bread and olive oil, I took the time to enjoy the moment. The couples around me seemed blissed out as they popped bubbly and gushed about their desserts. One table even got into a lively discussion about their son’s graduation with the table next to them. Things seem so different in the Catskills, I thought to myself as my drink and appetizers arrived.
The Aperol Spritz came out with that iconic red-orange hue and a juicy citrus slice bobbing on the surface. At first sip it was balanced with that orange bitterness, floral hints, and refreshing brightness that kept me going back for more and more.
Luckily the calamari was a perfect amuse bouche. It was made with freshly caught squid in the area and fried to a satisfying crunch, paired with the red sauce.
For my healthier choice, the salad offered a refreshing and crisp contrast. The cabbage and arugula was deliciously bitter and earthy, mixed with the goat cheese crumble to add a tangy creamy bite. Sliced almonds and raspberries gave the salad a fruity and nutty taste that made it such a joy to eat.
Adam circled back, checking on what I’d be having for the evening. I was torn between the pizza and pasta, hearing that they both were a premium choice for an entree. After some deliberation I decided on pasta and a pizza to go. Once I inhaled the smoky and rich smell of the Smoked Salmon Penne, I knew I made a wise choice. This dish consisted of buttery smoked salmon chunks paired with wild mushrooms and garlic, cooked in an aged brandy in a luxuriously toothsome cream sauce with penne pasta. Each bite was truly better than the last. To get the rest of the sauce I, of course, used my bread to soak it up and popped it in my mouth. How could this get any better?
Of course it did, once my Bountiful Basket pizza came out. The dough, sauce, and mozzarella cheese are all made in-house. I added some caramelized onions and wild mushrooms in addition to the peppers, zucchini, and asparagus. The dough was crispy, cheese melty, and flavors dancing in my mouth. I only had a slice, but I can attest: it heats up delightfully the next day too.
As my meal was winding down I of course had to sample some of the desserts. The crème brûlée was calling my name, and before I could blink it appeared before my eyes. The crack of the sugar was music to my ears as I scooped the first bite into my mouth. Sweet and silky with that caramelized sugar to make anyone smile with glee. The squirts of whipped cream added a cooling touch to the overall dessert.
Before I went about my night one other dessert caught my eye: Limoncello Flute. A mix between lemon sorbet, vanilla ice cream, and a fluffy scoop of whipped cream. It is just as delicious as it sounds with tart icy flavors balanced with the sweet cream. This dinner at the Millrock Restaurant was truly a feast that’s worth checking out this summer when you visit the Catskills!
Millrock Restaurant
5398 NY-23,
Windham, NY 12496
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