The Culinary Institute of America

The premier cooking school in the United States lives up to its rep. The campus is compact, filled with beautiful buildings and perfectly situated above the Hudson River. The students and staff seem genuinely happy to be there and the food, of course, is amazing. The open house is something you don’t want to miss if you or your child is considering attending. It’s a full day of information gathering, touring and being able to speak to students and staff.

What a great find! My husband surprised me with a weekend away to celebrate our anniversary. He made reservations at the Culinary Institute of America’s (CIA) French restaurant, Bocuse. On our way to Bocuse we walked the grounds of CIA. The buildings were beautiful and the grounds breathtaking. It is worth arriving earlier than your reservation to have time to walk around and take pictures. Bocuse was located in one of CIA’s buildings that houses their weekday bakery and lecture halls for their students. The restaurant itself is beautiful and everyone from the host to the servers was kind and attentive. It was great to see the students in the kitchen and as servers being guided by their instructors. It is truly a hands on experience for the students attending CIA. We were asked to choose items from their three course menu. There were many options available for each course and every dish was absolutely delicious and beautifully plated. There is also a drink menu with a nice variety of wines and drinks to choose from. After dinner we walked through the halls of the building that showcased past alumni and their accomplishments. I would highly recommend the experience and am looking forward to bringing my children the next time and trying one of CIA’s other restaurants!

We ate at the restaurant for my wife’s birthday and it was a once in a lifetime experience. We got to tour the kitchen where the students are cooking your food that you order. My daughter got to make ice cream table side with liquid nitrogen. Again this is a phenomenal experience that is once and a life time that I highly recommend you do. Service was phenomenal.

Stopped by the Tavern with five friends after a day at the flea market. We were seated quickly (no reservations needed) and the raised long table. Two of my 6’ plus tall friends mentioned some discomfort as there was no place to rest their legs. Between the five of us we ordered- appetizers:oysters x 2 , rolls x 2, pork belly bites and the entrees were: salmon, muscles & burgers. The pork belly sandwiches looked terrific. The rolls & butter (non flavored) are spectacular with the rock salt on top of both. Half dozen oysters were wonderful. And everyone loved their burgers. I requested med rare salmon & personally I thought it was more med to well & a bit dry for my liking… the muscle dish was very good according to a friend. He didn’t offer to share, so I would say it must have been very good. The tap beers were excellent according to the gents. The ambience is wonderful, staff knowledgeable & friendly answering all out questions. My only gripe is there was no onion soup. The menu changes daily & I wish (along with three other members in my group) that there was onion soup daily plus a soup dejour as tomato bisque was not a favorite for any of us on Saturday afternoon. I would say with five -six beers, two sodas & two waters plus our plates the bill was close to $240.00 including the tip. You won’t be disappointed, food and service are above the local eateries and if you have a chance to walk around outside the grounds are beautiful!