Writes of Passage

674 Thayer Rd,
West Point, NY 10996

The restaurant is on the left, half flat down from the lobby of the Thayer Hotel, which is on the compound of the United States Military Academy. Exposed brick walls, fresh flowers – mostly carnations, but overall it feels stuffy. $11 house wine: Merlot is better than Pino Noir.

The crab cakes (enough for an entry) are good, so is the salmon but the veggie cassoulet is subpar, tasteless.

Each table has a bell (not an astray) – I thought it’s pretty military-ish. We didn’t have to use it because the restaurant was very empty, even on a game night.

Patton’s Tavern is on the same level as the lobby but it was filled to the brim when we got there – probably due to the game: ice hockey team vs SHU. 

The Five Star Generals of the Army

George C. Marshall, VMI 1901
Douglas MacArthur, USMA 1903
Dwight D. Eisenhower, USMA 1915
Henry “Hap” Arnold, USMA 1907
Omar Bradley, USMA 1915

^{Wiki: Aerial view of West Point & Hudson River}

The town sits on the western side of the Hudson River, 50 miles north of Grand Central Station in Manhattan. The population in 2010 is 6,763. It is well known for the United States Military Academy, (which is commonly called West Point). It was identified as the most important strategic point by Gen. George Washington during the American Revolution.

To know more about the West Point Academy, a recent book (recent, is in relative term … )  Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point (2003) by David Lipsky provided me a lot of insight into this iconic institution. And please DO read his Preface too.

• 2020,

4097 Albany Post Road
Hyde Park, NY 12538

some events in 2020

The site is 2 miles north of FDR Library and 4 miles north of CIA, this park is worth stopping by. The panoramic view is paramount.

The Millionaire’s View

Four men built homes atop the bluff to command panoramic views of the Hudson River: Samuel Bard (1799), Dr. David Hosack (1829), Walter Langdon (1847), and Frederick Vanderbilt (1898). All maintained overlooks at this site just north of their homes. From where you’re standing, Shaupeneak Ridge stands out across the river, in front of the distant Catskill Mountains, while the mid-ground remains concealed. Step closer to the edge and the meadows and woodlands below the bluff, as well as the channel of the Hudson itself, come dramatically into view.

1946 Campus Dr. @ Roth Hall
Hyde Park, NY 12538

Will return, for the kids.

I rarely give a five star rating and this one, ran by the kids caught my fancy @ CIA. We were lucky, secured a table without a reservation – even on an open house day.

Thanks, perhaps to February blues.

It’s a crispy blue sky day. Cold – 25 degrees – but brilliant.

Out of three restaurants, this one hosed in Roth Hall ranks on top and is the last rotation before graduating. So the skills are better and the kids are clearly excited, which makes the  
atmosphere so much nicer and genuine. They’re wide eyed to welcome their next stage and couldn’t wait.

The decoration is bright and modern, quiet. Thin stem glasses: Riesling and Cape Rosé are good. Two kinds of bread – the sour dough bread is substantial – are delicious, so is the room temperature butter ok fess up: I only ask for it again once -:)

They’ve a small brewery on site @ the Student Common and the WIT draft beer is pretty good: light and delicious. The curly celery is done with slicer and soaked in the ice water (hope I remember it right …).

They served two lightly cooked physalis (also known as the Cape Gooseberry) in with the octopus. The high heat left a brown spot on the berry – not sure sure for the extra step, it tastes as raw. I first had it at a friend’s home on Long Island about a decade ago, wild. She picked. We looked. And I tried. Guess I was lucky that it wasn’t poisonous.

Their winter prix fixe menu runs till March 13. Make a reservation and go.

1946 Campus Dr,
Hyde Park, NY 12538

The Italian restaurant @ CIA. Unfortunately it doesn’t open for lunch .. or at least not in February. Unlucky for us.

It’s the only one (of three) that is housed away from the Roth Hall, designed by the architect Roberto Magris.

1946 Campus Dr,
Hyde Park, NY 12538

the Egg, an open space on the Hudson River @ CIA, with multiple counters and a brewery. A colorful piano sits by the window. A billiard room and a gym are next to the brewery. Is anyone actually doing any work out?

We’ve a weekend trip to the north, even it meant that I’ve missed the Beethoven’s 4th and 5th at Carnegie Hall.

The trip was short and sweet:

^{Fri 2.21} CIA
^{Fri 2.21} Linde Center
^{Sat 2.22} West Point

1946 Campus Dr,
Hyde Park, NY 12538

The classes are conducted in this main building @ CIA, which houses Bocuse, Bounty and Apple Pie café. The visitors’ parking lot is front and under (Anton Plaza).

Their most famous graduate D’Anthony Bourdain (1978) is being honored front and center

Classes are in session. Their cathedral-like dining hall in the building is very nice.

1946 Campus Dr,
Hyde Park, NY 12538

The Roth Hall is the main building. The campus is on the Hudson River, a short drive north on Route 9 to FDR Library and Vanderbilt Mansion. This school was established after WWII, providing the veterans some practical skill after returning home, first in 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut, and then moved to current location in 1970, and began to grant associate degree. Now it offers college and master degree. As of now, it has campus in Napa CA, San Antonio, Texas and Singapore. We saw many Asian students.

The school isn’t big, with $100 mil endowment, size wise too. There are three restaurants all in Roth Hall, except the Italian: Bocuse, Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici & Al Forno Trattoria and Bounty. Apple Pie café (in Roth Hall) and the student common where the small brewery locates.

Apple Pie Bakery Café

American Bounty Tavern

Parking is at the garage in front of the Roth Hall, Anton Plaza.

美国烹饪学院在哈德逊河畔上
二战后为退伍士兵提供职业培训
现在脱胎换骨变成四年大学和硕士
也有短期的学制
面积不大 有3个餐馆和咖啡馆等
还有一个啤酒厂

餐馆的气氛很好 主要是学生们吧
欣欣向荣的感觉
他们还有一个多星期就毕业了
一个说会留下来念硕士 另一个说去华盛顿的一个美食餐厅…
对人生下一步充满期待
食物做的非常好 面包在内
试了一个自酿的啤酒🍺 – 很棒
没有给乌鸦嘴留下挑剔的机会

1 High St
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Won’t return.

Great view, large portion, lousy and very very slow service.

We arrived at 1:09 pm on a weekday. Only a few tables.
I asked the staff to change my unused but dirty fork. They never bothered to bring a clean one.
Delicious warn bread.
Our appetizers were finally serviced at 1:51.
The portion is simply big.
I got up and walked around, after failing to get them to serve us.
…
The French fries is pretty yummy and I ate a lot of it.
We finally left, two full hours later.