The Moonlight Cafe: A Pleasant Surprise!

The Moonlight Cafe: A Pleasant Surprise! 

Moonlight Cafe. Main street, New Paltz

The Moonlight Café, a small, quaint place in the middle of Main Street is a fabulous pit stop in New Paltz if you’re looking for a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner for a low price. A small café, with a dining room that looks as though it couldn’t fit more than 50 people, the Moonlight Café is attractive and comfortable, and looks newly refurbished with its new tables, chairs, and even an outdoor patio. This place caught my eye with its Mediterranean theme and its inviting feel. 

When I first looked at some of the restaurant’s reviews, I was really nervous about having a meal at the Moonlight Café. It had mostly poor reviews, one person even saying “The service was bad, the tables were dirty, the bench needed to be fixed, and the menu was all over the place. Do try to avoid!” By the looks of it I began thinking he worst, and thought I would come back to my dorm room with food poisoning or splinters in my butt from the terrible benches (OUCH!). I tried not to warn my friends about this, knowing that if I did they would most certainly run for the hills and bail on me.

Dirty tables? Uncomfortable benches? I don't see it!

But when we walked down Main Street and into the café, we were pleasantly surprised. It seemed as though the restaurant went through a complete turnaround, with its new and shiny tables and chairs (which were not dirty, broken, or uncomfortable as many people pointed out, thank God!), and its charming Mediterranean-themed décor, and I was impressed.

When we first arrived, the place was completely empty, and we just stood there waiting for tumbleweed to roll by like in an old western movie. It took a couple minutes before our waiter, who turned out to be the only person working in the restaurant, seated the six of us (and for some reason it seemed as though he was surprised and happy to see some customers). We all started with glasses of water, the typical drink college students with barely a dime to spare order at a restaurant.

When looking through the menu, I saw many different Greek options, like falafel, gyros, kabobs, and even some Greek inspired desserts like the Bas Boosa, a semolina cake with yogurt, honey, and topped with almonds. It all sounded scrumptious! I also recognized that the café not only served Greek food, but they also served many non-Greek dishes, like burgers, Italian dishes such as Chicken Parmigiana, and even Mexican food. What many people might think of as a mis-match of a menu, I actually thought was a great idea for attracting more customers. So if you’re going to this restaurant with someone not particularly fond of Greek food, they will most definitely be able to find something that appeals to their taste buds on this very diverse menu.

To get a full taste of the Moonlight Cafe's menu, just go here!

After a few minutes of contemplating, I decided to order the restaurant’s Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap, served with an optional salad or side of French fries, and I chose the fries. Only costing $7.95, this dish, along with many others at the Moonlight Café, is a dish that’s very affordable. This place is great for all of the college students around New Paltz who are looking for a comfortable place to dine with friends while saving some cash as well. 

Some of the simply elegant decorations!

The service was great and we were served quickly, since we were the only ones in the restaurant. While waiting, we admired some of the beautiful decorations and jammed out to (what seemed like) Mediterranean club music. It took less than 10 minutes for the food to be served, and I was impressed.

Crispy Chicken Caesar Wrap with Fries...Looked and tasted great!

The wrap and fries were served, and the look of the food on the plain white plate reminded me of something served at a diner: simple and to the point. Though the presentation did look a little boring, looks didn’t matter to me. With my mouth watering and being eager to taste, I immediately dug in and started with the wrap. 

You know when someone says something was so perfect they could swear they heard angels singing? Well I don’t know if it was just because I hadn’t eaten all day and I might have just been delirious, but I definitely had that feeling. The crispiness and crunchiness of the breaded chicken contrasted perfectly and tasted marvelously with the fresh green lettuce, juicy tomato, and the absolutely delectable and zesty Caesar dressing that made me want to lick my fingers after eating it. Though a bit messy with the dressing falling out of the wrap like a river, it was extremely tasty and delicious. 

The deep-fried French fries were just as wonderful. They were cooked flawlessly, with a perfect amount of salt and they even had a slight crisp to them that delighted my taste buds. The fries were a big hit around the table, with everyone asking for more. I was enormously upset when my plate was empty, and though I was extremely full, I was tempted to get another plate of food.   

Now I see a bench. I tried it out though, and there's no need to worry!

So now it’s time for the question we've all been waiting for: would I recommend you all to go to the Moonlight Café? Drumroll please…*drums*… 

                                                           Yes, I definitely would!

I enjoyed the restaurant’s appearance, with its simple Mediterranean décor, the good service, the diverse menu, and of course, the food! And as for the five friends that came along with me, they loved the place, along with the samples of food I gave them, as well! I’m sure that this would be a great place to go with friends or family anytime. And being inexpensive and affordable, even the poorest of college students can afford it! I know I'll definitely be visiting this place again soon! So go to the Moonlight Café, you’ll leave full and happy, and you won’t regret it!

          

Paul's Kitchen is the Best Bang for your Buck!

Are you a college student on a tight budget? Do you crave home cooked meals rather than that garb they serve at the dining hall? Do you like local or all natural foods? If you answered yes to any of these questions you need to check out Paul’s Kitchen.

Paul’s Kitchen is located on the corner of S. Oakwood Terrace and Main Street in New Paltz. They are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. everyday serving breakfast, lunch and coffee. This restaurant has a very casual atmosphere and best of all it is affordable! Though the restaurant is right on Main Street it often gets passed by because it is quite small and blends in well with the surrounding buildings.

Photo compliments of Paul's Kitchen Facebook

Paul’s Kitchen is the small white corner building with a tiny patio. Outdoors seating is available and inside there are about 12 tables. The decorations inside remind me of any small-town diner. There is a counter where you can sit and grab a cup of coffee as well as the tables where the server will usually tell you to pick whichever one you want. The walls are decorated with old records as well as posters and pictures from New Paltz in its earlier days. Paul’s has the ability to make even the weary traveller feel at home because of the warm and welcoming atmosphere and especially because of their fresh home cooked tasting meals.

Diner Style Decor in Paul's Kitchen

The service here is great; most of the servers are college students. They are always helpful and recommend the best meals if you are unable to make up your mind about what to order. The owner Paul is also usually behind the counter and willing to talk with anybody about how they cook and what kinds of local foods they use in the kitchen. The only precaution I would take is about when you choose to come here. This place fills up quickly on the weekends so I recommend arriving early or just going during the week.

Paul’s Kitchen has many traditional breakfast specials such as the ‘Good Morning Special’, which is made up of 2 eggs served any style, breakfast potatoes, toast or fresh fruit, and bacon or sausage for only $4.00.  They also have other less traditional breakfasts such as their ‘Aztec Burrito’; a wrap filled with eggs, cheddar cheese and homemade black bean salsa for $5.45. All their meals come with large servings and I always leave satiated.

As far as lunch goes they have a huge variety of delicious meals. You can make your own sandwich, salad, and side combo for only $7.50 or you can try one of their delectable Paninis such as the Hudson Valley, which is made with grilled local vegetables, spices, and Fontina cheese. The vegetables are grilled to perfection in a savory sauce that creates the perfect amount of spicy with a hint of sweet. Their menu also boasts a large variety of gluten free foods as well as vegetarian dishes.

Their best meal is something a little crazy and different from anything I have ever heard of or tasted before. They call it “The Pizza Burger.” When I saw it on the menu I was skeptical, but my waiter said to give it a shot and he even promised me I would not be disappointed. The pizza burger is made up of a ½ pound burger with melted mozzarella, provolone, and Parmesan cheese with tomato sauce on it. When the waiter walked out with it and I smelled the potent tomato sauce I knew I had made the right decision. This burger was even better than I could imagine. It was grilled to perfection and tasted amazing. The best part about this burger is that it only cost me $5.95 for a ½ pound burger! I opted to save half of it for lunch the next day and it was still just as delicious.

Paul’s Kitchen is the perfect spot for sitting down for a quiet breakfast and a cup of coffee or grabbing a bite to eat while you’re on the run. No matter how long you stay Paul and his staff will treat you as if you are a guest in their own home with their welcoming hospitality and delicious home-style meals prepared with only the best local and natural ingredients. If you have not already eaten here I highly recommend it. Also, if you get there before 11am you get the breakfast special prices!

Just When I Was About To Give Up On Chinese Food

What is a town without good Chinese food? Extremely depressing, that’s what it is.

I can’t deny that New Paltz has plenty of great places to eat, but I was absolutely heart broken after my two attempts at enjoying a Chinese American meal. There were two Chinese restaurants; one of which I couldn’t even bear to finish the meal, and the other that I could finish but never wanted to return.

Chinese food is a delicacy for Americans. The greatest of all takeout foods. I had no idea what I was going to do for the next 3 ½ years of college. That is, until the grand opening of Asian Fusion! Not only was this place delicious for Chinese restaurants in New Paltz, it was delicious in general. It was almost good enough to compare to NYC Chinese food (but nothing beats anything from the city).

Check our their Facebook page for the menu!

The day that had changed my life, a few of my sorority sisters were spreading the word about a free Chinese buffet at the grand opening of Asian Fusion. Free Chinese buffet in New Paltz? If the other two restaurants were charging money for their low quality food I could only imagine how terrible this food would be. But they kept insisting on how great the food was; and let’s face it, as a college student I can never turn down free food.

Asian Fusion immediately had this nightclub feel to it. The bar was glowing colors, colorful lights were flashing on the walls and the Techno/Dance music was bumpin’, just like they do in Express Stores. The buffet was set up in the back with fried rice, Lo Mein, spring rolls, chicken and broccoli, sushi and more. There was even a table for water and iced tea. The seating was a little awkward (seats lined in an open square so that we were all watching each other obscenely scarf down the food) but it was clear this place wasn’t normally a buffet.

We have no shame in enjoying Chinese food

I grabbed my plate as it was time for the moment of truth. The plates were awfully small – probably to insinuate that the free buffet was just for taste – but I made sure to stack up. I sat down, took a bite, and instantly knew I would be up for seconds and maybe even thirds. The cooks definitely didn’t half-ass this meal. I ate until I was full and had a subtle feeling of regret: Was this meal only so delicious because it was free and I was starving? I knew I had to go back.

And so I did. Two more times within a week and a half. It was so worth it. The second time I had ordered takeout for dinner. Sweet and sour chicken with shrimp fried rice and an egg roll. Stupid me – I meant to order sesame chicken but I’m so glad I didn’t! I can’t remember the last time I ordered sweet and sour chicken but I’ve definitely been missing out! The chicken wasn’t overly battered and I definitely did not have to question the quality of the meat. Unfortunately I had to scarf my food down because I had a full packed schedule and needed to go somewhere but I would have loved to savor every moment of that meal.

The food was almost devoured before
we remembered to take a picture

The third time I decided to enjoy the lunch special with a few of my sorority sisters. I ordered the General Tso Chicken with fried rice and an egg roll (only $7!) as a test. I had tried it once off my boyfriend’s plate but I’ve never ordered it myself. I knew if I were to go to Asian Fusion with my boyfriend he would order this, so I wanted to see if it was good. And of course, it did everything but fail me. This chicken also didn’t have too much batter and it was the perfect balance of sweet flavor included. I even tried sesame chicken off of my friend’s plate and was still surprised at how great everything turned out. 

Knowing that there is an amazing Asian restaurant in New Paltz basically makes this town perfect. The only downfall was my fortune cookie. The fortune was misspelled and didn’t make much sense (I take fortune cookies seriously), but I have faith that that won’t happen again. If you’re strongly craving some good Chinese food, or if you are just deciding what you want to grab for your next meal, I strongly suggest you go to Asian Fusion. You will not be disappointed.

Great Wall Kitchen: Why it’s not just another Chinese restaurant

  

           Being a HUGE of Chinese food, I had high hopes when I took a short walk to Great Wall Kitchen, located near the New Paltz Plaza on Route 299, with my friends. Let me tell you, even with high expectations I was not disappointed. When I first went in and saw the décor on the walls it seemed like I was in an authentic Chinese restaurant. This helped make my stay there more enjoyable. There was one decoration that really stood out: a picture of birds flying out of trees into the sunset. This place was unlike any other Chinese restaurant I have ever been to. 

While the cash only policy may scare off a number of customers, overall it is a fantastic idea, because the business gets its money right away. When the customer leaves the establishment, the only worry that they have is trying not to consume their food too fast, but enjoy its savory taste as long as they can. There was one thing that really made this place really stand out. We, the customers, were able to see the food rendered by the chefs and being put on our plates. The kitchen was on the other side of the counter so I was able to see how my food was made into the delicious meal that I later devoured with a smile on my face. This made the stay there more enjoyable because, unlike most restaurants, where sometimes you worry that they do not make your food properly, you are able to see the food being made. I was able to see the sauce being added to the chicken, the rice boiling and seasoning added to it. Since I have never seen a chef preparing food before in a restaurant, this was something really amazing.

 There were menus readily available so the customers were able to pick out what they wanted to order without waiting to be seated. I found this helpful because we were able to quickly browse through the menu and order at a fast pace. How could you not visit this restaurant at least once The menu has more then 150 food items that all seemed delicious. SO MUCH CHOICES!!! They were broken down into 18 sections!!! The prices of the items ranged from 3 dollars to about 12 dollars, so whether or not you want a quick lunch or a fancy dinner this is the place for you. Hey, even if you don't want to leave your dorm Great Wall offers take out.The number is (845) 255-5171 or (845) 255 5173.

This variety made me extremely happy because I knew that I would be able to return here more than once. The sections that really grabbed my attention were Seafood, Sweet and Sour, Chow Fun, Chefs Specials, and Combination Plates. Even though I still do not know what Chow Fun means, How can you not like something with that interesting of a name? Some of the more intriguing items I found on the menu were Pepper Steak, Wor Shu Duck and Orange Beef. This restaurant caters to everyone’s food preferences, for instance vegetarians.  Since I have always loved Chinese food, I got really excited because I knew that I would be able to leave this place satisfied and still be eager to come back multiple times.

When I looked through the menu I immediately knew what I wanted to cull since my all time favorite dish is Sesame Chicken!!!!!! My friends, Adam and Josh, ordered Sesame Chicken and General Tso’s chicken. When we ordered the lady at the counter was very nice and asked us if we wanted to make it a combination plate, which we all happily agreed too.



Everything tates better with an eggroll

           This option included rice, vegetables and an egg roll. The meals were very reasonable priced at $7.50. I’ve been to many other restaurants around the town of New Paltz and for this LOW price you can not get better food. While we were waiting for the meal we drank some of the green tea that was given out freely to all the customers. This gives the customers another incentive to stay. When we were drinking it Adam stopped all of a sudden and exclaimed, “This tea is amazing!!” The tea relaxed us so much that the waiting time flew by, and in no time we received our meals.

When the food came to our table we inhaled the essence of it, and I thought, “Oh what heaven.” Those first bites, what a delight. The flavor made me crave even more and more. What really made me enjoy my order was the sauce that they put on the sesame chicken; I always, ALWAYS, say everything tastes a lot better with sauce.

 We were eating in silence until Josh exclaimed with joy, “Great Wall is the best”.  The sauce that was used to make this delicacy tasted very sweet and made my mouth water so much that when I was eating it, instead of becoming full, I wanted more and more of this chicken VERY much. When I devoured my meal I still had the egg roll to look forward to, and let me tell you that it was, simply put, INCREDIBLE!!!!!! Before I took a second bite, I dipped it in one of the most exquisite sauces found in the world, duck sauce. This sauce is made of sweet plums and, it can be used for a number of foods such as rice.I made sure not to squander any of that precious delicacy. Now one might ask, how can you top that exquisite egg roll? Let me tell you, the rice and vegetables which contained some of the sauce from the sesame chicken were so tasty that it would be a crime if I hadn’t gotten a combination plate.

As we savored our last bites we could not help but feel a little sorrow because we knew that our experience there was coming to an end. Even though this was true when we finished eating we got up, thanked the chef for an amazing meal and left “Great Wall Kitchen” knowing that, no matter what problems we encountered throughout the day they would be mitigated because of our amazing meal.  

           

Presenting Pasquale’s: Preparing Perfection

Pasquale’s exquisite tan bricks!

Alright, I admit it, Pasquale’s isn’t as close to campus as you’d like and it certainly isn’t your usual college impromptu place to eat, but this restaurant is definitely worth the walk and the talk! 

My friend is OBSESSED about this restaurant and she would not stop talking about it until I finally decided to go with her. Of course, the day we decided to embark on this journey was probably the coldest, windiest day of the year, but a plan was a plan, so we stuck to it, and I’m so pleased that we did! 

Pasquale’s Restaurant and Pizza is an Italian restaurant right up Main Street, across the street from Stop & Shop, and closer to campus than Dunkin Donuts (hey, that’s a plus). The outside of the restaurant, located on a corner of an intersection, looks welcoming and presentable. The clean cut building, made of tan bricks, is elegant and inviting. A newly painted mural along the side of the building gives a picturesque touch.

Fancy mural!

Upon entering, we were approached by an amiable waitress who asked us to pick which table we wanted to sit it. There were some booths and some tables with chairs. Without much thought, we picked a booth; comfortable! The inside was smaller than I expected and far less decorative, but it was still embellished nonetheless. The seats were made of a dark red leathery material and the tables had a wood finish. There was family of three seated in a booth to our left and an old couple also in a separate booth seated to the left. A peaceful, merry vibe filled the environment. 

The menus were on the table. That walk sure worked up an appetite! Skimming down the appetizers, I noticed the usual Italian restaurant appetizers like garlic knots, and breadsticks, and even some unique ones like fried dough and jalapeno poppers.  

Have a look at the menu and prices here!

Soon enough, the waitress came by to take our order. She brought along a fresh loaf of bread and butter in a basket (yum!). The bread was perfect melt-in-your-mouth soft and warm. 

For our appetizer, we ordered bruschetta, which our informative waitress explained we could split, because it came in six pieces. It arrived promptly and the smell titillated my nose and stomach. The slices were organized in fine circle. That first bite was incredible! I expected crunchy bread but the bread was surprisingly soft and warm. My friend who has never been a fan of bruschetta said this was the best she’d ever had! The tomatoes were fresh and cut into bite sized pieces. The added olive oil, garlic, and basil ignited a tingly taste that left me wanting more. 

As a vegetarian, I was excited to see so many options. The menu was broken up into sections (e.g. pasta, pizza). My waitress generously told me that some of the entrees could be made vegetarian, like the penne vodka without chicken. She helped me pick out my dinner, Melenzane alla Parmigiana i.e. eggplant parmesan. I appreciated how concerned she was by making sure that the spaghetti on the side was also prepared vegetarian. The dinner meal also came with a salad or soup and I picked the garden salad with Italian dressing. 

The salad and the dressing were good, but not great. The presentation wasn’t as extravagant as the Bruschetta. The dressing was just placed in a small plastic container. The salad needed to be on a bigger plate with more variety in vegetables rather than just a few onions, tomatoes, and carrots on a huge pile of lettuce. Since the salad was fresh, it was still acceptable. 

My entree came out on a large plate, packed with scrumptious-looking food. First I tried the spaghetti. The sauce was tasty, with fresh tomatoes and a hint of oil and garlic, and the noodles were cooked just right. The smell of the eggplant made my mouth water and I couldn’t wait to indulge. The melted cheese was perfectly chewy and the eggplant was cooked to perfection. Everything was delicious! 

As much as I wanted to continue eating, I was stuffed, but the food was too good to let it go to waste, so I decided to get it packed and save it for later! The cost for the dinner was reasonable; it was a little over $15.00 including tax after splitting the bill. This dinner certainly satiated my need for a palatable meal and a sophisticated experience. 

I would recommend this place for anyone who wants a serene dinner. It allows for an experience away from the college scene and makes you feel more at home (college away from college yet home away from home). This place is perfect for visiting families or a date out with a boyfriend or girlfriend who just want a casual yet classy place to eat. If you’re a college student looking for a place that will completely satisfy your hunger in a formal, homely, yet not-so-costly way, Pasquale’s is the place for you!