Tomato Cafe, Fishkill, NY

A week or so ago we drove through Fishkill, after having already eaten, and noted that a few new restaurants deem to have popped up on the main drag near route 9. I made a mental note to stop back sometime when we were in the need of food, and today was the day.

I found a spot to park on the street and we looked at a few restaurants to decide where to eat. The first one we looked at, The Tomato Cafe, won out because the menu looked interesting and there was a nice smell to the place. The aroma of fresh sauce filled the air. We were seated and given water and menus.

Looking at the menus there were just too many options to choose from, and the prices were reasonable. I decided to go simple and ordered the BLT on sourdough rye and added a cup of tomato soup. They are called the Tomato Cafe after all. $6.95 for the sandwich and $2.50 for the soup. That soup (pictured above) was delicious. It had a nice texture to it and there was just a bit of heat added, as well as some basil. The sandwich was good with plenty of bacon. I originally ordered a salad in place of the fries, but after I realized my sandwich was going to be a salad sandwich I quickly changed it to a side of fries. I also added a bottle of Hurricane Kitty.

Teresa had it narrowed down to two choices and the waiter recommended the Chicken Sandoval. She ordered the half portion, at $8.95 plus a caesar salad. I tasted the chicken and a piece of the pasta and it was delicious. Our waiter was right. She thought at first that the portion was small, but then she said that if it were the full size she would have brought half of it home so I guess it was just right.

Service was excellent, food delicious, prices reasonable, free wi-fi and clean bathrooms. I recommend you stop by and give them a try. I know we'll be back. The website will give you the menu and directions.

Cowboy Burger, Ward's Bridge Inn.

A personal favorite of mine is Ward's Bridge Inn in Montgomery, NY. I don't get there near often enough, but every time I've been there the food has been delicious. I've reviewed them before. Today I was there for an end of the school year lunch with some colleagues. Most of my dining companions got the special, a filet medallion steak sandwich, but I wanted the burger. Look at the picture and you'll see why.

This is the Cowboy burger, one of my favorites and quite possibly one of the finest burgers I've ever had anywhere. It starts with good quality beef and perfectly cooked. I ordered it medium and it was perfectly that with a bit of red in the center and cooked on the outside. That wonderful beef sits atop a fresh kaiser roll with cheese and bacon and a whole bunch of crisp onion straws. They gave me the option of fries, salad or Caesar salad. I got the Caesar salad and it was quite large.

My friends were all as pleased with their meals, especially the steak sandwich, but mine was perfect. If you haven't been there yet, make it a point to stop in.

Headwaters Pale Ale, Victory Brewing

I haven't done a beer review in a long time now, and since the title is Burgers and Brews Food Reviews it is about time. Add to that the fact that I have found my new favorite beer and here we go.

Victory Brewing Company is located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and my daughter and son-in-law live in the area. I've been there quite a few times and I've done a review of the restaurant there, as well as this one of the beer. The food is good, especially the pizzas, but the beer is great. My favorites are; Storm King Stout, Hop Devil, Hop Wallop and Uncle Teddy's Bitter. They have a few beers on cask as well and what a difference it makes.

At any rate, I sampled their newest offering, Headwaters Pale Ale, a few months ago and loved it. I had a draft of it at the brewery and it was even better. It seems to me to be a cross between an English Pale Ale and an IPA. Smooth, slightly hoppy, and crisp. You can have a couple of them since it is only 5.1% and no after taste. This is my new favorite beer.

Check out the companies website for the beer.