Luna 61 in Red Hook, NY
My favorite place to eat out in the Hudson Valley is Luna 61 in Red Hook. It’s a boring 45 minute drive from our house, so we don’t get up there too often, but my younger son, Evan, was yearning for their Jerk Seitan. So, being out and about yesterday, we paid this little vegetarian cafe our semi-annual visit.
Luna 61 is currently only one of two all-vegetarian eateries in the mid-Hudson Valley, the other being the equally long-standing Rosendale Cafe. Though this region is filled with great places to eat, if one doesn’t mind fairly long drives, my family and I don’t eat out much because:
- I like to cook at home and
- there are few places where there are many choices suitable for our vegan needs.
So it’s a rare pleasure to look at a menu with a wealth of choices. Last night I wavered between the Jerk Seitan that my son loves so much and Havana Joe Tofu Rojo. I ended up with the former, and my husband got the latter. The Jerk Seitan was really tender, spicy but not overly so, and mixed with baby spinach. On the plate were quinoa, black beans, and a salad of baby greens, and grated carrot, daikon radish, and red cabbage in a sesame balsamic vinaigrette. The Tofu Rojo was an equally delicious meal (my husband and I switched plates about halfway); two fresh corn tortillas came topped with mild but tasty tofu and were accompanied by fresh salsa, black beans and rice, roasted new potatoes, and the same salad that came with the seitan dish.
The food at Luna 61 is hearty but never heavy, and all the various components of the meal come plated so nicely. The effect is much like a well-thought-out home-made meal that is simple, delicious, and healthy. Some of the other dishes we’ve enjoyed at Luna 61 on past visits were the Cuban Press, a big sandwich consisting of portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, olives, and spinach, served with roasted potatoes; Pad Thai, a tasty take on the classic Asian noodle dish; the Avocado Hummus wrap, and one of my favorites, the Salad Rolls, a delicate rice roll-wrapped appetizer. Luna 61’s menu divides into Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches, Meals, and Kid’s Menu. Most of the selections are vegan, and the rest can be made so by simply omitting cheese. Another great, rare feature is that mainly organic ingredients are used.
Luna 61 is located at 61 East Market Street in Red Hook, NY, phone 845-758-0061. The food rivals some of the best meals I’ve had in renowned NYC vegan restaurants. If you ever find yourself within an hour’s radius of Red Hook, NY, this tiny, homey cafe is well worth a visit.
If you go on a taste-testing tour of NY then reserving some NY airport parking ahead of time can help save money since some discount airport parking services are out there to help lower your
New York airport parking prices.
Susan said,
February 3, 2006 @ 10:29 am
Sounds so tasty I almost want to cry. We used to have a cafe in our healthfood store, then a wonderful restaurant, but they’re gone since 1989. Our veg options are slim here in SW NH, so we adapt in restaurants, and enjoy cooking at home, often with your CB’s. Thanks for the new blog!
Rosalie Hasbrouck said,
February 4, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
I’ve been many times to the Rosendale Cafe and love it. Did you know that in New Paltz on Church Street there is a new restaurant. It’s a vegetarin Indain Restaurant and the food there is wonderful. If you’re in New Paltz one day you should give it a try. I’m not vegetarian myself and it always amazes me how good some food can be that is classified as ” vegetarian.” instead of just plain meat free.
Nava said,
February 5, 2006 @ 8:07 am
Thanks for your comments, Susan and Rosalie. Rosalie, as a former NP resident myself, I recognize your last name as one of the “Duzine”! I hate to be negative about any place that is all-veg, but my last few visits to the Rosendale Cafe were not that satisfactory. The menu choices seem kind of dated, like 70s veg food, and I also have a pet peeve about dinners consisting of a large amount of mainly one thing.
Since you are in the region, I highly recommend you take a trip to Luna. What I love about many of their meals is that you get a nicely arranged plate with several items on it, with contrasts of flavors and textures. I have not yet tried the new Indian place on Church street but I hear it is very good! I’m looking forward to trying it. My older son ate there and liked it quite a bit.
Alyssa said,
August 22, 2006 @ 7:54 am
Hi,
I have been living in Brooklyn for over 4 years and dont know how I missed this place. After reading this I quickly emailed your sites link to a few friends so we could make a date to go eat there! I cant wait. Ill let you know what we all think. What a nice plug for their restaurant. Maybe Ill invite your family down for an on the house dinner at our restaurant once its completed, and if you enjoy the food maybe we will be so lucky as to have you give us such a great review! Also, if I may suggest, try Candle 79 on 79th street and Lexington. A beautiful, romantic vegan restaurant… my favorite!
Cheers
Nava said,
August 23, 2006 @ 8:00 am
This last reader comment was a reminder to me to alert readers that Luna 61 has moved from Red Hook to Tivoli, NY, which is in the far northwestern end of Dutchess county. It will probably be a while before I can get up there, alas! But I am curious to see their new location, and to find out why they moved.