Zagat rates our food, decor and service "very good to excellent."
Dining Room and Kitchen
Our new location had no dining room furniture and little to speak of
by way of kitchen equipment. It certainly provided a challenge.
We bought sturdy, comfortable chairs and tables large enough
to accommodate people. And we spaced them far enough apart so that our
diners won't feel they are encroaching upon their neighbors.
We retained the old Victorian decor with everything antique except that which needs to be modern to be really functional - air conditioning, for example. (Our fireplace is still old, however) We brought up a bar from Harlem that probably dates to the teens or twenties. We even keep our white wines in an antique ice box.
Our kitchen, of course, was another matter. Antiques may be picturesque but in a kitchen thy are hardly functional. We spent far more money than we had planned to get top-of-the-line equipment so we can provide our diners the best possible dishes and serve them as quickly as cooked to order dishes can be.
We like to think our kitchen is the best for miles around. Both the Health Department and a number of French chefs have confirmed our bias.
Cuisine
We have the famous French chef Fabrice Vittoz who has been recognized as one of the top ten chefs in the whole east coast including Canada by Ski Magazine. His cooking has been recognized by "I Love New York" magazine as one of the best in the Catskills. Fab is from Brittany, France and started his love of cooking at the early age of 15. He has worked through out Brittany and Switzerland.
Our entrees include Roast Duck, Boullabaisse (a fish stew), Rack of Lamb, Pan seared Tuna, and Lobster. There are others of course, and our menu changes seasonally. Nobody has ever left La Duchesse Anne complaining that they were hungry. Entrée prices range from $17.95 to $33.95. On Thursday night we have our bistro night with entrees starting at $10.95. All entrées come with a salad.
Zagat thinks we are in the top 10 "southern New York's most romantic restaurants."
Rooms Restaurant
History Directions
, Poughkeepsie Journal