I’m not a beer maven, but , to me, fresh beer is always good – and the Otter always has it fresh. That African chicken sounds good – I ‘ll give it a try if it’s still on the menu next time I get down there.

Besides, Barner’s used books we have an excelllent independent book store – Ariel.

I have to mention the best Italian deli in New York State- Toscani’s – they also have recently re-opened their next door restaurant – fine food.

Beware the Oriental buffet by the Thruway exit in New Paltz. Never got sick there, just kind of queasy.

People more into sushi than I tell me the Sushi joint on the corner of Main and Chestnut is very good- considering it is run by Chinese people. I’ve had some of the sushi, ordered for me by a more knowledgeable friend, and I thought it was great, but I have nothing in my experience to compare it to.

Kingston, 15 miles north of New Paltz and Newburgh, 20 miles south, both have revitalized waterfronts with new restaurants. We have been to all the new places on the Newburgh waterfront – the food is OK, but the view is spectacular on Newburgh Bay – worth the trip.

Kingston has Mariner’s Harbor on the Rondout Creek, a navigable waterway, which we always enjoy , especially in good weather when we can sit ort on the front deck.

There are also, within a two block area of Mariners a dozen ethnic restaurants, some of them a lot of fun. We like a new Mexican place also on the water with a great patio for sitting in fair weather.

There is also a Mariner’s Harbor in Highland, NY, a small hamlet on the Hudson river 6 miles east of New Paltz. The food is OK – stick with the snacks like popcorn shrimp, clams, etc- but it is great to sit on their deck on the river and feed the ducks and enormous carp swimming under rheir dock.