CASTILLO ESPANOL RESTAURANT
763 Main Street
Poughkeepsie, New York
Open Seven Days 11:30 a. m. - 10:00 p. m.
Tel. 854 452-5924
Fax. 845 452-5929

Fine Cuisine From The Heart of Spain

Castillo Espanol, on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, New York, is one of those Spanish restaurants you have to love. The decor is typically Iberian with a rustic charm. All throughout there are white walls adorned with old style oil paintings, and iron wrought chandeliers that evoke old world Spanishness. The good culinary chemistry at Castillo Espanol is attributable to owners Bernardo and Tania Cazares that over ten years have created a handsome restaurant that offers the finest cuisine from the heart of Spain. The menu itself has a wonderful array of authentic regional dishes of Spain to choose from. The many times I've dined at the restaurant, I've always been pleased.

Spanish cuisine is varied,colorful and rich, and at Castillo Espanol it is centered around fresh, quality ingredients. Farm to table fruit, herbs, meats and vegetables from the Hudson Valley make it to Castillo's kitchen. And this freshness, and wholesome integral part of the dishes is what customers greatly appreciate. The many dishes prepared by the talented Chef Roman Cazares are robust, flavorful, and authentically presented. Chef Cazares tenured at El Quixote, Sevilla,and Meson Botin in New York City, and Meson Madrid in New Jersey. His background in Spanish Cuisine is of the highest order. The many seafood dishes he conjures up bring out the true flavors of Spanish classical cuisine: Paella Marinera, Paella Valenciana
Mussels Castillo, Salmon Alcaparras, Camarones en Salsa Verde, Pargo Asado, Tilapia with Shrimp, and Whole Maine Lobster Parrillada, are just some of the magnificent entrees that form a large part of the highly appreciated seafood extravaganza.

Appetizers that include Camarones Ajillos, jumbo shrimp cooked in olive oil in a mild garlic sauce will delight. And try the Chorizo Rioja- a Spanish paprika and garlic pork and beef sausage cut into bite sizes, sauteed in red wine with onions and Roasted Peppers that is soo delicious. Both are served hot and are large portions. These small plates, or tapas as they are called in Spain, impress and satisfy as a true precursor to your main course. Another very special treat not to be missed is the Pulpo a la Gallega: Octopus, olive oil with Spanish Pimenton, served with delicious crispy potatoes. All the tapas come promptly, and tasting delicious in the brown ceramic cazuelitas typical of any Spanish small dish.

Soups include Galician Soup: A traditional dish of Northern Spain made of beef, Pork chorizo and vegetables, Kale, Potatoes in a savory hot broth with all the right seasoning. This is a full bodied fresh soup of hearty tastefulness. Served with plenty of bread to soak it all up to the last drop.

Chef Roman Cazares isn't fooling around and cutting back on ingredients when it comes to Paella Valenciana: The Paella Valenciana, the national dish of Spain, is a soulful and hearty dish made of aromatic safron rice infused with tomato, peppers, garlic, peas, chicken,and others herbs and vegetables and bountiful amounts of all the usual seafood suspects: fresh succulent shrimp,mussels, scallops, clams, and lobster that make this dish essentially the finest, and most authentic Paella Valenciana in the Hudson Valley. Chef Cazares knows his craft well in Spanish cuisine, faithfully using his own high standards, approach and style and pleasing his customers always. The Seared MahiMahi, Dorado fish, is a pretty sumptuous and beautifully presented entree. It's a large portion of white tenderness and freshness served with grilled succulent Shrimp in a mild Caper Sauce. Looks and taste like something a Fabulous Master Chef from The Cordon Bleu would do. And Chef Cazares gives us another glimpse into his genius with the Trucha Con Camarones: A perfectly grilled whole Brook Trout, tender mild sweet fresh fish served with a bounty of perfectly cooked shrimp, in a light velvety Brandy sauce. And the Seafood Mariscada, a big and complete seafood dish comes with lobster,shrimp, and all the briny bivalves made in a savory broth is justly famous. At Castillo Espanol the seafood dishes are simply delicious and very reasonably priced.

There are two large dining rooms. The main dining area is beautifully maintained. Ambiance and service is remarkably quick and amicable. Seating in the main dining is about ninety patrons, and the other banquet room has seating for about fifty people. On my recent dinner there my server was well informed, swift and well acquainted with classical Spanish cuisine and wine in general.

And in the Carnes (meat) category certain dishes stand out. If you're in the mood for a melt in your mouth, juicy cut of red meat, the Broiled Fillet Mignon Castillo is sure to please. The tender sirloin is super delicious. It is topped with mushrooms and served with a choice of soup or salad or potatoes. Or try the Churrasco: A huge size skirt steak-a foot long--perfectly seasoned and grilled. It is served with shrimp or plantain. Or try the very popular 2-3lbs T-Bone steak, sauteed with caramelized onions and mushrooms that's to die for.

At Castillo Espanol you'll find that there is a predilection also in veal dishes. One outstanding dish is the Ternera Castillo, a medium-sized cut of Veal Fillet served in a savory cream and vegetable sauce that is perfectly cooked--faintly rosy with an extraordinarily fine grained texture that is smooth and succulent accompanied by a choice of sides. And the Ternera Extremena
is a fabulous dish of five tender fillet scallopines sauteed with Peppers, Onions, and Chorizo served with salad, rice or potatoes. The restaurant is also a place for delectable Lobster Parrillada: Whole Maine Lobster, 1 1/4 lbs., steamed or boiled. The dish is fresh and invigorating food, prepared in a Spanish style with mussels, clams and shrimp. It is served with a choice of sauce: Garlic, Diablo, Creole, Brandy, or Green Sauce . And for the big lobster lover, the 3lb Maine lobster is a standout super delicious treat that you'll appreciate without breaking your bank account. Chef Cazares' refined cooking produces a flavorful dish, restraint enough to allow the lobster to shine.

The food is bolstered by one of the finest list of Spanish wines in the Hudson Valley. The restaurant carries an impressive stock of wines from the Rioja, Duero, Penedes, Jerez, and Rueda regions of Spain. You'll find some great reds like Campo Viejo Gran Reserva 2004, a Marquess de Caceres Reserva 2004, a Faustino Reserva VII, and many other noteworthy ones to choose from. In the whites try the Fulget-Albarino from Rias Baixas, Marques de Riscal, Rueda 2000, a Maior de Mendoza 2003., all are phenomenal value. And the Faustino V, Rose 2002, a great wine that superbly goes with the Paella for a fantastic meal. The restaurant also has some wonderful beers: The Estrella de Galicia, and the Mahou from Spain, and Sagres from Portugal. There are also good Mexican beer like Dos XX, and Negra Modelo or Corona. So stay thirsty.
After enjoying a very pleasant Gastronomic Gala of Sangria and food and feeling quite satiated I ended my dinner experience with a Spanish Flan topped with grated coconut and perfectly made Spanish Coffee spiced with Licor 43.


Castillo Espanol is a place to come thirsty and hungry When a restaurant offer so much hospitality, and good ambiance, and dining is such a pleasure you'll never feel like leaving.
This is a Spanish culinary oasis to kick back with friends, or family, enjoy a good Sangria with Tapas and take in a Flamenco Show--twice every month--or enjoy the Spanish music of Greg Melrich a classical guitarist perform live every evening Thursday through Sunday. Castillo Espanol is place where Placido Domingo, Andres Segovia, or Manitas de Plata would feel right at home. There is no lack of good eating and drinking at this fine restaurant. The authentic classy Spanish fare is addictive. And the Flamenco show and classical guitarist outstanding. So don't trust anyone who tells you there are no excellent restaurants in Poughkeepsie. Castillo Espanol will put them to shame.
Rating ***** Excellent

Next Flamenco Show: Sunday May, 2009 @ 3:ooP.M and 7:3oP.M
Call 845 452-5924 for further information

Baron Corso de Palenzuela is an international food, wine,beer, and chocolate critic, a chef and connoisseur who has written extensively on international wine and cuisine. He resides in Virginia, New York, and Spain. He can be reached at 845 706-1244