ART BAR RESTAURANT                      Rating: **** Very Good
6367 Mill Street Rhinebeck New York
Tel 845 417-8990
Hours Open Thurs-Friday 5:00 P.M - Midnight, Sat 11:00-2:00 A.M, Sun-11:30-8;00P.M

Art Bar-- A Cornucopia of Fresh Seafood and Steak



When you walk into the Art Bar in Rhinebeck, New York you can tell there is something good and very different about this restaurant that separates it from other restaurants in town.  Owners D.J Kadagian and Stephen Learn, are the team players here.  This dynamic duo is making Art Bar the place to be for outstanding drinks and excellent food.  The ambiance is a sophisticated cool, a very significant club feel that D.J Kadagian has created.

  The walls display contemporary art work, and the upstairs space is a full gallery for viewing some old master works from the twentieth century as well.  And if you fancy it --All art is for sale.  The décor at this" in" club- restaurant is stylishly chic and joyful..

What really stands out in the culinary department here is the catch of the day.   Seafood, Steaks, or Vegetables.  The food that is offered at the restaurant are listed on the menu in three assorted categories: Fish, Farm, and Garden.  Scott Baird, the fisherman team player at the eatery casts a wide net with fresh caught seafood that is served daily.  Specialties like Halibut, Cod, Salmon, Tuna, Wild Caught Oysters, and Clams right out from the Atlantic Ocean and the Long Island Sound are highly appreciated by the locals and gourmands that frequent this seafood and steak Grillery.  The Cod Fish and Chips served with Zucchini fries is a very good catch for customers to enjoy while sipping a cold glass of Giesen , Estate Sauvignon Blanc, or a rose Chateau Camuget 2012 from The Rhone area of France.  But a dozen North Atlantic Oysters and steamed clams are thrilling too, and delectable as well.  And servings are very reasonably priced---making the Art Bar, for this kind of fare, a more pocket friendly venue surpassing other local restaurants.

Last Saturday afternoon, I sat at the Art Bar patio and ordered a glass of Nicolas Potel -Chardonay, and two appetizers to begin.  For starters I had the grape leaves stuffed with Arborio rice, herbs, and spices served with yogurt and topped with shavings of lemon.  The three rolls had a soft uniform texture with great flavor.

  And the Art Bar Combo Fry, a mélange of golden fried shrimp, calamari and zucchini fries served in an interesting Balalaika pinkish sauce was quite fresh and tasty.

For my entrée I decided on food from the Farm selection of the menu.  For my bucks, the Art Bar serves some of the best steaks in the Hudson Valley.  And according to co-owner Steven Learn: " Art Bar is Rhinebeck's Freshest, Newest and Best Steak and Seafood restaurant around with no competition in the area"  The Art Bar offers a few typical cuts of steaks:  Hangar steaks, Prime Rib, and Porterhouse .  But my favorite is the Grilled 10 oz New York Strip that I ordered medium rare.  It is served with a vegetable medley of red and yellow diced bell peppers and zucchini.  It is accompanied with an herbed -cilantro parsley chimichurri sauce that makes this steak dish sore to delectable heavenliness.  This steak was perfectly grilled, a fork tender, succulent, juicy beauty with nice marblelization  that made this meal a mouthwatering delight.  It was paired with a splendid botlle of Borgo Viejo- Crianza-Rioja 2005.  The other entrée I had on a previous visit was the Pan Seared Yellow Fin Tuna.  A large flaky chunk of fresh fish properly cooked,--retaining a nice moist texture, dotted with carrots, cilantro, drunken pineapple and served with cucumber slaw.  It was super delicious and beautifully plated.    The wine, Brander, Sauvignon Blanc complemented the dish superbly.  My server Rosa Gijon  was professional, competent, and friendly. 
 Sommelier Darius Kadagian's wine list is surely impressive with many top wineries to select from like Shafer, Joseph Drouhin, Planeta, Giesen, Frogs Leap, and Borgo Viejo.to name a few.

 

Art Bar also has an interesting Eastern Mediterranean Menu representing

the food of Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Israel and the Black Sea.  There are very good entrees, salads, and dessert.  The Kebab dinners are a cornucopia of fresh delicious flavors.  Try the Chicken,or the Shrimp, or the Beef Kebabs that are sure to please.  All dinners are served with a Mediterranean salad and Tzatziki sauce.  Also try the Couscous with herbs and vegetables that is a real winner.

One important feature at the Art Bar is the remarkable array of infused Vodkas with appealing flavors like, Valley Peach, Raspberry, Habanero, Jalapeno,  Chilli, and Apple that are the restaurant's signature libation.   And they are quite good.  Exotic classic cocktails are a must here too. Try one of my favorites: The Old Cuban- an aristocratic elegant drink from the 1940's created in Cuba,-a great mix of dark and Silver Bacardi rum, with mint, and cane brown sugar, served  on the rocks.   And a great  Mojito, and the immortal Daiquiri are not too be missed . Or the classic, three olive Martini done just right by mixologist-bartender Mike Snyder who knows his craft well and always impresses with his professionalism .

 Customers who enjoy the accompaniment of nightly music with food will find a memorable fine dining experience at the Art Bar.  The restaurant meets the challenge with unique live jazz organized by owner D.J Kadagian.  His emphasis on unique west coast cool jazz and other regional great jazz bands offers the public spectacular  live performances  at the club-restaurant.  Other frequent styles like Folk, Rock and Blues are also respectfully featured on Thursday nights, and Saturday evennings.  The Art Bar is a fresh Seafood and Steak Grill House: "Where good food, music and art converge."   Rating: **** Very Good.

Baron Corso de Palenzuela von Habsburg: An international restaurant critic, Chef, Connoisseur of food, wine, beer, and chocolate.