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LOCUST Tree Restaurant
Barbara Bogart & Robert Khimeche, Owners

One day when husband and wife, Robert and Barbara, were riding the F train from their Brooklyn apartment to work in Manhattan they spotted a newspaper article lying open on the seat across from them with the headline Bird & Bottle Inn for Auction in Garrison. Barbara and Robert had been searching for a restaurant space in Manhattan for well over a year to no avail. We looked at the article and then at one another and we simultaneously had this epiphany that we should be searching outside the city in the Hudson Valley, said Robert. Call it serendipity, 2 months later they found the Locust Tree, a charming eye-brow colonial restaurant in the historic Huguenot district of New Paltz. It was love at first sight, said Barbara, but then what's not to love.

Barbara grew up in upstate New York on Skaneateles Lake . Roadside farm stands selling just picked fruits and vegetables were the normal components of her family's meals. Her mother was raised in Germany so the family spent extensive time immersed in European cultures. Barbara decided to study at her father's alma mater, Duke University, where she double majored in German and biology and earned a BS degree in 1985. In the summer of 1985 she decided to continue her biology studies at the University of Virginia, earning her Ph.D. in seven years. Throughout this time her love for Europe and cooking kept pulling at her heart. After finishing at UVA, Barbara decided to follow her culinary calling. She happily turned in her lab coat for a chef coat and paved a new road for her future. In the fall of 1992 Barbara enrolled in the culinary program of the Cordon Bleu in Paris and never looked back. Living and working in France afforded the greatest culinary training, reminisces Barbara. It's not the cooking school that matters, but what you bring to the table.

Her experiences in France set the stage for Barbara's training with numerous top rated chefs on the east coast including; Gerard Pangaud, a former 2 star Michelin chef from Paris, who owns a bistro in Washington D.C., Lydia Shire, the reigning chef of Boston, Bobby Flay, the star chef of Mesa Grill and Bolo restaurants in New York City, and Drew Nieporent at his eponymous American bistro Tribeca Grill. This rigorous training launched her successful opening of the Italian seafood restaurant in Williamsburg Brooklyn, Osteria Fernicola for which she received critical acclaim from New York Magazine's Peter Kaminsky as well as NY Times food critic William Grimes.

Robert grew up with a French background. Robert finished his Bacheloreate degree in Europe and was starting a Master's program in finance when he won a scholarship to study in the U.S. Like many students, Robert offset his tuition costs by working in restaurants. He began to excel at this new profession and soon chose to change careers. After managing numerous New York City restaurants, Robert completed his accreditation with the American Sommelier Association in 2003. He offers his oenological knowledge to customers' wine inquiries to provide insightful recommendations. Robert has embraced the challenge of sourcing rare, small producers and affordable wines from around the globe to enhance the Locust Tree wine program.

When we found the Locust Tree, we immediately brought decorative artist, Jean-Marc Solak from The Design Studio in New York City, up to see this remarkable French Huguenot estate, said Robert. We all agreed instantly to refresh and brighten the Locust Tree and bring back the grandeur of this grand dame. With Jean-Marc's direction, Barbara and Robert resurrected the original beauty of the building, ripped out the old carpets and refinished the authentic wood floors. They updated the walls and revised the bar, adding some New York City glamour with the use of copper by Jean-Marc. We completely revamped the ambience, said Barbara. We wanted the feeling of a stylish yet friendly European country house and I think with Jean Marc's guidance we've achieved that.

The house was originally built in 1759 by the Elting family, in the Dutch Colonial style of the French Huguenots, and remained in the Elting family until 1954. In many ways, the Elting family would probably feel right at home in the reincarnated Locust Tree. We tried to respect the traditions and beautiful bones of the building, said Barbara. The original family added on to the historic Huguenot stone building in 1847 and the original hand carved wood work can be seen on the doorways, hallways, and staircase. The house was named Locust Tree Farm after the many beautiful locust trees surrounding the house to this day. In 1979 Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Kreth successfully owned and operated the Locust Tree Inn as a restaurant and golf course . During the next 20 years, countless generations chose to celebrate their mile stones at this incomparable venue with breathtaking views of the Shawangunk mountain range. We are thrilled to be running the Locust Tree , and even more pleased to be part of the Dutch Colonial town of New Paltz .

Parlaying the vision of a European country house, the menu offers Northern European cuisine with French, Northern Italian, Austrian and German influences. Signature dishes include; Herbs & Green Salad with Gorgonzola Mousse, Grilled Sardines over European Potato Salad, Normandy Duck Breast with Crepe Ribbons, Sea Scallops with English Pea Flan & Passion Fruit Sauce, and Pot de Creme to finish. Seasonal products from local farms and free-range/grass fed meats are featured regularly on the menu. Three indoor dining rooms each feature working fireplaces and outdoor patio dining is also seasonally available. Rooms are available for private parties, and the pavilion is ideal for weddings and other special ceremonies. Barbara's and Robert unique blending of local ingredients and European ambience offers a refreshing new edge to the Hudson Valley .

Checks, Cash, and American Express are accepted. Dinner appetizers range from $6-$9 and entrees range from $14-$24.
Brunch is $15 Prix Fixe including one complimentary glass of juice, lemonade, basket of muffins, coffee and tea.