Anytime there is a new local restaurant opening I am always curious to try it out. I can remember when I first moved to Highland there were only two restaurant choices – El Castillo and the Carriage House – both of which are still in business today.

The newest restaurant to open is the Outpost (at the former location of the River Roost) located at 2378 Route 97 in Pond Eddy.

Recently the Barryville Chamber of Commerce held a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting for the new venture which I was able to attend. The new owners Nick and Jessica Ralph are always on hand greeting everyone and overseeing the Outpost’s great service.

It’s an interesting setup with much of the seating outdoors with several wonderfully comfortable tables and chairs and the custom-made bar called the Barn Bar with smoke shack BBQ and great drinks and there is plenty of seating.

The last time I was there it drizzled a bit, so we sat at the bar, which has covered seating. The restaurant does have indoor seating as well but why not sit outside and enjoy the surrounding twenty-five acres of woods while you have your meal.

Each time I have been there that is exactly what we did. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner at very reasonable prices and the menu has a variety of about twenty-five selections to choose from including burgers, chicken entrees, sandwiches and The Outpost is known as the ‘Home of the Juicy Craft Angus Burger’ featuring five different types of burgers and any choice you make will be exceptionally good and served with a heap of crispy fries.

There is a good kid’s menu that hits all the right spots for the kiddo’s favorites and the full bar service features over fourteen different beers.

During the day, the Outpost also makes deli sandwiches and since they are located near some rafting campgrounds, they carry a limited amount of camper’s essentials and supplies.

So, it is a restaurant, a store, deli, and a bar and all of it good and taking place in a very welcoming atmosphere. The Outpost is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8-to midnight and Sundays from 8-6 pm and Mondays 8-7 pm.

For more information and their menu go to theoutpost97.com. It is a wonderful new restaurant option so give it a try-you will not be disappointed.

I really had a wonderful time at Shadfest but (as usual) I did not win anything in the raffle but there were three lucky winners.

Troy Hahn was the winner of the Bethel Woods and Museum lawn seats, so he is set for a summer filled with wonderful entertainment. Jeffrey Van Winkler was the winner of the Landers River trip. And Evan Dalton-Mendoza of Narrowsburg was the big winner of two round-trip tickets to Reykjavik Iceland.

Evan is graduating from high school and is very excited at this stroke of good luck and have the opportunity of this fabulous trip to Iceland in his future. Evan’s mom is Susan Dalton, the owner of the Chi Hive Health and Wellness Studio and Gym in Narrowsburg.

Congratulations to all the winners!

I was delighted to learn that our own Shrewd Fox Brewery in Eldred won a competition last weekend at the TAP Craft Beer and Food Festival at Bethel Woods as the #1 Craft Beer in New York State.

With over one-hundred entries the Shrewd Fox’s 3 Dog English IPA (India Pale Ale) came out the top winner and the Lenczuk’s were awarded the 2022 Governor’s Trophy.

Over the years I have written several times about Cindy and Bill Lenczuk, the owners of the Brewery, who told me that the name Shrewd Fox comes from an old Ukrainian folk tale.

Being the winner did not come easily and the Lenzcuks constantly developed new products, attended festivals, fairs, held numerous events, gave out thousands of samples and supported their community’s efforts at every turn and worked extremely hard making quality products in this case beers and ciders to win this very prestigious award.

My congratulations to Bill and Cindy and may the future hold many more well-deserved accolades and success. Now you can head over to the Shrewd Fox Brewery at 552 Route 55 in Eldred and sit in their lovely Beer Garden and enjoy the best beer in New York.