Outstanding Hudson River views are just part of the reason for dining at Pier 701 in Piermont. I recently dined at Pier 701 on a beautiful clear evening and was seated in a dining room with panoramic views of the Hudson River and the twinkling lights of Westchester in the distance. The menu is American-Mediterranean with a wide selection of fresh seafood.
I wanted to begin the evening with a special cocktail and my helpful and friendly waitress, Karissa suggested the “Pearmont-tini“. A fresh fruity pear drink which combines Absolut Pear Vodka, pear schnapps, and pear nectar. A unique and fun way to kick off the evening. There are other interesting drinks on the bar menu as well.
Starters: I began my meal with the lobster salad, a lovely ensemble of Mache lettuce, avocado, onion, fennel and mango in a citrus vinaigrette. This appetizer was light and refreshing with its smooth and citrusy dressing.

Lobster Salad
Another appetizer selection was the Baked Brie in a filo dough with fig chutney.

Baked Brie in filo dough
The presentation of this dish was interesting and was served with mixed greens over a balsamic reduction drizzle. I was told this delicious. The last appetizer at our table was a fried artichoke salad which I sampled. It was a lovely balance of spices and crispy texture. It was quite good.
Main course: For my entree I chose the pan seared Chatham Cod with butternut risotto in a butternut coulis. The fish was very fresh and the side dish that was served with the cod really displayed the talents of the chef.
Another choice was the braised drunken beef short ribs.

Short ribs
The ribs were braised in Guinness Beer and served with grits and asparagus and was quite tasty. The other selection at our table was the Mediterranean Bouillabaisse, an excellent rendition of the classic seafood dish served in a large pot with clams, mussels, shrimp and cod in a tomato saffron broth with croutons. I tasted this dish and really enjoyed how the mellow tasting broth complimented the fresh seafood.

Bouillabaisse
Dessert: All the desserts are homemade. Our table shared a few, starting with the Oreo Cheesecake, New York Style with a oreo crust and fudge topping
.
It was a nice presentation and a tasty twist on cheesecake. The next treat was the apple and cranberry crepes, a fun combination of carmalized apples and vanilla pastry cream wrapped in a soft crepe. Yum! The last dessert was a was the Citrus Tifle. The dish was served in a mason jar filled with orange cake filled with honeyed citrus fruit, lemon curd, blood orange sorbet and fresh whipped cream. This was my favorite and a great way to end the meal.
Chef Owner Denis Whitton changes the menu every season using the freshest produce and ingredients. When the warm weather returns Pier 701 takes advantage of its location by opening its outdoor deck for alfresco dining, and there is even a tiki bar to keep the fun going all summer long. In addition sand has been brought in and place between the deck and the edge of the river to give you that true waterfront experience. I cannot wait until warm weather ! Lunch and Sunday Brunch also served.
Pier 701
701 Piermont Ave Piermont NY phone: 845-848-2550
http://www.pier701ny.com
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