As a note Painter's is an EXCELLENT restaurant. I'd allow for a 20 minute drive though. Less or more depending on your driving habits and conditions on Storm King. You should never count on 218 being open, but it is a quicker (albeit more dangerous) way of getting over to Cornwall-on-Hudson.
I have been on many dangerous roads in my lifetime, and 218 is NOT a dangerous road, by any stretch of any imagination -- particularly if you are driving it at the posted speed limits. It can actually turn out to seem safer to someone who is not from a city setting since you can go pretty much as slow as you like, unlike on 9W (which is actually statistically less safe).
Also, you can always find out whether 218 or any other road around post is going to be open by checking
here. Scroll down to Off Post Roads, and look for NYS Route 218.
Two Thumbs Up for the Eating in Cornwall Idea from someone who has hit nearly all the good eateries in the area at one time or another. If you are from a more rural area, you may have sticker shock at the prices in the menus here, but rest assured that it's just fairly expensive to eat out in this area -- it's not the restaurants trying to rip you off. We pay that much year-round.
Painter's is a charming restaurant in a completely charming village (if Andy Griffith had been from NY instead of NC, he'd have lived here). Cornwall and Cornwall-on-Hudson (the town and village are continuous) are a treasure trove for little eating nooks. There is some parking out front and to the side of Painter's Restaurant, but if these lots are full, it is perfectly safe to park on the street, or up past the bandstand in the municipal lot (free) next to the elementary school. Painter's daily specials are also very good (like if you were to squeeze in for a party at the last second, and have to order off the menu), and if you really want to eat like a local, you can request a "split" on many of the entrees so that you can either watch your waist/wallet, or save room for a "split" of another entree to go alongside or perhaps a Brownie Bomber for afters. For folks who don't want the Chicken Parm choice, they've been known to happily sub their roasted beet salad with walnuts, local goat cheese & some other tasty stuff in a honey-thyme dressing (which is superb) if you give them a quick call. They are really pretty easy to get along with if you give them enough notice. They also host rotating art installations, so don't be afraid to take a stroll around to look at what is hanging on the walls -- and it's often for sale.
If for some reason you can't get everyone in at Painter's, The River Bank, which is just down the street (the one with outside dining across from the bandstand) is also quite good, and Drew's on the Square is decent, if less trafficked.
Further uptown (as opposed to "downvillage," in native speak) in Cornwall on Main Street is the Canterbury Brook Inn, which has a really good Swiss chef at the helm -- they do a prix fixe dinner special, and they will also host private parties (they have a dining patio overlooking Canterbury Brook). Their traditionally European menu is widely varied and everything there is good.
Closer to 9W on Quaker Ave, across from the CVS is Woody's All-Natural, one of the crunchiest-granolaiest burger joints you will ever meet. Super-green, but can seem a bit pricey for a burger and fries, even if it is grass-fed, free-range and all. They are also famous for their milkshakes. A fun, modern and healthier alternative to Mickey D's.
Right in the same plaza as CVS is Leo's Pizzeria, which has one of the best pies around with a wonderful hand-style crust. You can eat in the pizzeria (really informal side, on the side with the order counter), or you can eat family-style in the restaurant (the side with fancier chairs and tables) and sample some of their other delish Italian dishes off the menu.
Village Pizza (in the village, natch) is set up in the same manner as Leo's, but they're known for their milder sauce rather than their crust (although their crust has been improving).
Halfway between those two in Cornwall is Prima Pizza, which many cadets swear by, but really, when you're talking pizza, and you're in NY, and a pizzeria has managed to stay open for more than 2 years in a small town, you just really can't go wrong.
If you need a truly GREAT and funky spot for breakfast/brunch/lunch, Fiddlestix on Main Street in Cornwall is just the best -- organic/local-grown with a really great vibe, and the chef is laid-back and excellent. Make friends with Pat, the chef, by asking him any questions you might have about the area -- he's a goldmine of info. This place could be picked up and plopped down in beach or ski country with no problem.
Hudson Street Cafe, downvillage, is also awesome, and they also do dinner on Thursday-Saturday. They also do organic/local-grown, and the owner is on the board of the local organic foods co-op, so she knows from fresh. The patio is a nice place to sit and watch the village go by. It's very popular with bikers and motorcyclists.
If you're just after coffee and a quick nosh, Two Alice's Coffee Lounge at the intersection of 218 and Main Street is the place to be -- turn down the little side alley to get to the parking in back. They host poetry readings, musicians, and other happenings on weekends. They also have wifi. And a little patio.
Take time after you eat for a stroll down to the park at Cornwall Landing and back to see the waterfront, spend some family time, and walk off your meal, or you can even sign up with one of the two adventure tour companies (Storm King Adventure Tours/SKAT or Mountain Valley Guides) in town for an hour-long kayak paddle on the Hudson or a hike up in Black Rock Forest as a memorable way to work off the calories & help promote sleep on the Night Before. Or, if you'd rather sit and take in the sights, Mountain Valley Guides has an ice cream stand right across from the bandstand that seems to be enjoyed by half the village on summer Sundays.
Other excellent catering places further afield that run the gamut include Loughrans (pronounced log-runs) in Salisbury Mills, who are invited in to do so many of the catered events on post because they are so good and reasonable -- they also have an on-location restaurant (it's called an Irish pub, but don't be put off -- it's a VERY family-friendly place with a dining room and patio separate from the pub); and Pamela's on the Hudson, which is elegant continental dining at its finest with a riveting river view -- the owner started Pamela's Traveling Feast, and the kitchen is award-winning. Also to be mentioned is the CIA (Culinary Institute of America), up the river in Hyde Park, near FDR's birthplace. They have several SIMPLY AMAZING student restaurants, but they require reservations way in advance (you can make them online, however).
This is all just the tip of the iceberg for the Hudson Valley, even if Highland Falls itself seems a bit limited.
Have fun at your meet-and-eat!
(and no, I have no affiliation with ANY of these establishments, except that involving the working end of a fork
