A Brooklyn restaurant recognized for its seasonal, ingredient-driven cuisine and recipient of a James Beard Foundation Award. John Poiarkoff served as Executive Chef here.
The Pines is a unique establishment in Mount Tremper, NY, functioning as a food and bar venue, as well as a lodge. It offers a welcoming ambiance and friendly service, often featuring live music on Wednesday evenings. The restaurant operates without reservations.
Customer perception is generally positive, with many praising the friendly service, pleasant atmosphere, and live music. Specific dishes like the seared cabbage, beets, squash/bean burger, falafel salad, and corn chowder receive high marks. However, some reviews indicate that certain dishes, such as the falafel bowl, Mediterranean salad with chicken, smashed burger, and chicken pot pie, can be underwhelming or inconsistent, with suggestions to stick to simpler bar-style fare. The fries are frequently highlighted as a favorite.
Additional Details
The Pines also offers lodging accommodations, making it a combined dining and stay experience in the Catskills. It is known for its clean and well-maintained facilities, with one reviewer even calling it having the 'best bathroom in upstate NY'.
Evenings are the best time to visit, as the restaurant opens at 5:00 PM on Wednesday through Saturday, and 4:00 PM on Sunday. Wednesdays are particularly recommended for those interested in live music, which typically runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
3
I finally visited The Pines resturant after hearing great things about it over the years. It was a quiet night without live music, and the space carried the welcoming smell of fried potatoes — a comforting first impression. We were greeted with a smile and quickly shown to an available table.
We ordered the seared cabbage, a Mediterranean salad with chicken, and a falafel bowl. Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming overall, and in hindsight, I wish we had stuck with classic bar fare.
The falafel didn’t taste freshly made and seemed more like defrosted, mass-produced pieces. The salad felt basic, with what tasted like bagged romaine lettuce and simple dressings. The feta cheese came across as cheap and overly acidic. The chicken — a $10 add-on — was especially disappointing: dry and lacking flavor.
I’m keeping this at three stars because the service was friendly and the ambiance was pleasant. However, if you’re planning to eat here, I’d recommend sticking with simpler bar-style dishes.
Ate here this past Friday and Saturday and I can say this was absolutely one of the best meals I've had in ages. This place was just perfect... from the incredibly friendly service, food, setting, music -- you name it. We loved it so much on Friday we came back on Saturday and both times they knocked it out of the park. We had the cabbage and beets for apps and squash/bean burger and falafel salad each night - it was just that good. I can't say enough good things! We will definitely be back when we're back in town.
Amazing food, atmosphere, super friendly and kind staff and an wonderful owner. I've been there as a performer and a fan and had great experiences on both sides of the stage. The lodge is beautiful and perfectly set up with all you'll need if you stay over. Can't recommend it all enough. Best bathroom in upstate NY.
Sadly, I didn’t have the 5 star experience everyone else did. Went in for dinner and ordered the beets, corn chowder, smashed burger, and chicken pot pie. The beets were quite tangy — a bit too sour, though still good enough to finish. The corn chowder was the highlight, rich and flavorful. The burger was just OK, but some of the thicker fries needed a bit more time to cook through. The ultimate letdown was the chicken pot pie. This unfortunately missed the mark because the taste of rosemary overpowered everything. I like rosemary but this was way too much. Also, some of veggies were undercooked. Hopefully this was just an off night.
