Super stylish and elegant SoHo-worthy dining room in tiny Kinderhook, NY. Sort of Asian fusion cooking, very fresh vegetables and imaginative small plates to share. Cauliflower was a favorite, Jasmine rice too. Can get noisy as the night wears on!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Blue Star Eggplant Salad, Shredded Beef Salad
scott olsen
Fresh and interesting dishes using local and handmade products. Putting flavor as top priority.Vegetarian options: Hand rolled pasta with brussel sprouts with mild anchovy garlic paste.Mushroom saladRoasted potatoesscallion pancakesParking: Lot for about 25-30 cars and street parkingWheelchair accessibility: I believe so. all one level (including bathrooms) no steps wide doorways
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
andrew albert
This is our favorite restaurant! The food is so incredible and unique.The chef is a master! The staff is wonderful, so attentive and warm. SJ, Nick and Sylvie are the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John H.
The Manhattanization of Columbia County dining continues. Old time favorites like Kozel's and Carolina House close (the first due to retirement, the second due to the pandemic,) only to be replaced by "fine dining" establishments like The Aviary. We ate in the vast austere main dining room, which was cold in both senses of the word (I never took off my heavy wool hat.) The food (served in expensive child-size portions) was admittedly interesting and creative, but you don't expect to go home hungry after dropping $136 for 2 people (no drinks).
Martin Schenker
Creative and exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John K.
Great space, service, ambience and food. Will definitely be back. Alot more to explore there.
Bernie Brown
Unique menu. Cordial service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amanda R.
My partner and I had such a lovely meal here. The aesthetic and the vibe is outstanding from the minute you see the front door. Coming at night provides a beautiful dark moody setting that I love. I'm thankful for the numerous vegetarian options in the menu, and every dish we had was a flavor and textural delight. The gouda straws looked nothing like I was expecting, but I loved the oversizeness and flakiness. Our waitress told us the duck egg is a sleeper hit on the menu and I enthusiastically agree -- it was probably my favorite bite of the night. For larger plates, we tried the beet carpaccio and the mushroom and sticky rice risotto, which made this non-mushroom fan a mushroom appreciator for the night. Dessert was the calamansi pie, I had never heard of the calamansi fruit before, but it's a Philippine lemon that makes a beautiful lemon-esque pie. Based on what The Aviary is doing with food it was no surprise that their cocktail menu is also inventive, fun, and delicious. Kinderhook has really stepped up it's food offerings in the last few years, and The Aviary is a great addition.
Heather Deshais
Overall, collectively (party of 3) we left confused. While interesting, it feels as though the whole of the restaurant is confused as well. Let’s start in the main room of the Aviary; it feels a bit like we were having a bite at the cafe of an art museum. Comfortable, however hard to pinpoint exactly how. We sat next to a fireplace that wasn’t lit and we are in November already. From our vantage point, we had a good look at the bar - full with an older crowd by the time we left. The longer we stared at it it, it looked like a swanky martini bar, def a good bar to linger at, however somewhat out of place and drowning in the huge room that is the Aviary. Off the main space is a separate dining room that we were calling the pretty room. It has a very aristocratic feel, making our dining experience in the mostly concrete and steel Aviary room quite different from how we can only imagine what it would have been in the ‘pretty room’.The food: disappointing. It comes out extremely fast; which isn’t a complaint or a compliment. We sent back the side we ordered because it was overly salty and our entrees looked like the portions were prepared for a child’s size appetite. The wait staff, on the other hand are attentive and extremely on point.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Henry Roberts
Lovely dinner. Accommodated our 2 and 4 year old as well.
Outstanding! Unique! Creative! Delightful! Attentive! Pleasant! A must try! Everything from the creative cocktail menue to the the uniquely prepared food, to the attentive and pleasant staff makes this a must try restaurant if you are in that neck of the woods!
Andrew K.
Superb original dishes and excellent service. The restaurant provides plenty of room so you will not feel cramped nor concerned in this Covid era. Plan ahead as Reservations can be hard to come by.
Bonnie G.
Unsure how to feel about this place. The food here is great, not "I must come back" great, but solid for sure. But the vibe is as though you stuck all the people going to the MOMA on a bus and dropped them off in Kinderhook. Think thick-rimmed glasses, guys in suspenders, people dressed to the nines just to go to a restaurant in Kinderhook. Upstate NY! What happened?! I used to walk around here in my pajamas! You come to Kinderhook to escape this kind of crowd, not eat with them. The Aviary definitely ushers in this new vibe and I've got mixed feelings. However, the food is good! The meatballs are juicy, the shrimp burger is so juicy and flavorful, and the mushroom sticky rice risotto was my fave, so unique and savory and sweet. I wouldn't rush back but glad to try it.
Alicia C.
TOP NOTCH! Came in with some girlfriends and we just loved it start to finish. Great cocktail selection with top shelf ingredients that may each and every drink hold its own on the menu and isn't just a cast of repeats where your bartender is a one trick pony. The food menu is killer. Fresh and booming flavors. We had some crab noodles that were sensory changing. The pee wee potatoes are bomb. Honestly don't sleep on anything. It's all incredible. You gotta just get a handful of items and go to town with your table so you can try all the different flavor combos.
Alissa Wyatt
My husband and I were able to have a date night here to celebrate my birthday! It was was a fabulous experience! Our server was knowledgeable and friendly and the food and drinks were out of this world delicious! We opted to share 3 apps, 1 entree, and 3 side dishes and don’t regret any choice we made! The ingredients were seasonal and local and many had a kick of spice to them that was perfectly balanced for our palates. My first cocktail was off the menu, but my second one was recommended by our server and it was to die for; a margarita with bergamot! It was perfect for our special occasion! We can’t wait to go back!
Super stylish and elegant SoHo-worthy dining room in tiny Kinderhook, NY. Sort of Asian fusion cooking, very fresh vegetables and imaginative small plates to share. Cauliflower was a favorite, Jasmine rice too. Can get noisy as the night wears on!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Blue Star Eggplant Salad, Shredded Beef Salad
Fresh and interesting dishes using local and handmade products. Putting flavor as top priority.Vegetarian options: Hand rolled pasta with brussel sprouts with mild anchovy garlic paste.Mushroom saladRoasted potatoesscallion pancakesParking: Lot for about 25-30 cars and street parkingWheelchair accessibility: I believe so. all one level (including bathrooms) no steps wide doorways
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is our favorite restaurant! The food is so incredible and unique.The chef is a master! The staff is wonderful, so attentive and warm. SJ, Nick and Sylvie are the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Manhattanization of Columbia County dining continues. Old time favorites like Kozel's and Carolina House close (the first due to retirement, the second due to the pandemic,) only to be replaced by "fine dining" establishments like The Aviary. We ate in the vast austere main dining room, which was cold in both senses of the word (I never took off my heavy wool hat.) The food (served in expensive child-size portions) was admittedly interesting and creative, but you don't expect to go home hungry after dropping $136 for 2 people (no drinks).
Creative and exceptional.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great space, service, ambience and food. Will definitely be back. Alot more to explore there.
Unique menu. Cordial service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My partner and I had such a lovely meal here. The aesthetic and the vibe is outstanding from the minute you see the front door. Coming at night provides a beautiful dark moody setting that I love. I'm thankful for the numerous vegetarian options in the menu, and every dish we had was a flavor and textural delight. The gouda straws looked nothing like I was expecting, but I loved the oversizeness and flakiness. Our waitress told us the duck egg is a sleeper hit on the menu and I enthusiastically agree -- it was probably my favorite bite of the night. For larger plates, we tried the beet carpaccio and the mushroom and sticky rice risotto, which made this non-mushroom fan a mushroom appreciator for the night. Dessert was the calamansi pie, I had never heard of the calamansi fruit before, but it's a Philippine lemon that makes a beautiful lemon-esque pie. Based on what The Aviary is doing with food it was no surprise that their cocktail menu is also inventive, fun, and delicious. Kinderhook has really stepped up it's food offerings in the last few years, and The Aviary is a great addition.
Overall, collectively (party of 3) we left confused. While interesting, it feels as though the whole of the restaurant is confused as well. Let’s start in the main room of the Aviary; it feels a bit like we were having a bite at the cafe of an art museum. Comfortable, however hard to pinpoint exactly how. We sat next to a fireplace that wasn’t lit and we are in November already. From our vantage point, we had a good look at the bar - full with an older crowd by the time we left. The longer we stared at it it, it looked like a swanky martini bar, def a good bar to linger at, however somewhat out of place and drowning in the huge room that is the Aviary. Off the main space is a separate dining room that we were calling the pretty room. It has a very aristocratic feel, making our dining experience in the mostly concrete and steel Aviary room quite different from how we can only imagine what it would have been in the ‘pretty room’.The food: disappointing. It comes out extremely fast; which isn’t a complaint or a compliment. We sent back the side we ordered because it was overly salty and our entrees looked like the portions were prepared for a child’s size appetite. The wait staff, on the other hand are attentive and extremely on point.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 5
Lovely dinner. Accommodated our 2 and 4 year old as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tivoli Oyster Mushroom Rendang
Restaurantji Recommends
Outstanding! Unique! Creative! Delightful! Attentive! Pleasant! A must try! Everything from the creative cocktail menue to the the uniquely prepared food, to the attentive and pleasant staff makes this a must try restaurant if you are in that neck of the woods!
Superb original dishes and excellent service. The restaurant provides plenty of room so you will not feel cramped nor concerned in this Covid era. Plan ahead as Reservations can be hard to come by.
Unsure how to feel about this place. The food here is great, not "I must come back" great, but solid for sure. But the vibe is as though you stuck all the people going to the MOMA on a bus and dropped them off in Kinderhook. Think thick-rimmed glasses, guys in suspenders, people dressed to the nines just to go to a restaurant in Kinderhook. Upstate NY! What happened?! I used to walk around here in my pajamas! You come to Kinderhook to escape this kind of crowd, not eat with them. The Aviary definitely ushers in this new vibe and I've got mixed feelings. However, the food is good! The meatballs are juicy, the shrimp burger is so juicy and flavorful, and the mushroom sticky rice risotto was my fave, so unique and savory and sweet. I wouldn't rush back but glad to try it.
TOP NOTCH! Came in with some girlfriends and we just loved it start to finish. Great cocktail selection with top shelf ingredients that may each and every drink hold its own on the menu and isn't just a cast of repeats where your bartender is a one trick pony. The food menu is killer. Fresh and booming flavors. We had some crab noodles that were sensory changing. The pee wee potatoes are bomb. Honestly don't sleep on anything. It's all incredible. You gotta just get a handful of items and go to town with your table so you can try all the different flavor combos.
My husband and I were able to have a date night here to celebrate my birthday! It was was a fabulous experience! Our server was knowledgeable and friendly and the food and drinks were out of this world delicious! We opted to share 3 apps, 1 entree, and 3 side dishes and don’t regret any choice we made! The ingredients were seasonal and local and many had a kick of spice to them that was perfectly balanced for our palates. My first cocktail was off the menu, but my second one was recommended by our server and it was to die for; a margarita with bergamot! It was perfect for our special occasion! We can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5