Last weekend, my desire for a traditional pancake brunch took my husband and I on a round-about, two-and-a-half-hour-long journey through lush, forested landscapes, quaint picturesque towns, up and down curved mountain roads, ultimately ending in Ellenville (ironically only 10 minutes from my home). Unlike “the long and winding road” in the Beatles’ popular, yet melancholy song, the road we traveled eventually led us to our destination and happy place – Cohen’s Bakery.

It all began Sunday morning, when I woke up craving a good old-fashioned country brunch. My husband and I hadn’t enjoyed one in quite a while, and were deciding where to go. He mentioned Cohen’s Bakery in Ellenville, a tried-and-true venue. However, I thought it would be nice to try a new restaurant in a town we hadn’t yet explored, and then write about it. With my husband onboard, I did a little research, and found a place about 25 minutes away in the historic Town of Gardiner. Due to the recent surge in COVID cases, my husband and I only do outdoor dining, so I called the restaurant to make reservations for an outdoor table. I was told the restaurant didn’t take reservations, but there were some outdoor tables available at that moment. We immediately jumped into the car hoping one would still be available when we arrived.

The ride along Route 44 to Gardiner was scenic and serene. We enjoyed panoramic views of the valley below and majestic mountain ranges in the distance, as the sun shone brightly though clear blue skies. We eventually arrived in Gardiner where there was an abundance of open space and scenic views of the Shawangunk Mountains. There’s plenty to do here if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, mountain climbing and cross-country skiing. As we drove through town we observed a variety of architecture — old and new farmhouses, colonial homes, as well as contemporary-style homes. Shortly after arriving in the center of town, we found the restaurant we planned to have brunch in. To our disappointment, the outdoor tables were all taken, with no expectation of anyone leaving soon. We found another café a few doors down with one outdoor table available, but it didn’t serve brunch — only sandwiches. So, with New Paltz only six miles away, we decided to save brunch in Gardiner for another day.

When we arrived in New Paltz, we drove up and down the main street, passing by a few different restaurants and cafes. The only one with outdoor tables available served… you guessed it — sandwiches! I was beginning to wonder how far do you have to drive to get a small stack of pancakes? I do have to admit that aside from my stomach grumbling from hunger, the ride through energetic New Paltz was quite enjoyable. The town has a variety of interesting boutique shops, antique stores, art galleries, restaurants, pubs and cafes.

On our quest for brunch, we decided to head toward home, and traveled through the charming hamlets of High Falls, Stone Ridge and Accord. We stopped in Stone Ridge at The Roost, a popular brunch spot, but alas, no outdoor tables available! I guess we weren’t the only ones trying to avoid crowded indoor spaces during the COVID surge. Exhausted and hungry, we finally decided to go with my husband’s original suggestion and try Cohen’s Bakery in Ellenville. I called there and was ecstatic to learn they serve brunch (yes… pancakes, French toast and eggs) until 4:30 p.m.! After more than two hours and a few gallons of gas, I was finally going to attain my goal for the day… 10 minutes from home!

At 2 p.m., on July 17^th, 2022, — a day that will live in infamy — I finally enjoyed my delicious upstate country brunch of pancakes and eggs, with a side dish of blueberries. And after our hours-long quest for a traditional brunch, my husband ordered… you guessed it — a sandwich!

I have to admit, even though it took a while to finally find a place to enjoy a pancake brunch outdoors, the “long and winding road” traveled made the wait worth it. The serene, scenic views, and charming, vibrant towns we encountered along the way, actually made what could have been a very stressful experience, surprisingly enjoyable. That’s the magic and beauty of the Hudson Valley for you!