Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page 5D

Friday. February 21. 1986 Poughkeepsie Journal 5D Dining Out at Rio Bravo By Larry Herte Joanuliufl One of the nice things about Mexican cuisine is its informality. Let's face it; there's no way to attack a taco and remain dignified. So the mood at a Mexican restaurant ought to be festive, lighthearted and fun.

Rio Bravo is all of the above. The proprietors have worked hard to create the proper atmosphere right down to the gun belt on the wall and the Mexican music on the stereo and the waitresses are friendly and talkative. All of this frivolity calls for a margarita. The tequila concoctions at Rio Bravo are ample, to say the least and you can get them for half of the $3 25 price if you order before 8. The results can be intriguing.

Before she had even finished hers, one of my dinner companions remarked casually that her feet had gone numb. (I don't know if this is a good recommendation or not, but I think it's slgmlf leant) A basket of nacho chips and two kinds of sauce (one hot, one 12 Rio Bravo, Hodion PUxa, Route 9, Towa of Ponghkeep lle. 47J 365J. Description: Two ttmming, Ulned glass renderings of scenes of the ioathwest greet yon as yoa enter this Mexican restaarant The bar and two dining rooms are adorned with drawings, paintings and photographs of scenes from soata of the border. An o'd saddle straddles a beam between the two dining areas, and a bolster and gnnbelt are tacked to the wall.

Open: Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Credit cards: American Express. Reservations: Accepted.

The stars signify: Four, excellent; three, very good; two, good; one, fair. Ratings are based primarily on food In relation to other area establishments with atmosphere, price and service taken Into consideration. mild) arrived promptly. The chips were crisp and the sauces were delicious. (Warning: the hot sauce Is not for the timid.) The ample assortment of appetizers costs about i apiece.

The quescadlllas (hot flour tortillas covered with seasoned cheese, sour cream, guacomole land shredded lettuce) and cerviche (marinated red snapper) are worth it The guacomole and nachos are a little skimpy for that kind of money. The Sopa de Frljole Negro is a rich, hearty black bean soup served In a handsome crock (soup always tastes better in a crock, for some reason) with sour cream on top and melted cheese on the bottom. It was good, but a tad overpriced at $1 95. On my first visit, for dinner, I ordered a combination of standard Mexican a taco, enchilada and burrito. There were no surprises.

The taco shell was crisp and fresh, the fillings were ample, and the re fried beans were tasty. But nothing really stood out about the meal, either. It reminded me of dozens of other tacos, enchiladas and burritos I have had elsewhere. The best entree of those I tried was the camparones al chipolte, an ample portion of plump, tender shrimp in a spicy, delicious chipolte pepper sauce. This meal Is well worth the $8.85 price tag.

When I returned to Rio Bravo for lunch, I decided to try the Mexican casserole 17.95), a generous mixture of ground beef, beans, onions and tomatoes topped with melted cheese. If you order the Mexican casserole, assess your appetite very carefully before you order anything else to go with It It is about a meal and three eighths all by Itself, and it is delicious. For dessert I ordered flan, a cool, light custard topped with a caramel sauce. It cleanses the palate after all the spicy stuff, but it's overpriced at $2 25. The coffee was a puzzle.

It was delicious at dinner, but at lunch it tasted very strong and very old. Was I being served the remnants of the previous night's pot? Perhaps. Rio Bravo is well worth a visit Some of the prices are high, but the restaurant has some outstanding entrees that aren't available at many other places in the mid HudsonHudson Valley, the Mexican standards are more than adequate and the margaritas, well, go find out for yourself. 'Baby' to open in Cohoes COHOES "Baby," the David Shire Sybllle Pearson Richard Maltby Jr. musical about three couples facing parenthood, opens Sunday at the Cohoes Music HalL Opening night curtain Is 7 m.

Low price previews are scheduled for tonight and Saturday at 8 m. The musical is scheduled to run through March IS with performances Thursday and Friday evenings at 8, Saturdays at and 9pm, and Sun days at 2 abnd 7 p.m. Directed by Robart W. Tolan, pro duclng director of the Cohoes Music Hall, the production stars Tonia Rowe and Andre Montgomery as an unmarried college student couple; Marianna Hence and Richard Ger vals as an infertile couple In their 30s; and Laura Gardner and William Hunt as a couple In their 40s facing parenthood again, with their last child in college. Ticket information is available through the box office.

Jazz poet Jayne Cortez to perform at New Paltz NEW PALTZ Jazz poet Jayne Cortez will be featured in "Heroines, Heroes and Unsubmissive Blues" Tuesday evening at 8 In Lecture Center 108 at the State University College here The program is part of the Black Studies Department's celebration of Black History Month The Arizona born Cortez makes her home in New York. Her poetry has appeared in Giant Talk, New Black Voices, Black Scholar, and Presence Af ricatne. She 13 the author of nine volumes of poetry Following the reading, there will be refreshments and an autograph party 'El Cimarron' set at Vassar College Jazz pianist to play at Pace campus Pub Hans Werner Henze's "El Cimarron." a 75 minute "Recital for Four Musicians" dramatizing the life of Esteban Montejo, a runaway Cuban slave who died in 1970 at the age of 101, will be performed Sunday at 3 in Skinner Hall, Vassar College. The title role of El Cimarron will be sung by baritone Jonathan Spra gue, who sang the role of Porgy in the recent Radio City Music Hall production of "Porgy and Bess. PLEASANTVILLE Jazz pianist Tony Monte will be playing Tuesdays quality photos 7Trij I in 1 hour IKtSiHI I MACHINE TIME irworolll I BIUIARDS II I louM9tlhn d.Hy.forii II I PoHyIQAM VHW 473 8337 NOAHs3 ARK T.

1 33 Mill SI. 486 V2V3 II Friday Spectacular 1 II 'F Happy Hour 1 iZWilh D.J. Bob Miller ol 98X i umo juiiiiiuiu iiiu ivwiwa giving oway lots of prizes! Enioy Happy Hour Monr-Fn from 5 7 with Hot I old hors d'oeuvres. Also available peel eat snnmp Lv the dozen or half doz. at noon In the Pace University Campus Center Pub beginning Tuesday.

Admission is free. kPUDflS 05DB 95 COMPUTE DINNER Patrons are encouraged to bring reached from entrance three on Bed thelr instruments and play along. ford Road. The Campus Center can be 55vWifl WaJSi 9Sr COMPUTE PIS SrlnaQS 'THURSDAY COMPLETE DINNER All MAJOI OtEWT CAtDS ACCEDED TUtNEI HOPEWELL JCT. HIM44 Mon Ihur, 4 10 30' frl 111 10 Sat.

Neon II Sun Noon 10 30 Whaft Are Your Flans For The Weekend? Free Family Pass Saturday or Sunday Only bv.imrn.ing, Raiquetball, Aerobics no appointment necessary Names I Fresrni this coupon at nthc All Sport Club. Offer good one time onK xr vur, pir pron Plrasr call in ndvinrc for a Nautilus tryout children under 18 must be accompanied by their parents must be area residents must not have visited the club before in Poughkeepsie 452 5050 in Fishkill 896 5678 ALLSPORT fitness and racquetball clubs Rte. 9 Hyde Park 229 7969 Hours: Mon Sol. 11.30 10 Sun. M0 WEEKEND SPECIALS ROAST FRESH CORNISH HEN With 2 Sauces Raspberry Orange, Served with Cranberry Chutney 850 SALMON B0UILUBLANC Poached with Clams Scallops In Saffron Cream with Julienne Vegetables ROAST PRIME RIB AU JUS GRILLED PRIME RIB 1050 jOO 1200 Dinnari Include salad, cheese, relish tray vegetable, choice of potato, rolls and butter.

MAJOR CREDIT CCEITED ALUMNAE HOUSE RESTAURANT AND PUB At Vanar Collcta at th top of th hill opposite tho Juliet Theater in Arlington Fine dining in gracious surroundings Fresh fish specials daily The choicest meats and poultry, selected pastas and salads as well as Pub Burgers end great pizzas! Plus the most refreshing brunch in the valley served Saturday and Sunday Buffet every Wednesday evening featuring prime rib. fresh fish end poultry Children price Ninety nine different kinds or imported and domestic beers Reservations suggested Senior Citizen cards welcome MC and Visa. 485 3700 BEEKMAN ARMS Rhlnotbeck. NY 76 7077 America Oldest Inn" circo 1766 OPEN SEVEN DAYS Some luncheon specialties Cobb Salad Shrimp Louis, Omelettes, Jumbo Hamburgers Dinner 5 00pm 10 00pm teotunng nightly specials of gome, fresh seafood, smoked meats olong with regular fore such as Poached So I mon. Veal with Arlichokes, Boy Scollops with.

snow peas Boned Duck wilh Raspberry Sauce and our famous Prime Ribs Bountiful Sundoy Buffel Brunch 10 00am 2 00pm. Rated ti it it'i Hudson Volley Magazine ploafor Credit Cards welcomed CHERRY BLOSSOM JAPANESE RESTAURANT 1 50 Main Grand Union Plaza Fishkill, N.V. 897 9691 Now there Is a choice In the Hudson Valleyl Enioy Japan's charm In a casual setting featuring tataml rooms as well as traditional seating We offer the finest In Tempura Chicken Terlyaki, Suklyakl. noodle dishes, steak and shrimp, and sushi and sashiml. The Cherry Blossom experience Is like spending an evening In Japan Lunch 1 1 30 3.

Dinner 5 to Closing Closed Mon Major Credit Cards CHRISTO'S RESTAURANT 1 55 Wilbur Boulevard, Poughkeepsie, NY 471 3400 Chris to' invites you to a Traditional Continental Restaurant to Sample some of our Favorite dishes Enjoy excellent food and service in a romantic, candle light country club setting Apart from the extensive menu and wine list we offer a variety of seasonal items Open to the public Lunches Tues Frl 1 1 30 2 30 pinners Tues Sat 5 10 Closed Sunday and Monday KARL EHMER RATHSKELLER 9 ft 32. FliMull, NT 096 9964 finrman cooklna at Its finest eaturing dBlly specials tnat are TRULY SPE CIAL Including Our Famous Karl Ehmer Bratwurst Kitchen open daily 1 1 30 am to 9 pm Friday end Saturday 1 1 30 am to 1 0 pm Sunday noon to 9 pm Our second floor Is now open to accomodate small parties up to 80 people LA FONDA DEL SOL Old Route 9 Wopptngeri Foils NY 297 5044 Authentic and SpanlBh cuisine In a charming Mexican style atmosphere Excellent Mexican Combinations seasoned mild or hot to suit your taste Hours Monday Friday 11 30 em 10 30 pm. Saturday 2 00 pm 10 30 pm Sunday 2 00 pm 10 30 pm Entertainment in Cantma Wednesday Thursday 9 30 pm 2 00 am Friday and Saturday 10 00 pm 2 00 am Cocktails available Bienyenldol MARIKO'S JAPANESE RESTAURANT Between Rhlnebetk Red Hook on Rt. 9 1 mile N. of Rr.

9 9G Intersection in Rhlnebetk 914 876 1234 Hudson Valley only authentic Japanese cuisine Full Japanese menu Terlyaki chicken Tempura Negimakl beef Tonkatsu pork SHSHI and SAHIMI Also brown nee and vegetarian SUSHI Party package and catering available Poughkeepsie Journal Restaurant Review Wed Sat 5 to 10 Sun 4 9 Shakuhachi Japanese Bamboo Flute, performed Sunday evenings, 630 9 00 NICK IIMN Route 55. LeGronge NY 473r'M hnlmi lldv ft Onvlrl Borley i Insfcy experience A very unique eating and dunking establishment The Nuk I Inn wlioie the usual i quite the unusual features the likes of which you ore not likely lo find in this oreo clmg lunches and dinners are served continuously, Monday through Thursday II 30 am 10 pm Friday and Saturday I) 30 am II 00 iiu A pui pm Hoppy HauL AAonduy through Friday 4 pm 7 pm Private parties available for groups up lo 30 people THE OSBORNE INN Osborne Hill Road, Fishkill NY (just off Route 9) 896 9973 Innkeepers. John and Doris Cathin A very special place for lunch dinner, brunch Light snacks ere also served All dishes cooked to order Blackboard specials available daily Enjoy the dining room or the fireplace lounge Banquet facilities Lunch 1 1 30 4 30 pm Dinner 5 00 pm 10 00 pm daily Sunday 1 1 30 am 9 00 pm Brunch Sunday 11 30 am 3 00 pm Major Credit Cards Live Entertainment in our Piano Lounge Frl Sat Evenings Closed Tues II SHIP LANTERN INN Routs 9W, Milton, NY 793 5400 Oldest Continental Restaurant Ownership in the Huds6n Valley Third generation of family management Seasonal specialties Banquets and private parties with a Continental touch Gift certificates Luncheon Tuesday Friday 12 noon 2 Dinner 5 00 pm 9 30 pm Saturday dinner 5 00 pnvtO 30 pm Sunday dinner 1 00 pm 00 pm Closed Monday Visa MC SPANKY'S 85 Main Street. Poughkeepsie 485 274 4 The Superb flavor and excitement Dm.ng that only Louiiano Coun Cuisme can ofer Served in warm oiry and personable atmosphere Steak poultry and seafood abound Dinner entrees served Coiun style and Non Coiun style as well Lunch ond dinner served Monday Safuraoy dinner only on Sundoy Tate nTgn Bill of Fare served from 10 pm am Wednesday Saturday Bourbon Street Hour 4 6 daily hot hors oeures served rndoy Moior er1 cards acceded STOCKYARD RESTAURANT Turner Street, Hopewell Junction 221 3444 Just over the Bridge on Route B2 Delicious seafood and steaks Dining in a rustic, comfortable setting Monday Thursday 4 00 pm 10 30 pm Friday 3 00 pm 1 1 30 pm Saturday 12 noon 1 1 00 pm Sunday 12 noon 10 30 pm MORE THAN REASONABLE PRICES TAJ MAHAL REbTAURANT 244 West Main Street, Wappingors Falls (Rt. 9D opposite moll in ornate house) 297 6667 Authentic Indian cuisine served a charming atmosphere Ta Mahal chef prepares food with spices to suit each individual 9 taste Variety of Indian breads baked each day with fresh dough prepared without yeast Weekday lunch special offered Lunch 1 1 30 am 2 pm Dinner 5 30 pm 10 pm Closed Mondays Major credit cards accepted 1 TOM'S COLONIAL RESTAUKANT AT THE HOLIDAY INN OF FISHKILL Route 9 and Interstate 84 Fishkill 896 6281 Dine our lovely rv gre1 luring our salad bar vjili rt hours II 30 am 4 40 tl'i entertainment nicjhil, tie tines' Anipfiiao oiSine tifpfikhisl ft 30 am to II 30 om lun (ioi 4 JO pn.

10 00 pm da I PAOLUCCIS Rout 44, Millbrook, NY 1 2545 677 9774,677 3178 Country Italian cuisine encompassing the flavors and techniques of all the regions of Italy south to north, with some bordering on French and Swiss fare The owner chef Joseph' Paotucci has combined the best of cuisine with the com forts of country ambiance All dishes cooked to your preference Dinner Tuesday through Saturday 5 00 pm 10 00 pm Sundays I 00 pm 9 30 pm Luncheon parties by reservation Closed Mondays iIO BRAVO Hudson Ploia, Rt. 9 473, 3659 Dulchoii County Newest Me'Con Restau'oni toolunng authentic hearty troai tionol Mexican ni.ine prepared tresh da ly ad TaiteMly presented in relating rustic selling A Utile Lul ot Dutchess Co Open da'ly Hoppy Hour 4 6 pm Bar Drinks 1 pr.ee turn I om 4 pm Dinner Sun Wed 4 pm 10 30 pm Thurs Sal 4 1 pm Amenian Enpresi Cards Welcome VICTORIA PEAK Rt 9 North Opposite Fair Ground Rhlnebeck (914) 876 7933 Trad tionol Chinese Cuinne vd ihe urea most e'egont surroundings Crystal Chondeder Victorian ond oricntnt antique oid Chinese luis np will moke eolmg membuuit ledinmg pr n(o a reside (OtktO'l in our groc Oui CocktO'l lounyjt i' rim (nt lVih ViConon txjr Dmner weiiknight bwn Mi I Sot I i Closed Mon Am Lb press YOBO ORIENTAL RESTAUKANT 1051 Union Ave Newburgh IH4 564 3646 fnter the wmld 1 l.r 1" soes ond dine ad midst bahbl nj tuouks ond Iv dges 1m lestau'imt tn it Pan Asiqn menu otters viinety of Asian me, tfom Indonesia" Sate to Japanese bait cjnd jsM tro" ktrptm thp provincial cooking ot chino jYoho moimr hot jnd Mutt uttpi ttie bes' hospitality ond the real art ot ng Open das ni li oul Dinner toro'ed net to eil 7S Bte 84 ond tht wny Mai id nds epted Ceser voiions 7 1C4VtC tfmCC fat fU XCAUtWtOMt contact IRitU At 454 2000 cxC 243.