Hyde Park, NY – The Culinary Institute of America announced the opening of the newest restaurant by the CIA Restaurant Group on the Hyde Park, NY campus of the world-renowned
college. Post Road Brew House is a casual, contemporary
American beer-driven pop-up restaurant combining seasonal Hudson Valley cuisine
with classic European gastro-classics. Opening in the midst of the Mid-Hudson
Valley’s “Bread Basket” revival, the Post Road Brew House serves as an
extension of the Brewery at the CIA, offering elevated pub fare alongside an
extensive beer menu.
“As part of the college’s curriculum, we think
deeply about what kinds of concepts and operations are most crucial for the
education of our students,” said Waldy Malouf, senior director of food and beverage operations at
the CIA. “Most of our restaurants have skewed high-end and traditional, because
they are most challenging and complex, but as the industry has shifted toward
quality casual dining, we want our students
to have an opportunity to open and operate this type of restaurant, as
well.”
The a-la-carte menu, created by Executive Chef and
Assistant Professor Theo Roe, includes a mix of casual and classic
appetizers, entrees, and sides designed to pair perfectly with the beer
selection. With an emphasis on seasonal Hudson Valley ingredients, American
comfort dishes like Pastrami Reuben
Sandwich, The Post Road Burger, and Deviled
Eggs are balanced out by European gastro-classics like Housemade Charcuterie, Classic Cassoulet, and Fish & Chips.
“What excites me most about what we’re doing is that we’re
able to create pop-ups that evolve with the industry, alongside the CIA’s
classic concepts,” said Chef Roe. “It’s important that our students understand
as much as possible about the industry and that includes having a foundation
based on technique, as well as understanding how to produce the quality,
high-volume comfort food concepts that tend to be very lucrative.”
The beer menu at Post Road Brew House has been curated by
the CIA’s head brewer, Hutch Kugeman, working closely
with the chef. On tap, eight draught beers are featured, including those made
by the Brewery at the CIA, and others through collaboration with New York State
breweries. Among the selections on the opening menu are the Cleaver IPA (6.7% abv)
and Mise en Place Wit (4.6% abv),
both of which are staples from the Brewery at the CIA. The Beefsteak Blonde (5.7% abv) is a
traditional German-style Kolsch. The latest beer from
the Brewery’s
Art and Science of Brewing class is the Wee Chef Scotch Ale (7.5% abv). The Smash Stout (6.0% abv)
brewed with Indian Lager Farmstead in Altamont, NY and C.H. Evans Brewing in
Albany, as well as a not-yet-named Pilsner brewed with Community Beer Works of
Buffalo, NY, will also be served.
Beer flights are offered, as well as beer education,
information, and programs for customers based on their interest and level of
knowledge. The extended beer list may include non-CIA beers on tap and a small
bottled list, in addition to a full bar, cocktail menu, and special wine list.
“I want to have something on the list for everyone who walks
in, even novice craft beer drinkers, and I want them to really enjoy pairing
their beers with food,” said Kugeman. “We’re starting
to play around with a smaller experimental tank at the Brewery, which will
allow us to do some really fun stuff for the Brew House.”
Located within the former St. Andrew’s Café, the bar at Post
Road Brew House is the star of the room. The decor throughout the restaurant is
contemporary with an eclectic mix of new, found, and repurposed furnishings
that reference brewery culture, CIA history, and Hudson Valley agriculture.
Upon entering the restaurant, guests are greeted by a 6-seat
beautiful custom zinc bar and tap system made locally by William Thibeault of Tapped Beer in Hudson. Extending the pub
experience throughout the restaurant, Post Road Brew House is set with high-top
tables alongside traditional dining-room-height seating.
Restaurants located on CIA campuses are open to the public and serve to
provide practical experience for students. As part of the requirements for the
associate degree, students have classes in two of the five restaurants on the
Hyde Park campus: Post Road Brew House, Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici, American Bounty Restaurant, The Bocuse Restaurant,
or the Apple Pie Bakery Café.
Post Road Brew House is open from February 16 to June 15,
2017 for dinner, and March 24 to May 4 for lunch. Reservations are recommended,
but walk-ins for the bar or dining room are also welcome. Call 845-451-1015 or
visit www.postroadbrewhouse.com.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Post Road Brew House at The Culinary Institute of America
opened on February 16, 2017. The casual, contemporary American beer-driven
pop-up restaurant will be open at the college’s Hyde Park, NY campus until June
15. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil Mansfield)
View hi-res image >
Media Contacts:
Gita McCutcheon
845-548-6239
gita@gita-group.com
Jeff Levine
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world’s premier
culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and
hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor’s degree
majors in management, culinary science, and applied food studies; associate
degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts; and executive education
through its Food Business School. The college also offers certificate programs
and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences and consulting
services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its
worldwide network of 49,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the
food business. The CIA has campuses in New York, California, Texas, and
Singapore.
About the CIA Restaurant Group
The CIA Restaurant
Group is a family of unique restaurants that provide an array of culinary
experiences, from modern French to farm-to-table and from authentic Italian to
new global flavors. They are united by their common passion for culinary
excellence and their relationship to The Culinary Institute of America, the
world’s premier culinary college. Learn more online at www.ciarestaurantgroup.com.
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