The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) is the world’s premier culinary institute in Hyde Park, NY.  Enjoy a day out of the city with other members of the group as we dine at American Bounty Restaurant for lunch, walk off the calories during a tour of the famous Vanderbilt Mansion overlooking the Hudson River and enjoy a cider tasting at a local cidery.

How it works:

• Take the 9:43am Metro-North train from Grand Central or points north to Poughkeepsie, NY (65 miles north of NYC). You may also drive to meet the group at the train station.
• Your guide will pick you up and bring you to enjoy lunch at American Bounty Restaurant and a limited tour of the campus.
• Following the tour we’ll head to the Vanderbilt Mansion for a guided tour.
• Following the tour we will bring you to Bad Seed Cidery for cider samples.
• You will be back on the 5:50pm train at the latest.

Cost:  $165 General admission ($155 lifetime VIP members) includes 3 course lunch, 1 soft drink or cocktail, the Vanderbilt Mansion tour, transportation to and from the train station to all activities.  (Space is limited to 8)

Not Included: Train fare, items purchased outside of our package. Since not everyone drinks alcohol, the tasting at the cider is pay as you go.

 

COVID-19 Protocols

In accordance with current city and state protocols vaccination status is not mandatory for this event.  However we do ask that participants act in a responsible manner and do not attend if feeling ill, showing symptoms or have been recently exposed.  Mask wearing is optional and everyone should respect the comfort levels of others as we transition into this next phase of socializing in the Covid era. 

This event is nonrefundable.  If you have tested positive for Covid and cannot attend, we will do our best to provide you with credits to select future events with a copy of your positive test results. Please note that due to the cost involved in some activities credits may not be used for the event you missed.

 

Menu (Choose 1 each from Starters, Mains and Dessert)

Starters

• Mixed Greens

  roasted grapes, candied nuts, McGrath Creamery cheese, hazelnut-white wine dressing

• Roasted Pear

  goat cheese, dried cranberries, spiced walnuts, Meyer lemon vinaigrette

• Tequila Cured Salmon*

  citrus crème fraîche, fingerling chips, sourdough croutons

• Cauliflower Soup

  jumbo lump crab, orange zest, spiced pistachio

• Butternut-Apple Soup

roasted apples, blue cheese, crème fraîche, pepitas

• Chestnut Ravioli

spiced sweet potato broth, brown butter braised endive

• Sage-Potato Gnocchi

  caramelized fall squash, spiced pepita, grana padano

• Smoked Chicken Mac and Cheese

  ricotta cavatelli, wild mushrooms, goat cheese

• Thai Style Mussels

  housemade sausage, fingerling potatoes, wild mushrooms, grilled country bread

• Sautéed Octopus

  shishito peppers, chili vinaigrette, scallion gel

• Chilled Oysters

  mojito mignonette, cucumber, mint, rum

• Cider Braised Pork Belly

  malt vinegar aioli, shaved pear salad, cider syrup

• Chicken Fried Quail

  smoked guava BBQ, celeriac slaw, fried quail egg

Mains

• Market Fish

  cauliflower-celery root purée, roasted treviso, red wine fumé

• Sautéed Salmon*

  peewee potatoes, bacon, oyster mushroom ragout, heirloom tomato emulsion

• Mushroom and Seitan Wellington

  rosemary fingerling potatoes, horseradish-cashew crème

• Pan Roasted Chicken Breast

  fall vegetables, seyval blanc velouté, parsnip purée, fines herbes emulsion

• Grilled Strip Loin*

  sweet potato purée, heirloom carrot-turnips, charred shallots, black garlic sauce

• Herb-Rubbed Lamb Chop*

  potato-leek gratin, roasted vegetable, rosemary-lamb jus

• Pan Roasted Duck Breast*

braised greens, smashed peewee potatoes, rhubarb chutney

Dessert Menu

• Ice Cream Float

  Root Beer OR Creamsicle
  vanilla bean ice cream

• Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée

  summer berries, coconut tuile

• Espresso-Mascarpone Mousse Cake

  caramelized cocoa nibs, mandarin orange sauce

• “S’mores” Chocolate Tart

  toasted meringue, banana foam

  *Consuming raw or undercooked animal products may increase your risk for food-borne illness. Not all ingredients are listed on the menu. Please inform your server if you have an allergy so that we may accommodate your requests.

 

Can I come alone? Yes, most guests do! It’s a great way to meet new people.

Dress Code:  Neat and casual.

Ages: 21+

Questions? Email Dave Cervini at dave@newyorksocialnetwork.com or call 212.873.2256, M-F 10am to 4pm.

Nonrefundable unless canceled.

 

 

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