Stopping overnight in the Catskills to break up a long drive to D.C. wasn’t originally planned, but sometimes all I need is to find one restaurant that sparks my curiosity. Most people know that I read restaurant menus like other people read novels. I’m always on the lookout for something I can’t or don’t like to make at home. I also love to see items that show the chef’s creativity, or something that I haven’t seen on a menu in a long time.
Cue: La Cigogne, right on Main Street in Narrowsburg, NY. Even though the restaurant clearly states where it is located on their website (lower level), we missed that part and spent a while trying to find them. We saw what looked like a side entrance and a view of the Delaware River and then realized that the main entrance to the restaurant was through a building with a few retail stores. The town of Narrowsburg is small, but it does have a couple of antique shops, a few other places to eat, including a brewery and a cafe. So, there’s stuff to do, but most places when we got there on a Wednesday afternoon were closed. So, we decided to check into our hotel, The Darby.
The Darby
The Darby doesn’t get great reviews. Why? I’m not sure, it just seems like everyone has an issue these days. Some people complained it was dirty. (It wasn’t.) Others complained there wasn’t anyone around. (Actually, my idea of a perfect stay.) Really, the list of why one shouldn’t stay there was endless. Since we were staying mid-week and got a really good rate for a room, I thought how bad could it be?
It wasn’t bad at all. At one point it had been a nursing home which meant that the hallways were wider than normal, as were the bathrooms (for wheelchairs). I thought this was a brilliant idea for re-purposing a space rather than tearing it down and building something new. Located right across the bridge from Narrowsburg, NY, it was a mere 2-minute drive to the restaurant. (The Darby’s address is actually Beach Lake, PA, which sounds made-up but apparently is correct.) Our room key was left on a counter in the lobby with a note and an arrow pointing to go “left.” But first we looked around. Funky tables and chairs, a bar area that is open on the weekends, a fire pit and seating areas outside, really made me question the bad reviews.
In the hunt for an ice machine (our only real issue), we found a room with a pool table and a chair that Lynn liked so much I thought he might just spend the evening sitting on it. There is one thing missing in the rooms though that I didn’t even notice until Lynn pointed it out to me. (Hint: NO TV!) After a quick shower (and listening to some tunes on my phone in lieu of television noise), we got in the car and drove back to town.
A Little Bit of France
Not only is La Cigogne a gorgeously designed restaurant, but the menu made me very homesick. Although billed as featuring Alsatian specialties, it had many of the dishes I grew up eating in Munich. Escargots? Tartes Flambés? Spätzle? They also had a schnitzel on the menu that we opted not to get only because we make it so often at home. But here are a few pictures of our delicious dinner. And yes, those are peaches on our Tartes Flambés which I loved!
We got to speak to Damien, the owner, after we had eaten and got to hear about the fall/winter menu. He is planning on what I like to call “tummy-warming” dishes when it’s freezing outside. You know things like cassoulet and choucroute and a coq au vin which he has on the menu now. The space is very comfortable, the bar was busy but not too loud, and with a wallet-friendly beverage menu (including some great French wines), the restaurant just oozes romance. Did I mention the jazzy playlist? Once again, this is the type of place that I wish we had near us, or at least closer than a three-hour drive. But we don’t.
Back at The Darby, we decided to play some pool. Lynn has played pool before. If I have, I don’t remember, so let’s just say that at least I didn’t rip the green felt top!
When I looked at the last time I had written a travel story for Let’s Go, it was October 2024! The stay in Narrowsburg was the start of our trip to Washington, D.C., and Virginia, so there are a few more stories to be written. Going forward, I’m hoping we’ll be able to do a bit more traveling in 2026, even if it’s just for long weekends.
On that note, I find my inbox loaded with articles on how to find calmness in your daily life. I usually manage to achieve both peace and quiet by having a good meal, some wine, and a view. Here’s the view from La Cigogne. Peaceful and calm, right? I think so.
Until our next “Let’s Go” adventure.