Where to Dine Outdoors in Hastings

For alfresco dining in Hastings, the leading choices are Harvest on Hudson, Maud's Tavern or Rainwater Grill. Unlike in neighboring Dobbs Ferry, sidewalk dining is rare and limited except for Rainwater Grill.  

Harvest on Hudson

A popular summer treat at Harvest on Hudson, Chef Vincent Barcelona says, is the classic raw bar tower — a mixture of Little Neck clams, East and West Coast oysters, shrimp, and king crab. He also recommends the newly introduced fig and goat cheese pizza.

Also a crowd favorite here is the South Shore monkfish (wilted spinach, Tuscan beans and garden basil, pesto, tomato broth).

Among the popular summer beverages are mango passion martini and South Beach sangria.  

A two-course, prix-fixe lunch is offered on Monday through Friday; it costs $17.95. Salads and appetizers are available for the first course. For the second course, you can go for the grilled chicken scaloppini salad (watercress, strawberries, toasted almonds and champagne vinaigrette) or choose from veal, salmon, sole, braised steak, pizza, pasta, a burger or a panini.

Maud's Tavern

Chef/owner Maud Tucker's says the most popular dishes at her restaurant at this time of year are a salad with grilled shrimp, goat cheese, baby greens, peaches, cranberries, and almonds ($11.50) and burgers which come with cole slaw, red onions, French fries and pickle ($11.50). 

The restaurant's patio is tucked in against its sidewall and is adjacent to a public parking lot. Four tables seat two people each and another four can accommodate four people each.

Summertime choices on the menu here include grilled salmon with orange ginger scallion sauce and sautéed crab cakes with lemon herb mayonnaise and french fries — all entrées are priced under $20 except steak and lamb chops.

Maud's gluten-free menu has more than a dozen entrée choices — all priced under $20. Gluten-free shepherds pie requires 24-hour advance notice.

Rainwater Grill

You can pretend you've been transported to San Francisco if you order the Fisherman's Wharf Seafood Cioppino - a savory ensemble of sautéed clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari, fresh fish, sautéed fennel, garlic, San Marzano tomatoes, potatoes, Fume Blanc wine and crusty bread ($24). 

Other dining suggestions include the twin one-pound Maine lobster plate with corn on cob, a house salad and a baked potato offered on Monday night ($26) and the three-course prix-fixe dinner available Monday through Wednesday evenings ($25 per person or $30 with a glass of wine).

A popular summer drink here is the Sacra-Licious Sunshine, made with Finlandia Grapefruit vodka, 7-up and orange juice. For a drink with distinctive flavor try the Peanut Cup, a combination of Godiva dark chocolate, Castries peanut rum creme and Grey Goose vodka.