Isabela

Isabella in Amenia delivered one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time. We ordered the duck special for two, which features duck prepared two ways — served in a salad and over rice — and it was genuinely the best duck I’ve ever had. Perfectly cooked medium rare, incredibly flavorful, and beautifully executed. We also ordered the sourdough bread, which deserves its own praise — soft, delicious, and perfectly textured. Easily one of the best breads I’ve had. The oysters were good as well, though they were slightly overshadowed by how outstanding the duck and bread were. And bonus points for the hot apple cider — I love any place that offers it, and it really added to the cozy, thoughtful experience. Overall, 10/10 would absolutely recommend. Easily one of my favorite meals — worth the trip on its own.

Stopped in for brunch on our way home. Lured by the Shakshuka for Two which was divine. Our server was attentive and friendly. The food was amazing - the duck fat potatoes are not to be missed. Highly recommend and want to plan another trip so we can have dinner.

Isabela is amazing from first steps in the door- being greeted by Michele (awesome way to spell that name😊) - the wait and bar staff were very attentive. The food is the best we have ever had in our travels. The oysters and trout pate plus the Jose’s sourdough outstanding starters. My husband was a bit scared of the trout pate but it was smooth and delish!! The mains kicked butt- we shared family style with top sirloin and cod that just melted in our mouths. The pork chop hiding under local roasted apples sooo tender and flavorful!! Ending with rice pudding with little toppings to add so crazy good . All the desserts were perfect!! If you are in that area - you have to go!!!

We booked Isabela for my 52nd birthday. What an amazing experience. Chef Jose Gabriel Ramirez Ruiz is a brilliant culinary artist. The flavors explode in your mouth. He combines local produce with traditional spices. The staff is extremely attentive. Marlena was polite and very knowledgeable. And the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxing! An incredible experience overall.

I highly recommend Isabela. The menu and space is unique - clean, elegant, delicious and wholesome. I love knowing that the food is locally sourced and that many of the meals ingredients are vegetable forward. We started with the sourdough and kale gnudi (no joke, I nearly licked the bowl- the sauce was divine!!!). For dinner, I had the trout topped with seeds and celeriac (seriously mind blown- the fish was so fresh and perfectly cooked and I thought it was so innovative to use the seeds for flavor and texture). My partner had the aged steak with roasted marinated roots and veggies (which was also superb). And the cocktails and desserts! My goodness!!! Honestly- everything!!! We left full but not icky full. Bravo to the chef and team for creating an experience I will never forget. I live in Brooklyn but will be back!

All-around great spot and really happy to have this in the neighborhood. Menu is always changing with what’s available. Fresh is the constant theme. Oysters are reliably excellent. I also enjoy going alone and sitting at the bar; which, by the way, cocktails are well thought out and delicious. And, if all that wasn’t enough, the staff bring Amenia to the next level with their execution on fine dining.

CONGRATULATION CHEF JOSÉ A AMAZING FOOD FULL OF HARMONY AND DELICACY a real breath of fresh air and delicious dishes from each other and a welcome filled with kindness Thank you ✨

Excellent dinner! The food was cooked to perfection. I ordered the Black Sea bass and my husband and friend ordered the pork dish. The desserts were home made and some were dairy free (ice cream). The service was excellent. The staff was very friendly and attentive. The dining area was perfectly lit and the music selective and volume was appropriate. The Brazilian music added a nice flair to the already comfortable and beautiful evening at Isabela’s.

Food: excellent! Trying to eat more vegetables, and the asparagus, and the kohlrabi salad were first rate. Very sophisticated, and not something I would make at home. Plum Mezcalita cocktail was perfection! Not too sweet, and like the food, interesting and out of the ordinary. The kitchen was very careful and very educated about gluten free eating, which I appreciated. Service was excellent. Our server, Megan, was friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. The ambience is very simple and very sophisticated. This dining room would not be out of place in NYC. The bonus for us was the chef was misdirected to our table, and he ended up chatting with us about his background and the thought behind the restaurant. What a pleasure! As a 35 year resident, I can get grouchy about some ways the area is gentrifying (cough, Silo Ridge, cough, Westerlind) and I was prepared to be grouchy about Isabela. Instead, I've been completely won over and now I'm a big fan. Definitely will return soon. Isabela is a great restaurant!

What made me want to stop in and try was their sign out front, $2 oysters. What a deal. My hubby tried their beef fat potatoes. And then we tried their panna cotta with roasted cherry topping with torn basil. My hubby was a chef for 30+ years so we critic food. The only thing we found, and it wasn't nothing crazy, but may help them, instead of torn basil , chiffonade the basil, it would give it a fuller look and more of the taste. I understand that they were trying not to bruise the basil, but basil is hardy. And my hubby enjoyed his beer choice. Staff was super attentive, I would give staff a 10.

We had a great time at Isabela. Really good cocktail menu and wine list. Excellent food. Friendly and solid service. We'll be back!

I was there a couple of months ago having dinner with my husband. The food was terrific. But the owner was yelling at the staff like he was Gordon Ramsay in Hells Kitchen. The whole restaurant looked mortified listening to this man berate his employees - especially considering the food was excellent. He was literally telling the staff that they suck with some other choice curse words. I will never ever go there again, even if it was the best fish of my life! This man should be reported to the labor board and since I can't stop thinking about how awful he was, I might just be the person to do it! It wasn't just unprofessional. He was screaming and demeaning the staff. No one should have to endure that. Ever!

An absolutely amazing gastronomic experience, both my wife and I were absolutely thrilled with our meal, from the appetizers to the main courses, we were just so thrilled with the whole experience. So happy to have another lovely restaurant opening in the area and we hope many more get to experience what we had the pleasure of for our Saturday eve.

Service is fine. Ambiance is ok..... nothing remarkable or ugly. Neutral. I went opening night. That was weeks ago but I have not been back because my main course was Pot au Feu, which was a large black cast iron pot that held boiled vegetables. It was no more a Pot au Feu than I am Daniel Boulud. I sat at the bar next to a very sweet and innocent wife of the owner/chef who kept on spouting farm to table ideology as their mission. Fine..... but how about good food. I saw lots of turnips as starters. Really?! And the menu in general is uninspiring. I support local restaurants like The Tavern, Panacea, Troutbeck, The White Hart, all excellent . Sorry to say, I think this young chef has a long road ahead.

I stumbled on this town and restaurant after ending a weekend in Sturbridge for a religious conference and being famished as I drove back to NYC . After eating there and looking it up seems like it's a little less than a few months old which shows. Open kitchen concept with unfortunately loud chef berating kitchen staff- No bueno ! Service speedy very attentive and helpful .Modern sleek scandi inspired decor. Pared down menu with nice selection of wines. Menu reads slightly inventive but standard nouvelle tricks . Veggie and fish forward. Price point Soho for a tiny farm town surprising. Started with turnip spinach salad with peanuts puffed rice. sadly overly dressed and salted but an interesting taste combination . a touch of sweetness in dressing would have made it more balanced. Main I had the bone out rib eye aged grass fed beef with beef fat fried potatoes $55. Potatoes were sumptuous fried hard . Beef was tasty a little too much outer sinew /fat and also over salted. A tad over my desired medium rare requested temp . With a bit of lemon the tad sweetness from the onion sauce sang with the beef . Finished with an olive oil bundt drenched in alpine liquor. tasty nothing amazing. Portions generous. Overall good -would certainly try again since limited options in this immediate area but would not come here as a destination for now. I was surprised to read after I left chef is Puerto Rican and he wants to add those flavors in the restaurant . I saw NONE of that in what I ate or saw in menu with exception of coconut rice. Perhaps if he did it would be five star review.

The understated but beautiful decor is the perfect backdrop for this special restaurant. I've been twice so the suggestions are from two visits. The vibe is great. I love the open kitchen and the look into the caring food preparation. Some notable things to order: the bread, the olives (spices are so good, the potato chips, oysters, the butter lettuce with radish and crispy shallots, the coconut rice, the fluke, the trout, the butcher's cut, the chicken, the braised vegetable side. And oh my the skill is evident in the rice pudding (not too sweet and perfect toppings) and the rhubarb trifle. The first time I went the bartender made a perfect gimlet to order. I hope the menu will rotate so we can keep coming back. Also a good looking bar.