{pretty to think so}

Pretty to think so is a great dining option in Rhinebeck with an interesting menu of food and drinks, and a great vibe. The seating is limited, and creates an intimate space. Our seats offered a great view of the bar where the bartender was creating magnificent cocktails and it was delightful to see her in action! The food was generally excellent. The honey roasted carrots were our favorite, and the roasted chicken was also very good. The sweet corn risotto didn't appear very appetizing but the dish itself was delicious. The blood orange Moscow Mule was also good. The Shrimp cocktail was also quite good! All in all, we had a great experience and would highly recommend it!

An instant favorite. The dishes all look familiar on the surface, but they all have twists that make them unique and unexpected. I loved the cod fritters, because they were so light and flavorful. The squash bread was tasty and very interesting, but a bit too sweet as an appetizer. The fish sando tasted great. The gelato however was just okay. Everything was great for sharing. The menu changes regularly. The ambiance is great. The interior is modern and cozy, and the outside seating looks very nice and comfortable. I wish it wasn't so loud inside, they play the music at a very high volume. The staff did a good job, but they were severely understaffed, so service was low and getting their attention quite hard.

Came in for dinner solo and dined at the bar. The bone marrow beef tartar was phenomenal. I will likely return just for this. Even the popcorn they served it over had such brilliant flavor. Also ordered the steak; cooked perfectly, and was okay following the appetizer. Seemed to have a younger crowd vibe the night I was there.

During a weekend trip, I chose to have my birthday dinner here, drawn by the farm-to-table concept. The food was scrumptious, I had the hanger steak and was pleasantly surprised by how tender it was. My sister ordered the fried green tomato, which was unexpectedly delicious. We also shared the truffle risotto, which was creamy and perfectly seasoned. For dessert, we had the olive oil cake with a scoop of gelato and Moroccan mint tea, a perfect way to end a wonderful dinner. The space is modern and beautifully decorated, though I wished there had been a bit more lighting so I could’ve admired the food more. They played a wide range of musical genres, which added to the atmosphere. To top it off, I received a birthday card with our check—a sweet and thoughtful gesture.

To say we had an "incredible" experience would be an understatement; what we encountered was pure perfection. From the moment we stepped inside, we were enveloped in an ambiance that felt both sophisticated and warmly inviting. The wait staff were absolutely phenomenal. Their recommendations were spot-on. We began with the caviar frites, roasted bone marrow with steak tartare and scallop crudo. For the mains we enjoyed the local half chicken and lamb shank. Words cannot do this establishment justice. The pictures speak for themselves.

Pretty is amazing. We were so impressed with the entire vibe of this restaurant. Went there with a girlfriend for a Monday night dinner while staying overnight at the spa around the corner. We sat at the bar with one of the very invested in success co-owners tending. He mentioned they just changed the menu over for winter. Everything we ate was and drank was delicious! Not pictured is the fried green tomatoes which were also delicious. Caviar frites were addictive. This place is magical. Run to eat there. It’s a whole cozy experience.

To begin, I wouldn't have mind the service if the food was delicious. Unfortunately, the only edible thing were baked garlic potatoes. During my time there I got one drink, a water, and didn't see a refill the rest of the night or receive any extra service other than our orders being taken. Food took very long, everything kind of took long. Not one to write negative reviews about food places but I do not plan on returning to the establishment. Tip was included which may have played a part of my frustration considering there was barely any. Overpriced, overrated and worth going out of my way to do this review. Steak was cooked perfectly, tasted terrible. We sat at the bar...and I gave the rest of my food to the strangers next to me. Very disappointed. Time of Visit: 7/26/2025

Truly exceptional. Pretty to Think So is a Rhinebeck gem. From the moment we walked in, we were struck by the warm, cozy atmosphere—elegant without feeling stuffy, and full of charm. The food and drinks are absolutely top-tier. The duck for two was the highlight of our meal: perfectly cooked, deeply flavorful, and beautifully presented. It’s a dish worth planning your night around. The cocktails were also outstanding—thoughtful, creative, and perfectly balanced. You can tell there’s real care and craft behind the bar. The wine list is excellent, with a smart and well-rounded selection that pairs beautifully with the menu. I hope they add more Hudson Valley and NY wines in general in the future. All in all, Pretty to Think So delivers on every level—food, drink, service, and ambiance. Can’t wait to return.

Overall, Pretty...offers interesting, even fascinating food, intricate and adept service, excellent basic ingredients, and just the kind of ambience you'd want for a sophisticated restaurant in the Hudson Valley: countrified, a little moody, romantic. (This was on the coldest night of December thus far, so it's probably quite different and just as nice at other seasons and times of day). The Kumamoto oysters were like a mouthful of ocean air and the accompanying sauces, particular the tomato, were excellent. My partner had the delicate flavorful scallop crudo in a green sauce redolent of fresh peas and mint. I had the twice-baked potato with, for a miracle, truffle you could actually taste. The potato was so creamy and flavorful, and the shell so crispy and light, you could finish the whole thing--and might, for a light meal! My partner's seafood paella was great too, with a crispy rice layer ("socca") on the bottom, as all great paella must have. The pumpkin cheesecake with a topping of whipped crème fraiche was rich, sweet, and light. There's a phenomenal baker in the kitchen, as well as some very talented chefs. I also have to applaud Pretty's supply chain. How do they get so many great ingredients, not just things like caviar and truffles but quotidian items like potatoes and pumpkin and rice? I was looking forward to the bone marrow and beef tartare, but the dish was a mis-step. An honorable one! The cubed raw beef and its dressings were everything they should be, tart enough to cut through the rich meat and also savory,but it was served inside a hollowed-out bone with a layer of marrow still in it. Beef tartare should be served at room temperature or a little cooler; bone marrow must be served warm or, ideally, hot. In this case, parts of the tartare were uncomfortably warm, and, especially for the last few bites, me marrow was unpleasantly cool and greasy. Also, the fries served alongside were too cool, My other complaint is that the lights in the restaurant were so dim, I don't think it could have been much worse if all of Rhinebeck was having a black-out! Part of the joy of a fine meal is to be able to see what you're eating. In this case, I can't identify many of the ingredients because I couldn't see the plate--or even read the very detailed menu! We'll come back again, very soon---during daylight hours!

Wonderful. The room is small. Not great acoustics but... Service was great. Nice menu, cocktails and wine list. We started with cocktails and starters. Although we passed on the raw bar, we were happy with the bone marrow with beef tartare and fried potatoes with caviar. Entrees of braised short rib and duck confit were perfectly cooked with delicious sides. We split a fig tart dessert with ice cream and a French press coffee. The bill included an 18% gratuity and we left a bit more...service was that good. We'll definitely be back.

Gosh, what a pleasure to dine here. I chose it after reviewing a number of comments and I (and my guest) were extremely pleased with the meal. Fairly priced and excellent service. Indoor and outdoor seating. Excellent drinks as well.

I came with family after the Sinkerklaas Parade, and let me til you what a wonderful, welcoming, and cozy atmosphere on such a cold day. We sat at the bar. The "Well Duck You then" cocktail was unique and delightful. The cheesey popcorn was great, as was the truffle twice-baked potato. The pumpkin dish was absolutely delicious as well. All the food and drinks were wonderful, as was our bartender-waiter. Will definitely return when I'm back in town!

From the moment I walked in I was smitten. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful with dark walls, and soaring ceilings. The perimeter is punctuated with large windows each with a few decorative items including jars and books set on the deep sills. The seating runs the perimeter of the small space with an l shaped bar immediately to your left. The attention to detail in the design was top tier. After being seated we began with cocktails which were perfectly crafted, followed by appetizers, entrees, and dessert. All of the food was absolutely delicious. A definite must stop for foodies. The service too, was also wonderful, making for a lovely evening out. Highly recommend.

What a fabulous restaurant! We were greeted by the bartender who was very accommodating and friendly. Our server was new but she did a great job taking care of us and had no shame asking a coworker if she didn't know the answer to our question! The oysters here were fantastic, the skookums might have been the best oysters I've ever had. Super fresh and absolutely divine. The drinks were extremely balanced and nuanced with a lovely presentation. The tartare was absolutely stellar and the popcorn was a nice touch(seems juvenile but it works). The scallops were great but I'd pass on the caviar addition as the other flavors seemed to overpower it. The potatoes were also insanely good, loved the sexy ketchup. Only area lacking was desserts, but the rest of the experience was so great I can't even take off a star for that. The mango sorbet had basically no mango flavor, and the key lime pie was a miss(the watermelon rind was inedible) Don't let the desserts stop you from trying it though!

A review I'm scared to write, as I'd love to keep this restaurant to myself and go every weekend / every week / maybe even every day?! An amazing addition to the area with a full gluten free menu (which you'd never even know!) Each dish is super creative, the staff is incredibly kind and responsive, and the atmosphere is simply stunnin. Here's a list of everything that is delicious (and all five stars): THE SWEET POTATO BREAD: I could eat 20 loaves of this. It's sweet but paired with tart cranberry sauce on the side, which balances it nicely THE OYSTERS: super fresh and a great selection-- even in the winter months THE KALE CAULIFLOWER SALAD: I could also eat 20 of these. The sweet potato purée is such a nice touch and the kale is lovely paired with the cauliflower THE BEET PEAR SALAD: I did look like a vampire licking the plate clean of the most amazing beet dressing + juices THE BEAN SOUP: perfect for a cold night, and hearty for a meal THE SHORT RIB: perfectly cooked, super moist, and the potatoes that are served with it are excellent Oh, and the caviar frites are an experience to not miss! You will not be disappointed here!

If you like mediocre food with pretentious slow service then this restaurant is for you. We had high hopes for this restaurant after reading other reviews. Unfortunately, our experience did not live up to the hype. We waited quite a while in the vestibule for the host to greet us. When we asked if we could get table seating instead of bar seating the host told us there was no availability, which was a lie. There were open tables the entire time we were in the restaurant. The high notes were the beet salad (fresh and nicely prepared), the pork chops were served with a delicate sweet sauce, and watching the bartender mix cocktails was entertaining (though all cocktails were less than a full pour). The paella was overly smoked with the rice over cooked to a gelatinous mess. They also automatically charge an 18% gratuity for this less than great experience.

Walked in and no one to greet us. Podium outside the door but no one was there. Went in side and another couple was standing there looking confused. Only one visible staff member on the phone not acknowledging anyone. Zero atmosphere. Not vibrant at all! We left. Obviously can't comment on the food as we didn't stay and most likely will not try again. I'll pay any price but expect a positive experience.

Nice vibe, tables are very close together so your experience will depend on your neighbors. Wine list by bottle is limited & skews towards expensive eg reds start at $ 75. Menu is adventurous but limited. We had the beef shank which was tasty but not much in the way of food. We also had the skirt steak which was ok & a larger portion. The restaurant is totally gluten free which eliminates bread & other items from your meal choices. All in all, underwhelming food, expensive wine in a nice, euro vibe.

This place is pretty much a joke and trying its best to pretend it's on the upper east side of NYC with its pretentiousness. Horrible service! The only good employee was the bartender, who was friendly and kind. So slow and small portions. Enya (I think, got her name from the bill), our waitress, was barely noticeable and extremely unfriendly. She did not introduce herself. Didn't engage in conversation. Did not offer to refill our water. Took an hour for mediocre food which did not match the descriptions on the menu. Management needs to reevaluate their staff if this is what is what they want representing their establishment. Also...beware of the automatic 18% tip. The amount a customer tips should be at the discretion of the customer, right? We spoke to the manager and his excuse that "this is a fine dining restaurant" and that there are "7 chefs in the kitchen" is complete bogus. This wasn't a party of 6+ people. It was my husband and I, trying to enjoy our anniversary meal. We've been to plenty of restaurants around the NYC metro area, and never have had this absurd 18%, automatic tip added. I understand times are tough, but this is a complete joke. Guess we will try another restaurant in Rhinebeck, because this place was not what we expected. Few tables, bathrooms upstairs (not handicap accessible?), slow service, waitress who looked unhappy to be there.

Amazing meal from start to finish! This is a great spot for a date night or a night with friends - if you are looking for a high end meal. Was kindly met at the entrance and taken to our seats then had amazing service all night long. The drink and food menu were amazing it was so hard to decide what to drink and eat There's lots of options depending on what type of alcohol you prefer and ABV you are looking for. The absinthe drip looked so cool. Will definitely be back to try it! Nice raw bar selection. We had the chefs selection oyster then opted to share a bunch of plates. We also had the squash bread, baked potato (this was the best baked potato I've ever had!), scallop crudo, endive Caesar, cucumber and goat cheese salad (special), and risotto. All were delicious! Great for someone who is gluten free

Went here with my partner for our anniversary, and we enjoyed everything very much! I loved the style of the interior, very art deco inspired. We went to an early dinner at 5:30 and it was near empty, which I expected in making reservations as I don't like crowds very much. Started off with tamarind soda and my boyfriend had a cocktail. The drinks menu has great mocktail and low ABV options and even zero-proof absinthe. I didn't get to try any because I didn't realize but boyfriend enjoyed his Call Me Honey. Appetizer was local cheeses and they were good! I wasn't a huge fan of the grapes that had seeds and wish it had been served with a pâte. Server was helpful in making sure the cheeses were pasteurized. Entree I had the organic half chicken and he had the braised lamb shank and both were wonderful! Very tasty and moist chicken, the lamb was fall off the bone good. Dessert was delicious, chocolate tart and a blueberry olive oil cake! My boyfriend had the cold brew and we didn't realize it's served sparkling so it was very interesting, not my favorite but that's personal taste. The only downside here was the music they played was ONLY the Beatles and nothing else. I don't know if every day they play a new discography but please make a better playlist. Overall everything was great, looking forward to coming back and trying the raw bar when i'm no longer pregnant. Would love to see them possibly rotate the menu in the future for new options.

This restaurant comes as advertised.... upscale, creative, interesting, and impressive. The cocktails are the stars of the show. They have a huge selection of drinks and each one is carefully crafted like a work of art. They advertise a Raw Bar so we went all out for the Royal Tower which has lobster, clams, oysters, shrimp, and caviar. No complaints, seafood was fresh and tasty. We also got a vegtarian stuffed pumpkin dish that was delicious. For dessert, we had the petite four special which I found underwhelming and wish I would have chosen something else. Service was attentive and friendly. I am glad we tried it as we were curious and it was a nice evening.

meh. could have been an off night in the kitchen, but the food took over an hour to get to us after the appetizers. The people next to us who came in 15 minutes after us got theirs before us. My wife's scallops were lukewarm warm, and my duck was missing 2 sides.‍ Another thing, this new tipping scenario where the restaurant adds a "service charge" that goes towards the gratuity is annoying. It was not mentioned on the website or on the menu, only when the bill came were we notified. this poses a problem, as I was going to give the server more than the 18% that they charged, but because the amount would have been less than another 10$ it would look really cheap. hence I declined. I hope this works in the long term for the servers, but it's really off putting.

The restaurant has a very cool, intimate vibe. There were only about 8 tables inside besides bar seating. The whole menu is gluten free, and seems allergy friendly to other types of allergies. Highlight: The Summer Squash Bread- this was insane. We ordered it out of curiosity, mostly, and it was the best part of the meal. So moist and delicious, you would never know it is gluten free. Lows: Drinks- almost undrinkable at how strong they were. Timing- the main course took about an hour to get to us.

Wow Amazingly, fresh food, everything perfectly prepared Incredible staff I love this place. It's definitely my favorite Rhinebeck restaurant. Don't listen to any reviews below a four. There is an incredible energy here. The food is so fun and delicious. The drinks are really fun and delicious. The staff is really wonderful really great.

Amazingly delicious meal. We tried the butternut bread, the cheese plate, the beet salad special and the caviar frites dishes for starters. Everything was exciting to our palette especially the caviar frites (little smashed potatoes topped with a bit of caviar. Put entrees were the duck confit, whole trout, clam chowder topped with seared cod, pork osso bucco and the porchetta special. The flavor thrills our taste buds. Everything was delicious. We're planning to come back in the warmer months to taste what else they will have on their menu.

I had high hopes for this place. It was recommended by a good friend and Rhinebeck is desperately lacking fresh energy. Alas, this was a once and done event. The name of the restaurant....should have set off some alarms. Rather pretentious....as was the whole experience. Upon being seated at the completely empty restaurant (6:30 pm on a Friday night), I asked for a taste of one of only 3 red wines offered by the glass. "We don't have an open bottle of that so can't give you a taste," was the response I got from our server. How is this even offered by the glass if they wont open a bottle to give me a taste? I had never even heard of any of the wines offered and our server could not offer me any descriptions, yet they were unable to even let me taste them. The restaurant did fill up over the course of the evening...(it's a small space...30 seats at most), though our server was earnest food service was excruciatingly slow. Be warned...the "Caviar Frites", was nothing more than home fries with Salmon Roe on top. Yes, salmon roe!! Not a speck of Truffle on either the Twice Baked Truffle Potato or the Turnip Papardelle that was advertised to have black truffle as well. The trout was decent, though not memorable, and in general....everything was so rich and buttered up, that even if there was a speck of truffle, one would not have been able to taste it above the butter. The food lacked seasoning as well. The best thing about this restaurant was the decor. It was inviting and curated. I'm sure the cocktails were good though we did not have any. The bartender did seem to painstakingly create some impressive looking drinks. The red wine by the class selection was very lacking. We were so underwhelmed by the experience that we did not stay for dessert. As a former tv producer for the TVFN (4 years) and a published restaurant reviewer, I consider myself a foodie. I live in NYC and travel around the world having ample opportunities to dine out. I will only write Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews if something was really exceptionally good or disappointing. Reading others reviews...I feel I was not off the mark here. Don't see myself going back any time soon.

We went for an early dinner and there was only one other couple there so we had the full attention of the bartender. Service was great. I had the half chicken and it was one of the best meals I've had in a while. My dining partner had the oysters and a negroni and was very satisfied. The atmosphere is over the top, which I like. Wallpaper, and different textures. I guess it could come across as pretentious but I just thought it was fanciful. It was expensive for sure but these days everything is so expensive and most of the time not very good. So I was relieved that there is obviously someone in the kitchen who knows what they are doing.

Did anyone else receive a 28% service surcharge on top of their bill that was explicitly stated to not be gratuity. What planet am I living on? I called to question and I was told they are within their rights to add this ambiguous charge that was for nothing specific.

After attending an event at Bard College, in Red Hook, my friend and I arrived for our 9:00pm reservations. We were comfortably seated immediately. The service was attentive and extremely competent without being intrusive. That's hard to do (and how much do I love NOT being called, "you guys"). The menu is ravishing. The food is fresh, beautifully prepared and presented, and delicious. I think that the photos above accurately show the beauty of the dishes. The treasures from the bar are memorable, bright and tasty; "nuanced" doesn't half begin to describe the complex flavors of my cocktail ("Baiting a Storm"). I started with a shrimp cocktail of oceanic size served with two wonderfully tangy sauces. I followed that with the tender, broiled octopus dish. Lovely. My friend swanned through iced raw oysters (with seaweed threaded beautifully through the crushed ice). I finished with macarons and excellently brewed coffee. We closed the place down. You should,too.

We stumbled upon {pretty to think so} while trying to find a place for a late dinner on the night before the July 4th holiday, and couldn't have picked a better spot for a vacation meal. We were blown away by the quality of the food, the drinks, and the atmosphere--it's moody and intimate, with a speakeasy feel (if the speakeasy was also, like, an alchemist's laboratory or an upscale coven, maybe)?. Loved the low-ABV libation options put together by Madeline Dillon, who was at the bar--I recommend the Call Me Honey--and had a delicious nettle risotto, thought the halibut special with kohlrabi-apple slaw that my wife got was definitely the star of the night. For dessert, we ordered petit fours (served in a solander, another nod to the literary bent of the place), of which my favorite was the strawberry oreo, and the unmissable olive oil cake with cherries--absolutely get that one if it's on the menu when you go. The service was great, with plenty of recommendations offered when we asked for them. This one's definitely a hidden gem we were lucky to find.

This place needs a LOT of work. Service was very unprofessional, we sat at the table for close to 20mins before someone checked in (asked for still water, received sparkling). Our server, while friendly, clearly was undertrained or just didn't want to be there - stacking plates at the table, zero knowledge of the menu, etc. Food is below average. A handful of our oysters were good, the majority were gross and full of sand, as were our clams. The lobster was essentially hollow, no meat to be found. Risotto was flavorless, our other entrees were equally unimpressive. Dessert ("gelato" and sorbet) was essentially inedible - server got our order wrong and served us the wrong flavors. Overall, the vibe is really weird. It was basically dead after 8:30 on a summer Friday. Definitely not the best the Hudson valley has to offer. Also - if you're going to add an 18% service charge to every bill, it has to be noted on the menu. It's just rude not to (we would tip 20% regardless, but come on).

Service was bad. I practically had to beg to order my food and drinks, creating an unnecessarily uncomfortable dining experience. The food was of good quality, but the raw bar's presentation was unappetizing (who wants a heap of kelp underneath their oysters?). Half lobster was mostly inedible Tomalley. A claw and some scraps for $35? And melted butter was served congealed on the platter of ice the lobster was served on. Strange experience. Don't recommend.

Yes, great ambience. And, downhill from there! In time I imagine service will become professional but in the meantime.....waited 15 minutes after ordering a glass of wine, of which, choices are very limited and about which they seem to take inordinate pride. Partner attempted to order a mixed drink from a runner who declined to take it but, magically, he became a waiter a short time later and returned to accept the order. Overall, food is too precious (as is the restaurant's name, by the way) and not fit for hungry people. Whole trout was on the dry side and served with raw swiss chard and what--tasteless jerusalen artichoke slices? Too many other good dining venues with flavorful food including real vegetables in Rhinebeck for us natives to enjoy.

We came Friday before dinner to have some drinks, we didn't try any food. The restaurant looked very nice though. The bartender really knew how to make an excellent Old Fashioned. Maybe next time we would try the food. Drinks are solid though.

This will be the new "go to" in Rhinebeck. Food,cocktails and service were great. We had a large party and everything went smoothly. Our friends ordered the duck for two. The chef brought it for display before carving. It was a great presentation, and tasted great as well. My friend shared a few slices with me ! The decor is really cool, with a nice bar area. The mixologist is one creative person, there are at least 10 specialty cocktails. We are headed back next weekend, it's that good

Incredible! Best restaurant in Rhinebeck, and Mark is the one of the best chefs in hudson valley. Highly recommend.

Our experience at pretty was beautiful from start to finish. We went for my husband's birthday, and had a wonderful night. Decor is lush and well-appointed, yet cozy and comfortable. The service was thorough and professional. Maddy is a mixology savant, concocting layered, complex and intriguing cocktail experiences. And then there is the food! My husband is gluten free, and amazingly, so is the menu! We started with (gluten free!)fried cod croquettes with broccoli in bagna cauda. The cod was light, broccolini grilled just to the point of crisp freshness with the right char to provide richness of flavor, without ever tasting burnt. The slight anchovy(warm and Caesar-ish) sauce brought a lovely umami, and popped quinoa for texture. Even better was the beef tartare, served on a marrow bone. I'm not a huge fan of marrow in general, but this was bursting with juicy flavor, without feeling overly fatty. The smooth richness of the marrow was balanced by the acid of yummy pickled veg and fine beef. Cod and clam main course was pleasing and well balanced. The cod was cooked to perfection. Never dry, but firm, with crisp golden edges. Tender clams, with a broth that improved over the course of the meal, as the fennel flavor bloomed. The halibut main was lovely. Clearly, thought is given to flavor balance. A curated bite included the mild fish, in rich brown sauce with a fresh green, slightly acidic coulis to balance the flavors. Now dessert... Sometimes it's not worth messing with a great meal, but we took the chance and were so pleased. Persimmon marshmallow tart tasted like Christmas (nicely paired with the figgy "won't go until we get some"cocktail), and hibiscus blackberry tart was fruity and fresh flavored. Treat yourself to this amazing experience. You won't regret it.

very cute place in rhinebeck. seafood seems to be their specialty and it was very good. ambiance was nice although it's small and the tables are kinda close to each other. so if you don't like hearing your neighbors chit chat it may not be the place for you.

Utterly charming and divine...from the decor, to the menu (food/wine/cocktails/beverages), to the staff...just perfect...

The attention to detail whether it be service or food is just amazing . Cool vibe in ambiance and music . The chef is Mark Margiotta who creates the most flavorful creations . I had the duck confit and was also treated to the aged duck which was the best I have ever had. The caviar roasted potatos were fabulous . Highly recommend this gem of a restaurant which serves farm to table ,vegetarian dishes and a great raw bar. My new favorite restaurant .