Operated by the same company, I believe, is the neighboring building – Patrick Henry’s.

The menu is American casual-elegant. A list of a half dozen appetizers, four salads, eight mains, and nearly ten flavors of pizza comprise the list. Nothing fancy but what they offered was produced better than most. Even the potato fries garnered admiration.

From the appetizers list came two table-shares – crispy calamari with spicy lime ranch and baked cauliflower bits coated with a Buffalo ranch and small red peppers – and a couple more that were part of the entrée choices – mac & cheese, spicy wings.

A few salads were ordered, coming out as entrées even though a couple were wanted before the entrée course. A meatball sub, a fish taco, a few chicken dishes, and a couple more rounded out the table.

The drink order included draft beer, bottled beer, sodas, and water. The water was delivered by the plastic pitcher with plastic cups in a stack. Casual-non-elegant but quite practical.

We were asked about desserts, were told there was one (Nutella empanada) but no one accepted.

Ninety minutes later, we were motoring, mostly westward, back home.

Service by Cheyenne was serviceable, polite, and pleasant – not a high bar but one that we appreciate given some of the past experiences, whether DP8 or other. Another waitstaff or two helped deliver orders or clear plates.

Particularly noticeable from our table, placed about twenty feet from the stairs, were those stairs. Which leads into ambience…

PH is a sturdy brick building that has served other purposes for Coxsackie. It has a feel about it.

            And we had been told that PH was a noisy and busy restaurant. The first few steps confirmed that. Plenty of two and four person tables were available, a fashionable bar anchored the ground floor, and some of us were prepared for a noisy evening. And we had asked for indoors, given the weather. Facing the river is a deck with room for fifty or so diners, something to keep in mind for nicer weather.

            Instead, we were led around a corner, up a semi-steep stairs with a right angle, and we opened into the second (top) floor that blossomed into a pleasurable view. The front room was ringed with windows that faced the Hudson River, from Riverside Park to across the river to Nutten Hook to The Wire (the event place of the Hotel).

            The next room, our room, had walls of a light forest green with white trim, set up with four large settings, of which we took one. Although we were envious of the front room with its view, it turned out our room suited us quite well since we were the only full table for quite a while and the conversation level was normal talking and able to be heard.

            To tie back to Cheyenne: the waitstaff had to lug all meals and drinks up that steep staircase to reach the forty people who were dining upstairs. Some of us could feel our legs tiring just admiring their efforts.

Entrées tended to be about $20, with salads and individual pizzas at an acceptable price. The bill at evening’s end with everything included might have ranged from $50 (entrée each, a beer and soda) to $100ish with salad and app and a couple drinks.

It was a delightful evening inside on a steamy night.

Discussions ranged a wide gamut.

            The first topic: the attendees. Our July schedules precluded all four of the regulars from finding a date in common so we took Plan B. Chay drew straws and the Notars were excluded, making us feel bad but moving onward. And thus the Quinns, who were available, filled out the table. We hope this situation does not play out again but we seem to be traveling people.

            Other topics: Deb K working both weekend days at the horse farm, making for a tired person; mah-jongg, of course; Don hitting a deer at 55 and totaling the lease car; the Teator new car – an Escape again but two years newer and a lot more expensive; the Quinn ocean cruise and points of interest; the upcoming Teator trip to Ireland; the Monteverd trip to Scotland and Ireland; a Quinn wedding (or was that two?) upcoming; another Quinn grandchild coming; hot summers of our younger years; our August DP10 date (site to be determined); Monteverd neighbor Phil; the bridge replacement on Rt 81 in Earlton; the Monteverd trip to France upcoming with Notars and Wexlers; Deb K’s trip to Greek isles, with some horse riding on the beach a possibility; Chay eating dinners at Furlong’s; the deer sleeping under the Karnes porch; a well manicured Karnes yard; flowers and vegetable gardens; memories of Coxsackie; air conditioning or lack of it; the Monteverd children and grandkids and genetics; and on it went with another dozen topics that filled an enjoyable evening.

            Noticeable by its absence: I did not notice anyone say they miss teaching! ha