The Gold Fox

Location: 600 State Route 208
Gardiner, NY 12525-5601
(845) 255-3700
The Gold Fox Website

This restaurant probably doesn't get much attention from the climbers in the area because most climbers drive on the main road from the 'Gunks into New Paltz and miss it completely. Well, my partners and I got sick of waiting in that lousy traffic that can back up for miles on Sunday afternoons, so we decided to do an end-around into the small town of Gardiner. From the 'Gunks, instead of taking the left at the Brauhaus toward New Paltz, go straight. Follow that road into the winding-road village of Gardiner and find the Gold Fox on the right at the stop light at the end of the village (btw - you take a left here to head back to New Paltz, and this end-around probably only takes five minutes longer without traffic on the main road to New Paltz and many minutes shorter with traffic).


Style of service: Mostly sit-down and catering. There are three sections to the restaurant: the bar area (which has the same menu as the restaurant), the banquet hall area (separate menu from the restaurant), and the restaurant.

Food type: Definitely starts with an Italian base, but most customers will find something to their liking if they don't prefer Italian. There are vegetarian options, good burgers, good seafood, and plenty of salad and appetizer options, too. The menu, in general, is standard for what you'd expect from a typical American restaurant in the Northeast.

Ratings with best being five stars - FOUR STARS

Food rating: FOUR STARS
I've been here twice, and true to my nature, I've ordered the same thing each time: the garlic and horseradish burger with sweet potato fries. Each time the burger came cooked to perfection (I order my burgers medium), and so did my fellow climber dinner-companions find their burgers cooked to their liking. The first time I went, I went with two vegetarians who were skeptical about the menu at first. But then the waiter pointed out a few options for them to give a go, and they loved it, too. Now I can't vouch for all of their other meals, but unless the Gold Fox's quality drops off significantly after the burger, then I have a hard time believing the other dishes won't be up to par. This place really is a hidden gem, and the burgers absolutely rival the more generously located German place at the base of the 'Gunks.

Prices: THREE STARS
There is a reason why we all ate burgers each time we went, and that's because there is a significant difference in the prices between the burgers and the regular entrees. The burgers are reasonably priced (about $8 - $10) for the type of restaurant, but the entrees start at around $15 and go as high as $28 - as of July, 2009). Even so, while the burgers are outstanding, this place is a little more expensive than other joints with similar offerings.

Service: FIVE STARS
We've had nothing but the best from these folks each time. We've been seated where we wanted to be seated each time, had quick service from multiple servers regarding ordering water, drinks, and food, and the food always came out in a reasonable about of time. Also, the staff is very friendly and they don't bug you too much beyond the obligatory, "can I interest you in coffee or desert." You order what you order and they bring it to you. Enjoy...