Mohonk Mountain House, situated in New York’s Hudson Valley, is not only a National Historic Landmark but also a culinary one under the direction of Executive Chef Jim Palmeri, whose cuisine highlights the plentiful bounty of the area.
The Victorian castle resort’s main dining room today looks much as it did upon completion in 1893 with high ceilings, clerestory windows and white pine walls, but its offerings remain decidedly fresh, modern and seasonal, serving more than 500,000 meals yearly. Mohonk Mountain House is known for its Sunday brunch and summer lunch barbecues and evening lobster bake cookouts. Palmeri also presides over the hotel’s culinary theme weekends throughout the year featuring guest chefs and wine masters.
“Most of my techniques evolve from French classical. I’ve done a lot of regional cooking in the country and out of the country, and that kind of evolves into what we do at Mohonk,” said Palmeri. “We change our menus during the week four times, and then we change seasonally as well. Our goal has always been to create something beautiful to match the beautiful setting that we’re in. We hope that people will come here for the food and enjoy everything else that comes with it.”
Before joining Mohonk Mountain House, Palmeri worked at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas, Hyatt Grand Cayman and Hyatt Coral Gables. He is a graduate of the Culinary School of Kendall College in Chicago.
WHAT THREE GO-TO INGREDIENTS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR HOME KITCHEN?
Garlic, ginger and cilantro. I worked as executive chef of a Pacific Rim restaurant in San Diego and loved the flexibility those ingredients afford. Noodles, rice dishes, marinades, vinaigrettes, soups and dumplings — I absolutely love those flavors. I wanted to add chilies — I really need four ingredients.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SEASON FOR COOKING, AND WHY?
I love the spring. The farms are coming online and the first of the crops start to hit the farm stands. Fresh asparagus is amazing from the Hudson Valley. Also, the wild foraged items like morels, fiddleheads and ramps are wonderful to use. The spring menu also lightens up the vibe, and people are excited to see winter end and start anew.
ASIDE FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION, WHAT’S THE BEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
I was the executive chef for Hyatt Grand Cayman — truly one of the most memorable and beautiful places I have ever lived. The food was tremendous with the heavy Jamaican and subtle Indian influences. I used to get fish tea from the fishermen’s wives right on the beach after they cleaned the fish. They cooked the fish scraps and heads together with water, scotch bonnet chilies, thyme and plantains. Just fantastic. The ocean was beautiful and reminded me how lucky I was to live there. My daughter, Jessica, was born there, so it’s a special place. My son Craig was born in Vegas, so that was pretty cool as well.
WHAT’S THE FIRST MEAL YOU EVER COOKED?
I tried to make dinner for my then-girlfriend, now-wife, Laura, before I learned how to cook. I planned to make escargot and leg of lamb. The meal was a disaster, and I ate too many snails while preparing them and fell ill. The best part is my wife wouldn’t eat either of those for anything. I haven’t had a snail since.
MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE
1000 Mountain Rest Road
New Paltz, NY 12561
tel 844 207 8363
mohonk.com
Read This Next
Alpine Country Club Review
August 2016
Aug 1, 2016Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedNovember 2024
Nov 20, 2024A Fusion of History and Modernity Makes Bangkok a Perfect Meeting Spot
In this city of contrasts, glass skyscrapers stand behind century- old temples. Street food vendors sling steaming noodles along roadways while tucked-away restaurants serve multicourse, Michelin-level cuisine. Roadways jam with cars as jewel-toned tuk tuks whizz through the gridlock. Long considered a tourist mecca, Bangkok also makes for a dynamic, budding location for corporate travelers.
Sponsored Content
Sailing the Ionian Sea: Explore Greece’s Nautical Gems
Sailing the Ionian Sea is an enchanting way to experience Greece's breathtaking islands and pristine waters. Known for its favorable winds, calm seas and stunning landscapes, the Ionian Sea offers a paradise for both experienced sailors and those looking to explore for the first time. From lively beaches to secluded bays, these waters have something for every traveler seeking adventure and relaxation.
Daily
Nov 20, 2024Le Massif de Charlevoic, Québec, Announces Winter Ski Season Festivities
Ski fever? This year, skip the long flight over the water and stay a little closer to home at four-season Le Massif de Charlevoix resort in Québec. Snow fun kicks off Nov. 30 when skiers and snowboarders carve the first tracks of the season. The resort, about an hour from Québec City and 20 minutes from Baie-Saint-Paul, is the location of North America’s first Club Med mountain village.
Daily
Nov 20, 2024Celebrate the Holidays at This Hotel on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
Spend the holiday season in Italy with a stay at Anantara Convento di Amalfi Hotel. The only 5-star hotel in the area hosts festive experiences from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
eFlyer Reviews
Nov 20, 2024Château des Fleurs Review
Just a short block from the Champs Elysées, flower-bedecked window boxes grace the corner and clearly identify Château des Fleurs. This 37-room boutique hotel is one of Vivre-LMB’s five small hotels in Paris owned by Olivier Bertrand and his sisters and affiliated with Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Save Up to 50 Percent Off HX Expeditions
eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024Xanterra Launches Thankful for Travel Sale
eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024eFlyer Lead
Nov 20, 2024Chase Opens 2 New Lounges This Year, More Slated for 2025
This year, both Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and San Diego International Airport welcomed new Sapphire Lounge by The Clubs. These two lounges join existing locations in New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS).
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Egypt
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
Daily
Nov 20, 2024South Africa’s Newest Experiential Safari Eco-Lodge Opens Early 2025
Luxury hospitality brand Few & Far debuts its newest eco-lodge next year, bringing a reimagined safari experience to South Africa. Few & Far Luvhondo will open in Limpopo, South Africa, offering just six cliffside suites within the elusive Soutpansberg Mountains, part of UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions in the world).
ShareThis