For a dining experience that combines history, ambiance, and delicious food, look no further than Ward's Bridge Inn in Montgomery, NY. This restored old-world inn, located on Ward Street, has been transformed into a quality restaurant where you can enjoy scrumptious meals in a comfortable environment.
The menu offers something for everyone, from classic comfort foods to more exotic dishes. And if you're in the mood for a drink, we've got you covered with a wide selection of classic cocktails, wine, and beer. What's more, the restaurant is a family affair owned and operated by the Pskowski family. You'll often find two generations there on weekends, working hard to make your dining experience a memorable one.
During our recent visit, we started with the Bacon, Egg & Cheese and Baked Stuffed Clams appetizers. The "Bacon, Egg & Cheese" consisted of two thick slabs of crisp Applewood Bacon, two 7-minute boiled eggs, grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and a spicy garlic aioli. All the components of this dish came together well. The bacon was cooked crispy and gave the dish a savory and smoky flavor. The eggs were cooked slightly runny and were rich and delicious. The Parmigiano-Reggiano added a nutty flavor and a touch of extra saltiness, and lastly, the garlic aioli provided a bit of heat along with a hint of garlic flavor. It was a fantastic way to start off our meal at Ward's Bridge Inn.
The Baked Clams were prepared in a traditional style but with a unique twist of their own. Top neck clams were chopped and mixed with seasoned breadcrumbs and herbs, but what really made them stand out was the addition of tangy lemon zest and rich garlic butter sauce on top. Just thinking about them is making me hungry! Baked clams have always been one of my favorite dishes, and no matter how many come in an order, it's never enough. These were no exception.
For our entrees, we ordered Chicken Milanese, Arrosta Salmon, Chicken Valdastona, and one of the evening's specials, Pan Roasted Halibut. Thankfully, we were all hungry because the portions were generous.
My Chicken Milanese was exceptional. The chicken was pounded thin, dipped in egg, delicately breaded, and pan-fried to perfection. It's remarkable how much difference it makes when a restaurant takes the time to pan-fry the chicken instead of just tossing it in the deep fryer. The dish was then topped with marinated cherry tomatoes, arugula, long stem artichoke hearts, and burrata. I didn’t come close to finishing it, but it made a fantastic lunch the next day.
The Arrosta Salmon was delicious, featuring roasted salmon topped with marinated shrimp and tomatoes and served with a silky champagne beurre blanc sauce. As with all the entrees, it came with a side of roasted potatoes, beets, and haricots verts. The vegetables were simply done but were a perfect complement to all the dishes.
Another chicken dish that was ordered was Chicken Valdostana. Once again in this dish, the chicken in this dish was also pounded thin, egg-battered, breaded, pan-fried until slightly crispy. But this dish came topped with a light sauce of Prosciutto Di Parma and asiago cheese, finished with aged sherry.
My husband ordered the Halibut, which came topped with a beurre blanc sauce and capers and was served over whipped potatoes. It must have been good because he finished it before I could taste it!
As the table was cleared after dinner, we realized that we were too full to even contemplate dessert. We even asked our waiter not to bring around a tempting dessert tray because we just didn't have room. Let me tell you, though, from past visits, they offer a lot of delicious desserts, including a homemade Vanilla bean Crème Brûlée and another favorite, a Skillet Cookie. This warm chocolate chip skillet cookie is served with salted caramel and pretzel pieces and topped with Vanilla Gelato. Trust me, you need to try it!
Having owned a restaurant before, I have a deep appreciation for owners who reinvest in their establishments. Such is the case with Ward's Bridge, where a complete renovation of the kitchen just took place. The renovation took 6 weeks of working 7 days a week and included expanding the kitchen's footprint and installing all new equipment. The kitchen is not only shiny and new, but it is also highly efficient. benefitting both the staff and customers.
Wards Bridge has always been one of my favorite dining spots, but I am not alone. The restaurant has been recognized for its exceptional quality and service, having been voted the #1 Restaurant in Montgomery for seven consecutive years in the Times Herald-Record Readers' Choice Awards from 2013 to 2020. In 2018, it was also voted as the #1 Most Romantic Restaurant in all of Orange County.
The Ward's Bridge Inn 135 Ward Street, Montgomery, NY 12549 Reservations: (845) 457-1300
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