The Ridge by Mill House - Highland, New York

Jordon D. C.

WOW! That’s all I kept saying.

We showed up on a busy Sunday night, without a reservation. The AGM (think her name was Rosie) told us not to worry & got us seated immediately.

Our server, Rachel was great. We ordered the swordfish skewer, the pork belly, and the bacon wrapped dates for appetizers.

For dinner we ordered the steak for two.

Everything was cooked to literal perfection! All I could say while taking each bite was “wow!” and I think there may have been an “oh my ghawd” in there too.

I will definitely be back to The Ridge by Mill House.

Brian J.

The good: Very nice place. They did a great job on the remodel. The servers and managers were very nice and did a great job.
The not so good: The appetizer menu is the worst I've ever seen. Also where other places give you bread to start out with, here its going to cost you. As for what they offer for dinner selections, there werent great options here either. So my wife and I got a couple of standard options so we could compare with other places. My wife got the Burger (weird choice of meat) I got the chicken sandwich (again weird choice of meat). They went with bison and aged beef mix. It was just ok. The.chicken sandwich had dark spots through the meat because its thighs not breast. Chicken thighs are usually less expensive than chicken breast. Did that save money on the customer? Not at all.
Overall: good place not great. Dinner for 2 was 100.00 and neither of us had any alcohol. It felt like the food was trying to be different and cost effective (for them)rather than as good as it could be.
Final thoughts: There are better restaurants using better ingredients that care more about taste than being different for a lot less money. You want a great burger and chicken sandwich for less, go to crew.

Update: I mentioned Crew as a good place to go because they use a Blend that is a combination of chuck, brisket, and short-rib. I also suggest crew because they use Chicken breast rather than chicken thighs. I'm glad to hear your friends with the owner of Crew and you love it there it is a great place.

As far as looking at the menu and using that as a reason not to go I would never do that. I wanted to try it as a restaurant close to my house. You're right though its not for me. I hope you have success in the future and the people who it is for really love it. I'm just more of a regular Joe. In fairness I'll increase my star rating to 4 stars. You're right I shouldn't judge so hard because things weren't apatizing to my pallet.

Will W.

Bold flavors, succinct menu, and refreshed aesthetic; The Ridge is on the cusp of true excellence in Hudson Valley dining.

Flavor is prominently featured in every dish we tried. Our meal began with the Braised Oxtail Crepes and Lobster Deviled Eggs. The Oxtail was tender, flavorful, and perfectly complemented by its snuggly blanket of cheeses—a wonderful introduction for anyone unfamiliar with oxtail. The Lobster Deviled Eggs were pleasantly surprising, avoiding the overly fishy taste common to many seafood dishes in the area. The lobster was subtly complemented by vinegar and old bay aioli; however, diners expecting a pronounced seafood flavor might find it understated.

Our drink selection stood out impressively. "That's My Jam," featured on the After Drinks menu, was sweet but perfectly balanced by raspberry liquor, making it a delightful choice both during and after dinner—I anticipate ordering it regularly. The Honey Bee, another sweet cocktail prominently featuring fig syrup, was equally tasty, although very sweet; thankfully, the peppercorn spice added a welcomed depth. However, it lacked the advertised honey-peppercorn rim, which was disappointing.

I was pleased to discover the Mocktail menu had genuine thought behind it, a rarity at most establishments. The Falcon offered a crisp, subtly sweet jasmine tea blend ideal for warm outdoor evenings. Bluebeary Bliss, combining blueberry and thyme, was expertly balanced by maple syrup, though ginger syrup notes were somewhat subdued.

Beer and wine options reflected the standard Millhouse selection, but an exclusive beer tailored specifically to The Ridge would add an exciting dimension.

For main courses, we ordered The Ridge Burger, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Swordfish Skewer. The Ridge Burger showcased rich, meaty flavors, enhanced beautifully by raclette cheese, perfectly toasted brioche buns, and crunchy pickles. The accompanying fries were notably excellent, reminiscent of an elevated McDonald's classic. In contrast, the Fried Chicken Sandwich, though fresh and crispy, relied heavily on spicy mayo for flavor. Its accompanying salad was disappointingly minimal and lacked visual appeal, especially compared to the burger’s fries. Offering fries or improving the salad could significantly enhance this dish.

The Swordfish Skewer was impressively executed, featuring delicately cooked fish paired with three standout sauces—particularly the spicy mayo and Calabrian chili oil, which I'd enthusiastically request again.

Desserts concluded our meal with mixed results. The Apple Brown Sugar Strudel was exceptional, carefully composed with crisp textures, balanced temperatures, and apples perfectly cooked to maintain their integrity and flavor. Conversely, the Ricotta Cannoli Crepes suffered from imbalance; the overly bold cherry flavor overshadowed subtler cannoli and pistachio components, with the crepe creating a fatty aftertaste and mouth-feel that diminished the experience.

Service throughout our meal was attentive, albeit slightly slow, likely due to the restaurant's growing pains. The Ridge's refreshed interior retains a charming outdoorsy aesthetic, elevated to feel sophisticated yet welcoming.

Overall, The Ridge delivers a commendable dining experience defined by bold, carefully crafted dishes and thoughtful presentation. It's an ideal spot for those who appreciate bold but balanced flavors and quality ingredients, though price-conscious diners may find the menu somewhat higher than other options in the Hudson Valley. While minor shortcomings persist, I'm genuinely excited to explore their brunch offerings, which will ultimately solidify this 4 star review or lock in as a 5 star Hudson Valley restaurant.

Edit: Tried brunch, loved it all. 5 stars well earned.

Gene K.

My wife and I had the pleasure of attending The Ridge's soft opening last weekend. The food was delicious, the servers and staff were on their game and the ambiance was warm and unique. Then there is the deck with panoramic views of the Gunks. I have no doubt that The Ridge will become the new destination restaurant in Ulster County. We are so pleased to have them as neighbors.

Justin S.

Sure has come along way since the Hollywood Bar & Grill!!!

Went to Pre-Opening Lunch Event for exclusively by invite-only Clintondale neighbors. First, if you've been to the Poughkeepsie Mill House location, you know the food/drink menu is creative, flavorful and delicious. The Ridge menu is thankfully more of the same deliciousness. The Beat Salad was colorful and yummy, The Pork Belly was to die-for, the Ridge Burger is famously a favorite and understandably-so. "The Desperado" peach bourbon was an excellent cocktail. Very cute Bar lounge area as well!

The Ridge is an excellent new local spot, and we will be going with frequency!!! The outdoor seating and mountain view are stunning! WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!!

Jenna R.

The food was incredible. Every course was more delicious than the next. To be honest were weren’t sure what to expect with the array of items on the menu, but we were blown away. We cannot say enough good things about our experience at The Ridge. We will absolutely be coming back again to try more menu items.

James D. J.

The Ridge by Mill House is a warm, cozy restaurant with great food, cocktails, Mill House beers and fantastic views. There is something for everyone on the menu from wings and burgers to seafood and a steak for 2! I can’t recommend The Ridge by Mill House enough. Trust me you’ll love it!

maureen C.

What a fantastic new place to enjoy! The hostess was very welcoming, the waitstaff friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. The food is incredible. Scallops done to perfection and the burger one of the best I have ever had. The atmosphere is so warm and inviting and beautifully decorated, giving the place a feeling of an upscale lodge with plenty of light and gorgeous views! I look forward to going back to try other menu offerings and enjoy a signature cocktail at the inviting bar area. My compliments to the chef for another top tier restaurant and the interior designer for bringing the beautiful outdoors in with her great eye for detail.