Brushland Eating House is another one of those destination restaurants in the Catskills derived from the Brooklyn-imported “hickster” trend. Just like its popular neighbor Table on Ten, Brushland Eating House is a farm-to-table eatery in Delaware County, located off the beaten path in one of the cutest and most remote towns in the Catskills, Bovina, about 3 hours north of Manhattan.
And the hickster fairytale goes something like this: Brooklyn-based couple Sohail Zandi and Sara Elbert were working at Carroll Gardens favorites Prime Meats and Frankies 457 when they decided to ditch the bustling New York restaurant scene and lifestyle and move upstate. The couple bought an old building on Bovina’s Main Street and opened Brushland Eating House in 2014, a name referring to Bovina’s original name and one of its first settlers, Alexander Brush. They call themselves an “eating house”, a nod to old colonial eateries that brought neighbors together. You get the vibe, it’s a warm, welcoming place, where the food served is just as comforting as the atmosphere.
Get directions here
The menu is simple and unpretentious but oh-so-tasty, revisiting classic hearty tavern-like recipes with the best locally sourced ingredients, all made in-house of course. The bread is home-baked, the meat and veggies come from neighboring farms, staying true to Bovina’s deep agricultural history.
Everything at Brushland warms the soul, from the smell of the bustling open kitchen that invades the eating house, to the inviting wooden environment and the super friendly service. It feels like a you’re invited to a close friend’s home, but with an authentic New American Bistro/ Pub vibe.
Reservations recommended (by phone)
True to the Delaware County formula, they also offer lodging, in the form of a homey two-bedroom apartment, and the best is their Owl Nest cabin. Plan a stop to Brushland Eating House for a cozy, satisfying dinner or enjoy the experience to the fullest on a relaxing weekend getaway (and you won’t have to worry about having one to many of their awesome French and Italian wines).
Brushland Eating House definitely feels like a satellite of Brooklyn in the Catskills – but still worth the 3-hour commute drive!
Open for dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday
If you’re in the area make sure to also check out Table on Ten!