Plate of colorful roasted vegetables with green pesto dressing on a white tablecloth, in a dimly lit restaurant with wine glasses and a blurred background.

Our Kitchen

Melissa Pelletier, our resident chef, brings years of professional experience and a passion for seasonal, flavorful cooking to Hilltown Commons. Drawing inspiration from a variety of culinary traditions, she builds menus around what’s fresh and in season, so the offerings evolve regularly. You can always expect a rotating selection of mains, crisp green salads, and other seasonal sides that highlight local ingredients. Every meal is designed to be nourishing, communal, and memorable, creating a true centerpiece for life on campus.

Sample Dinner Menu 
We are proud to source from our neighbors in the Helderberg Hilltowns and surrounding valleys to bring the best of the region to your table.

Our Local Farm Partners

The Main Course

  • Heather Ridge Farm: Lamb, beef, honey, and eggs

  • Kohr's Farm: Local beef products

  • East Durham Farm: Pork products and summer blueberries

  • Hudson Valley Fisheries: Sustainably sourced steelhead

  • End of the Lane Farm: Milk and chicken

From the Soil

  • Kuhar Family Farm: Eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, and mushrooms

  • Barbers Farm: Greens, apples, root veggies, and squash

  • Carrot Barn: Potatoes, beets, carrots, and parsnips

  • Sky Ridge Farm: Seasonal vegetables

  • Potter Hollow Garden: Onions, herbs, garlic, and chicory

The Finishing Touches

  • Cook's Farm: Local maple syrup

  • See & Be: Freshly baked rolls and breads

Our beverage program

On the beverage side, our director Nico P. curates a thoughtful selection that balances quality with fun. Expect natural wines from Europe and the US, crisp local beers, and specialty cocktails. For non-alcoholic options, we have NA beers and inventive mocktails.

Where else can you sip natty wines and local beers in the middle of nowhere?

Sample Wine List
A dining table set with empty wine glasses, plates, and cutlery, featuring a tray of cooked dark meat and a large bowl of green salad, with a candle in the foreground and a fireplace in the background.

The Dining Experience

Our historic on-site restaurant features:

  • Charming atmosphere of a converted 1920s carriage house

  • Commercial kitchen for full-service experience

  • Seating for up to 120 guests indoors, 300 outdoors

  • Hosts live music and features a pool table & a foosball table

Hilltown Highlight: F&B Program

  • Chef-driven dining

  • Can accommodate all dietary needs

  • Menu features locally sourced, seasonal ingredients

  • Designed for communal experience

  • Beverages include natural wines, local beers, fresh mocktails & specialty cocktails

A pool table with a white ball on it, surrounded by wooden walls and several people, some standing and some seated, inside a cozy room.