“We have a lot of regulars who eat in here,” said Gabriel’s Café food server, Norman Desch, who describes many of the regulars as being, “eclectic”. In addition to the “court house people,” Desch pointed out, is that many of the daily regulars commute to the café from Woodstock or Saugerties. In fact, Irmi Ranftl, an Austrian here on a tour of the states, said she happened upon Gabriel’s Café on Yelp cruising for vegetarian breakfast spots while visiting in the area. Vasquez said having this group of regular diners has challenged him to keep his specials updated with appealing combinations.
Noodle time draws nearer
Ever since longtime luncheonette Mizuna Café closed, Kingstonians have been patiently awaiting the second location of Woodstock’s Yum-Yum Noodle Bar in Mizuna’s former Fair Street spot. Yum-Yum is an Asian-style “noodle bar” where diners choose their noodles, broth, veggies and protein for $10. Owner Pierre-Luc Moeys, who also owns Oriole 9, says Kingston’s location should be opening in the first half of February, with expected hours between 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and likely closed on Sundays. Moeys is planning for a full menu to be available all day, possibly with even more additions than the Woodstock menu offers. The location, said Moeys, can accommodate 49 diners and has a private corner “Opera Room” as a nod to its home in the former opera house.
[Yum-Yum Noodle Bar] will be the same as the one in Woodstock — very modern and laid back,” explained Moeys. “It will be ‘our style’ Asian food. We are not trying to create something authentic. We are not. We are not Japanese or Chinese. It’s light and healthy.”
Menu items will include pad Thai, miso-cured salmon and asparagus, steamed pork buns and Korean rice dish, bibimbap. There’ll be a lot of options for vegetarians or vegans. “It’s basically an open menu with some guidelines that we provide.”
Construction had ceased for the restaurant with a stop-work order glaring at pedestrians which Moeys referred to as an “inside political game” that began the day after he left the country. Moeys said that upon his return, construction began the next day. He added that a food truck will be rolling out the same day as their opening. Prospective diners can visit Yumyumnoodlebar.com for more information.
