Tolliver and Poe
358 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701
845/791-1822

Open for three months, Tolliver and Poe is a new kid on the block by the calendar only. On the day of my lunch visit with friend Elise, everything about the tastefully appointed Broadway restaurant said, “savvy.”

We had a lot to talk about, but after two or three passes on ordering, our waitress discreetly suggested that we order in a timely fashion since a large party was expected. We appreciated her advice and resumed our leisure over expeditiously served plates. In fact, we talked well into the afternoon, becoming the last of the lunch crowd, still seated at 3:00 p.m., but the wait staff remained as cordial as when they first welcomed us.

Elise’s chicken taco salad, with lots of cool avocado to complement the salsa, was the gratifying result of a hard choice among teriyaki, cobb, curried chicken or spinach salads. My oven roasted turkey sandwich, served on slabs of baguette with bacon and spicy mayonnaise, with sweet potato fries, came from a cold sandwich menu, which also featured smoked turkey and brie or tuna with roasted red peppers. All ingredients in both orders were scrupulously fresh. Also available were hot sandwiches such as grilled shrimp, roast pork loin, grilled vegetable or English dip, panini subs and broiler items. The average entree was $7.

Cranberry spritzers saw us through portions generous enough to make the meal of the day, but dessert was not to be denied. Elise had the large, cake style brownie, served as a wedge with sprinkles of powdered sugar, and I had the ambrosial mango parfait. A dice of the mellow fruit surrounded and topped a rich vanilla ice cream for a simple yet elegant sweet. A “chocolate decadence” on the menu helped ensure my plan for a return trip for dinner.

At this writing, Tolliver and Poe is open for dinner only and has no immediate plan to resume lunch hours. If my experience during its limited lunch run is indicative of the quality, service and ambiance of dinner, I highly recommend it.

Hours: Dinner only, daily from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Jazz Jam on Wednesdays; call for other entertainment features.

Credit cards accepted. Street and municipal parking.