The Bywater Bistro

The appeal to this place is the water front location. Hence, the name. Why, pray tell, can one not dine by the water? You may, but you must trek your own food, silver and crockery to the tables placed by the waters edge. It’s odd. Perhaps, there is an obscure law that I’m not aware of. The staff aren’t exactly fantastically trained. The food is ok. It’s truly location. Location. Location. There is untapped potential here. Maybe someday.

We ate here on a Sunday afternoon. We were one of only three tables in the restaurant at the time, and yet I was never given my appetizer. In general, the service was really inattentive. The thought that went into the menu planning appears to be rudimentary. Given that there are other, better restaurants in close proximity, I doubt I will return to this one.

Rosendale is most fortunate to have such a place. The kitchen and their chef — the adorably sweet Brennan — pay attention to the quality of their ingredients. Sam/​Reuben/​Sean/​Julie et al offer a lively, intelligent welcome, and the bar offers value AND conviviality.
During warm weather months, take a drink and walk out the back by the Rondout creek. (Hence, Bywater). More than a creek, you can call it a river. It’s wide and lovely and always flowing and you have to go through their lovely garden to get there.

So many things on their menu are my favorite. Love the cabbage salad they took it off the menu at one point and I begged every time I went in for them to bring it back and they did. The roasted chicken is the best I’ve ever had. My husband is always asking for a lesson on how they do it they’re not giving the secret away. Every time I go ruby red Cosmo is prepared perfectly. Sometimes the staff is a little overwhelmed but it’s worth the wait.

On October 1, cocktail menu hadn’t been updated (was still for «summer»). Calamari was soggy. Risotto included a poached egg on top, and when my friend asked for the risotto without, the waiter argued with him — repeatedly — and insisted on bringing the dish with the egg. Soup needed salt. Honestly, the mediocre food wouldn’t have been worth a review at all, but the service was pretty awful.

Staff was very friendly. Menu was limited, but the vegetarian options were satisfying and well prepared. I’m usually pretty disinterested in salad dressing of any type, but the house mustard dressing was great.

While the bartender and waitress were awesome and the balcony décor was pleasant, the food was mediocre at best and the prices were very expensive. Manhattan prices without the quality or flavor. Disappointed.

We had a great experience at Bywater, sitting outside by the water feature on a beautiful night while having some drinks and good food. We had the Sriracha stir fry, a shrimp special, the beet salad and potato/​kale soup. The soup took the prize for our favorite, but no complaints with anything. Jade our server was great. I’d recommend.

Food is so delicious, veggie burger is out of this world ! Steaks are so scrumptious, juicy and thick. Fries are my favorite in the area. And oh my gosh, outside area is so relaxing and beautiful. Speaking of beautiful, wow is the staff nice, helpful, knowledgeable, sweet and super funny !

The warning signs should have started at the bar. Asked for an iced tea bourbon cocktail, the iced tea came out from the kitchen already in a glass nearly full to the brim. The bar tender instead of emptying some of the iced tea out poured a drop of the bourbon out of the cocktail maker and then emptied what wouldn’t fit in the glass down the sink! So ice tea it is then! Onto dinner we had a crab cake starter to share, it was ok but the black pot plate it came on was chipped in 3 different places! To add insult to injury my half chicken was not a half chicken. When I questioned the waitress her response was that they are organic and are very small. They also appear to live without breasts too as all I got was thigh! My advise is stay well away. We went to the red brick tavern the evening before and it was better food better drinks and better service, plus cheaper.

The place has charm and a very nice back area. The wines are good and most of the good was great! We had crab cake appetizer and for an entrée the chickpea salad and roasted chicken with zucchini and mashed potatoes. Everything was great but the chicken. It was crispy as I like it but a bit rubbery.

Lovely porch; very nice fish; I always have a good meal here. Porch is perfect venue for a relaxed summer dinner or cocktails.

Perfect Service! At the Bywater Bistro me and me gf were instantly greeted by the friendly bartender who told us to grab a table. Our waitress who was knowledgeable and friendly took our drink order which was filled promptly. Our food arrived on time and was very tasty. Excellent staff and good quality here +1!

Nice little joint. Had some delicious calamari and brews at the bar. I’d come back for dinner considering the menu looked pretty good.

We ate dinner here last night for a birthday party of 8! They were able to accommodate us immediately. Our waiter was very friendly and fun. Among us we had the crab cake portabella sandwich, the beef shank sandwich, two hamburgers, two veggie burgers, the tuna sandwich, and chicken wings with a side of fries (Great fries!). We had 3 beers from the bar that were crisp and cold! Everything was delicious and fresh! Our bill only came to around $ 100! Upon request they even put a candle in my sisters chicken wings for her so we could sing happy birthday! Beautiful setting, great staff, great food! Must try!

The best thing about Bywater Bistro is the beautiful outdoor dining in back. If you are looking for someplace to have a nice meal or a drink around Rosendale, this is a great spot.
Not to say the food is bad — it’s actually good — but I you just can’t beat the surroundings. A few vegetarian options are on the menu. The veggie burger is good but there are better around the area. Drinks are even better, with creative cocktails (a bourbon bloody mary was a recent revelation) that are not skimpy pours. Wine selection could be a little more adventurous but beers here are always interesting.
Service is good and prices are a bit high but fair for what you get.

We had our rehearsal dinner here and it was fantastic! We worked with Sam and Diondra to get a menu together and came up with grilled ribs, chicken, and shrimp on the barbi with smoked bacon mac & cheese, corn & green been salad, jalapeño cornbread, and lots of wine and beer. The food was DELICIOUS! Everyone kept commenting on how great the food was but also the friendliness of the staff.
Diondra set us up along the waterfront with white chairs, linens, tiki torches, etc. It was the most beautiful setting!
After the rehearsal dinner, we invited friends that will be attending the wedding to Bywater for cocktails. Sam and Diondra gave us the ENTIRE beer garden and we had plenty of great wine, a tapped keg, and they made us a specialty raspberry Tom Collin’s. We also had platters or cheese and desserts for everyone. Diondra was there the entire time serving drinks and making sure everyone was happy.
The guys that were manning the main bar inside the restaurant served up different kraft beers to by Dad and Uncles which they really appreciated.
So besides the great food, friendly staff and beautiful atmosphere, you should also know that the people that come to Bywater are also friendly patrons. It so easy to sit down at the bar and make a new friend or two.
Sam and Diondra– Thanks for playing a very special part in making our wedding so memorable!
C&C

I can’t speak for the meat dishes (I don’t eat them), but my wife and I loved the veggie burger. Flavorful, crispy, really quite lovely. It’s all a bit expensive for what it is, but the service is fantastic and in the end, it felt like it was worth it.

Never again. Had terribly overcooked duck breast. We questioned the waiter, asking if this was how the chef intended, he said it was. So we tried another bite (one each), so there were three bites taken from the dish. The duck tasted like it had been microwaved. When we were able to flag down the waiter again, he said we had eaten half the dish. We asked to speak with the manager and were told that the manager was too busy.

The Bywater Bistro is my go-​to place in Rosendale. Very good food
& service, always a treat. Sit on the deck or in the garden for a lovely atmosphere.