Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar Introduce
For New York residents seeking an exceptional and sophisticated culinary experience outside the immediate confines of the city, the Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar in the charming village of Piermont, Rockland County, stands as a premier destination. More than just a local eatery, this establishment is celebrated as a fine dining restaurant with a distinct identity rooted in Modern French cuisine, masterfully blended with a global palate. It is a long-standing, Zagat-rated fixture in the Piermont dining scene, recognized for consistently delivering a memorable experience where the food is vibrant, the wine list is extensive, and the ambiance is intimately upscale.
The menu at Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar is a true highlight, consistently described as having an innovative, yet edited, approach to flavor. While the foundation is often Modern American cuisine, it draws rich inspiration from French Bistro classics—like the popular French Onion Soup—Italian Trattoria staples, and even elements from a Japanese Izakaya. Diners can expect a culinary journey that might feature anything from Braised Short Ribs and Rack of Lamb to delicate Sesame Crusted King Salmon and Thai Pasta. This commitment to variety and quality ensures that even regular patrons find something new and exciting to explore, with a strong selection of small plates, pastas, and substantial large plates.
The atmosphere is a key component of the experience, curated to be simultaneously cozy, romantic, and distinctly upscale. This environment makes it perfectly suited for a wide array of dining occasions, from an intimate date night to a sophisticated gathering with family or friends. A dedicated, friendly, and attentive staff further enhances the atmosphere, ensuring a welcoming and lively experience for all guests, from the solo diner stopping by for lunch to a reserved party enjoying dinner.
The Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar is ideally situated at 506 Piermont Ave in Piermont, NY 10968, USA. This location places it in the heart of Piermont’s quaint and scenic downtown area, a historic village nestled along the western bank of the Hudson River in Rockland County. Piermont Avenue is the main artery of the village, known for its selection of eclectic shops and dining spots, making Freelance Cafe highly visible and easily accessible to both local Rockland County residents and visitors from North Jersey or Westchester.
Accessibility is a strong priority for the establishment, ensuring a welcoming environment for all patrons. The property features a wheelchair accessible entrance, allowing for easy entry, and includes wheelchair accessible seating within the dining area. Crucially for the New York commuter area, the restaurant provides options for parking. While street parking on Piermont Avenue can sometimes be a challenge during peak hours, both free street parking and paid street parking options are available nearby. This flexibility, while requiring some navigation, offers multiple choices for guests driving to the venue, a significant advantage in a popular, village-style setting.
For those utilizing public transportation, Piermont is accessible via various bus services, including those connecting from nearby towns and municipalities within Rockland County. The restaurant’s prime location on Piermont Avenue puts it within convenient walking distance of the main village activity, making it an excellent stop during a day trip to the Hudson River waterfront.
The services provided by Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar are comprehensive, reflecting its status as a full-service fine dining establishment committed to customer satisfaction and convenience.
Services Offered:
- Dine-in Table Service: Full-service dining is offered for lunch and dinner in a beautiful, upscale setting.
- Reservations: The restaurant accepts and recommends dinner reservations, particularly during busy periods like weekends or special events such as Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, ensuring a guaranteed table.
- Takeout: Offering a practical option for customers who wish to enjoy the high-quality cuisine in the comfort of their own home.
- Lunch Service: Available to cater to midday dining needs, offering a sophisticated break from the day.
- Dinner Service: The main focus of the fine dining experience, offering the full spectrum of their inventive menu.
- Catering: Provides options for off-site food service, allowing clients to bring the restaurant’s high-quality cuisine to their private events.
- Dessert Service: A dedicated offering for the final course, which includes celebrated items like their wonderful almond pound cake on a berry compote, or classic Crème Brulee.
- Full Bar Service: Features an onsite bar serving a selection of Beer, Cocktails, and Hard Liquor to complement the meal.
Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar distinguishes itself through a variety of features and highlights that cater to a discerning New York clientele who value both quality and ambiance. The restaurant has consistently been a 'consistent winner' in local ratings, showcasing its reliable excellence.
Features / Highlights:
- Globally-Inspired Fine Dining: The menu is a unique touchstone for Modern American Cuisine, informed and inspired by a blend of French Bistro, Italian Trattoria, and Japanese Izakaya influences, providing a diverse and exciting culinary experience.
- Great Wine List: A highly praised and extensive selection of wines is available by the glass or bottle, curated to perfectly pair with the varied menu offerings.
- Celebrated Desserts and Coffee: Known for both 'Great dessert' options, such as the delicious almond pound cake, and 'Great coffee' to round off the meal.
- Upscale and Romantic Atmosphere: The decor and ambiance are intentionally crafted to be cozy, romantic, and upscale, creating an ideal setting for special occasions or a peaceful dinner.
- High Accessibility Standards: Includes a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and consideration for wheelchair accessible parking, prioritizing comfort for all patrons.
- Diverse Offerings: The menu successfully balances richer dishes (Comfort food) with lighter, thoughtful selections (Healthy options, Organic dishes, Small plates, Vegan and Vegetarian options).
- Popular for Solo Dining: The welcoming bar and intimate setting also make it a popular and comfortable choice for individuals dining alone.
Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar is worth choosing for New York residents looking for an elevated dining experience that combines world-class cuisine with the charming, less frenetic atmosphere of a historic Rockland County village. The primary appeal lies in its sophisticated, globally-influenced menu, which moves beyond standard French or Italian fare to offer truly inventive and expertly executed dishes, such as the highly recommended wild mushroom ravioli or steak au poivre.
For wine enthusiasts, the "Great wine list" is a powerful draw, providing the perfect accompaniment to the cuisine. The establishment’s designation as a fine dining restaurant is consistently reinforced by the attention to detail in presentation and service. The strong customer focus, with staff often being praised for their attentive and courteous care, contributes significantly to the overall positive experience, making repeat visits a necessity for many local diners.
While no restaurant is immune to the occasional off-night, as noted in one review, the overwhelming consensus highlights the establishment's consistently strong menu, quality ingredients, and welcoming, professional service. The seamless integration of a cozy, romantic atmosphere with an upscale setting makes it an exceptional choice for those seeking a memorable meal that feels like a 'mini-vacation' from the ordinary. For a truly high-quality, diverse, and accessible fine dining option in the Hudson Valley area, making a reservation at Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar is highly recommended.
Contact Information
Address: 506 Piermont Ave, Piermont, NY 10968, USA
Phone: (845) 365-3250
Mobile Phone: +1 845-365-3250
Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar Details
Service options
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Small plates
- Wine
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Romantic
- Upscale
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Planning
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar Photos










Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar Location
Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar
506 Piermont Ave, Piermont, NY 10968, USA
Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar Reviews
food and servicedessertoctopusmusselsshort ribrack of lambbeet saladcarbonaratuna tartaregreen beans
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1We had heard great things about their food and I had never eaten here before.We were the 1st customers of the evening which may have been the problem.We got the appetizer Portuguese octopus and it was undercooked and chewy. We could have sent it back but decided not toMy main course was the short ribs which were dry and took extra effort to chew them. And the portion was small for the price of the meal. It was plated nicely on a beef of mashed potatoes with green beans on each side. I've never had short ribs before that weren't moist and delicious like at Marcellos in Suffern or Banchetto’s in Nanuet, to name a couple.I have to say the desert was delicious!!! Almond pound cake on a berry compote. Wonderful balance of sweet and tasty. Definitely get this if you go.Another person came in and sat at the bar and asked if business was slow.The person who took our order said the whole town was quiet. I guess he didn't look at Ottos who had at least 12 -15 diners that we could see from our seats.In addition we were never asked through the meal how were things or did we need something else.At the end of the meal we were asked how everything was and when I told him, he said no one ever had said that before about what I ordered.Maybe we got them on a bad night.Unfortunately we will not be going back.
May 20 · James CawleyThis is our absolute favorite place to eat. A neccessity for us. We can eat here regularly because the menu is that strong. Menu is varied, yet edited, and all dishes are fantastic. Never a bad meal. The staff, Joe, Memo, Omid, Benny are an essential part of the experience. They provide great care and keep the atmosphere welcoming and lively.
May 27 · Amy HydeFirst time at Freelance and it didn't disappoint, it was an amazing experience! The food was outstanding. It was hard to only choose a couple of apps but we settled on the duck confit and coconut shrimp and they were excellent. The duck was tender and really delicious. For entree's we went for the special of filet mignon with shrimp and the short ribs. Both dishes were freshly cooked and didn't leave us overly stuffed. This left room for a lovely blueberry crumble for dessert. The service at Freelance is very attentive and friendly. We will be back!!Thanks Joe and team!
June 22 · Pete KayWow!!!! Unfortunately in a negative way…!!!! What a disappointment!!! Let’s start saying this place was not even busy/empty when we came here so no excuses for the lousy service….These are just a few negative details of a badly dinner experience that we had in this “Restaurant “…so…….we were a party of 2 and we decided to have a little tasting experience of the menu items ordering a few different dishes from it…🤕….Steak overcooked and foul taste of the side dish that was going with it…..(spinach)…..the Octopus dish was undercooked and chewy , Tuna tartare good flavor but then It was served with their homemade “stale” potato chips??? …What a disappointment/shame….that completely ruined the dish……The sauce from the Escargot dish over-seasoned and extremely salty,….the simple green beans with my Short-rib dish literally “raw”/undercooked, and I could go on and on, but at that point I tried to explained this few issues with the food to some “waiter” that unfortunately the food quality was totally subpar ….by the way very disappointing “service”as well ( if there was any)….and I guess they didn’t like my honesty and humble criticism because when I tried to flag out some other “gentleman “ in order to pay the bill (anyways we were mostly ignored the rest of the evening ) …this guy literally told me to “walk away “!!! ???Nobody even asked us once how the food was/ everything was what so ever, the entire evening…..This is how they run their business…/taking care of customers….? What a shame!!! Back in time…This Restaurant used to be a GREAT place to go to have a wonderful Food experience now with the “New Management “ they erased completely that reputation….I wished I could have given 0 Stars ….they don’t deserve 1…..
May 14 · FABRIZIO FABBRIGreat food. Great service. Really nice place. Delicious hot bread served and great French onion soup and stuffed chicken.Highly recommend!
September 21 · Michael Rosenberg
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