Appetizers To Start Your Dinner Off Right: A blog about our small plates

Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

From our website:

In 1991, McKinney & Doyle moved the bakery two blocks into the village of Pawling and opened The Fine Foods Cafe. A 120-year-old brick building was chosen as the new location to house both shops. Booths and benches from an old Pawling pub were restored and became the storefront dining room. Their philosophy of “serious cuisine in a not so serious atmosphere” transformed the restaurant into a true destination.

In 2011 an adjourning storefront (formally a pharmacy) was acquired to add a spectacular new bar and dining room. For non-alcoholic libations an old fashion soda fountain was resurrected and added to the Bakery.

The Fine Foods Cafe serves Dinner Tuesday – Saturday starting at 4:00 pm, Lunch Wednesday – Saturday from 11:30-2:00 and Sunday Brunch from 9:30-2:00.

But you knew all of that, right?

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Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

Embrace Fall by entering our Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!

Our winner will receive a M&D $25 gift certificate


Things to know:-Submit entries between 12-3pm on Monday, October 31st
-The winner will be contacted Tuesday, November 1st
-Limit 1 entry per family


Hint: *KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE*
Submissions will be posted on our Instagram & Facebook page to give our
M&D friends a chance to vote for their favorite.

Will you enter?!