The owners of Oriole9, Pierre-Luc Moeys and Nina Paturel, met in Amsterdam, Holland, fell in love and moved to the Hudson Valley to launch their dream of starting a caf* of their own. For Nina, a lifetime Hudson Valley resident, this move marked a return to her roots.

Nina's parents, Marylou and Bernard Paturel, ran a little place called Café Espresso in Woodstock in the 1960's. The Espresso was a haven for locals and luminaries alike. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez were among the artists who created music, drank coffee, and played chess while enjoying lazy summer nights on the patio at the Espresso. Although Nina was just a baby, she always dreamed of following in her parents' footsteps. The Espresso was the heart of the town - much the same way that Oriole9 is today.

Pierre-Luc is a French and classic Italian-trained chef who has worked with master chefs throughout Europe, including Raymond Blanc of Michelin two-star restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, and Robert Kranenborg, the culinary genius behind an array of major restaurants and retail food ventures.

Nina and Pierre-Luc have combined their hospitality skills and love of food into creating their restaurant. The menu is tasteful, mindful, fresh and creative but still simple - with something for everyone, ranging from artisanal oatmeal to duck confit toasties, their version of the panini.

Oriole9 supports slow food and is the only restaurant in Woodstock to be certified two-star green by the Green Restaurant Association.

Another of Nina and Luc's labor of love endeavors, Project Roots, is now in its second year. Oriole9 has partnered with the Woodstock Day School in planning, planting and operating a farm on school grounds, which provides a live lab for students and fresh, organic vegetables for their restaurant.

The Oriole9 blackboard overflows daily with the "fresh from the garden" specials - for Nina and Luc, this is not just a business, it's a way of life.