When opportunity comes knocking, chef and restaurateur John Lekic knows to answer. That’s what happened when he and his wife Sarah had the chance to purchase a property near the Hudson River in the city of Poughkeepsie. Lekic closed Le Express, a popular destination on the outskirts of Poughkeepsie for the past seven years, and opened up Farmers & Chefs in July. The name and idea for the restaurant came from the food truck Lekic started four years ago at the Beacon and Cold Spring farmers’ markets.

Lekic believes how produce is grown on the farm makes all the difference in how food tastes, so The Farmers and Chefs menu emphasizes “clean” food from local farms, with minimal use of chemicals or pesticides. The menu includes country classics like beet carpaccio, duck confit, chicken liver pate and baby back ribs, but with many international influences in his Portuguese octopus or mussels Provencal. At $14 a pop, the mid-week buffet lunch is bound to pop with young professionals working downtown.

With two dining rooms, two decks, two kitchens, the 14,000 square foot space occupies a city corner and can accommodate a part for 150 and a la carte diners with never the twain to meet. From the decks enjoy views of the Hudson River and, as Lekic puts it, the “best view of the Walkway.” A double bar offers local craft beers and spirits. Serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Farmers and Chefs
40 Albany St, Poughkeepsie
(845) 337-4949; farmersandchefs.com