About
Welcome to the culinary gem of Kingston, Chleo, where each bite tells a story and every plate is crafted with passion. Nestled at 288 Fair St, Kingston, NY, this restaurant captivates the senses with its elegantly designed space and an intimate atmosphere that invites guests to indulge in the art of dining.
At Chleo, creativity meets quality as the chefs elevate local ingredients into unforgettable dishes. Each offering reflects meticulous attention to detail—from the Kb&B Sourdough, a perfectly balanced creation at just US$5.00, to the decadent Short Rib Agnolotti with horseradish cream priced at US$28.00. The menu is curated to encourage sharing, making it ideal for a night out with friends or a romantic dinner.
Customers rave about Chleo's ability to surprise and delight. As Austin Davenport Grier puts it, they’ve "served the best pork of my life." Reviews consistently highlight the mastery of flavors, with Tecia Poulas mentioning the "wonderful drinks" and "attentive but relaxed" service that enhance the overall experience. This is a place where you not only taste exquisite food but also feel the warmth of genuine hospitality.
What sets Chleo apart is the delicate balance of seasonality and creativity. Each dish is like a work of art, designed to evoke emotions and spark conversation. The attention to detail doesn't just stop at the food; the ambiance is crafted to create memorable dining experiences, whether at a cozy table or the chef’s counter, where guests can enjoy a peek into the culinary action.
If you're searching for a sophisticated yet approachable dining experience in Kingston, look no further than Chleo. Whether it's for an intimate date night, a celebration with friends, or simply a craving for exceptional food, Chleo stands poised to deliver an unforgettable culinary journey.
“ Chleo just served us the best pork of my life. Absolutely phenomenal. The potato rosti was almost perfect as well, topped with the most delicious goat cheese spread ever. The gougere were great as well. But those first two blew me away. Classy lighting as well. Wonderful drinks (I had the local Flemish red ale). A new fave in Kingston! ”
“ It is hard for me to put into words how much I love Chleo. The owners have created a warm, welcoming and beautiful space and just as much thought and care has gone into the food and service. I love the small plates for sharing and I never take photos of my food. I believe the place is very good value when you consider the quality of the fresh local ingredients and the way the chefs transform them. The service is attentive but relaxed...one night we sat at the chef's counter and felt like we enjoyed a show as well as a yummy dinner. Cocktails and the wines are superb. I worked in restaurants in NYC over half my adult life but have lived in Ulster County for over 30 years. These are a talented bunch of folks who very much understand what the hospitality industry is all about and I feel fortunate that they have chosen Kingston for their home. ”
“ I’m 47 years old and this meal was in the top ten of my life. I could drone on about how good the charred sweet potato, smoked mussels, and beets were but I’ll save you time. Our group ordered almost every dish on the menu and each one was exceptional. The vibe is great and the service was excellent. ”
“ Food was absolutely amazing!! And I came in right at close (9pm) didn't mean to, just got off work and wanted to eat. The owner suggested my meal and I totally went with it. The potatoes were super delicious and the porkchop was fantastic!! The bartender suggested a citrus mescal cocktail and it was superb!! The bartender suggested a dessert and I went with it!! Overall was absolutely amazing!! ”
“ It’s rare that every dish I order wows me, and I was so pleased that Chleo achieved that! 1. Little Gem Salad, Buttermilk Dressing, Radishes, Toasted Seeds (not pictured) • 9/10 The greens were absolutely gorgeous, and the dressing was perfectly decadent while not being too heavy. My only critique is that I am a lover of seeds and nuts in everything, and it was seeded a little too heavily to the point that every bite was a little bit difficult to chew. This didn’t hinder my experience but it was definitely noticeable, 2. Spaghetti with agretti and anchovy • 10/10 This was so delicious. I had never had agretti before and I asked the waitress what it was, neither of us could quite figure it out even though I was googling it while we were talking. The balance in flavor and texture of this dish was incredible. Anchovy can be so overpowering and it was used perfectly here, just as an addition to the depth of the sauce. 3. Kingston Bread & Bar Sourdough Cultured butter • 9/10 I will never get over how good this bread is. The crust to soft inside ratio is perfect, and the sourness from the sourdough is just right. My only criticism here is that the bread is 5 and the butter is 2. I understand these are local and well made foods but in my opinion the bread should come with butter. I’d be happy to pay for them as a unit it just seems silly to order a side of butter. This is probably on the menu like this because there are other things you can buy to add to the bread (cheese, pate, etc) but still, the bread should come with butter. Overall this was a really amazing experience and I’m so excited to come back when I visit Kingston again! ”
“ Delightful! Best service we've had in a while, coupled with an imaginative menu with plenty of vegetarian options. We shared a few small plates, entrees, deserts and wine and were surprised at the reasonable cost for all of that. Will be back for sure. Too busy enjoying for more photos. ”
“ We had a beautiful dinner at Chleo on a Thursday night. We had a nice view of all the kitchen action at the chef’s counter. Great menu and wine selection! Excited to go back. ”
“ Update: 3/29/24 NY strip back on the menu short rib agnolotti. Amazing!! No reservations, but well worth the wait, or get here early. Menu changes regularly depending on what's in season. Locally sourced ingredients. This has become our go to spot for great food and elevated cocktails. Great wine selection, too. Current fave: uni, crab spaghetti!! ”