House Rules Cafe - Hudson

Make sure to try their breakfast and lunch! Every dish on the menu strikes a perfect balance between a minimalist approach and classic American diner cuisine, featuring items like blood pudding, fried bologna, crab omelette, and more. The service is counter-style, and they offer a selection of natural wines. They don't take reservations, except for their special Friday dinner service. Don't forget to order a sticky bun to share at the table!

The text notifications are managed through Resy and worked flawlessly. I received an update within a few minutes that our wait was now reduced to 30 minutes, followed shortly by another message that it was down to 15 minutes. Finally, just minutes later, I received a notification that our table was ready, and we had 10 minutes to confirm it. Our total wait was probably around 20 minutes—perfect. We quickly wrapped up our business, hurried back, and queued up to order. At Cafe Mutton, the process is simple: you place your order at the register, then take a seat and wait for your food to arrive. We did just that. The menu is refreshingly concise (though still a challenge to choose from, as it's seasonal). I opted for the maitake and gruyere omelette with a bloody mary, plus a sticky bun to take home, while my partner had the pâté sandwich and a prune juice cocktail. The drinks arrived promptly and were delicious without being too strong. The bloody mary was fresh and well-balanced, although I would have preferred a bit more spice. The focus was on the fresh vegetable flavors rather than being overloaded with spices. The prune juice cocktail was an intriguing sour, herbal mix—not my favorite, but my partner, who enjoys sour drinks, loved it. My omelette was not only visually appealing but also incredibly tasty. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly—firm but not overdone—and there was just the right amount of cheese without being overwhelming. On the side, I had several toasted slices of the house-made sourdough, richly buttered, and I could have eaten a lot more of that. My partner's pâté sandwich was made with house-baked bread, featuring two thick slices of white bread. The generous portion of pâté looked scrumptious, topped with thinly sliced pickles and a grainy mustard. It must have been excellent because I didn't even get a taste! The atmosphere is a casual, funky café filled with an eclectic mix of art and plants. The space is bright and cheerful, but it does get quite loud when full, making it not ideal for quiet conversations. There are around 25 seats crammed into the area, yet we felt comfortably spaced from our neighbors. Despite the crowd, the service was friendly, quick, and attentive. Don’t expect lengthy chats with your server during busy times—they simply don’t have the luxury, and that’s completely fine. My sticky bun, which I ordered to take home, arrived just as we were finishing our meal, so I wouldn’t have to juggle it on our tiny table—very thoughtful! On our way out, I realized I had forgotten to bring water for my dog during our little trip, and they happily provided me with a cup of water for my pooch. Yes, this place is on the pricey side. Given that Hudson is close enough to NYC to attract weekend visitors, I didn't expect low prices anywhere. Additionally, considering that most of the food is made in-house using quality ingredients, it’s understandable why the prices are higher. It’s definitely expensive, but not overpriced as some unhappy reviewers claim. If you're not willing to spend around $40 per person for brunch, you might want to look elsewhere. Although we can’t indulge like this every weekend, it’s worth it every once in a while. I ended my day with the sticky bun for dinner. Yes, that was my entire meal. It was enormous and spectacular, but I can only imagine how much better it would have been if I had eaten it sooner. In conclusion, if you find yourself in Hudson and want a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying breakfast, brunch, or lunch—or even just a sticky bun to go—make sure to stop by Cafe Mutton. It’s just the type of place you’ll want to visit.

I can’t think of anything else to say except that you definitely need to give it a try!

Got the chips and dip and then ate my 5-star steak tartare with those perfect heavenly chips and was immediately transported to heaven.

Have had dinner once and brunch once, and would 10/10 recommend both! Stand-out favorite would have to be the crepes, though. Can’t wait to return!