Crafted Kup: A Wonderful Coffee Spot in Poughkeepsie

The Ride

The Beeline Moto’s compass was pointed at the Crafted Kup in Poughkeepsie on the BMW R1200GSA, indicating 33 miles as the crow flies.  See our article on discovering new roads with Beeline.   The Crafted Kup wasn't immediately nearby but still a New York coffee spot. With the compass pointing northwest, I pulled out of the start in Cross River and headed north on Route 121 toward some of the many reservoirs in the area.

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My first reservoir was the Titicus Reservoir, quickly followed by Croton Falls Reservoir, Lake Gleneida, and the West Branch Reservoir.  All of these are part of the system of reservoirs that feeds New York City, and some of the best roads follow alongside them, including Route 301.  Once past the causeway on Route 301 over the West Branch Reservoir, I turned off onto Gipsy Trail Road as it aligned more with the compass heading.  Gipsy Trail Road has several dog leg turns, especially as it passes the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park and again as it passes through the Nimham Mountain State Forest.

While not one of the tallest mountains, at only 1201 feet, Hosner Mountain is part of the Appalachian Trail. The eponymous Hosner Mountain Road is a wonderful winding road to climb over on a motorcycle before crossing under Interstate 84 as I approached East Fishkill, NY, and entered Dutchess County.

A pond located on a farm on Hosner Mountain Road

East Fishkill was originally part of the town of Fishkill before becoming its town in 1849.  The town’s name is derived from a nearby creek called Vis Kill (Fish Creek) by the Dutch settlers of the area.  It’s home to the Hudson Valley Research Park, where IBM originally produced microchips for their high-end servers.  The proximity to Interstate 84 and the Taconic State Parkway ensures workers can easily reach the chip fab currently run by Onsemi.

Many roads here parallel or intercept the Taconic State Parkway, including Route 29, which I had taken heading north.  Like some other roads that intersect the Taconic, the crossover is now blocked and only used by state vehicles, including the State Police car that was there looking for speeders on the Taconic.   The Taconic is one of the more excellent highways for bikes, with gentle curves and a lack of big trucks.  With no choice but to head north on the Taconic, I took it to the next exit to backtrack and intercept Route 29 on the other side.

Cows in one of the many farm fields alongside the road

As I got closer to Poughkeepsie, the county seat of Dutchess, the roads became more heavily trafficked and led me to Route 55, which joins Route 44 to cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge.  I turned off just before it connected with Route 44 as my destination became closer.

Raymond Street, where Crafted Kup is located, has some turn restrictions and a center median, so I needed to do a couple of U-turns before grabbing a spot out in front.  See the route below.

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The Coffee Shop

Poughkeepsie, often referred to as the Queen City of the Hudson, has a rich history dating back to its Dutch founding in the 17th century. It served as the state capital for a period, stepping in after Kingston was burned by the British during the Independence War. Notably, it was the site where the US Constitution was ratified in NY, adding to its historical significance.

The downtown area of Poughkeepsie is home to the Bardovan Opera House, the state’s oldest ‘continuously’ operating theater. This historic venue, initially built in 1869, underwent a significant period of closure for renovation between 1905 and 1923. Another notable attraction is Vassar College, which was initially a women’s college since its founding in 1861 and became coeducational in 1969.  The college, just a few blocks from the coffee shop, is still a significant draw for the city.

You are directed to enter at one of the two doors and then circle around to the counter where you order. If you are ordering takeout, you grab your drink on the way out through the other door. The coffee shop is focused on that pattern, although there is plenty of seating inside. Some areas have bookshelves with games and books to try out.

There are lots of grey tones on the walls, some leather chairs, and a couch, though most seats are metal chairs with small tables. A few larger-sized tables are also available. The seating is essentially in two zones, similar to the two doors coming into the place.

The team at the counter consists of one cashier and another working the espresso machine. There was a bit of a line waiting to order as it was busy.  Given the size of Poughkeepsie compared to many other venues we’ve visited and the proximity to Vassar College, this probably makes sense.  As they finished up with the customer in front of me, the cashier greeted me with a friendly “What can I get for you?”

Visual Espresso menu

Every espresso option you can imagine, from Cubano to Cortado and even an RPG, was on the menu. The menu is presented visually, showing the amount of espresso and other liquids broken into groups of milk and others.

Additionally, several cold brew options, drip coffee, and teas were available. If you are hungry, several sandwiches, both for breakfast and lunch, are waiting to be ordered.

I ordered a Cortado and the Dulce De Leche Cruffin.  Given the takeout business, the cortado was served in a paper cup. While I prefer my Cortado to be served in the traditional glass vessel, it was a good drink with an aroma with hints of caramel and chocolate. The slightly chalky texture, almost like pure ground cocoa, provided a rich flavor with the equally balanced espresso and milk. The Cruffin, like a good croissant, was light and flaky with just a hint of sweetness.

While this coffee shop is in a more populated city, Dutchess County has some of the best motorcycle roads in the northeast, so it is worth a trip!