Jessie's Harvest House

Jessie’s Harvest House Restaurant and Lodge is a warm and comfy place to gather, featuring a delicious menu of American-style cuisine with locally-sourced ingredients, a friendly tavern, and rustic country lodging.

• Hotel Lodging
• Hotel & Lodging

Who are the people that brought this place to life, and what is their story? Well it’s the same story you hear over and over again on this mountaintop. Once upon a time there was a young guy, Phil, staring at a friendly girl, Sarah, in a local pub on a winter’s eve and the rest is history.
Phil DiFalco, the chef, was born and raised in Scarsdale, New York. Although he is not originally from the Hunter area, his love affair with our beautiful mountaintop began when he was just 3 years old. Spending many weekends with his 3 older brothers and parents at the family’s “country” home, Phil was able to learn how to love the beautiful scenery and serenity this mountaintop could offer him.
As for Phil’s culinary story -- his love of all things related to food started at a very young age where you would often find him sitting in the kitchen rather than playing outside to learn some of his family’s traditional recipes with his beloved Grandma Jessie. After graduating from college, he returned home and realized his true passion was in cooking. He decided to pursue his second degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. While completing his studies, he landed an externship at the highly rated Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester County. Rated as one of the country’s top Farm to Table restaurants, it was here that he observed a master of farm to table cuisine and ingredients which fueled Phil’s dream to open a place of his own offering the finest and freshest ingredients within close proximity to our mountaintop.
Sarah Slutzky, the love of Phil’s life, has a lifelong history with Hunter area thanks to her grandfather, Orville Slutzky, one of the founding owners of Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl. He was known for his hard work, dedication, and forward thinking during his many years at the helm of the machine that is Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl. After Sarah graduated from college with a degree in business, she returned home and decided to use her education to help out with the family business. Her experience in hospitality and guest services from her many years of working at Hunter Mountain have prepped her for being a great partner in their new venture.
Phil and Sarah live right on the mountain top with their 4-legged daughter Piper, and a beautiful human baby girl named Capri!