Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

The Catskills in winter are not for the faint of heart. The air bites, the snow piles high, and the winding roads seem to test your resolve at every turn. Yet, this rugged beauty is precisely why I come here—not just to endure but to embrace. This isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience, and every so often, you stumble upon a place that makes the journey more than worth it. For me, that place is Oakley’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Grill.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

I arrived with snow on my boots and the kind of hunger that only winter adventures can conjure. Inside, Oakley’s radiated a warmth that wasn’t just from the fireplace, though the flickering glow was welcome. There was something else—a sense of community, of people gathering for no reason other than good food and good company.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

The star of my evening was the Bacon Cheeseburger Pie, a wood-fired masterpiece that takes comfort food and gives it a rebellious twist. It’s not shy—it’s bold, brash, and unapologetically fun. The smoky bacon meets sweet, caramelized onions, pickles add a playful tang, and all of it is bound together with gooey American cheese and a whisper of ketchup. It’s not just a pizza; it’s a declaration that indulgence should be celebrated.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

To wash it down, I chose a pint of Ball Lightning Pilsener from Catskill Brewery. Crisp and clean, this beer is a refreshing counterpoint to the pizza’s richness—a reminder that simplicity can hold its own in the face of decadence.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

But Oakley’s isn’t just about the food. It’s about the way the atmosphere hugs you on a bitterly cold night, the way the snow outside feels like a distant memory once you’ve settled in. It’s about sitting by the fire with a pint in hand, watching the steam rise from your plate, and feeling grateful to have found such a gem in the middle of the Catskills’ frozen expanse.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

This is why I keep coming back to the mountains in winter. For me, it’s not just about braving the cold; it’s about discovering places like Oakley’s that make the effort feel like a privilege. When I’m not exploring, I retreat to the comfort of my Alluvion Vacations basecamp—an oasis of luxury that gives me the freedom to venture out and the warmth to come back to.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

If you, like me, see winter as a time for adventure and discovery, put Oakley’s on your list. The food will nourish you, the ambiance will warm you, and the experience will stay with you long after the snow has melted.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

For more tales of Catskills dining and beyond, explore my restaurant reviews and be sure to subscribe to Hudson Valley Style Magazine’s newsletter to join me on future adventures. After all, the best journeys are the ones you savor, one bite—and one story—at a time.

Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Wood-Fired Wonders in the Wintery Catskills: A Journey to Oakley’s – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – LGBTQ+ Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations